Mazda RX 7 Group B

Hi guys,

Many good rally cars were made or were started recently.
One of them is still missing and has never been made in 1/24 as far as i know.
So, i decided to make a resin kit of this car.
Mazda Rx 7 Group B was actually a competitive car and probably the most exotic with its 1.3 Rotary Egnine and 300 hp. It conquers the third place in Acropolis Rally in 1985-not bad for a RWD car in those times back there.
I will upload the first pictures of the WIP process in the next few days. I hope you will like it.

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/85acropolisrallyingvarc1.jpg

Great project, for a great car,
i will follow this closely.
Are you going to use some kit as a base?

This is Christmas before Chistmas on AF !!
All Gr. B rally cars being made !!
WOwowoowoww...!!
Excellent ! :thumbsup:

Great project...
All the guys form Greece, we support your project. We like the Acropolis rally cars.
Good luck until the end...

Hey guys,

thanks for your support! It means a lot to me.
i'm going to use an old Monogram kit with some Tamiya parts. i'll do my best to turn it out into a nice model.

How are you for references ?

Rhys Millen recently bought a genuine one - It's currently in New Zealand waiting for next years 'Leadfoot' festival (Rod Millen's Kiwi style Goodwood, up his own driveway)....

http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/11/retro-rally-rhys-millens-group-b-rx7/

PS - If this kit becomes reality, I'll definitely be in !

How are you for references ?

Rhys Millen recently bought a genuine one - It's currently in New Zealand waiting for next years 'Leadfoot' festival (Rod Millen's Kiwi style Goodwood, up his own driveway)....

http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/11/retro-rally-rhys-millens-group-b-rx7/

PS - If this kit becomes reality, I'll definitely be in !

Hi,

thanks about this link. I already looked over it many times in the last month and it is pretty awesome. Although some of the parts in Myllen's car are not authentical. I had the chance to find a real picture of the engine from 1984 :) as well as many pictures of the car sent to me by a very nice guy form Greece- Kostas. I still miss some little details, but during the building process i think i will adjust evertyhing with all your help..


Stay tuned, pictures are coming soon..

As seen at the Autosport International show, 2011:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f112/hamishrobson/RX-7GrB-1.jpg

Hi guys,
I’m sorry for the slow progress, but.. .there is a reason for anything. And here is one.
As you know i have started with the Monogram kit (the red one)..i even made the fenders and some other parts… but the feeling there is something wrong with this kit did not left me since I opened it for the first time.:uhoh: This made me to look for one more kit of this car and finally found the Tamiya one, which is actually much more basic motorized curbside kit (facelift version which has right bumpers and tail-lights though).
It came today and guess what..- the Monogram is some kind smaller than it should be.:cwm27:. At the same time the chassis has the right wheel base and other elements look quite alright.:confused:
Indeed, once transformed it will not be that visible, because of the wide fenders but.. I will know it…
On the other side, at first glance Tamiya one looked some kind bigger than it should be, especially the front part..:uhoh:
There was only one way to find out the truth:evillol:

Today, I found a person that sells such car (the only one Rx7 1-st generation that is for sale here in Bulgaria) and asked him to measure the real car…and he agreed.
25 key elements of the real car were measured…he was really nice to do this
As a result I can say that none of them is 100% right...and I will use them both, taking the best from each one

Long explanation, but I wanted to share with you guys what bothered my mind. It is very exhausting to strive for excellence every time, but it is all for good I hope. Sorry for the bad pictures but It is 1 am already here and I am tired... Updates soon.

Vitan


http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/25e4e27e-064f-4015-911f-b7fc6624ba84_zpsee2fb38a.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/ea238ba4-d9a4-483b-a801-002775ce5bbc_zps343e6451.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/46e27b34-ac5f-4c8b-bfba-633964b90542_zpsa64ec112.jpg

Hi,

Yes.. it is hard with the dimensions, sometimes. Every kit has its own advantage or drawback, but it is always good to pursuit the best, when doing something...Can't wait to see details of the real "transformation" already..:lol2:

typical of model kit cars.
The wheelbase seems identical on both models. Usually tamiya models are pretty in shape, but sometimes they are oversized.
I will not be so sure Monogram model is worng..cause is a monogram. Old american kits sometimes are way better than any japanese one of the past (I still remember the debacle around the F-4 phantoms. finally the most correct shape in 1/72 was the really old monogram models box, even if with ugly details..70s plane stuff u know).

