MEMORIES OF MY FIRST CAR
OCTOBER 10TH, 2022
Everybody remembers their first car. Some were hand me downs, some were gifts, but most weren’t their dream car. Growing up in the Japanese American community in the 70s and 80s, EVERY guy fixed up their car. It varied to what extent, but 90% of us had some sort of a Japanese model that we couldn’t leave in its stock condition.. The other 8% were relegated to Detroit iron (muscle cars) and last 2% were those who could afford European models. Our cars were influenced by the café or road racing so lowering the car was the first, basic foundation. Cut coil springs, blocks under leaf springs, whatever method was necessary to get the car lower to the ground. Low profile tires were not fully available in the market, unless you could afford Pirelli P7s which lasted about 2 months because of their high traction, soft compound rubber (slightly exaggerated, but you get the point). So most of us used BF Goodrich T/As mounted to EMPIS, Libres, Centerlines, or Centras or Hayashis in the 80s.
My inspiration for my first car came from observation. My brother and I went watch some racing on Stadium Way (ala Dodger Stadium) after watching some cruising at the Nisei Week festival in Little Tokyo (J Town, to most of us). Nisei Week was always the biggest gathering of cars for cruising.
On one particular race between a 240Z and a Celica, there was a car that shot through the both of them from the next race! It seemed unreal but my eyes were not deceived. It also made an interesting exhaust note, like angry bees! I discovered it was a Mazda RX-3. My unfamiliarity and ignorance of rotary engines was replaced by an incessant curiosity.
The opportunity of a lifetime (in my eyes) came about when I was a sophomore in high school. A classmate’s father who raced in SCCA (Sports Car Club of America), raced a RX-3SP in the ITA (Improved Touring-A) class and was selling it!
The Mazda RX-3SP came in two versions. One with louvered rear quarter windows, rear glass, and some oversized graphic stripes and logo, or like my version; blacked out trim and logos. Together with punched out rims and Phoenix Stahflex tires, a 1.5” anti-roll bar, and Koni dampers, it was a formidable handling car. A street ported 12A and heavily modified Nikki 4 barrel carburetor gave it some punch.
Throughout it’s time with me, it received several different motor and transmission configurations and brake upgrades. Put in a racing fuel pump and electrical upgrades and some heavy interior modifications. Mostly stripping out any unnecessary weight and padding the roll bar. I finally parted with it after 36 years.