Clear & Imply: A Tastefully Modified FC3S Mazda RX-7

So far as knock-offs go, the FC3S Mazda RX-7 is among the finest. I’ll clarify that brassy opinion shortly, in case you assume I would like my head checked, however first, let’s set the scene…

It took many months of textual content ping-pong to tee up a shoot with the proprietor of this 1989 RX-7, Kohei Miyata. It was well worth the wait, although, as I’m certain you’ll quickly agree.

I first met Kohei-san final yr, once we shot his NA2 Acura NSX-T with one other USDM-spec, left-hand drive NSX from the Stage One Japan crew. Together with the NSX and this RX-7, Kohei-san can also be the proud proprietor of a USDM Honda S2000, an EK9 Honda Civic Kind R and a Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

There’s a fantastic assortment of front- and rear-wheel drive, efficiency and practicality in his assortment, and whereas the 2 smaller Hondas share related powertrains, there’s sufficient selection from the rotary-powered Mazda and the Golf to maintain issues fascinating.

When Kohei-san acquired the RX-7 it was bone-stock and completed in Blaze Purple, which made it significantly cheaper to buy than a Crystal White FC3S. The latter are extra fascinating in Japan, thanks partly to a sure Purple Suns crew automotive in Preliminary D.

Fortunately, Kohei-san by no means had plans to maintain the automotive inventory, so the color of the automotive was of no consequence. After becoming an AR-F entrance bumper, there was just one paint choice, and that was Kohei-san’s favorite color, inexperienced. Nissan’s Millennium Jade to be actual.

Over time, the vehicles has worn quite a few completely different wheels together with RegaMaster Evos and Autostrada Modenas, however the currently-fitted RAYS Volk Racing TE37Vs in 17×10-inch and completed in basic bronze swimsuit completely for my part. Tein Tremendous Drift coilovers with Swift springs guarantee a good fitment.

The Mazda’s inside, nonetheless, is just about all unique. It’s very a lot of the time with large clunky plastic and fabric cloth so far as the attention can see, however there have been some important upgrades, particularly Mazda RX-7 Infini full bucket seats, a Renown Monaco steering wheel and a bolt-in half roll cage.

Collectively, all of those aesthetically pleasing modifications have gained Kohei-san a bucketful of prizes from Mooneyes’ Yokohama Sizzling Rod Customized Present to StanceNation’s Japan G Version. At Wekfest Japan, he’s beforehand taken house the ‘Finest Mazda’ accolade.

Whereas it’s all very good for Kohei-san’s efforts to be recognised at Japan’s greatest modified automotive reveals, that’s probably not what the Mazda is about.

It’s not solely a looker, however additionally a cooker because of its tuned 13B turbo rotary engine sitting in a tubbed, shaved and wire-tucked bay.

The factory-fitted engine stays internally inventory, however Kohei-san has thrown loads of exterior mods at it, principally centred round the massive single Belief TD06-25G turbocharger. There’s an N-Stage v-mount intercooler, Sard and Tomei gas system upgrades, and a customized exhaust comprising of a Kakimoto Racing entrance pipe and RE Amemiya titanium muffler. Engine administration comes through an outdated Japanese tuning favorite – A’PEXi’s venerable Energy FC.

At the start of this put up I made a wild accusation that the FC RX-7 is among the biggest knock-offs ever produced, so I would like to elucidate my rational…

All through the Nineteen Seventies and early Nineteen Eighties, Japanese automakers had been unashamedly borrowing design cues from their international friends. Whereas it’s mechanically very completely different, it’s not in any respect tough to not see that the Porsche 924 after which 944 supplied greater than a bit of inspiration for the FC3S Mazda RX-7’s silhouette.

Personally I find it irresistible, and the explanation why I believe this knock-off is among the finest ever made is as a result of it seems higher than the unique. The tasteful upgrades that Kohei-san has made to his RX-7, have solely made it even higher once more.

Toby Thyer
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