Every car has a story, but some stories are epics of dedication and unwavering vision. This is the tale of Akimura-san and his FD3S Mazda Rx-7, a car he’s meticulously sculpted and refined over two decades. Much like any long-term automotive passion project, this RX-7 has been in constant evolution, a testament to Akimura-san’s personal touch and relentless pursuit of his automotive dream. We’ve admired this unique machine at various Japanese car meets, including the legendary 7’s Day gatherings at Daikoku Parking Area. A feature on Speedhunters was often discussed, but as is the nature of such dedicated builds, there was always another detail to perfect, another element to refine. However, with Tokyo bathed in beautiful spring weather recently, the time felt right. A message to Akimura-san proposing a feature finally met with an enthusiastic “yes,” marking the beginning of this article.
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A front profile view of the custom purple Mazda RX-7 FD3S, highlighting its Abflug widebody kit and aggressive stance.
There was a slight caveat, though. Akimura-san mentioned a new custom hood arriving the following month. The decision was left to him, and to our delight, he was ready to showcase his creation as it stood. A meet was set for the next day, ready to capture the essence of this remarkable RX-7.
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A side shot emphasizing the widebody of the purple RX-7 and its Abflug Prism wheels.
This particular RX-7 boasts a significant pedigree within Japan’s vibrant tuning scene. Its origins trace back to a collaboration between Curve and Abflug, two legendary names in the JDM aftermarket industry. Curve, a specialized offshoot of Abflug, focused on crafting bespoke, one-off bodywork, building upon Abflug’s already distinctive aerodynamic designs. Car enthusiasts with a desire for something truly unique turned to Curve for their automotive visions. Many vehicles crafted by Amemiya-san of Curve were iconic representations of this era of tuning.
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A close-up of the RX-7’s front fender showcasing the custom carbon fiber slats and purple paint finish.
While Curve is no longer an independent entity, having been reintegrated into Abflug, the name evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia for a golden age of Japanese car modification. Originally unveiled at the 2004 Tokyo Auto Salon, this RX-7 has undergone such extensive transformations that it now proudly sports Akimura-san’s own custom emblem. Despite these changes, the connection to Abflug remains strong, prominently displayed by the Abflug windscreen banner.
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The rear of the purple Mazda RX-7 FD3S, highlighting the widebody, Abflug wing, and purple-themed details.
Deciphering where to begin with this build is a challenge in itself. Do we start with the dramatically widened bodywork, or the meticulously executed color coordination that Akimura-san has elevated to an art form?
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The defining characteristic, without a doubt, is the purple. The origin of this bold color choice is straightforward: it was selected for the car’s Tokyo Auto Salon debut. Inspired by Nissan’s iconic R33 GT-R Midnight Purple, the shade was custom mixed to be slightly lighter. However, this subtlety is easily lost; park the car in even moderate shade, and it seems to absorb all light, appearing almost black.
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A rear three-quarter view of the purple RX-7 showcasing the wide rear fenders and exhaust system.
What began as subtle purple accents to enhance the exterior’s visual appeal has spiraled into a full-blown purple takeover. Akimura-san’s vision evolved into making every possible component and detail of the car purple, whether through paint, anodizing, or custom fabrication.
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A close-up on the purple painted details on the RX-7’s rear bumper and diffuser.
This relentless pursuit of purple is a true exercise in dedication. The color has permeated virtually every area of the car, demonstrating an almost obsessive level of commitment.
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A detailed shot of the RX-7’s Seibon carbon hood with semi-translucent purple paint, revealing the carbon weave.
Even the application of paint reflects this purple obsession. Carbon fiber elements, such as the vents on the Seibon carbon hood, are coated in a semi-translucent purple, allowing the underlying carbon weave to subtly show through.
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The recessed triangular details on the Abflug front fenders were not left untouched. They were meticulously cut out and replaced with custom carbon fiber slats, adding another layer of visual complexity. To maintain design harmony, the massive rear fenders received the same carbon slat treatment. And predictably, all of this carbon fiber is also painted in the signature purple hue.
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A detail of the purple antenna on the Mazda RX-7, illustrating the extent of the purple theme.
