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Dec 15, 2023

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Related Video Wide and muscular, this Mazda RX-7 is the very first build taken

Related Video

Wide and muscular, this Mazda RX-7 is the very first build taken on by a young Takumi Igei, who, by chance, was inspired to build something of his own by a pop-up car meet that he never even knew existed. That, along with his love for the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), helped shape the look and feel of his RX-7 Type RS.

The event that helped kick start Takumi's automotive obsession was Super Street's Fresh Tokyo Car Meet and it was an open call to enthusiasts to attend with all makes and models. In no time at all, the parking structure at Decks Tokyo Beach, as well as surrounding streets were packed with locals and some incredible builds. Takumi, a teenager at the time, had no idea any of it was happening.

That all changed when his father, who was having dinner at Decks, gave him a call and told him to come see the line of cars taking over the structure. Takumi made his way to the happening and was floored by all the custom chassis in attendance and the impression was lasting, serving as his inspiration to build a car of his own and this menacing yellow Mazda is the result. To bring things full circle, MotorTrend's very own Jofel Tolosa, who helped pull off the event in 2017, chose the exact same parking lot to shoot the car.

Of all the cars that attended the meet, it was the third generation RX-7 that stood out the most to him. "I've loved the RX-7 ever since I was young," Takumi says. "When I was a high school student, I worked part time a lot and bought it at the same time I got my 18-year-old driver's license." Having taken matters into his own hands and worked to get his dream car, there was no doubt that he'd be modifying it heavily to make it his own, and those changes would include some slick DIY efforts.

There are dozens of avenues to take to bulk up the body of the svelte Mazda sports car but for Takumi and his passion for JGTC cars, Panspeed's "2015 NEW" widebody conversion offered the ideal styling. The eight-piece kit includes front and rear fenders with an additional 50 mm of clearance, which are now filled in with 18x10.5 BBS RI-A and Dunlop Direzza. That spot on ride height was achieved with Panspeed suspension that uses 18K front and rear springs. Pillow ball mounts and polyurethane bushings were included to update the car's handling and ride quality.

Adding to the aggressive theme, a louvered Scoot hood was bolted on and RE Amemiya headlights were brought in but only after Takumi added his personal lighting touch. He's also responsible for the one-off carbon fiber canards bolted to the front bumper. In the rear, an RE carbon fiber taillight finisher is in place and just below, the brand's vented rear bumper is installed and fitted with an M&M Honda FD2 rear fog lamp. Honda-derived pieces can also be found on either side of the RX-7 with JGTC NSX GT mirrors that were custom mounted.

The rear end changes are overshadowed by the massive, authentic JGTC Supra GT wing hovering overhead. Takumi notes, "when I heard that an acquaintance of mine owned the JGTC wing, I expressed my passion and asked him to give it up." Fortunately, his friend was willing to let go of the legendary piece that fits this build perfectly.

If this project was assembled in the U.S., you'd expect to find a huge single turbo conversion, an engine swap, or a combination of both in search of huge power numbers but for Takumi, the RX-7 is his street car and is fully capable of track day adventure with only mild engine changes. Currently, an exhaust and intake are the only power updates with the rotary fine-tuned using an A'PEXi Power FC.

To experience JGTC vibes on the road, a Bride Xero RS seat with Sparco harness is bolted in, the factory steering wheel replaced with an OMP flat-bottom wheel, and a series of Defi gauges line the dash top. A multi-point harness is also provided for the passenger seat and occupants are surrounded by a Panspeed roll cage.

We're not sure what the odds are, but the fact that Takumi's father was innocently enjoying a meal when a pop-up meet unfolded just in front of him, prompting him to inform his son and in turn inspiring a youngster to one day build a car of his own must be some sort of serendipitous event. Whatever it is, we're glad that Takumi made that trip to the meet and we were able to bring him back, full circle, to deliver his story.

Owner Takumi Igei

Instagram @takumi__fd3s

Engine Trust GReddy intake pipe kit; A'PEXi Power FC

Suspension Panspeed original suspension kit, 18K front/rear springs; reinforced urethane bushings, pillow ball mounts

Wheels and Tires BBS RI-A 18x10.5 +18; Dunlop Direzza Z3 285/30-18

Exterior Panspeed 2015 widebody kit; RE Amemiya Super rear bumper, carbon fiber taillight finisher, sleek headlight; JGTC 80s Supra GT wing, NSX GT mirror; Scoot original aero bonnet; M&M Honda FD2 rear fog lamp; Cusco front tow hook; custom carbon fiber canards

Interior Bride Xero RS seat; OMP Superquadro steering wheel; Panspeed roll cage; Defi quadruple meter; Sparco harnesses; R Magic Power FC holder