The Off Time Meeeeting’s White Comet FC3S

There’s something about the FC3S that always draws me in for a closer look when I see one – especially if it’s modified in a manner like this.

I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but I think it has something to do with reading the iconic manga Initial D and seeing one of the heroes’ cars (other than Takumi Fujiwara’s AE86) being brought to life.

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Or is it the fact that this FC3S is a brilliant example of how simple, yet cleanly executed upgrades can go a long way, regardless of the platform.

Whatever it is, this particular car checked all the right boxes for me when I came across it at the recent Off Time Meeeeting event.

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What I really love about this build is how the classic ’80s styling has been retained; there’s no over-fenders or a wide-body kit in sight. Changes to the exterior include the front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper, hood, and rear spoiler, which although aftermarket all have an OEM+ kind of feel.

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The 18-inch BBS LM wheels add tons of style while providing all the clearance needed for an Endless front brake upgrade.

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The interior too builds on the Mazda’s classic design without altering it dramatically. A splash of carbon trim, additional gauges, and a pair of custom-trimmed Recaro Sportster CS seats all help to execute the vision.

Meanwhile, the die-cast model of Ryosuke’s ‘Red Suns’ FC3S on the dash leads me to believe that the owner of this RX-7 is a fan of Initial D too, and perhaps derived his style of tuning from the FC3S in Shuichi Shigeno’s book series.

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If anything, this Mazda RX-7 goes to show that you don’t always have to walk the common path to really stand out. I think Ryosuke would highly approve too.

Ron Celestine
Instagram: celestinephotography

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1

The coloured matched headlights are a power move, what a good looking car.

2

The 80s and 90s were exciting and wonderful times for car designers. Their hands were not fully bound by regulations like consumption figures , emission, safety, etc. unlike today.

The designers today need to grow some chest-hair. Hahaha!

3

I'd say you're thinking of the 60s and 70s. By the time the 80s rolled around designers were really pushed to make smaller cars that were more efficient. Wedge shapes and pop-up lights were supposed to be more aerodynamic, but cars like the Civic are bigger today have smaller drag coefficients even with all the fake grills and vents.

4

I had never read or watched any of Initial D until about six months ago when, just to see what all the fuss was about, I went through the ENTIRE manga online. It took me about three weeks of evenings during the week to pull it off.

Shigeno is a hell of an artist and beautifully rendered all the cars and backgrounds. I've never seen a series with cars so consistently well-drawn.

That being said, I didn't like many things about the series and strangely enough, just about everything I didn't like something that made the series a Japanese story.

The aloof, cold father who treats his son like an annoying employee.

The smart guy being portrayed as a skinny pretty boy who barely sleeps, barely eats, never shows emotion and has some grand plan.

The hothead who wants to be a master of his chosen craft, while ignoring everything else in life, especially women.

The attitude that challenges are a big deal and must always be accepted, or one will lose face and then all the options one has left are suicide or disappearance.

The lovable-loser comic relief sidekick who can't catch a break.

Guys who're willing to give their very lives for nothing more than their group's honor while engaged in some minimally-important activity.

And perhaps the most Japanese attitude of them all, the one the series is based on: That regardless of how one-sided a competition is, a smaller, slower, weaker fighter can beat his larger, faster, stronger opponent IF HE HAS ENOUGH CONTROL OR PASSION.

I also remembered a feeling of mild dread whenever I went into yet another race scene that was dragged out over about 70 pages.

5

And perhaps the most Japanese attitude of them all, the one the series is based on: That regardless of how one-sided a competition is, a smaller, slower, weaker fighter can beat his larger, faster, stronger opponent IF HE HAS ENOUGH CONTROL OR PASSION.


You're just summing up almost every Hollywood script ever, it's not just the Japanese who do this.

6

needs more gauges

7

I just love the FC
Such a beautiful car

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