Car Features

Story by: Tommy Parry

Though Jordan rolled this ‘73 Mazda RX-3 up his driveway fourteen years ago, he had big dreams for this machine. “I wanted the most; the most rubber I could fit underneath it, and the loudest, most obnoxious rotary engine I could have.” Since then, he’s flipped a few cars and his taste has grown more refined.

It’s only recently that he’s been able to get to work on it. Not that that bothers him, since the aims he had at the age of eighteen aren’t the same as those he has now—and what he’s after these days is a little more realistic. While retaining those classic looks, his new objective is making the Mazda as modern underneath the skin as possible. “I love the classic looks of the RX-3 and wanted to see what it’d be like with the handling of a Miata and three times the factory output,” he declared.

With the help of Ottawa’s Better Motorsports, he began tearing it apart. The first order of business was buying a Miata frame to salvage the subframes and suspension pieces. The choice of Miata pieces would simplify the modding process; coming by good RX-3 parts is a headache, whereas the Miata has one of the broadest aftermarkets around. However, they opted for a set of RX-3-spec coilovers from QA1, which saved him and his friend Sean from having to construct new shock towers.

Sean’s metalworking helped mate the Miata’s subframes to the RX-3’ body, as well as create a nice home for the proposed motor. After closing the wheel wells, retrofitting the brake booster and master cylinder, pulling the firewall back a few inches, and fashioning a steering shaft, he could implant an engine which takes up a fair amount of space, for a rotary, anyways.

The engine should please any rotary enthusiast. A three-rotor 20B engine, even with the factory turbos removed, can make a healthy 300 horsepower—more than enough power to get the 2,100-pound RX-3 moving along nicely. Despite it’s additional width over the factory 12A, removing the turbochargers and all the forced induction ancillaries made putting it in its new home simple.

Then came wheels wide enough to administer that power. At the rear, Jordan opted for Avanti Storm S1 wheels measuring 15x9”. Wrapped in 245-section tires, he ought to have no trouble turning that power into propulsion. The same wheels, albeit an inch narrower, adorn the front axle. With the compact 3-rotor keeping weight far behind the shock towers, turn-in should be impressive.

Once this Mazda is complete, Jordan plans to use it for casual cruises, the occasional autocross, and perhaps even a longer trip with the Hot Rod Power Tour. With its classic looks and modern flair, it ought to do a good job representing the imports at a domestic-heavy event like that.

To keep an eye on Jordan’s inspiring build, visit his build thread here.