Mazda Luce R130 Coupé (1969-72)

The Mazda Luce is an executive car that was produced by Mazda in Japan from 1969 until 1991. It was widely exported as the Mazda 929 from 1973 to 1991 as Mazda's largest sedan. Later generations were installed with luxury items and interiors as the Luce became the flagship offering. The Luce was replaced by the Sentia in 1991 which was also exported under the 929 name. The Luce Mark I was sold in Australia and most other export markets under the names "Mazda 1500" and "Mazda 1800".

Following an agreement signed with Bertone in April 1962, the 1965 Luce 1500 show car was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italy. It was low and sharp, looking more like a contemporary BMW Bavaria than its smaller Mazda companion models. The production version had a higher roofline but retained the BMW-esque look. The base model was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive four-door sedan, and featured a square 1490 cc 1500 SOHC engine, producing 78 PS (57 kW) at 5500 rpm and 114.6 N⋅m (84.5 lb⋅ft). In December 1968, the Luce 1800 was introduced with a stroked 1.8-liter (1796 cc) 1800 engine. It produced 104 PS (76 kW) at 5500 rpm and 152 N⋅m (112 lb⋅ft) at 2500 rpm. To accommodate the taller 1800 engine the bonnet on this model has a slight bump in the middle with an air inlet on the leading edge.

Mazda Luce R130 

The rotary-powered Luce Coupé, appeared in 1969, was produced from October 1969 to 1972. It used a 1.3-liter 13A engine, which produced 126 hp (94 kW) and 172 N⋅m (127 lb⋅ft). Quarter-mile (400 meters) performance was 16.9 seconds. This model was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, then working for Bertone, as a front-wheel-drive two-door coupé with front disc brakes, which was similar to the NSU Ro 80. This model, Mazda's only front-wheel-drive rotary, is now a collector's item and very rare. Less than 1,000 were built. (wikipedia)

(Photos from rightdriveusa.com, classicdriver.com, 
j-spec.com.au & automobile-catalog.com)