July seventh in Japan solely means one factor to automotive fanatics: 7’s Day.

We’ve been masking this automotive tradition spectacle since the very begin of Speedhunters in 2008, and 15 years later the official unofficial gathering of RX-7s and different rotary-powered equipment nonetheless can’t be missed. As a result of, even though Mazda not produces a rotary-powered automotive, the ardour surrounding the famed RX fashions is as sturdy as ever.

As I do each July seventh, I visited the mecca of Japanese automotive meets – Daikoku Parking Space in Yokohama – to be part of rotary fanatics from throughout the nation (and overseas) and take a look at some spectacular sights and sounds.

Yearly, the 7’s Day gathering is somewhat totally different.

Positive, there are at all times the acquainted vehicles, however on the identical time loads of contemporary rides drop by.

And being Daikoku PA, you possibly can at all times rely on automobiles of the non-rotary selection displaying up too, like this pristine Autech Stagea 260RS on BNR34 BBS wheels.

Realizing that the on-site police would finally shut down the parking space – like they do each time an enormous meet occurs – I arrived early within the night to ensure I didn’t miss something.

Being a Friday, it was fairly quiet once I arrived as persons are nonetheless leaving work right now. However that simply meant I received to see each single automotive arrive and park up.

My first commentary after a great hour at Daikoku PA, was that the inventory and OEM+ look is certainly nonetheless in favor with fanatics. It’s occurring proper throughout the board of Japanese efficiency vehicles from the golden period, so not likely a shock to see RX-7 homeowners happening this route, even when the rotary-powered coupe has historically been probably the most modified fashions.

Whereas I’m at all times on the look out for some cool Cosmos, it was one other automotive from Mazda’s again catalog that caught my consideration. I wasn’t alone, both. What’s everybody right here?

An FC3S RX-7-derived 13B turbo, fitted to Mazda’s massive four-door sedan from 1990.

This explicit Luce is one I’ve spotlighted earlier than, and it’s nonetheless a shocking instance operating SSR mesh rims and an FC3S 5-speed handbook transmission swap.

Into The Evening

For a way cool Daikoku PA is throughout daytime hours, there’s an entire new environment when the solar goes down.

I’m at all times blown away by how surreal Daikoku PA appears to be like and feels at evening, and that is coming from a man who’s been coming right here for three a long time!

Rotaries and all method of different vehicles stored flowing in till round 8:00pm, when the primary police bulletins over the parking space’s loudspeaker system started. All of us knew that the meet was on borrowed time.

I’ve been eager to function this sinister-looking FD3S ever since I first noticed it on the Tokyo secret automotive meet a number of months again.

It’s the one FD3S I do know of that runs hydraulic suspension, therefore the lowrider-esque stance it might probably pull off.

Who needs to see a full function on this automotive?

Over To Umihotaru

I put my digital camera down for 20 minutes to seize some dinner (onigiri on the comfort retailer, in fact), and in that point Daikoku PA actually emptied out.

The phrase on the road was that an invitation-only, curated meet organized by some distinguished rotary guys was occurring at Umihotaru PA. I headed straight over, however by the point I received there all of the vehicles gathered on the bottom ground for the meet had been being kicked out by the police.

There have been rumors that the vehicles had been heading to the back-up spot – Decks Tokyo Seashore parking zone in Odaiba – however reasonably than chase the small group throughout the bay, I made a decision to remain at Umihotaru and see what else turned up.

There was lots to see, and after about an hour, a number of the RX-7s that had left started returning.

I got here throughout this wild Nismo GT-R on 21-inch AL13 rims and a wrap that stored altering coloration with the smallest shift of perspective.

What’s a rotary celebration with no few Nissans?! At the least they didn’t get kicked out…

7’s Day in Tokyo is at all times a enjoyable evening out, and with Japan being completely open once more the occasion had a pleasant worldwide really feel to it with loads of vacationers having fun with the spectacle. Till 2024!

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com