Steel bodied rotary Corvette prototype!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 2
From: McDonough Georgia
Originally Posted by Wrencher
I just don't get Mazda's thinking. They commit to the engine, but cut corners to get it to market. I have an RX-3 rotary and the same thing happened then. Cheap apex seals, inadequate cooling (oil and water) and overly complex induction and exhaust. But spend a few dollars on porting, seals and coolers and you get a bullet-proof engine that runs forever. Not a real fuel squeazer like the under powered toys in their class, but it'll embarrass lots of cars considered out of their league with a great power/weight ratio and decent brakes. Most race classes in their size and weight outlawed them years ago, or legislated them into mediocrity.
Hans
Hans
I agree 110% I do not understand why mazda hasn't figured it out.They have been building the rotary since the 40's-Longer than chevy has been building small block v-8's and they just can't get it right but some shade tree with a little understanding of how they work can build a bullet proof rocket out of one....oh did I mention the 12 or more we have replaced this year were all 20k miles or less?WTF is up with that!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by mkflanagan
I agree 110% I do not understand why mazda hasn't figured it out.They have been building the rotary since the 40's-Longer than chevy has been building small block v-8's and they just can't get it right but some shade tree with a little understanding of how they work can build a bullet proof rocket out of one....oh did I mention the 12 or more we have replaced this year were all 20k miles or less?WTF is up with that!!!Part of the problem with the new rotary engine is the clashing of Mazda engineers and Ford engineers. They Ford'ized it maybe?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Part of the problem with the new rotary engine is the clashing of Mazda engineers and Ford engineers. They Ford'ized it maybe?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Originally Posted by Easy Mike
It isn't a factory car. It's a one-off, hand-built, show car put together by the Styling Department. GM usually destroyed most of these due to liability concerns. I'm surprised this one has managed to hang around all this time.
IMHO -- they story isn't the Wankel. The story is the history of this car and how it was successfully hidden from the crusher.
IMHO -- they story isn't the Wankel. The story is the history of this car and how it was successfully hidden from the crusher.
Last edited by 63mako; Oct 10, 2006 at 12:20 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by 63mako
I understand that but, if you read the article, the engine and trans were gone. A correct engine was available and the existing owner failed to buy it and restore the car as correctly as possible to the condition and parts it was originally built with. Seems to me there is more value in a "as it left GM" correct drivetrain than piecing it together with drivetrain components that are not similar to what the styling dept installed in this original concept.
Although he does know who has the engine, apparently the offer remains open, and he gave that guy the right of first refusal if the car goes up for sale. I have a feeling that engine and car will be reunited at some point.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 1
From: Edinburgh
Originally Posted by 63mako
I understand that but, if you read the article, the engine and trans were gone. A correct engine was available and the existing owner failed to buy it and restore the car as correctly as possible to the condition and parts it was originally built with. Seems to me there is more value in a "as it left GM" correct drivetrain than piecing it together with drivetrain components that are not similar to what the styling dept installed in this original concept.
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Although he does know who has the engine, apparently the offer remains open, and he gave that guy the right of first refusal if the car goes up for sale. I have a feeling that engine and car will be reunited at some point.The engine & box were not available at the time the car was rebuilt. Ok they are now, but at what price? Maybe the guy with the motor is looking for a shed load of money and I know that the car owner 'likes his pound of flesh' so maybe its their mutual greed that prevents the two being reunited. Just a thought.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I'd be willing to bet that only a handful of forum members are gonna get that one man...but funny.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by 73-84 IMSA Widebody
Durango...new Avatar for you...Click>> 
I like it, but I really don't think I'm THAT creepy...
Originally Posted by V-Twin
yes...everyone else is stupid and doesn't know about the circle around "ford" in their logo
There's a circle in the Ford logo?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I like the look from the top and front, but the side profile makes it look stupid.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Originally Posted by Graemeinvette
The car was left in the UK and the engine/box shipped back to the USA
The engine & box were not available at the time the car was rebuilt. Ok they are now, but at what price? Maybe the guy with the motor is looking for a shed load of money and I know that the car owner 'likes his pound of flesh' so maybe its their mutual greed that prevents the two being reunited. Just a thought.
The engine & box were not available at the time the car was rebuilt. Ok they are now, but at what price? Maybe the guy with the motor is looking for a shed load of money and I know that the car owner 'likes his pound of flesh' so maybe its their mutual greed that prevents the two being reunited. Just a thought.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 2
From: McDonough Georgia
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Part of the problem with the new rotary engine is the clashing of Mazda engineers and Ford engineers. They Ford'ized it maybe?
The Miata,rx8,Mazda3 are all japanese.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by mkflanagan
No,ford isn't involved with the rx8.just the mazda 6,Tribute and the trucks.
The Miata,rx8,Mazda3 are all japanese.
The Miata,rx8,Mazda3 are all japanese.
Do you think it would have helped it Ford DID get involved? Meaning, would some of the design flaws after minimal use be avoided with the help of the Ford engineers?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 2
From: McDonough Georgia
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Do you think it would have helped it Ford DID get involved? Meaning, would some of the design flaws after minimal use be avoided with the help of the Ford engineers?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Originally Posted by Wrencher
Not a real fuel squeazer like the under powered toys in their class, but it'll embarrass lots of cars considered out of their league with a great power/weight ratio and decent brakes. Most race classes in their size and weight outlawed them years ago, or legislated them into mediocrity.
Hans
Hans
WHICH is why I left drag racing in/around '68, poly ticks, IMO, just run the damn cars man, the old classifications were fine, just build according to the rules....but no, they brought in bracket racing, which is not racing at all, far as I"m concerned....
stomping on a brake pedal as to not 'run out' is stupid....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I liked 'hankerchief' racing. An attractive girl standing in front of two cars at night with their headlights shining her...she waves, they stomp on it, and the loser walks. Classic style right there.
