Aiming for your style based on Mazdaspeed parts
The WEKFEST JAPAN event, which originated in the U.S., is a high-level custom car show in which only cars that have passed strict screening are allowed to participate. 2024, we found a first-generation Mazda NA model brought in by a young owner, The car was painted in genuine BMW colors and incorporated the latest trends throughout.
Restomod-conscious NA Roadster
Unachi switched from a Toyota AE86 “Sprinter Treno” to a 1996 Eunos “Roadster” about 2 years ago. However, it seems that he was not looking for a new NA roadster.
“I didn’t have any restrictions, and at first I was going to go with an NC or ND, but then I happened to see a Mazdaspeed car for sale that looked like a complete car with some special modifications, so I thought this would be a good base. I was thinking of a restomod, so I didn’t do any wire tucking or anything like that, but I did modernize it, and I used LED lights and such. Most of the parts are Mazdaspeed or self-made. The color is a solid BMW Nautic Green. I wanted to respect the restomod-like nuances of the car, but also make it look a little different.
Adding a visual effect as well
The concept was “this is what Mazdaspeed would look like if it were a restomod,” so the aero parts, tower bar, gold air cleaner box, and other parts made by Mazdaspeed were used, including the parts originally installed. The engine is a Mazdaspeed B-Spec Stage II full kit with a modified intake manifold and ECU. On top of that, home-built parts and parts made by aftermarket manufacturers were combined to add another conceptual visual effect to the vehicle.
“The mirror is also low mounted by making my carbon for the pedestal. By making the mirrors small and low, it gives the image of a long nose and short deck, which makes the car look visually lower without lowering the ride height too much. The white lettering on the tires also makes the car look a little larger, so this is the visual effect we are aiming for. Also, to make the body look larger, the rear fender arches, which are the outermost part of the body, are shaped to make the entire body look lower and wider.
There is also a plan to make further modifications in the future
In addition to his attention to detail, “Unachi” is particular about what he shows off, such as creating a stupa-like bar to hold down the hood to make the car stand out due to its small size. He is thinking of building up the car even further in the future.
“I like to tinker with the harnesses in the engine compartment, and I’m making my harnesses for the coils, but I’d like to do a lot of harness PDM by putting the power supplies together. I’d also like to replace the computer with something like Haltech while keeping it looking close to stock.”
translated by DeepL