Resto-rotary: 1975 Mazda RX-3
The third generation (1992-1995) Mazda RX-7 was one of the best looking cars produced in the 1990’s at any price level. They were known to have temperamental twin turbo rotary engines that came fitted with an absurd amount of rubber vacuum hoses. It is not uncommon to find LS swapped FD RX-7’s for this reason. Today’s example keeps things in the rotary family so to speak. Find this 1975 Mazda RX-3 for sale in New Haven, CT for $8,500 via craigslist.
This 1975 RX-3 “resotmad” sports a complete running gear out of a 1993 RX-7 R1. The engine, transmission, front suspension, rear suspension, dash, and wheels have all been transplanted to the RX-3. The seller notes the car originally came from the South so the body is very solid.
The seller notes the countless hours that have gone into building the car. The dash board swap was likely one of the more time consuming parts of the project. The dash design of the RX-3 is dog meat in comparison to the FD RX-7 so this was one of the best mods made to the car.
The listing does not mention how far along the car is mechanically speaking. It is unknown weather the car runs or how much more work is needed to make that happen. The seller waxes poetically, “I wish I could finished but don’t have the time or d funds to finish it, it’s not going to be another like it.”
See a better rotary engine swap? email tips@dailyturismo.com
Cory is working on his 1995 Mercedes C36 project and trying to recoup some money parting out a 1998 Mercedes C43.
Personally, I can't stand when people swap modern dashes into vintage cars. That being said, I don't know what the original looks like, but this looks wrong.
Yeah, I thought the same thing when I read the post. The original is much cooler:
[image src=" rx7club.com/attachments/old-school-other-rotary-63/183874d1152040313-rx3sp-vs-rx3-interior-questions-1975rx3dash.jpg" width="400px"/]
Agreed on the dash. I thought the point of these restomods was to have all that vintage style with modern performance. That said, it wouldn't be enough to keep me from driving it.
The irony for me is that they hacked up a beautiful car and installed everything into a uglier one.
I think you'd trip over that dash trying to get in the car. Also wondering what the pile of silly putty is on the RHS of the gauge cluster. I really like the original … too bad they didn't keep that.