Having started as a cork factory, the first roadable products of the Toyo Kogyo group from Hiroshima in 1931 were motorbikes and three-wheeler vans. The first car prototype was developed in 1940, though it took another 20 years before mass production could start. Along with the entire Japanese car industry, the development of Mazda then took off at truly breathtaking speed.

The first model in 1960 was the R-360 (the number indicates the capacity), a coupe that survived until 1970. In 1962, the slightly larger Carol (available with 360 and 600 cc) followed, a car that was similar to the Ford Anglia and had a reverse-angle rear window. In 1964 a convertible complemented the series. One of the reasons Mazda became known in Germany was because of its takeover of the Wankel rotary piston license in 1961 and is still faithfully using and developing this particular combustion engine technology today.

Mazda collaborates extensively with Ford, is still making a Carol for the home market and has shown with its AZ-1 since 1992 that a coupe with folding doors does not have to be called "SL", that it does not have to come from Stuttgart and that it can still be beautiful, despite being 130 inches in length. As with other Japanese vehicles, small cars opened Mazda's door into a higher class market.

Manufacturer: Toyo Kogyo Co., Hiroshima, Japan

Model: R-360 Coupe	Motor: 4-stroke	Body: Monocoque
Years Built: 1960 - 1970	No. Cylinders: 2	Chassis: None
No. Produced:	Displacement: 356 cc	Suspension Front: Torsion Rubber
No. Surviving:	Horsepower: 16	Suspension Rear: Torsion Rubber
Length: 2 980 mm	Gearbox: 4 + rev	Steering: Rack & Pinion
Width: 1 290	Starter: Electric	Brakes: Hydraulic
Weight: 380 kg	Electrics: 12 v	4 Wheels: 4.80 x 10"
Interior: 2 + 2 seats	Ignition: Coil	Top Speed: 90 kph