Here in New Zealand the early mazda 323 (RWD familia) is very popular car with the mazda rotary "enthusiasts".

Many are converted to rotary power and tagged as RX323's.

The trend is so popular now that early 323's seem to be more desirable than an early RX.

Does anybody here outside of NZ agree with this trend?

 

A few members here have done them. They're called GLCs over here. Jeff20B has one. It even had his 20B in it for a while. I daily drove it for about a year with a streetported 13B.

 

My buddy had a 323GTX and it's a pretty sick little car. In the SF Bay Area, they're rare, and not too many people know what they are, but there's definitely a little following for them. I'd love one for a DD.

 

^Natey, that sig pic a is classic, LOL! BTW, I'm pretty sure I parked next you a few months back at the Toys R' Us off of Soquel. You have a SIMPSON kids car seat? My parents live in Santa Cruz and I was over there trying to find a kite for my son. If you see an old Italian man driving a really clean Montego blue around that's my dad, be sure to say hi! Just did a ton of work to it (rebuild) and he's the original owner.

Back on topic... Yeah, the GLC swapped w/ rotary is pretty rare around here. Most GLC's were sent to the scrap yards over a decade ago. Now days if you have one than it probably will be more rare than a RX3, but who cares? It's just a novelty, nowhere near as interesting as having an actual RX-3. Not really worth more simply because there is less of them left; they have no racing pedigree/heritage and the over style is F-ugly.

The only real thing going for the RWD GLC is that they share some of the floor-pan with the RX3. IIRC everything from the front shock towers forward is the same as a RX3, which makes it a nice candidate for a good project/sleeper.

Nope, I don't agree w/ the trend at all but I'd rock one if it was cheap enough!

 

The NZ mazda rotary scene is old school by default. Most mazda rotaries here are 70's and early 80's models. As far as 323's go the early (bug eye)323 hatchbacks seem to be most popular. In NZ they are more common than most RX's and as such now equal aprox the early RX numbers at most mazda rotary events.
In comparison RX-7's of any gen only make up almost 50%.

 

There is one major advantage to GLCs: they're light as heck. Under 1800 lbs. stock, a little more with a 13B. RX-3s are about 300 lbs. heavier IIRC.

 

^Yep. They make perfect drag car if you're into that kind of thing. Drag racing has never really been my cup of tea, but going fast is always fun!

 

Yeah, all our rotaries here are either show car looking RX7's or they are really beat up FD,FC,SA22's. <-----There's a little bit in between, but most RX7's you see on the road are pretty sad unless the owner is a fanatic. Still plenty of them either way compared to old school. Maybe 85% RX7's and RX8's to 15% old school. Hard to know for sure.

Overall, the pre-RX7 cars are very rare here. Most of the RX old school owners here either know each other, or at least know of each other from mutual acquaintances; that's how small it is here. Plus the old school guys rarely drive their cars. They have all turned into weekend cars, trailer queens, or decade long projects. Ask me how I know. LOL!

BTW: I'd rock the above GLC any day of the week!!! That thing is off the hinges!

 

Got any more pics of that? Its nice as.

 

Jsmall does this belong in the RX world?


for you fellow kiwi

 

Yeah.. I think that in a way they do.



Love how the look of that car is so clean haha.

 

Any cars with a rotary transplant belongs to the RX world. But if you install a piston crap on a RX, thats a different story. Its that simple.

 

That's me and I've definitely seen your dad around town. Next time I do, I'll give him a 'thumbs up'.

 

yo ninga...

totally agree.
i got a glc wagon but if i ever get money its going rotary.

 

grow up.

GLC's are not common at all in Michigan. This is actually the first time i've ever seen one, real or in a picture.

 

I want a 323 GTX it could still have the piston engine even!

 

ok relax...

they arnt common enywhere.theres 2 in my county.i have one of them.
there rare.and honestly rather slow-but then you could put in a rotary.

ppl put rotarys in lots of cars,even non-mazda's
and a rare(still ugly but rare) mazda with a rotary,that takes no fab,is a kool ezy cheap swap/project/track car.there the **** when rotary.who cares if its ugly as long as its just flying past ur bitch *** to work.

 

my grandma had a 323 gtx wayyyy back. i didnt know what it was then but now i wish she still had it

 

There fugly.

 

they DEFINITELY belong...

 

Go to www.trademe.co.nz. Some of the best conversions around, for sale. Used to live in Tauranga, home of the Bogan. Theres also the odd original one coming up on there now days. I bought a 1978 323 coupe off an old guy about 4 years ago from the trader, it was completely original. 54000km, 1 owner, no rust, vinly still in tact, the old boy used organic castor oil in it its whole life. Cost me 900 bucks, (thats about 650 canadian or 500 US) theres some real gems to be had in NZ at the moment. Looking to import one over to Canada. Sold it when i finished uni for 5500 to some ratty kid who i guess was going to rotorize it.

 

ii´m thinking about doing it
but in germanyit´s difficult
what´s about the gearbox does it fit to a 13b or must it be change?
what else must change to fit a 13b?

 

i got hella pics

i'll put some up laters