Random Snap>>13b-powered Altezza

I don't really consider myself to be a "purist" when it comes to cars, but I can see how hardcore Mazda enthusiasts would have a tough time with all the people swapping V8's and other piston engines into RX7's these days. Occasionally though, you'll find someone going against the current and dropping a rotary into a "traditional" platform. This SXE10 Toyota Altezza is one of them. It's being built by Martin Ffrench for use in the UK-based JDM All Stars drift series, and from what we hear, it's shaping up to be one of the coolest drift cars in Europe. Besides the RE powerplant, a full carbon kevlar aero kit is in the works for the exterior. Martin obviously isn't a purist because he also has a sister-car to this that's powered by a Nissan SR20DET. We'll be sure to update once the car is finished. Thanks to Paddy McGrath for the tip and for the photo.

-Mike Garrett

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1

Sweet Car Gootta love the rotary :D

2

Its going to be a bit special once its painted and stickered up.

3

This dude, Martin is nuts. And uh, you must be really rich if you do something like this with the RE and the Kevlar aero. Uhm, Kevlar, is he afraid of his safety? Probably yes, because he has a lot of money. Hahaha!

4

shoulda took a "random snap" of the bay...

5

Is there build-up pictures on some forum or somethin?

6

Haha, that is awesome. Hope to see the debut of the car soon.....

7

work in progress

8

Interesting! It looks like Martin is trying to say something to Toyota...

Something like: "This is for not having a decent performance car in your lineup!"



P.S.: Does the Toyota Altezza sell in the UK under that name or is this in fact a Lexus IS Euro spec car?

9

No love for the BEAMS...

10

Hey Mike.......remember Kimini ? I wonder if you still consider worth a feature?

Nice IS300 BTW.....

11

Val_N, the uk spec cars are sold under the Lexus brand here in europe, we get the IS300 like the US, but also the IS200 which is 3sge powered. Martin's two cars are both imported JDM chassis as far as I know, hence them being Altezzas :)

12

Non Toyota engines in Toyota's suck, including this cross-breed contraption.

13

this has all the ingredients to make the ultimate drift car

from rumours ive heard it may be under 1000kg and 500hp, would be interesting against the HKS altezza

14

There is also a third Lexus being built in the UK with a 5.7 Monaro V8.



Project thread is here: http://www.driftworks.com/forum/drift-car-projects-builds/66465-stiggys-lexus-drift-shack-motorsport-build.html

15

wow this is gonna be sick... cant wait till the videos roll in!

16

I can assure you all that Martin isn't stinking rich, we're currently in the process of of lining up sponsors for 2009 to help with this build. We're anticipating for 2009 to be a very special year in Irish & UK drifting ...

17

OK no 1 im def not rich i wish. Just love my cars and building them and love to drive them even more.

And as for toyota engines they are def not bad the beams is very good engine (which we have recently put in a ae86 with great results) and the now infamous 2j which has been put in just about everything.



Hope everyone enjoys the builds.

18

Frenchie always gives 110%

19

Well...hows things! Sick build this machine,have been keepin a close eye on it since the start on the net. Should be cool and different also when finished.

20

Would be nice to see a 1/ 2 jz in this! But that wouldn't be original. credit crunch? Some peeps in UK drift scene got moneyz.... :)

21

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22

When Rod asked me to write an article on some up and coming builds from Ireland, I already knew what

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