May 2008 Ride of the Month - SavannaDan (Winner of DGRR Old School Rotary)!

***Herblenny*** · 04-30-2008, 10:18 AM

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

***Herblenny*** · 05-02-2008, 02:01 PM

hmm.. No one's congratulating Dan??

Or Questions about his 3??

Phoenix7 · 05-02-2008, 02:05 PM

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! Car looks amazing!

So, because it is a '75 it was not a problem importing it?

Where are the booty shots?

Nexcis · 05-02-2008, 02:07 PM

Well I'll be the 2nd to congratulate Dan!

As far as questions... you've covered it all pretty much... except for one question... how much for your car?

sumdeus · 05-02-2008, 06:55 PM

It is a beautiful car.

Mods; RX-8 Front rotary accent

banzaitoyota · 05-02-2008, 07:03 PM

very nice....

khronus79 · 05-02-2008, 09:13 PM

congrats, Dan. Next year we're caravaning to DGRR09 and you better bring that puppy.

RoughRex · 05-03-2008, 01:18 AM

Beautiful ride man, I drooled all over it at DGRR.

firzen · 05-03-2008, 10:05 AM

Old school rotary ftw- back when gas prices weren't a problem and everybody'd get smoked by us...

Pourman · 05-03-2008, 02:25 PM

Congrats !!

... there were alot of nice cars at the event , but yours I liked the best of all ... VERY clean , nice Car

... didn't know you , but we were the ones eating breakfast Friday morning at the Village next to your table , should have said Hello ... see you next year

manveru · 05-04-2008, 08:51 PM

congrats, super deserving of the win. i cant wait til i have the space/time/money to dig my hands into an old skool rotary project. would love to do a PP rx4

SavannaDan · 05-04-2008, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenix7

So, because it is a '75 it was not a problem importing it?

Yes, no problem since it's over 25yrs old. Didn't require any special safety modifications or emissions testing. Had it shipped to Virginia for free by the military when I got stationed there.

SavannaDan · 05-04-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khronus79

congrats, Dan. Next year we're caravaning to DGRR09 and you better bring that puppy.

Sure, that would be fun. Yeah, I'd prefer to go up with a group just in case any mechanical problems happen to any of our cars. But I'm pretty confident the 3 can make the long trip without any problems. I enjoyed your photos on the DGRR forum. Great work.

zonblitz · 05-05-2008, 09:42 AM

Congrats! I love your car and I love the Q&A... very cool!

well uhhh · 05-05-2008, 09:48 AM

super clean. I love it. Congrats

04-30-2008, 10:18 AM	#1
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	May 2008 Ride of the Month - SavannaDan (Winner of DGRR Old School Rotary)! 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 __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny Last edited by Herblenny; 04-30-2008 at 10:22 AM.

05-02-2008, 02:01 PM	#2
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	hmm.. No one's congratulating Dan?? Or Questions about his 3?? __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

05-02-2008, 02:07 PM	#4
Nexcis Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 216 Rep Power: 18	Well I'll be the 2nd to congratulate Dan! As far as questions... you've covered it all pretty much... except for one question... how much for your car? __________________ '94 VR FD - Mod List Last edited by Nexcis; 05-02-2008 at 02:07 PM. Reason: Editing from 1st to 2nd.

05-02-2008, 07:03 PM	#6
banzaitoyota Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 201 Rep Power: 18	very nice.... __________________ My deuce

05-02-2008, 09:13 PM	#7
khronus79 RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 661 Rep Power: 18	congrats, Dan. Next year we're caravaning to DGRR09 and you better bring that puppy. __________________

05-02-2008, 06:55 PM	#5
sumdeus Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 148 Rep Power: 0	It is a beautiful car. Mods; RX-8 Front rotary accent

05-03-2008, 01:18 AM	#8
RoughRex Out of Nickels and Dimes Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 192 Rep Power: 18	Beautiful ride man, I drooled all over it at DGRR. __________________ 1988 GXL

05-03-2008, 10:05 AM	#9
firzen Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 231 Rep Power: 18	Old school rotary ftw- back when gas prices weren't a problem and everybody'd get smoked by us...

05-03-2008, 02:25 PM	#10
Pourman Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Perdido Key , Florida Posts: 320 Rep Power: 18	Congrats !! ... there were alot of nice cars at the event , but yours I liked the best of all ... VERY clean , nice Car ... didn't know you , but we were the ones eating breakfast Friday morning at the Village next to your table , should have said Hello ... see you next year

05-04-2008, 08:51 PM	#11
manveru The Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19 Rep Power: 0	congrats, super deserving of the win. i cant wait til i have the space/time/money to dig my hands into an old skool rotary project. would love to do a PP rx4 __________________ 95 MBM- T04R 97 Grand Cherokee- FS, $4500, pm me. Also have FC/FD turbo goodies for sale, pm me.

05-05-2008, 09:42 AM	#14
zonblitz Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pearl River, LA Posts: 166 Rep Power: 18	Congrats! I love your car and I love the Q&A... very cool!

05-05-2008, 09:48 AM	#15
well uhhh The Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 17 Rep Power: 0	super clean. I love it. Congrats