Get this extremely rare Mazdaspeed AZ-1 for a price lower than a brand-new Miata.
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The entire decade of the 1990s is now over 25 years behind us, allowing U.S. enthusiasts unprecedented access to JDM vehicles, ranging from performance cars to iconic Japanese kei cars. This recent addition embodies a bit of both.
Currently available at Northeast Auto Imports in New Hampshire, this Mazdaspeed Autozam AZ-1 falls within the subcategory of kei sports cars. However, it’s rarer than other imports one might consider, like the Suzuki Cappuccino or Honda Beat, or even a standard Autozam AZ-1. Similar to other Mazda models, the Mazdaspeed variant offers something special.
The AZ-1 is already an appealing bundle thanks to its mini-supercar aesthetics. Those looks originated from Suzuki, which initiated the development of what would become the AZ-1 with a pair of concepts presented in the 1980s. Suzuki chose to produce the Cappuccino instead, leading to the AZ-1 being handed off to Mazda, which finalized its development and marketed the car under its Autozam sub-brand in Japan.
Autozam sales ran from 1992 to 1994, during which around 4,500 of these charming mid-engine kei cars were sold (including 531 that were rebranded as the Suzuki Cara). Out of this total, approximately 150 Mazdaspeed variants were produced. These featured a body kit with a prominent hood scoop and a tall rear wing, along with coilover suspension and a limited-slip differential. Most of these components were available separately from Mazdaspeed, possibly explaining why relatively few buyers opted for this upgrade.
Additionally, a Mazdaspeed air filter and exhaust system were included in the package, although it remains uncertain if they provided any significant performance enhancements. While it has that doorstop shape and gullwing doors, the AZ-1 still adheres closely to kei car specifications. Following the regulations for this category, its turbocharged three-cylinder engine sourced from Suzuki displaces only 657 cc and produces just 63 horsepower. At least it offers a five-speed manual transmission, and you certainly make a statement exiting the vehicle through those roof-hinged doors.
The seller is asking $26,500 for this example with 60,000 miles. For comparison, a Mazdaspeed AZ-1 with 86,000 miles sold for $27,250 on Bring a Trailer in 2023, while a 98,000-mile version fetched $18,100 on the same site in 2024. Despite this lower-mileage option costing less than a new Miata, the likelihood of the federal government legalizing kei cars in the near future seems low, though more states are beginning to move in that direction.
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Get this extremely rare Mazdaspeed AZ-1 for a price lower than a brand-new Miata.
Fewer than 5,000 of these gullwing kei cars were produced, with only 150 being Mazdaspeed variants.