Why is it that the most unlikely cars so often turn end up being show-stopping works of art? Back when this moderately dented farmyard R100 went cruising through the local town - complete with a dodgy bull-bar with spotties - the local yobs leaning on the front wall of the boozer only ever assumed that it'd get left to rust in the corner of a paddock. How they'd choke on their lagers if they saw it now!
It was one Shaun Finlayson who snapped up this '69 Mazda coupe and saved it from such a slow and humiliating demise. He wasn't on this crusade from Day One, however. He says all that the pretty little Mazda body needed when he took up ownership was a bit of body massaging and a quick re-spray. But after being introduced to a spray painter friend-of-a-friend, things got "seriously out of hand". The body wasn't merely brought up to scratch as per usual, it was fully disassembled, beaten, rubbed back and even the underside was stripped and cleaned. The underbonnet holes for left-hand-drive R100 models were also welded shut to give a nice, smooth appearance. Custom alloy strut covers also serve to give it a much tidier look. Jason - the aforementioned spray painter - then keenly applied several layers of Harley Davidson Violet Pearl. If you ask us, it's a really classy colour that isn't too extrovert on the R100.
Shaun then threw away the car's top-lookin' bull-bar and replaced it with a newly chromed OE bumper. And, while he was at it, everything else that came outa the factory in chrome copped a revival as well. Overall the car's appearance smacks of modification, but - amazingly - the only body mod is a pair of polished alloy Falcon GT external mirrors. The perfect era-contracting rims to go with them are those Centerline Prowlers. All fifteen inches of 'em fill the guards with 195/45 and 195/55 Falkens front and rear. Oh, and look really close to our pics and you might also notice the use of all-stainless steel bolts and plated hex-bolts (to hold the number plate for example).
Next came the rorty rotary driveline - a stage that put Shaun into a bit of a dilemma. Would he simply piece together a near-stocker, or would he go for something a bit more hi-po? Thankfully, the later was the favoured option, coz it'd be w-a-y unacceptable to have a wheezy stock motor sitting under the lid of such a highly detailed car. Somewhat unusually though, the nose retains the services of a 12A twin-rotor, lovingly built by a bloke by the name of Eddie Harrison. He performed a J-port, enlarged the eccentric shaft oil galleries channels and inserted new 3mm ceramic apex seals.
Some further basic breathing mods also help to push Shaun into the backrest a little harder. This includes a 48mm downdraft Weber (and usually a K&N) on a ported Weber manifold and a tricky hi-flow exhaust system. This sees twin 2¼-inch mandrel pipes merging into a 3-inch custom muffler, a 3-inch pipe over the axle and another 3-inch box. It's all stainless steel, of course, but Shaun tells us, "it's not one of those real quiet systems".
Deliverance of fuel - namely, premium unleaded - is the job of a single Carter electric pump with a Holley pressure regulator. No surge tank is needed coz it's carbied, remember? On the other hand, a Series 2 RX7 electronic dizzy puts spark energy through genuine Mazda leads and NGK 9EGV plugs. Up front, a beautifully constructed 2-core alloy radiator and a big electric fan (mounted on an elegant alloy bracket) serve to dispense the 12A's sweat. The rad actually looks like a monster intercooler through the grille, doesn't it?!
The whole shebang also spins up a bit quicker thanks to a lightened, low inertia flywheel. This is matched to a 1-tonne pressure plate, brass button clutch and a Series 4 RX7 5-speed. It's a tough combo - which isn't too hard on the bank balance either. A 3½-inch fat custom tailshaft takes torque to a Toyota Hilux 4.11 LSD - the conversion requiring the trimming the very end of the axle splines. And that's driveline complete-o (with a bit of polishing work on the side!).
So what's the result? A certified 151hp at the back wheels and 14.3 second, 94 mph quarter mile performance (on street rubber). Not too bad at all for a very traditional set-up.
Next it was time to look at making a good braking and suspension package. Outbound from those chunky Hilux axles went a pair of Series 3 RX7 rotors and - curiously - Fiat calipers. However, most of the braking is done by the fronts, where there are Tarago rotors squeezed by Holden Camira calipers. Stainless steel lines are fitted at both ends of the car to minimise any potential losses between the pedal and the pads.
And then came the combined task of improving handling and delivering a lowered stance. Lovells coils were employed under the nose while reset rear leafs bring the rear accordingly lower to the bitumen. Damping is adjustable with Konis, and the bushes are notably firmer than stock thanks to Nolathane. It's a straightforward suspension caboodle, but it's effective. Oh, and it's pretty as well - thanks to another wheelbarrow load of chromed components.
Next came that standard well-soiled gum-booted interior. Here, Shaun adopted a spectacular theme for the seat and door trims using a modern fabric and leather combo. Shaun also designed the alloy insets in the door trims as well as a custom parcel shelf himself. Roll all the leather, fabric and alloy together and you've got one schmick interior!
Rather than going through the hassle of finding new seats and road legal mounts, the Mazda seats were farmed out for professional reframing - which delivers more lateral support. Shaun also played a major role with that cavalcade of gauges. He fabricated a glovebox replacement panel that angles ProComp gauges for fuel pressure, water temperature, oil pressure and oil temperature directly towards the driver's eye. A ProComp tacho also hangs off the steering column. "There's nearly every gauge you can get," laughs Shaun. He's right. A Momo wheel, colour-coded fascia panels and more of Shaun's alloy fabrication skills - the custom pedals, window winder knobs and gear knob - round out the as-new looking cabin.
Oh, and check out the sound system. Shaun squeezed dual 10-inch Alpine ZR subs into a custom boomin' boot box, dual Alpine V12 2-channel amps (to drive the subs) and a 4-channel V12 to boost the other four full-range speakers. These are Infinity coaxial fronts and Alpine 6 inchers in the rear. It's all controlled via a 12-stack Alpine deck up front.
As you could probably imagine, this gorgeous R100 no longer sees any rough-an'-tough treatment. After the initial completion of the 1½-year project, Shaun scrubbed and scrubbed to keep everything absolutely spotless. His efforts surely paid off too, with the car bagging trophies for Top Rotary, 1st 4 Cylinder/Rotary and 2nd Exhibition. But it's a bastard to keep that way - if it's going to stay clean he can't drive it.
That means, today, the R100 finds itself hidden under a garage - only driven on weekends and special occasions (like an AutoSpeed shoot!). Hence, Shaun's had to weigh up whether he still wants to keep it. If any one of our readers has a spare $20,000, they can consider it theirs. It'll sure save you a whole lotta work trying to build up that show car!
Oops, too late. It's been sold before we could even finish this story!
Contacts:
Paramount Performance
+61 7 4659 9711
Thanks to Shaun's Parents, his Brother Paul, Eddie, Steve, Ringo, Darren, Jason, Dick and Dion.
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