We motoring enthusiasts are an interesting breed. Our senses come alive in the presence of metal (or carbon) on four wheels, piecing apart the components of machines to discover whether they’re worth our time.
The sense of sound is undoubtedly the most imperative when it comes to this, which is slowly diminishing with the increase in production of electric cars, that simply do not produce the noise we all crave. The scream, the bangs, the shifts, the pops. Our ears prick up at the slightest sound of engines. It's why the "It's the sound" mantra for the 2024 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival is so fitting.
There’s a select group of cars which stand above the rest, worshipped for the orchestral symphonies emitted from their exhausts. To many, sitting on top of the ranks is the iconic Mazda 767B.
Rotaries are renowned for their high-pitch, untamed squeal. The 767B takes this up multiple levels. With a quad-rotor engine producing 630 horsepower, the 767B ensures maximum interest whenever the throttle is opened. The concept of noise and the effect on motoring enthusiasts proves how, in many cases, other attributes of the car are disregarded.
The 767B was by no means an extremely successful car, with its most notable results of seventh and ninth in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1989. However, this is ignored when the four rotors come to life.
While Mazda’s attempt at prototype endurance racing was not as successful as they may have envisioned, the popularity and following gained by the simple factor of noise far outlived that if they had been a dull, emotionless competitor.
The 767B was introduced to the world in 1989, encompassing elements from previous Mazdaspeed cars including the 757 and 767 predecessors. There were only three 767Bs ever produced, making it an incredibly rare car to find. While the 767B is often recognised by rotary aficionados, it is generally overlooked by the more successful 787B which replaced its antecedent.
The 787B won the 1991, the first Japanese car to ever win Le Mans, and much like the 767B grew a cult-like following due to its instantly recognisable and unique engine note. On top of this, the sleek, aerodynamic focused design paired with the fantastic green on orange livery results in a sight for the eyes too, and is often seen to be the pinnacle of theatrics in motorsport.
In the current day, there are few internationally cult iconic race cars like the 767B/787B.
Attendees of the 2024 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival will have the privilege of hearing and seeing the incredible 767B roar around the Victoria Park in the Invitational category, with the owner not afraid to stretch the legs of the retro racer. It will certainly be something that will remain with the audience for their lifetime, and motoring enthusiasts will have a field day as their sense of sound is engulfed with the squeal of the quad-rotor engine.
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