This Saturday’s Japanese Classic Car Show at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, will feature several historic Mazdas, including a rotary-powered 767B prototype (above) similar to the 787B model that in 1991 scored the only overall victory ever for a Japanese car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The largest vintage Japanese car show in the U.S. will mark that anniversary as well as the life of factory driver Yoshimi Katayama, who enjoyed a four-decade career with Mazda before passing away in March of this year.
“In order to move forward, you have to reflect on the past,” commented Kelvin Hiraishi, director of engineering, Mazda North American Operations. “From his early days racing motorcycles and Mazda Carol sedans to his later career, honing rotary engines for racing, Katayama-san will forever be remembered as a legend of Japanese and international racing and a champion of Mazda’s challenger spirit. To celebrate his life and accomplishments is our way of honoring his time as a part of the Mazda family.”
The No. 202 Mazda 767B Group C Le Mans prototype at the show placed 9th in 1989 at Le Mans and was recently back in action at last month’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Among several other Mazdas on display at the show will be a 1979 RX-7 IMSA GTU racecar that served as a development vehicle and backup. It never actually raced competitively, but still bears Katayama’s name above its driver-side door.
Beyond the Mazda emphasis, the show will also feature the debut of Nissan’s 2017 GT-R NISMO edition, a 50th anniversary celebration of Toyota’s venerable Corolla, and an autograph session with former BRE and Electramotive engineer John Knepp. For complete information on the Japanese Classic Car Show, please visit www.japaneseclassiccarshow.com
