Back in 1993 I knew a man who worked at Mazda and he had a Rx4 sedan. I still remember peering into the engine bay (in my ignorance) and asking where the engine was..
But I was quietened very quickly when he let it loose and it went.. (peripheral ports usually do)
A year later I heard of a guy who was selling an Rx2 sedan.. A rap around the paddock and I was absolutely hooked. The idea was to transfer the running gear into the shell of a cappella (due to a chronic� rust problem).. check out the windscreen..
But Like most good intentions that never got off the ground. I gave up for a while and bought a valiant station wagon but it just didn't seem the same somehow.. *smile*
I had dated a guy a few years before with a 929 coupe which was great, so I decided at this stage to get a Rx4 coupe.. the best of both worlds. So I ended up buying a rx4 out of the trading post.. and It was a sorry example. A ladder had fallen on the roof, a caravan had hit the side, the interior was disgusting and it was a sad item. But I just had to have one so I bought it.� The mags weren't included either.

I was moving one day and the rear springs unsprung, so it ended up with wagon ones.. you can imagine what that did for it's stance *ugh*.. And then the motor got very sad. I replaced it with an imported 6 port fitted and supplied by a rip off mazda workshop in Melbourne. :(
After getting quotes to fix the car up (even with a panel beater for a boyfriend) I decided the best option was just to buy another Rx4..
I went to Melbourne with $2,500 dollars. There was a red rx4 coupe in the paper and I went and looked and fell in love. Although in a very sad state of neglect the car had potential, even after being hit by a drunk driver.� I had asked what color the interior was.. black he said.. Just failed to mentioned it was painted . When I got the car home we tried to go for a drive, to find that the engine was that stuffed that you had to let it cool down to restart (embarrassing at petrol stations that was) So the next day I took it to the wonderful guys at Selectmaz in Epping. I picked the car up 2 weeks later with a freshly rebuilt 13B bridgeport (out of one of the race cars) and was deafened on the way home. A visit to the local muffler shop resulted in the first muffler lasting two weeks and the second 3 weeks. Back to Melb to have a handmade exhaust fitted with a huge truck muffler on� the back. It put the car under the limit but cut out the power severely. The system consisted of tuned length extractors going to a double system with two hot dogs, joining just before the diff into one medium muffler before going over the diff into the big one. The tips are just visible in the picture..
This photo was taken� near where I lived in Surfers Paradise.
The interior was the next step. An excellent trimmer in Wangaratta redid the seats, doors, headlining and carpet for all under a $1,000.. well done (Greta rd Trimmers)

The cross fever racing wheels (Enkei's) were on the car already and since they were shod with near new Eagers I decided to leave them be. Besides they shined up quite well, especially after we bought some light commercial caps from the wreckers and adapted them to fit.� You can see them in the picture below, and the top pic.

I sold the car in 1995, and I cried for 3 days when it went. It was a no win situation for me, I had no money or full time job, so the car had to go.. But on a good note I still have the trophies I won with it (best rx4 coupe in Qld and a drag racing one)

The full facts on the 1973 Rx4 coupe I nicknamed the Redback...

Engine and other go bits
13B full race bridgeport rebuilt by Selectmaz (twice)
Carbon Seals
48IDA Webber Carby, enlarged fuel chamber and modified venturi's
Modified� competition Oil Pump
Competition oil hoses
Port matched intake and exhaust ports
Fully hand made twin exhaust system
Electronic modified distributor
3/4 ton clutch
Hollinger close ratio� 4 spd gear box
4.44 LSD
Carter Electronic fuel pump

Suspension and brakes
Koni adjustable shocks at all corners
Modified springs, heavy duty lowering at front
Volvo 10" ventilated disc on front
4 spot calipers on the front
Rx7 Ser2 discs on the back
Subaru calipers on the back
Enkei 7" cross fever racing wheels
Bridgestone Eagers 225/60

bodywork and interior
Mazda Monza red 2 pak paintwork
Flared guards
Velour headlining
Vinyl seats in black trimmed with red velour inserts
Black velour door trims with red velour through the middle

The second time the engine was rebuilt it was put on the dyno at Selectmaz.
230Kmh at 8,500rpm with a 4.44 diff and 4 speed box should give you some idea how this thing went.. and that was with the restrictive� exhaust system...
I hope you enjoyed me telling you about the love of my life *smile*
Tanya

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