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Topic starter
12/05/2024 9:42 am
Unlike its early competition, Mazda never gave up on the Wankel Rotary Engine. In 1978, ten years after the launch of the Cosmo Sport rotary, Mazda decided the best engine for this first generation Savanna RX-7 FB (AKA: SA22C to enthusiasts) as the rotary's dimensions allowed it to be placed behind the front axles for weight distribution and lower center of gravity. Its design was supposed to be inspired by the Lotus Elan. This first year engine only produced 100 HP, but with its light weight and handling was still a quick little car. Over the years of the 1st gen RX-7 FB (the first 2 letters of the cars VIN), displacement was increased and ultimately turbocharged. What made it extremely popular in Japan was that its displacement never exceeded 1.5 liters which would have subjected the car to the harsh Japanese Road Tax. Production of the RX-7 continued to its 3rd generation (FD) (1991-2002) and by that time the Wankel was twin turbocharged serving up 255 HP. It was succeeded by the RX-8, which ended production in 2012. After that, the Wankel was only used in race cars with its power increased to a whopping 700 HP!
Model by AUTOart.
Note the complex exhaust system. I have no idea what that was all about.
12/05/2024 11:26 am
A very attractive and detailed replica ! It is quite good-looking as both an automobile and AUTOart model.
Christopher Moroni reacted
12/05/2024 12:46 pm
RE:
The Wankel Revival
I was just completing a text to Forum member Graeme Ogg assuming he would be excited about your post, when luckily I realized that I had misread one word of the post title as Wanker. I suppose my error gives credence to his comment regarding my deficient English language skills.
Topic starter
12/05/2024 1:39 pm
@jack-dodds Tell him you don't speak English; you speak AMERICAN, dammit!!!
Jack Dodds reacted
12/05/2024 5:02 pm
Actually Rich, the rotary used in the 787B made 900 HP but was detuned for fuel economy and reliability down to 700 HP. During practice for that 1991 Le Mans race they were seeing who could get the best fuel mileage over raw speed. Jacky Ickx was brought on board the Mazda team and he talked Mazda into going with a carbon fiber tub for the car, also during the race Ickx told his drivers to push the Sauber Mercedes as hard as they could and it worked, the Sauber Mercedes had problems. 1991 was a year were everything came together for Mazda at the 24 Hours of Le Mans because Jacky Ickx lobbied for Mazda to not have to carry extra weight, the competition did not think Mazda would be a factor and did not say anything. 1991 was Mazda's last chance to win Le Mans with the rotary engine because it was being banned due to a change in the rules.
12/05/2024 10:01 pm
I owned a 1982 RX-7 from 1982 to 1993, and then a 1993 RX-7 from 1993 to 2021. I enjoyed driving both of them very much. If they made a fourth generation RX-7, I would have bought one. I did not like the looks of the RX-8. Regarding the third generation (FD), it was only sold new in the US for 1993 through 1995 model years.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
13/05/2024 1:05 am
@jack-dodds Tell him you don't speak English; you speak AMERICAN, dammit!!!
I understand what you are saying but please understand that we are talking about Graeme Ogg.....I must tread lightly. My God, the man shoots at roaming carolers from his front porch rocker at Christmas and is still excavating a massive cave under his house, preparing for the apocalypse.
Rich Sufficool and Christopher Moroni reacted
13/05/2024 8:15 am
Note the complex exhaust system. I have no idea what that was all about.
I don't either, but overall, this is a great looking AA model. Those seats are fantastic looking!
Rich Sufficool reacted
Topic starter
13/05/2024 9:32 am
Actually Rich, the rotary used in the 787B made 900 HP but was detuned for fuel economy and reliability down to 700 HP.
Yeah, I read that that engine had the capability for 1000 HP. Amazing for an engine design that most everyone gave up on. I had read so many articles trashing the rotary engine that I'd stopped paying any attention to it. It when I researched this model that I became aware of its very successful history.
Christopher Moroni and Jack Dodds reacted
13/05/2024 3:30 pm
AA did a fantastic job on their RX7. I wish I'd grabbed one of these, but do have the later FD version by Kyosho.
13/05/2024 9:55 pm
Here are two pictures of the Kyosho FD Mazda RX-7 in silver with Chicago Grant Park and skyline in the background.
The third picture is my 1:1 scale 1993 Mazda RX-7, which I owned from 1993 to 2021. The color is Montego Blue.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
Rich Sufficool and Christopher Moroni reacted
14/05/2024 9:21 am
Love your Montego Blue, @ed-davis! I think the styling on these is excellent. I had that same silver Efini version, but sold it when I found the red.
15/05/2024 3:31 am
Actually this article appeared in the motoring section of todays Melbourne The Age.
Ed Davis and Christopher Moroni reacted