While the RE Amemiya body kit made the Mazda RX-7 stand out, it wasn’t enough to make it sell at an online auction
by Brad Anderson
2 hours ago
- RE Amemiya body kit gives this RX7 a Porsche-like face and wild shape.
- Australian auction ended with no buyer despite the RX7’s rare upgrades.
- Original 1.3-liter twin-turbo rotary engine remains completely untouched.
In late 1991, Mazda introduced the third-generation FD RX-7, a car that arrived with the kind of flowing lines that tend to outlast fashion. More than three decades later, that shape still draws eyes in much the same way, and collectors have taken notice, as recent auction activity keeps reminding us.
But not every RX-7 draws a bidding frenzy. This particular example, recently offered through an online auction, failed to find a buyer, possibly because it doesn’t quite resemble the standard car many enthusiasts revere.
Listed for sale in Australia, this RX-7 features an RE-Amemiya AC987 body kit. This kit is so comprehensive that plenty of car enthusiasts probably wouldn’t even be able to recognize the car as an RX-7.
Radical Rework
Up front, the familiar pop-ups are gone, replaced by headlights modeled after the Porsche 911. A custom front bumper and vented hood also feature, reshaping the face of the car and aiding engine bay ventilation.
Read: Live Out Your Tokyo Drift Dreams With This VeilSide Mazda RX-7
The wing mirrors have also been relocated from the doors to the front quarter panels in classic JDM style. Other key parts included with the kit are custom rocker panels and skirts, rear quarter panels, a fixed rear wing, and a distinctive rear fascia with a new bumper and taillights.
The result is distinctive, certainly. But whether it’s a visual improvement or a step too far from the RX-7’s original character depends on the eye of the beholder. Either way, it’s not likely to be mistaken for anything stock.
Collecting Cars
The Collecting Cars listing notes the Mazda sits on 17-inch wheels and the dashboard has been signed by Keeichi Tsuchiya, known as the ‘drift king.’
Interestingly, the powertrain is believed to have been left untouched, meaning the 1.3-liter rotary engine is the same as it was when it left the factory. Thanks to twin sequential turbochargers, the FD RX-7 delivers 252 hp, which makes it plenty of fun to drive.
