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So far as knock-offs go, the FC3S Mazda RX-7 is without doubt one of the greatest. I’ll clarify that brassy opinion shortly, in case you suppose 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 definitely worth the wait, although, as I’m certain you’ll quickly agree.
I first met Kohei-san final 12 months, 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 Sort 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 comparable powertrains, there’s sufficient selection from the rotary-powered Mazda and the Golf to maintain issues attention-grabbing.
When Kohei-san acquired the RX-7 it was bone-stock and completed in Blaze Crimson, which made it significantly cheaper to buy than a Crystal White FC3S. The latter are extra fascinating in Japan, thanks partially to a sure Crimson Suns group automobile in Preliminary D.
Fortunately, Kohei-san by no means had plans to maintain the automobile inventory, so the color of the automobile was of no consequence. After becoming an AR-F entrance bumper, there was just one paint possibility, and that was Kohei-san’s favorite color, inexperienced. Nissan’s Millennium Jade to be precise.
Through the years, the vehicles has worn plenty of 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 go well with completely for my part. Tein Tremendous Drift coilovers with Swift springs guarantee a decent fitment.
The Mazda’s inside, nonetheless, is just about all authentic. It’s very a lot of the time with massive clunky plastic and material 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 received Kohei-san a bucketful of prizes from Mooneyes’ Yokohama Scorching Rod Customized Present to StanceNation’s Japan G Version. At Wekfest Japan, he’s beforehand taken residence the ‘Greatest Mazda’ accolade.
Whereas it’s all very good for Kohei-san’s efforts to be recognised at Japan’s largest modified automobile exhibits, that’s not likely 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, largely 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 by way of an outdated Japanese tuning favorite – A’PEXi’s venerable Energy FC.
At the start of this submit I made a wild accusation that the FC RX-7 is without doubt one of the best knock-offs ever produced, so I would like to clarify my rational…
All through the Seventies and early 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 offered greater than slightly inspiration for the FC3S Mazda RX-7’s silhouette.
Personally I like it, and the rationale why I believe this knock-off is without doubt one of the greatest 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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tobythyer.co.uk
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