HC 929

In an about-face from its outlandish predecessor, the 1987 929 (now in its 4th-generation) totally embraced conservatism.

But beneath the dull designs (in 4-door sedan and an entirely unrelated low-roof 4-door Hardtop iterations) lay a new platform featuring a sophisticated transverse link rear suspension for improved handling, grip and ride, and a powerful new 3.0L 18-valve V6 engine – producing 118kW of power.

Passenger space, refinement, comfort, convenience and equipment levels improved, turning the HC into an ideal open road car.

Most buyers sought it with a 4-speed auto, so the 5-speed manual was discontinued from June ’88. In early ’90 Mazda released a flagship 929 Hardtop fitted with a strong 140kW 3.0L double-overhead cam V6 engine.

The rest of the range came in for a small front and rear end facelift, new front seats, revised trim and recalibrated suspension.