The FC3S Mazda RX-7 typically appears overshadowed by its successor, the FD3S, nevertheless it’s exquisitely executed FCs like Saito-san’s that go away me with a mushy spot for this traditional chassis.
So far as street-terrorising automobiles go, Saito-san’s RX-7 is about as excellent for the job because it will get. So hitting the roads and lanes round Saitama is precisely what we did on this specific Saturday afternoon.
It’s not unusual to see others taking pictures their automobiles and bikes in opposition to the scenic backdrops on this small, culturally wealthy city, however not at 3:00pm on a Saturday afternoon. Cruising down Saitama’s fundamental buying road, Saito-san’s straight-piped FC nearly stopped everybody of their tracks.
Deciding it wasn’t definitely worth the threat of a Good Samaritan alerting the police to this rowdy, rotary-powered coupe, we headed barely out of city amongst the fields for some photographs.
The FC definitely appears to be like the half so far as time-attacking circuit automobiles go, however after an accident at Tsukuba Circuit just a few years in the past, Saito-san has been far more conservative together with his Mazda, largely having fun with it on the road. In truth, I used to be first launched to him at Umihotaru PA, a preferred parking space in the course of Tokyo Bay, the place Saito-san was out for drive with another FC3S house owners.
Saito-san’s automobile has gone by way of a number of completely different revisions in his seven years of possession. Over that point, the originally-white Mazda slowly acquired small items of aero and misplaced items of its inside.
Dino truly shot the automobile on the annual 7’s Day meet at Daikoku PA again in 2018 – comparability to the way it appears to be like now.
One of many standout exterior upgrades is the sometimes-controversial RE Amemiya entrance bumper (with canards) and stuck headlight conversion. Whereas I believe this provides loads to the aggressive styling of the automobile, others might disagree and query the elimination of the long-lasting pop-ups. The automobile nonetheless retains it metallic rear fenders, however up entrance makes use of Panspeed +45mm FRP fenders to accommodate the RAYS Volk Racing CE28SLs. Saito-san runs an 18×10.5-inch +15 sq. wheel setup with 275/35R18 Dunlop Direzza ZIII tyres in any respect 4 corners of the automobile.
The manufacturing facility hood has been swapped for a Tamon Design carbon fibre substitute, which paired with the RE Amemiya headlight induction aero permits for loads of air stream.
The rear of the Mazda follows go well with with an Esprit 052 GT Wing, which matches up properly with the Automobile Store Glow diffuser under. Very similar to the FD3S, FCs look nice with an in-your-face GT wing, particularly when the remainder of the automobile has been styled accordingly.
In contrast to most different modified FC RX-7s in Japan which run Ganador mirrors (Saito-san’s automobile beforehand too), Craft Sq. TC objects are a welcome change.
It’s apparent that this RX-7 has been meticulously put collectively for the circuit, and I actually hope we get to see Saito-san again on the market quickly with some regained confidence.
Regardless of the FC’s track-ready look, Saito-san has chosen to maintain the Mazda’s driveline easy. The engine is a regular 13B – the automobile’s authentic unit no much less – fitted with just a few choose bolt-ons together with an HKS front-mount intercooler package, HKS Tremendous Energy Stream air filter and the aforementioned exhaust. It’s all managed by way of an HKS F-CON V-Professional piggy-back ECU.
Behind the engine sits an ATS carbon twin-plate clutch, an FD3S 5-speed gearbox, and a Cusco 2-way LSD-equipped rear finish.
The inside is on-brand with the remainder of the automobile. There may be little left of the manufacturing facility tools, save for the sprint, centre console and passenger seat, with uncovered metallic painted, a full Cusco roll cage, Momo steering wheel, and a Bride Zeta III seat with TRS harness added. The sprint is house to 5 Defi gauges and a GReddy Profec increase controller.
If there’s one factor I like most about taking pictures automobiles in Japan, it’s the unending spots and backdrops out there, every of them setting a totally completely different scene. In simply this shoot alone, we had been in a position to soar between a large subject, a historic city, and a riverside again road – all inside 5 minutes of every different.
There’s one constant between all these spots that makes taking pictures a automobile like Saito-san’s RX-7 so nice, and that’s the distinction between the topic and the surroundings it’s in. Saito-san’s FC3S appears to be like, and is constructed for the circuit, and also you’d sometimes anticipate to see pictures of it on the monitor. Nevertheless it’s the addition of some licence plates and an nearly surreal Japanese backdrop that at all times provides a lot to the authenticity of those automobiles.
Alex Pender
Instagram: noplansco
