Pettit FD3s Limousine

The Pettit Racing Limo is a wild ride! It's a concept that didn't really flatter the car, but I think most rotary fanatics will know the car.

The car has been lengthened considerably behind the c pilar creating a huge expanse.

The only thing really wrong with this is the colour. If this were black it would be awesome!

Maybe a hearse would be a good use.

Entry is by a large door in the right side of the vehicle. Not being a VIP myself I am unsure if this is the fashionable side of the car in america to exit from.

Someone on GTAforums has cemented the car in history with a 3d model for the game.

Russ.

FD3s Version IV - Efini Rx-7

This version was the last edition of the FD3s before the change. Almost the same as the RS-R with the funky airbag and available in more colours.

Not much info around and changes were minor.

Russ.

FD3s Version IV Type RS-R

Probably the car I lusted after for the longest. The RS-R was the one I wanted to get my hands on.

Something about the yellow and Gun Metal rim colour scheme that looked so tough and yet still stylish.

500 were produced in 2 available colours of Brilliant Black and Sunburst Yellow at the end of the series IV production run and were the ultimate 7 at the time Mazda was celebrating 30 years of rotary engineering.

Weight was a small priority with this car as it was produced from the high end "RS" grade RX7, but with the projector halogen fog lamps and audio being omitted from the standard equipment list along with all unnecessary items. But it's kind of a wierd car, because seats were the standard non-leather items and small seats were remaining in the rear. Did I say weight saving? There were some. Kind of a GT/Touge car as the airbag remained.

Anyway, drivers kneepad and passenger footrest were there and a wierd airbag steering wheel. Chrome trim returned to the dials as if the car was one of the first FDs off the production line only this time a small rotary logo and the words RE 30th Anniversary appeared.

Keeping with the yellow theme, bilstein suspension adorned the underbody to create a handling package like the RZ of old.

These are some images that haunted me ... I just felt like jumping in an flooring it!!

The frontal angle is just awesome! Even if it is dirty.

And I think everyone knows this famous picture.

Still fetching around the 2.5 million mark for a clean 10 year old example, these last of the series IV shape cars are true collectibles, but finding one that hasn't been tuned or devoured is getting difficult.

The success of initial D has turned a lot of these cars into replica's that wear Mazdaspeed Type II kits or Mazdaspeed GT-C kits available as options of course. They are the only yellow versions since 1993 so they were well sought after. Only 250 yellow ones. Black ones are just like the RZ anyway.

Russ

1997/10~
Type RS-R  E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat ----km/l   3,625,000Yen

FD3s Version IV Bathurst X

 Repeating the theme from 1995 saw 700 more Type RB Bathurst X models being produced. “Type RB” is the basic type but this one has the extras that make it a higher grade of car. Not a sports model but a continuation of the touring class of older FD owners.

Customers could chose to adopt the unique red leather seats to match or contrast to the 2 colours of Chaste white or Brilliant black. Other additions included the front spoiler, the projector halogen fog lamps, the floating rear wing and the rear wiper, deem the car to have the same luxury as an upper spec model.

So is this special anything really special? The red seats are nice but but now they wouldn't be looking that great. The Airbag or a Momo steering wheel were options. They are fitted with a bathurst X logo near the door handles.

Russ.

Type RB Bathurst X E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat 7.3km/l  3,370,000Yen

FD3s Version IV

This is the interim model change that saw a lot of changes mechanically and the completion of the exterior update that started with the flat rear wing ten months before.

So lets start with the engine. Take a look under the bonnet and you will immediately notice the change. The black plastic intercooler pipe, which was prone to splitting at the mounting position, was replaced with an aluminium item. Manual transmission cars received 10hp more from the addition of a 16 Bit engine management computer that is said to be a lot better through increasing the charging pressure of the sequential twin turbo system.

Output was now 265ps/6500rpm. Because of this, power weight ratio of type RZ was 4.72kg per horsepower. With the improvement in engine power and torque for spec RS, the larger brakes from the RZ were now used along with the 4.3 diff with the plugged Torsen LSD to better match the engine and give better accelleration.

New better designed and lighter weight 17" rims were now standard across the range which had now changed in name with the good bits in the RS. The lowly spec of the Bathurst named cars were now more complete and the RB (Basic) cars were introduced less rear wing and other nice items. The touring X remained as the AT home although they could be optioned up to be a good performer.

The most substantial external change could be seen from behind where the old school 3 round light design had returned just like in the FC version upgrade. If you see a new set, pop them out and swap them over. Shhhh.

Safety was also on the agenda with Airbag options finding their way onto the dealer spec sheets. Interior changes were limited to in dash illumination colour change to green from the old orange designs. Momo steering wheel options.

These Version VI cars are the best of the initial FD design. If you get one of these. The RZ was a permanant edition to the lineup so Recaro's were available.

Russ.

1996/1~

Type RZ E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 2Seat 7.5km/l  3,975,000Yen

Touring X E-FD3S 1308cc 3 4AT FR 4Seat 7.7km/l  3,815,000Yen

Type RS E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat 7.2km/l  3,665,000Yen

Type RB Bathurst E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat 8.1km/l  3,400,000Yen

Type RB E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat 8.1km/l  3,200,000Yen

FD3s Version III Bathurst X

777 of these luxury tourers were produced in 1995. With most cars having the bathurst name since 1994, this version simply raised the spec a little more with red leather seats, a Momo steering wheel and gun metallic coloured 16" rims from the original 92 RZ. The rear wing was standard and window glass was tinted grey. A "Special X Sticker" was also added to the pillar behind the door.

