Year, model, mods, etc
1975, Savanna RX-3 (JDM/RHD)
- 12A to 6 port 13B swap
- Twin disc clutch
- 48 IDA downdraft Weber
- RB header & presilencer
- Front adjustable camber plates
- Front adjustable coilover springs
- Front vented/slotted/drilled brake rotors and 4 piston calipers from Aerospace Components
- Front added on sway bar
- Yokohama Advan Oni wheels, F 15x7, R 15x7.5
- Carbon fiber hood
- Rear spoiler
- Racing seats
- Racing steering wheel
- Battery relocated to trunk
Questions to the owner:
Q: Congratulations for winning Ride of the Month! Tell us about how you acquired this car?
I purchased the car while stationed in Okinawa, Japan in the Air Force in 1997.
Q: How did you first become interested in modified cars? Have you had any previously?
My friends and I would spend the night at our friends house, sneaking out after 10pm on our BMX bikes (because we were too young to drive) and ride to where the hot rodders/racers would drag race on the highway on Okinawa.
When I finally turned 16, my very first car was a 1974 Toyota Carina 1600GT w/ sidedraft Mikuni’s, headers/exhaust, racing shocks and XR-4 wheels.
While stationed in San Antonio in 1987 I bought a 1980 RX-7, installed a front spoiler and did a lot of cosmetic stuff to it-new paint, tinted windows, redid the interior in black, relocated rear license plate.
While stationed on Okinawa from 1995 to 2003 my daily driver was a 1985 FC RX-7 turbo. Had rear spoiler, aftermarket wheels. Did not spend a lot of money on it because I wanted to spend it on my RX-3. It had an LSD in the rear and it was a lot of fun using it as a drift car.
Q: Whats the biggest reason you chose a rotary powered car to modify?
As I grew up in Japan watching the drag racers, I was very impressed with how fast the rotary cars were with only few modifications done to the engine versus the Toyota 2T-G/18R-G and Nissan L series engines. I also like the old school muscle car look of the RX-3.
Q: Is this car your daily driver? Do you participate in any form of racing? (Drag, Auto-X, etc)
No, I have a 1999 Mazda B3000 P/U. However, if the wife is using the truck for work or shopping, I drive the RX-3 if I need to go somewhere even in the rain.
I am interested in trying Auto-X with the car soon. I think it would be too slow for drag racing as the engine is right now but would not mind going out just to see what it will run.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your car?
That it’s a rare nostalgic car and is very simple to work on.
Q: Do you have any future plans for the car, or any car?
I would like to go fuel injection with it to make it easier to start and drive. Looking for some type of front spoiler for it, and would like to stiffen the chassis with front strut tower bar and maybe a roll cage.
Q: Any other hobbies besides cars?
I enjoy riding my 1994 Honda CB1000SF motorcycle. It is another rarity in the U.S., only sold for 2yrs 94-95. I am into football too. Played in Highschool then I got to play again for 5years (2000-2005) while stationed in Japan.
Q: Anyone you'd like to thank?
Definitely my wife Marife for putting up with my love of cars/motorsports. She considers my RX-3 my girlfriend.
Thanks also go out to Steve in Okinawa for winning my wheels for me on Yahoo Auctions Japan. Thanks to Luis and Kenny on the Space Coast for helping me acquire and set up my front brakes/suspension, and Paul for towing my car to DGRR 08 so I could attend an awesome event and won 1st place in the Old School category. Look forward to next year.
More pics...
photos by Allen Gibbs