Purple antenna? Naturally, check.
Purple Haze Under the Hood: The RX-7 Engine Bay
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A wide shot of the Mazda RX-7’s engine bay, dominated by purple components and meticulous detailing.
If you were impressed by the exterior’s commitment to the purple theme, prepare to be amazed, or perhaps even overwhelmed, by the engine bay. The level of dedication within this space is truly something to behold.
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A closer view of the RX-7’s 13B rotary engine with a purple IHI turbocharger and piping.
Virtually every component that could be color-matched in purple has been. This includes prominent parts like the IHI high-mount turbocharger, the associated piping, and even the intercooler. For components that couldn’t be painted, purple anodized replacements were sourced or custom-made.
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Detail of the purple hose clamps and anodized fittings in the RX-7’s engine bay, showcasing the extreme attention to detail.
Akimura-san discovered a company in Hiroshima capable of applying a purple-like coating even to small items like hose clamps. This level of detail elevates the engine bay’s presentation far beyond standard finishes. While observing these details, the thought of suggesting Wiggins Clamps crossed my mind, but the fear of triggering another wave of “custom purple OCD-ness” quickly changed my mind.
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A view of the RX-7’s alternator with a purple painted cover and lightweight pulley, further emphasizing the purple theme.
A 13B rotary engine paired with a large turbocharger is always a welcome sight. However, a common visual annoyance in these engine bays is the alternator’s prominent placement. In this case, even the alternator cover has been color-matched in purple and fitted with a lightweight purple pulley, seamlessly integrating it into the overall aesthetic.
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The RX-7’s engine bay showing the purple intercooler core and power steering fluid cooler.
Positioned in front of the purple intercooler, which itself sits in a V-configuration above the radiator, is a purple core for cooling the power steering fluid. Even the zip-ties, though slightly faded with time, maintain the purple theme.
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A wider view of the RX-7 engine bay, showing the overall purple theme and performance modifications.
The admirable aspect of Akimura-san’s approach is that this RX-7 is not just a showpiece; it’s driven and enjoyed. It’s a show car built for the streets, regularly attending meets and constantly being refined. Consequently, Akimura-san hasn’t pursued extreme horsepower figures typical of Wangan racers. The engine, originally built by JIS for the car’s Tokyo Auto Salon debut and later rebuilt by R-Magic, produces a more than sufficient 400hp, perfectly balancing show and go.
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A detailed shot of the RX-7’s rotary engine, showcasing the clean and purple-themed installation.
As a complete package, this RX-7 is undeniably complex. Its impact is immediate and striking, yet also slightly perplexing. It represents a recognizable design from a past era of Japanese aftermarket tuning, continually updated and evolved. While not adhering to current styling trends, it doesn’t need to. Instead, it serves as a powerful reminder of a significant period in JDM automotive culture.
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A view into the RX-7’s interior, hinting at the purple theme continuing inside the cabin.
If the engine bay seemed extreme, prepare yourself for the interior.
Inside the Purple Galaxy: The RX-7 Interior
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A wide shot of the RX-7’s purple-themed interior, showcasing Recaro seats, carpets, and other custom details.
It’s almost unbelievable how many purple automotive products are available! Recaro seats? Seatbelts? Carpets? Even a snap-off steering wheel boss? Akimura-san seems to have sourced them all.
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A close-up of the RX-7’s dashboard with Blitz gauges featuring custom purple fonts.
The interior aesthetic resembles a galaxy awash in purple hues. Everything you see is either custom-ordered or painstakingly custom-made, from the painted carbon fiber trim pieces to the purple lettering within the Blitz gauges.
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The RX-7’s main dashboard instruments with illuminated displays and purple bezels.
The main dashboard features striking illuminated instruments. And yes, even the bezels surrounding these instruments are finished in purple.
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Even the pedals haven’t escaped the purple anodizing treatment.
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Purple anodized pedals in the Mazda RX-7’s interior, continuing the consistent purple theme.