Fashion colours of Black Red and White Red were stated by Mazda to be of a high contrast design. This was a cruiser through and through. A pretty car without the hard edge of the RZ. The four seat leather version made for Japanese elders that still like a bit of a fast weekend ride.

These cars started the "cool" white FD look and the leather was a very desirable item.

Russ.
Type R Bathurst X E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat 7.3km/l 3,350,000Yen

FD3s Version III

Hooray! Another model change in the evolution of the FD.

What's new? NOTHING! However, a new base model named the R-S and the inclusion of the R Bathurst and RZ as regular models should be cause for celebration. A special you dont have to wait for. What about resale of older special versions? Hmm. The price had also dropped considerably, especially on the Touring X model which was now the only home for the AT.

The Rz had the 17 Inch wheels which were now everywhere, but it inherited bigger brake rotors for extra stopping which was probably the biggest change mechanically as the engine was still relatively unchanged running the same 8-bit computer in the version III .

Externally a new rear spoiler design was introduced for the bathurst RS and RZ models that breathed life into the 4 year old design. The plank on legs wing that actually worked, opened up the rear end and looked a lot better than the original ineffective rear wing. Inside a Momo wheel was now standard and gave a little life inside the FD.

More bang for your buck. These are the regular FDs that are abundant the used market. They come with good reputation as most niggles had been removed by this point and should be enjoyed.

Russ.

Type R Bathurst E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat 7.3km/l 3,285,000Yen

Touring X E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5AT FR 4Seat 7.0km/l 3,285,000Yen
Type R-S E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4seat 7.3km/l 3,890,000Yen
Type RZ E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 2seat 7.0km/l 3,960,000yen

FD3s Version II R Bathurst

The last 500 Type R models released before the next update were the Type R Bathurst Models. Dubbed the "reasonable" FD in Japan, were they really that special anymore? In one more months time, this model would become available in the line-up as a standard along side the Rz which would also be just another model choice.

Based on the 4 Seat type R model plus a spoiler, original 1991 styled 16" alloys, and the rear tower bar, it was a lower price model alternative to the 2 seat better equipped RII and leather touring X models. The special really came from lack of inclusions and therefore a bit less weight, but really this is not a collectible Fd, just one to prolong sales in a market that was waiting for an injection of change. The brochure from mazda features the Australian race car on the cover, but there is nothing like a race car apart from the fact there is no radio.

It wasn't like the Australian model either as it was heavily equipped beast and the race version at the time was the SP.

So if you are going to go hunting for on of these, then dont bother. It's nothing special. It's actually part of the original lineup for this time period.

A fairly lightweight 4 seater.
Russ.

1995/3~
TypeRBathurst E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4seat 7.3km/l 3,285,000Yen

FD3s Version II R-II Bathurst

This special model was a celebratory model. April 1994 was the third win in succession of the Bathurst 12 hour race in Australia where the Rx7 successfully defended its title. 350 units were produced, which meant printing 350 special stickers to go on the rear.

.... "We Did 3 Successive Victories" .... I seriously will be trying to hunt down one of these Japlish stickers for my car.

The basic 2 seater = RII from what I can determine in the Japanese documents, with this car being no different. All special versions are hardtop cars without sunroofs for lighter weight. This one is mentioned to be of N1 Race Spec that is used in the Japanese Super Endurance series for production cars, so it is quite raw. Unlike the Australian production car series where aero parts had to be from Mazda's production, aero body mods were allowed in Japan, so this 5 speed manual only model came without a front or rear spoiler in preparation for replacement. It was also a 2 Seat model Only.

Priced at UNDER 3Million Yen, it was not so expensive for a special version due to the move away from the special equipment added to the RZ. They dont look like a special but they are indeed.

Russ.

Type RII Bathurst E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 2Seat 7.3km/l  2,998,000Yen

FD3s Version II RZ

The rarest special version of FD from Mazda is this one. The 1993 RII RZ. Only 150 of these babies made it onto the JD Market and they are hard to find. With a lot of 93-95 cars looking very similar the Rz really is hard to pick out externally. All options were available from the option book, so effectively you could build an Rz from a basic RII version anyway. So what is so special?

Brilliant Black again was the only colour and of course it was 5 speed manual transmission only. Internally, the Rz only carbon kevlar Recaro seats, knee pads and passenger foot rest returned to pretty much make the same spec with optional audio and air-conditioning for light weight "race" feel. The Bilstein dampers returned from the version I Rz along with most other components from the original. The 17" +40 offset BBS RSII rims available on the RII though, also found their way onto the Rz. They were equipped in the same size with front 8" and rear 8.5" matched to Bridgestone Exspedia S-07 tyres in 235/45 and 255/40 sizes respectivly.

Along with the rigidity changes of the base models and refinements made to the suspension. This Rz was again as sharp a performer as ever. This even better Rz was also equipped with a tighter race type Torsen LSD for a bit more grip. For a showroom special from the early nineties, you cant really go past this one.

Russ.