With real measures can be better at all (I always use wheelbase as MAIN measure) then work on a lot and always keep an eyes to the pics to see if what u are doing is at least similar to the pics u can see with your eyes.

Or, take a good 3d designer friends and try one of the new 3dprinting service around. :D They are incredible....and suspect is the next generation of this kida masterworks.
If I am not wrong Michail or Roman from russia are also excellend 3d designers.. ;)

typical of model kit cars.
The wheelbase seems identical on both models. Usually tamiya models are pretty in shape, but sometimes they are oversized.
I will not be so sure Monogram model is worng..cause is a monogram. Old american kits sometimes are way better than any japanese one of the past (I still remember the debacle around the F-4 phantoms. finally the most correct shape in 1/72 was the really old monogram models box, even if with ugly details..70s plane stuff u know).

With real measures can be better at all (I always use wheelbase as MAIN measure) then work on a lot and always keep an eyes to the pics to see if what u are doing is at least similar to the pics u can see with your eyes.

Or, take a good 3d designer friends and try one of the new 3dprinting service around. :D They are incredible....and suspect is the next generation of this kida masterworks.
If I am not wrong Michail or Roman from russia are also excellend 3d designers.. ;)

Hi,

the wheel base is the same. This is the case, equal wheel base with differnet volumes..:) I didn't mean the Monogram is totally wrong, it is just smaller. Tamiya is a little oversized at the same time.. Actually if you look both kits separateley the Monogram one looks finer in some way..I think i can do quite good one, combining both:)
I totally agree with you about the 3D technology and i am definately willing to use it in future. It gives many possiblities, but you need good blueprints there too.
I suppose, then i will miss a bit all this sanding and reshaping by hand, looking at the pictures over and over again..i really love it.

wow, that's a real noticable difference between the two kits. but it sure is a great thing that you managed to get the measurements of the real one (must've been fate :))

Wouldn't the Monogram one be 1/25 rather than the 1/24 of the Tamiya one (even if it says 1/24 on the box)? That said, these models are all rather old, so maybe the tooling wasn't ase accurate as nowadays. I have many RX-7 models, and all seem different...
However, for your project the Tamiya one is a beter choice, as it's a series 2/3 car (first generation RX7, 81 or 84 facelifted model). This means correct lights etc for the rally car you're building.

Hi,
i didn't post updates quite long time, but too much work.. Anyway, i am back on the project and will try to inform you more regulary from now on.:smile:
So, after many researches i started transofrming the body. I casted this at home-i didn't want to "sacrifice" the Tamiya kit. It came pretty good-(my first attempt by the way:smile:), but the final product will be casted by a prefessional, not by me.
I also decided to contact MAZDA Muzeum in Japan..-where the car might be found at the moment:evillol: They were very kind and sent to me very detailed pictures of the car. Alessandro and Luca also helped me with information and references for the car-thank you!

I used Milliput to make the fenders. This is needed because the copied body is a bit softer than the plastic and i wanted to reinforce it.This material is quite good, but hard for sanding...:evillol: After 3 hours i managed to get some kind of a shape of the back. Not much to see though and it is still very rough and thick, but tonight i continue with the sanding and next time i hope to show you some more.

I also "created" my brand- "V-Modeller" :biggrin: and a facebook page where i will also update the information about the project.
See you soon:)

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/45245_350320178401414_1673327243_n_zps5d4dda8a.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/67988_350320185068080_196087703_n_zpsd6cbef22.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1636_zps57976bb5.jpg


http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1641_zps0f2c9a80.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1643_zps84bf5eb0.jpg

HOLY COW you got some guts man but i applaud you on this I hope the best and will follow this very close as well great work so far man

The Mazda Rally Team was based in Belgium (hence the Belgian plates on period photo's) and a few of the rally RX7's survive. One's still being used by Silverstone Autosport: https://www.silverstoneautosport.co.uk/mazda-rx7-rx8.html
I've seen it in action on the Legend Boucles the Spa. There's a few pics here aswell: http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,31845
The biggest modifications from the stock RX-7 are the bodykit, the steering system (rack and pinion instead of steering box), brakes (Ford Capri according to an article from those days). And the engine: 13B instead of 12A.

wow. kudos to mazda for helping out.

looking forward to your build, this is gonna be great.

