Mazda has produced some iconic sports cars throughout its history, and now those vehicles have been immortalized in stamp form. Released as a limited-edition on November 1st, the Japan Post Network Chugoke Regional Office has created a 12-stamp set officially titled History of Mazda Motor Corporation Hiroshima.

The stamp set is limited to just 3,000 units and each one comes with a 1:64 scale model of a white Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S. Images on the stamps range from the past icons such as the 1950 Mazda-Go three-wheeled truck and aforementioned Cosmo to modern ones like the MX-5 and Mazda5. It’s not just cars though, as one of the stamps features an image of Mazda’s infamous rotary engine.

Unfortunately, those of us outside of Japan will not be able to purchase this stamp collection, as Mazda is only offering it in its home market. The price is 2,800 Yen per set, which is about $35 USD based on current exchange rates. The stamps are shown in the image to the right, which you can expand by clicking on it, and Mazda’s official press release is available after the jump.

This is Mazda’s version of a downsized, credit-crunch friendly MX-5, the MX-2.

Our illustration shows what the MX-2 is likely to look like. You can see that the Furai concept will have a strong influence in the design, while a hint of Ferrari California is also present in the headlamps.
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I was just patiently reading Motor Trend this weekend, as I was preparing to re-enter the shortened workweek. The long weekend has allowed me to collect my thoughts and focus on some fine literature such as this wonderful InterLink Media publication.

The root of my concern is the Handling Test that was conducted in the current October 2008 issue of Motor Trend. I think it is completely biased and the authors are full of shit. The following vehicles were tested in terms of handling:

• Audi R8
• BMW M3
• Chevrolet Cobalt SS
• Dodge Viper ACR
• Ford Shelby GT500KR
• Mazda RX-8
• Mini Copper S
• Mitsubishi Evo MR
• Nissan GT-R
• Porsche 911 Turbo

The persons responsible for picking out the top 5 should have read up on performance and handling before attempting this magazine writing business.
The results were as follows:

1. Audi R8
2. Nissan GT-R
3. BMW M3
4. Mazda RX-8
5. Porsche 911 Turbo
6. Mitsubishi Evo MR
7. Dodge Viper ACR
8. Mini Cooper S
9. Chevrolet Cobalt SS
10. Ford Shelby GT500KR

I applaud Randy Pobst, who found something positive to say about the Mazda RX-8, which came out 4th in rankings in front of the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Dodge Viper ACR. This truly proves that any magazine opinion can be bought and sold for dinners, track rentals, testing facilities and that the general commentary in these magazines is usually BS.

I guess, I should mention that Mazda North America generously donated time at the Mazda Raceway in Laguna-Seca, where the testing was conducted. This propelled the RX-8 to fourth overall position, even when the test driver commented it was “slow” in terms of lap-times, lacked lateral grip and let’s not even speak of the figure eight numbers.

I guess the general readership should be lucky a Mazda 3 did not get entered in the competition instead of the RX-8, otherwise that would’ve beaten out the 911 Turbo and Viper.

Publishers should be ashamed to print this garbage they call journalist opinion and they should call it “personal favoritism” instead of an unbiased “handling test”.

I’m not sure what is next for Motor Trend, but hopefully Kia doesn’t start sponsoring them, otherwise the Rio might have the potential to be the Best Handling Car of America in the coming years.