Early FD Designs from Mazda
#1
Early FD Designs from Mazda
This is a scan from my copy of Jack Yamaguchi's excellent RX-7 book, and it shows the runner-up design for the FD. It is said that executives debated for hours on which design to finalize before eventually settling on the shape we all know and love, which was penned by Taiwanese stylist Wu-huang Chin at Mazda's design studio in Irvine, California. The runner-up design was from Mazda's headquarters in Hiroshima, and the short-nose, long-tail design incorporated the latest aerodynamic technology of the day.
Some of these elements were later incorporated into the final FD design, which originally had a more rounded, tapered rear end. This earlier design of the FD is pictured at the bottom right, below.
Here are a few more avant grade exterior designs that were penciled early in the design process. Mazda eventually chose eight designs to make clay models of, two from each of their major design studios.
What do you think of the runner-up design? Would you like the FD more if they had gone this direction?
Some of these elements were later incorporated into the final FD design, which originally had a more rounded, tapered rear end. This earlier design of the FD is pictured at the bottom right, below.
Here are a few more avant grade exterior designs that were penciled early in the design process. Mazda eventually chose eight designs to make clay models of, two from each of their major design studios.
What do you think of the runner-up design? Would you like the FD more if they had gone this direction?
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Nakd n Fearless (08-24-21)
#2
RX-7 Bad Ass
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First off, everyone should have a copy of the Yamaguchi book. It's SO good.
There's elements of some of the designs that later turned up in the RX-01 and some other Mazda cars (MX-3). Really hard to say since those designs are SO early, they have to go through a lot of refinement.
Dale
There's elements of some of the designs that later turned up in the RX-01 and some other Mazda cars (MX-3). Really hard to say since those designs are SO early, they have to go through a lot of refinement.
Dale
#5
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i used to hate those things when i worked at the dealership, but we race against one, and once you get it down to the shell its a really great looking car. the engine is quite good too, once you replace the distributor with something that doesn't fail all the time
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gmonsen (08-12-21)
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gmonsen (08-12-21)
#7
Another design guideline according to Yamaguchi was driver visibility - specifically, being able to see the front fenders from the driver's seat.
Last edited by c0rbin9; 08-11-21 at 01:57 AM.
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c0rbin9 (08-11-21)
#10
Ahem. I fit just fine in mine! All 165lbs of me.
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j9fd3s (08-11-21)
#12
The Ancient
Here's the one painting Chin has ever done of the FD. I Picked it up at an art auction maybe 5 years ago.
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c0rbin9 (08-12-21),
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RW Atelier (08-29-21)
#13
^ I like how the wheels look like 17s/18s and are basically flush with the fenders. Even Chin knew the stock wheels are sunken battleship status!
There was a recent Road & Track article about Wu-Huang Chin and his design of the FD. Turns out he owns a Brilliant Black '95 PEG. Here's a pic from the article:
Interesting to see what aesthetic choices the actual designer of the car made. Looks like just a set of classic looking wheels, and that's it. No tacked on body kits or giant spoilers, surprisingly. /s
There was a recent Road & Track article about Wu-Huang Chin and his design of the FD. Turns out he owns a Brilliant Black '95 PEG. Here's a pic from the article:
Interesting to see what aesthetic choices the actual designer of the car made. Looks like just a set of classic looking wheels, and that's it. No tacked on body kits or giant spoilers, surprisingly. /s
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gmonsen (08-13-21)
#15
Lives on the Forum
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TVR in The Hood
Out for a walk this morning and a huge specialty car hauler pulls up in this complex. Two TVR being delivered from somewhere to someone. One was still out at dinnertime.
The TVR is the one in gunmetal grey.
The TVR is the one in gunmetal grey.
Last edited by Redbul; 08-12-21 at 09:09 PM. Reason: added info.
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#16
The Ancient
^I think that's a TVR "Sagarro". TVR always made such interesting cars. This one has something like a Buick/Rover V8 in it, I think.
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gmonsen (08-12-21)
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gmonsen (08-16-21)
#20
Objection!
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(Seems like as decent of a place as any to include these)
A few years ago, I saw this "Concept Model" for the RX-7 at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. It seems like this is another step in the evolution of the FD's design, much closer to the one we know, but clearly showing differences or concept car quirks. The info card for it read as follows:
Additional photos:
A few years ago, I saw this "Concept Model" for the RX-7 at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. It seems like this is another step in the evolution of the FD's design, much closer to the one we know, but clearly showing differences or concept car quirks. The info card for it read as follows:
Fiberglass Shell
1993 Mazda RX-7 Concept Model
The third-generation Mazda RX-7 was powered by the most highly developed Wankel-rotary engine ever installed in a production car. Believing that such advanced engineering called for equally advanced styling, Mazda initiated an internal design competition among its studios in Hiroshima and Yokohama, Japan, and Irvine, California. This model of the winning design was created by Art Center College of Design graduate Wu-Huang Chin at the Mazda Design Center in Irvine, one of the first studios established in Southern California by a Japanese automaker.
1993 Mazda RX-7 Concept Model
The third-generation Mazda RX-7 was powered by the most highly developed Wankel-rotary engine ever installed in a production car. Believing that such advanced engineering called for equally advanced styling, Mazda initiated an internal design competition among its studios in Hiroshima and Yokohama, Japan, and Irvine, California. This model of the winning design was created by Art Center College of Design graduate Wu-Huang Chin at the Mazda Design Center in Irvine, one of the first studios established in Southern California by a Japanese automaker.
Additional photos:
Spoiler
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Redbul (08-24-21)
#23
Originally Posted by B-Hydra
Just to add this to the connective tissue of the internet, is this the book? RX-7: The Mazda RX-7: Mazda's Legendary Sports Car (ISBN 4947659017 / 978-4947659019)?
#24
Objection!
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Could be, also looks like it doesn't have the double-bubble roof.
Yep, that's it.