For its Tokyo Auto Salon debut, significant emphasis was placed on the audio system, built around a period-correct Panasonic double-DIN head unit. The inclusion of an MD/CD player is a nostalgic touch, keeping the car true to its era. Interestingly, the author also has an MD player in his Project GT-R, though its last use likely dates back over a decade.
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In the rear, a substantial custom audio setup dominates the space, featuring numerous amplifiers and speakers. What initially resembled oversized energy drink cans are actually capacitors. These capacitors ensure ample power delivery during peak audio demands, acting as a form of “nitrous oxide” for the sound system.
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The RX-7’s custom audio setup in the rear, including amplifiers, speakers, and capacitors.
To the casual observer, the cabin might appear complete. However, Akimura-san is perpetually contemplating further additions and modifications. Like all true project cars, it’s a perpetually evolving expression of automotive passion, never truly “finished.”
An FD RX-7 Unlike Any Other
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A side profile of the purple RX-7 showcasing the Abflug Prism wheels and Endless brake setup.
Over its lifespan, this RX-7 has sported various sets of wheels. However, the current Abflug Prism six-spoke (or perhaps double three-spoke) wheels are a perfect match. Naturally, these too have been custom painted and feature custom purple-carbon fiber wrapping.
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A close-up of the RX-7’s Abflug Prism wheels with purple carbon fiber wrap and Endless brake calipers.
The custom-ordered Endless 6-pot brake system is equally unmissable. Unsurprisingly, it was specified with color-matched caliper brackets and rotor hats, maintaining the consistent aesthetic.
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Rear wheel of the RX-7 showing the wide Abflug Prism wheel and Endless brake rotor.
To fill the massively widened rear arches, the wheels measure a substantial 12 inches wide. Abflug adjustable coilovers at each corner dictate the car’s aggressive ride height.
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A rear three-quarter view of the RX-7, emphasizing the widebody and aggressive stance.
Determining whether the front or rear of the car is more visually striking is a difficult task. There’s a visual overload from every angle, but the rear view, in particular, is likely to intimidate unsuspecting onlookers.
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Rear view of the purple RX-7 showing the massive Abflug wing and widebody.
This is actually the third Abflug rear wing fitted to the car over the years, each iteration growing progressively larger and wider. In fact, the current wing exceeds the car’s width, necessitating its removal every two years to pass the mandatory shaken vehicle inspection in Japan.
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Another rear view highlighting the Abflug branding and the massive rear wing of the RX-7.
Akimura-san takes pride in showcasing the Abflug brand, and his RX-7 serves as a rolling advertisement for the company and its design philosophy.
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Front view of the RX-7 with Abflug fixed headlights and blue HID lights.
You might have noticed the contrasting blue HID lights within the Abflug fixed headlight conversion at the front. These lights emit a shade of purple as they reach their full operating temperature. Surprisingly, the Quest Japan rear lights are actually red, offering a subtle contrast to the overwhelming purple theme.
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Front three-quarter view of the purple RX-7, showcasing the Abflug body kit and headlight conversion.
Akimura-san’s RX-7 is the quintessential project car, a deeply personal interpretation of automotive customization. It’s unlike any other FD RX-7 encountered, and its individuality is its defining characteristic. While its aesthetic might not align with every RX-7 owner’s vision – many prioritize outright performance – it possesses a distinct style that has earned it recognition within the local car scene.
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The purple Mazda RX-7 parked in an urban setting, highlighting its striking presence.
During a photoshoot location change in Futakotamagawa, a trendy Tokyo district, a purple Mercedes-Benz G63 happened to drive by. A look of surprise crossed Akimura-san’s face, as if a new idea had just sparked. Perhaps a purple tow truck to complement his RX-7?
Ever wondered what a 13B rotary engine with a twin exhaust setup sounds like? Hit play below and experience the unique sound.
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A final shot of the purple Mazda RX-7 FD3S, emphasizing its timeless design and modified features.
For many, this RX-7 exemplifies the FD3S’s enduring appeal as a tuner car. Its design readily adapts to modification, remaining timeless and surprisingly competitive even against contemporary sports cars. It begs the question: how could Mazda ever surpass the FD3S, and what automotive vision will Akimura-san pursue next?
Dino Dalle Carbonare
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