The Mazda Rally Team was based in Belgium (hence the Belgian plates on period photo's) and a few of the rally RX7's survive. One's still being used by Silverstone Autosport: https://www.silverstoneautosport.co.uk/mazda-rx7-rx8.html
I've seen it in action on the Legend Boucles the Spa. There's a few pics here aswell: http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,31845
The biggest modifications from the stock RX-7 are the bodykit, the steering system (rack and pinion instead of steering box), brakes (Ford Capri according to an article from those days). And the engine: 13B instead of 12A.

Thanks for the link, i know this car:). It is a bit different in some details than the rally cars in 85, but still nice find. I think i sent them a message, but they didn't answer. Anyway i can try to contact them again:) Thank you for that.

Hello with some updates:) After the putty for the fenders was sanded quite a lot i still didn't like the shape because of the thick look. So, i decided to take drastic measures and make them in a , more similar to the real car rebuilding:) The fenders were removed and new, wider ones, were fitted at their place:) Those i took from the second casted body. Since it is resin i supposed they might be shaped well in a hot water. I took the risk and it worked quite well:) Of course, it is still rough, but with the next step it will have the right finish. Now, already the putty will serve me much better and i will use it with joy:)

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/1_zpsd055a116.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/1_zpsd055a116.jpg.html)
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/3_zps9972ae1e.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/3_zps9972ae1e.jpg.html)

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/2_zps857f70eb.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/2_zps857f70eb.jpg.html)

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/4_zps27a3170e.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/4_zps27a3170e.jpg.html)

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/5_zps9eb2b027.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/5_zps9eb2b027.jpg.html)

Man that is some serious work, i liked your idea of building the fenders up, but certainly think your new approach is better.

Excellent work so far for another exciting Gr. B project !! :thumbsup:

very nice work, looking forward to seeing completed! bravo!

Hello,

a little, but important update:) The wheels for the model were created:) They came out really nice i think:) The work on the body continues, so i hope soon i will show this to you finished:smokin:

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/mazdarx7groupbwheels_zpse1fcfcdf.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/mazdarx7groupbwheels_zpse1fcfcdf.jpg.html)

:eek:

Not necessary to say any more...

Hi,

Time for a little update on the project. I have received the 3D printed wheels and would say i am very happy with the result:)

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1771_zpsa05eae23.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1771_zpsa05eae23.jpg.html)

Meanwhile i continue with the work on the body and the details-the skeleton for front lights was done and now it has to be shaped. i also corrected the front and rear bumpers and the front hood.

Lots of work was done and as you see lots of work needs to be done:evillol:
Therefore not so much to see, actually everything appeared to be a bit more complex than i thought at the beggining...but i guess i got the spirit of the car already..:)

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1787_zpscc77d46a.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1787_zpscc77d46a.jpg.html)

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1783_zpsd78b8e74.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1783_zpsd78b8e74.jpg.html)

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1777_zpsb2cd7324.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/DSCN1777_zpsb2cd7324.jpg.html)

Work continues,

Wheels are really a piece of art, but the body have seen an important step ahead.

Impressive!!! :eek:

Beautiful job!

It's a pleasure to see another group B beast to be made, especially with execution like this. Well done!!

It's a pleasure to see another group B beast to be made, especially with execution like this. Well done!!

:1::iagree: :naughty: :naughty: :naughty:

Hello,

i've been away recently, because my thoughts were in 85-and they were black and white back then:)))).
Decided to share them and brought two pictures as little update form there.
Next time i am sure they will be clearer and greyish again, but this will be because of the primer and not because of the mixing with the past:)


http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/mazda32_zps714152a6.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/mazda32_zps714152a6.jpg.html)


http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/vitanvk/Rx-7%20Group%20B/mazda31_zpsbd719885.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/user/vitanvk/media/Rx-7%20Group%20B/mazda31_zpsbd719885.jpg.html)

hi Vitan.

great job, it takes little by little form:thumbsup:.

strongly thereafter.

Zim

Superb !! :thumbsup:

great job !