I was really surprised when I visited the Classic Car show at the NEC last weekend to come across an origional Grp B RX-7. I was even more surprised when I found out that it was now resident in the UK and was one of the pair of cars that really sparked my interest in RX-7s on the 1984 RAC rally. My thanks to the guys from Silverstone Autosport (Lindop) who let me have a good look at the car. I can\'t wait to see this car agan out on the stages where I can hopefully get a few better pictures than are possible under the indoor lighting at the NEC. For those interested details of appearances will be up on their web site http://www.silverstoneautosport.co.uk/.
It was relly interesting to see how the engine is moved back in the chassis so that the front is about level with the front axle line (see picture of engine mount). You will also see in the rear the dual electric fuel pumps (I have seen pictures of works cars with 3 in ths position) and the dry sump tank on the other side behind the fuel tank.
This car now has a UK registration (have you got it on your list yet David?) although I understand it was the 1984 RAC Ingvar Carlson car (CJH710) and the 18th of 20 cars built by MRTE.
Rally history for this car:
RAC 84 - Carlsson/Melander N°26 - retired rear axle failure
Sweden 85 - Carlsson/Melander N°8 - 8th
Acropolis 85 - Carlsson/Melander N°9 - 3rd
Lindisfarne 85 - Carlsson/Mellander N°2 - 2nd
RAC 85 - Carlsson/Melander N°9 - 10th
Dave
Thanks for the post Dave,
Hopefully this car will be brought along to R7 where it will appreciate the adulation it deserves, plus the pictures from a Rotorstock appearance would end up all around the world,
Thanks Dave. No I didn\'t have it as I didn\'t know any were surviving. (Though I\'ve got Fintan Foley\'s S1 Rally car which is probably older). I\'ve noted it as 1984 build.
The Reg doesn\'t appear to be a recognised road reg - so it\'s probably transported about?
No matter, all entered up now. Cheers.
Fabulous - thanks for the photos. I was asked to display mine there on a mag stand but couldn\'t as it wasn\'t ready. I\'m pleased I didn\'t now, I\'d have been upstaged! ;-)
S.
Is the fuel tank behind driver or under were the spare wheel would sit as there seems to be a aluminium box which maybe gives a little room behind drivers seat great to see the close up photos more please.
The fuel tank is behind the drivers seat and above the rear axle. This unfortunatly raised the cog but it puts more weight over the rear axle. It also removes the risk of damage of debris passing under the car
Fuel tank is situated under the hatch area where the spare wheel would normally go. You can see the fuel filler is let into the driver side (lhd) rear side window, just above and in front of the dry sump tank, and the pipe goes down into the tank. There is a glass window from the top of the rear firewall to the roof so that the passenger compartment is isolated from fuel/oil tanks.
I have seen pictures of cars where the shape of the rear firewall is formed in a semi circular fashion to allow two spare wheels to be carried (R. Klein Rally Cars P372). Not sure if this was standard on all works cars and has been subsequently changed at a rebuild on this car, or was just used for some events e.g. Acropolis where 2 spares would have been useful.
Dave
Looking at the Klein picture closely it looks like the petrol filler may go in to an upper tank rather than the underfloor tank that is on this car at present. Only way to really find out what options could be used will be to look at the homologation papers.
I have not seen too many interior period pictures of works cars. If anyone has any please share.
Dave
I want it! That\'s so cool :god
Thats the nicests looking 1st gen iv ever seen :eek:
here\'s one in it\'s working clothes @1.12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYy0WNvtorw
you would think it had anti lag
it\'s not the same car ,near enough but good show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJFpqTlPc4c
While we are all at it then
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SMmjUk7CR4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCCQi4CrPeg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS1rVAojKgY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6gV05ouKFM&feature=related
There are some videos of this car in action before it was sold on the following site:
http://www.c-jacob.com/index.php?file=Download&op=categorie&type=2
Rallye des Ardennes in the 2007 folder is worth watching. There are a fair few in 2007/2008 year folders. I found the best way to watch is to download the file by right clicking on the Telecharger ce fichier link and doing a save target as.
Dave
Hi
Just another record to the history of this rally car.
Check the year 1984 on the list of the rally winners :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rally_of_Poland
just looking at this thread what axle was used in this car would have thought the standard axle wouldnt stick last long?
Not sure if anyone can identify the axle from the attached picture.
Dave
This help with a bit more exposure dialled in?
Impressed Mr Baily....................
Quote from: A7RXY;691222Impressed Mr Baily....................
My Apple iphoto can see through clothes... (why didn\'t Clark Kent use that feature more on Lois?).
Still don\'t know \'owt abart t\'axle though.
Must be out of a van or similar ford rally cars used ford transit axles i.e.atlas Talbot used a 4ha axle out of a light truck in there sunbeams opel mantas used a opel Monza axles so i am sure mazda would taken it from there own parts supply\'s looks fairly standard all the same this must be lindop motor sports area of expertise as they own a genuine example
Just read a bit further into a tread a 2600 diff what\'s a 2600 ?
you mean B2600 pickup truck
did they do a 2600 van or was that a E2000
No idea just trying to identify the axle
I got to see this car in action at Abingdon last week, and must say it was bloody fantastic, sideways everywhere and it didn\'t half shift! Surprisingly, the Evo broke about half way into the day but the RX kept going! I\'m currently trying to find a way to convert RAW Nikon files so I can edit the photos on my personal lap-top rather than at work. As soon as I sort it, I\'ll get some of the photos up. I do have one on my own lap-top I can upload though, I\'ll get it up next time I\'m on it.
Looking forward to it ......................
Also in the other thread:
(http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5713/fbrally.jpg)
Quote from: Nocturnal;696538I got to see this car in action at Abingdon last week, and must say it was bloody fantastic, sideways everywhere and it didn\'t half shift! Surprisingly, the Evo broke about half way into the day but the RX kept going! I\'m currently trying to find a way to convert RAW Nikon files so I can edit the photos on my personal lap-top rather than at work. As soon as I sort it, I\'ll get some of the photos up. I do have one on my own lap-top I can upload though, I\'ll get it up next time I\'m on it.
You should have popped down to the other end of the paddock and said hello.Mind you the evo lasted longer than me
Ah! I have a few pictures of your laps too, including the \'off\' :Thumbsup! Unfortunately they\'re in my unedited batch, and getting them to work on my laptop isn\'t going well! What happened with yours? The marshall told us you\'d only just built the car and it was its\' first outing, was he right?
It was origionaly built many years ago with a 13b in it. It changed hands several times before I found it in a barn. It sat there for a few more years before I got my hands on it after I sold my 1st gen circuit car.
After about 18months of rebuild,replace and puting right some very bad wrongs we took it to santa pod for the jap finals last year where it didnt run well at all.After more faffing its now at this stage.Still not 100% happy with it but its a vast improvement on what it was. Abingdon was the first time I have thrown it at some corners and the suspension was still on a base set up when I broke the exhaust so ended the fun for the day.I was on my last run before I was going to play with the set up when it broke.Apparently its seems to be quick enough in a straight line so I can go from there
Ah I see. It certainly looked very quick, and was without a doubt the best looking kit-car there.
Quote from: Nocturnal;696679Ah I see. It certainly looked very quick, and was without a doubt the best looking kit-car there.
You make me blush