July seventh in Japan solely means one factor to automobile lovers: 7’s Day.

We’ve been overlaying this automobile tradition spectacle since the very begin of Speedhunters in 2008, and 15 years later the official unofficial gathering of RX-7s and different rotary-powered equipment nonetheless can’t be missed. As a result of, even supposing Mazda now not produces a rotary-powered automobile, the ardour surrounding the famed RX fashions is as sturdy as ever.

As I do each July seventh, I visited the mecca of Japanese automobile meets – Daikoku Parking Space in Yokohama – to be part of rotary lovers from throughout the nation (and overseas) and take a look at some spectacular sights and sounds.

Yearly, the 7’s Day gathering is just a little completely different.

Positive, there are all the time the acquainted vehicles, however on the similar time loads of contemporary rides drop by.

And being Daikoku PA, you may all the time depend on autos of the non-rotary selection exhibiting up too, like this pristine Autech Stagea 260RS on BNR34 BBS wheels.

Figuring out that the on-site police would finally shut down the parking space – like they do each time a giant meet occurs – I arrived early within the night to ensure I didn’t miss something.

Being a Friday, it was fairly quiet after I arrived as persons are nonetheless leaving work at the moment. However that simply meant I received to see each single automobile arrive and park up.

My first statement after a very good hour at Daikoku PA, was that the inventory and OEM+ look is unquestionably nonetheless in favor with lovers. It’s occurring proper throughout the board of Japanese efficiency vehicles from the golden period, so not likely a shock to see RX-7 homeowners happening this route, even when the rotary-powered coupe has historically been one of the crucial modified fashions.

Whereas I’m all the time on the look out for some cool Cosmos, it was one other automobile from Mazda’s again catalog that caught my consideration. I wasn’t alone, both. What’s everybody taking a look at right here?

An FC3S RX-7-derived 13B turbo, fitted to Mazda’s massive four-door sedan from 1990.

This specific Luce is one I’ve spotlighted earlier than, and it’s nonetheless a shocking instance working SSR mesh rims and an FC3S 5-speed handbook transmission swap.

Into The Evening

For the way cool Daikoku PA is throughout daytime hours, there’s an entire new environment when the solar goes down.

I’m all the time blown away by how surreal Daikoku PA appears to be like and feels at evening, and that is coming from a man who’s been coming right here for three many years!

Rotaries and all method of different vehicles saved flowing in till round 8:00pm, when the primary police bulletins over the parking space’s loudspeaker system started. All of us knew that the meet was on borrowed time.

I’ve been desirous to characteristic this sinister-looking FD3S ever since I first noticed it on the Tokyo secret automobile meet just a few months again.

It’s the one FD3S I do know of that runs hydraulic suspension, therefore the lowrider-esque stance it could actually pull off.

Who needs to see a full characteristic on this automobile?

Over To Umihotaru

I put my digicam down for 20 minutes to seize some dinner (onigiri on the comfort retailer, after all), and in that point Daikoku PA actually emptied out.

The phrase on the road was that an invitation-only, curated meet organized by some outstanding rotary guys was occurring at Umihotaru PA. I headed straight over, however by the point I received there all of the vehicles gathered on the bottom ground for the meet have been being kicked out by the police.

There have been rumors that the vehicles have been heading to the back-up spot – Decks Tokyo Seaside car parking zone in Odaiba – however relatively than chase the small group throughout the bay, I made a decision to remain at Umihotaru and see what else turned up.

There was loads to see, and after about an hour, among the RX-7s that had left started returning.

I got here throughout this wild Nismo GT-R on 21-inch AL13 rims and a wrap that saved altering coloration with the smallest shift of perspective.

What’s a rotary celebration with no few Nissans?! At the very least they didn’t get kicked out…

7’s Day in Tokyo is all the time a enjoyable evening out, and with Japan being completely open once more the occasion had a pleasant worldwide really feel to it with loads of vacationers having fun with the spectacle. Till 2024!

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com