The cheapest way to maintain a Mazda RX-7 is to stuff a diesel engine. And yes, there are those who have dared with it

Rotary engine, scamotable headlights and a silhouette, simply, perfect. The third generation of Mazda RX-7 is not only a sculptural carit is a fundamental pillar of the Japanese automobile culture that came to us in the 90s.

For those who grew up those years with Gran Tourism under the armJapan became an absolute reference when building our most precious memories. They were years of matagigants such as Honda NSX or the Nissan Skyline GT-Rdomain in the World Cup in Rallies of Subaru and Mitsubishiand the tunning with greater taste that has been seen with the Toyota supra, Mitsubishi Eclipse or the Mazda RX-7 (among many others that I leave) by flag.

As if that were not enough, later the iconic would arrive Mazda RX-7 by Dominic Toretto In the first to all gas, I would return with Han in Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift And, meanwhile, we could drive it in the aforementioned Gran Turismo or in the Need For Speed, if we want to follow that tuning aspect.

It is not surprising that the public has love to a car that was not only beautiful. He was also spectacular for his peculiar engine and his delicious sound.

All that has been lost with this peculiar restoration.

A DIESEL MAZDA?

“I bought it two years ago and it was nothing more than a chassis (…) had no engine, or gearbox, or interior …” With these words, the Arnold declaration begins, a Polish that Account on the Nightride YouTube channel (Almost a million subscribers), the story of his Mazda RX-7.

The words of the owner of this mythical sporting have the halo that seems to be exculpating their sins in the confessional. “I started with the aesthetic part”he recounts when he says that only after modifying his exterior and resembling him to aesthetics Touge (The Japanese seventies fashion to skid on the mountain roads that is collected in films such as Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift or in the famous initial manga d) It was when he thought what he would do with the engine.

The third generation of Mazda RX-7 is famous for set up a rotary engine biturbo that reached 280 hp. In addition to a very light chassis, the car quickly became saint and sign of Drift lovers. It was a car that had everything, a brutal aesthetic, a rare engine and a sound that remembered the mythical Mazda 787b That was done with the victory in Le Mans.

“I wanted the car to be controversial”. And what if it has been. Not precisely because of the aesthetic carbon fiber package based on the needd Speed Underground. Arnold decided that nothing would cause more impact than forgetting the rotating engine and seating a six diesel cylinders.

Yes, you have read well.

I know you need time to digest it.

Can you keep reading?

The six -cylinder diesel came from a BMW 5 E39 series. With the smile of who knows that has committed a crime He has achieved his goal, he says on the camera: “I wanted to have a car with a shocking engine under the hood. And it was shocking, because it works in a Mazda RX-7”.

And then, with a smile, he explains that he valued many types of engines but that was finally decided by the six BMW diesel cylinders. A reliable and cheap engine. No other engine that I could use was so cheap and gave it so much performance. But he also confesses, “I liked to anger people.”

Looking at the good side of things, Arnold says that the project was born with the idea of being “a cheap drift car” that could complement with the other RX-7 that, this yes, has a rotating engine in its garage. But the project became more expensive. He raised the power from 184 to 270 hp and installed a rear differential, also from BMW that he customized.

He assures that he continues to use it as a car for Drift but, finally, so much attention for the detail has made it a vehicle to use on a day -to -day basis. With his beautiful image his diesel engine will not attract attention … until someone misses the particular howl of the newspaper.

“Some love him and others hate him”says at the end of the video.

Well, Arnold, we imagine that on that balance there are many more on one side than in the other. But at least we stayed that the chassis of a Mazda RX-7 was returned to life and now dazzles those who find it down the street.

Photo | Jacob s and BMW

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