Kinsmart 1:43 and Motormax 1:64 2001 Mazda RX7

A few months ago I profiled the three generations of Mazda RX7's in 1:64 scale, and back in October the Kinsmart Mazda RX8.  Now it's another look into the third-generation RX7 with the post-US, JDM-only 2001 Mazda RX7 from Kinsmart and Motormax.

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Even though RX7 sales stopped in the US thanks to the rising Yen and low interest in sports cars in 1995, the RX7, like the Supra, still continued to be sold in other countries, including homeland Japan.  In 1999 the RX7 got some minor revisions that included engine upgrades, turbo upgrades, restyled front and rear lights, a front grille that was the preamble to the RX8, and adjustable front and rear spoilers.  The twin-rotary Wankel motor features twin turbochargers, each having different vane sizes to provided boosted power at low and high RPM's, which is much-needed for the Wankel's lack of torque; power output in RS trim shown here is 276 hp. and 231 Ib-ft. of torque through a 5-speed manual.  As mentioned before, the rotary's compact size allows the engine to sit behind the front axle and provide optimal weight distribution for a small car this size.

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I've heard of the Kinsmart but never seen one, until now.  The only color left was this Dark Gray version, which actually looks better than the other three colors and gives the RX7 a stealthy appearance.  Of course, being the only one had some demerits: the right-rear wheel was bent from excessive play, but a simple fix by bending the axle pin straighten this out to the best that I could.  It's not perfect but it is much better than before!  Those wheels sit on BBS wheels that also give the RX7 a much sportier look.  The base underneath has the exhaust details (which I added with a silver Sharpie), but the engine and transmission layout is offset.

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The exterior shows off the new refresh with the concealed headlights above the projector beam signal lights (note the orange I added to the signal lamp reflectors), the winged Mazda badge above the front plate that looks like a wart to the smooth surfaces, and a reshaped lower grilles with foglights in the outer ones and functional front brake ducts on the lower spoiler.  Speaking of which the side front fender scoops are also functional, along with the side marker lights, rearview mirrors where I added the silver mirror part, and the smooth roof where I added some black trim to the upper door frames, including the door handles.  The back end is loaded with details from the rear window with the defroster lines and rear wiper, to the larger rear spoiler.  The rear taillight bar is the correct dark red tint with detailed quad taillights inside of it, along with Mazda badges, RX7 plate, and reverse lamps in the rear bumper.

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The interior was a disappointment:  All concealed in tan with no contrast and no inner door panels to match (and barely with details).  To correct this problem, I knew that on these RX7's if the interior is tan, the dashboard and console is contrast in black (same for the red as well), so with a black Sharpie I colored the dashboard and center console in black.  In addition I also added some black around the outer edges of the cargo area and silver for the rear strut brace.  The end result is one fantastic-looking interior that looks much better than before!  The rear seats are tiny and covered with the luggage box to conceal the pull-back motor, while the front seats are a more supportive racing type.  The dashboard has undergone changes over the years as well to include dual airbags and a reshaped 3-spoke steering wheel that looks more sportier than before.  Since this is a JDM model it is right-hand drive, but still obtains the central control layout angled toward the driver.  I added details to the round AC knobs and radio controls, while the gauges were tricky to get the Sharpie around the gauges with the steering wheel in the way so I left it in the tan color.  Finally, the center console is also trimmed in black around the shifter and parking brake.

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Another example of this late-model of the third-generation RX7 comes from Motormax in 1:64 scale.  Motormax was known to make some well-detailed 1:64 castings in the 1990 and 2000's decades, with this RX7 as one example.  The front has the same details as the Kinsmart, but with silver on the signal lights, smaller grilles with no foglights, and a larger chin spoiler.  The sides have the same details and exterior mirrors, while the rear has the large spoiler, red taillight bar (minus the quad inner lamps), orange reverse lamps, and a license plate area that also serves as the rear base support.  The base is the winner here showing off more details of the drivetrain and suspension components, and in the proper layout as well.  The 5-spoke wheels are the generic Motormax type and look good with this casting.  The interior has loads of details from the dashboard with integrated controls, to the seats, to the center console, and even includes detailed door panels (another Motormax hallmark here).  I should also point out that this version is left-hand drive over the right-hand drive of the Kinsmart.

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Despite the added and correct level of details, the Motormax RX7 looks less impressive compared to the larger Kinsmart RX7 in that sleek dark gray color and my usual attention to details that gives the interior a much richer feeling to it.