More Abandoned Concept Cars: The Mazda AZ-550 And MX-04

How does one decide when dumping a concept car is a good idea? Surely if the model in question went on to be a halo car of some sort for the company, keeping the concept which led to the production of it would be a fairly high priority? Whatever the case these two Mazda concepts, the AX-550 and what we are led to believe is the MX-04 have met the same fate as the Suzuki Kizashi concept cars.

Mazda MX-04 1:1 scale model

Thanks to Tomo from ガルエモ (Gullwing Emotion) we’ve been able to track down information on these two partially destroyed Mazda Autozam AZ-1 concept cars. Apparently the top gunmetal colored one is the “MX-04″ which was a 1:1 scale model, although why it shares its name with the  more well known MX-04 concept car shown at the 1987 Tokyo Motor Show we’re not sure. The red one underneath is of course none other than the Mazda AZ-550 Sports, the concept car which got the green light for production and went on to become the Autozam AZ-1 (and the Suzuki Cara) gull wing 660cc Kei sports car. The concepts can be identified by the central exhaust tips and side intake-less three quarter panels on the MX-04, and the signature retractable headlights and offset hood scoop on the AZ-550. As with the Suzuki Kizashi concepts we reported on not long ago, the roof and pillars of both cars have been removed to improve “stackability”!

Just like the Suzuki Kizashi concept cars, these cars seem to be abandoned for no apparent reason but this time they appear to be outside a wrecking yard of some sort. We’re not sure when these photos were taken but it’s still sad to see a little bit of Japanese show car history left outside and partially destroyed. Hmm, the AZ-1 was powered by the Suzuki F6A 660cc turbo engine… I wonder if Suzuki is  ultimately behind the destruction of these two concepts?

Words: Justin Karow
Images/Info: Motor Fan, エースCARガイド, www.gullemo.net