Take a classic bodyshell, bolt on some overfenders, and insert a motor that once powered something much heavier. That’s a recipe that has served many tuners and racers alike, including a Mr. Matt Cole. A first-gen RX-7 can be found for peanuts these days, and yet they still make their mark on the road course. Even without much power, the FA RX-7 is a respectable contender, but modify it with the powerplant from a Mazda Cosmo, and the result is pretty spectacular.

Photo credit: Ausoil.com

The 20B motor is semi-standard; just turbocharged and mildly ported, but it’s a combination that can net 680 horsepower at the rear tires on full boost. Air-to-fuel ratios are managed by a Microtech EFI system. Considering the car weighs a paltry 2,600 pounds, that’s plenty of thrust. The power is driven through a TT Industries sequential six-speed that’s lubricated by Penrite Pro Gear oil.

At the back end is a Voltex GT wing, a massive Lincoln Tunnel of a diffuser, and those unmistakable taillights Despite the intriguing aero work and the swiss-cheesed body, it’s probably those overfenders which steal the spotlight.

Photo credit: Ausoil.com

Getting all that turbocharged power to the ground is no mean feat, but a set of Enkei RPF1s wrapped in Advan rubber ought to do the trick. Even though the tire isn’t terrible wide; just modest 265-sections, they put the power down quite well.

Based on the pace seen in the above footage, it’s unlikely they’re running the full 680 horsepower, but it still seems incredibly rapid. Despite the gearing, which Cole admits to not fitting the Bathurst hillclimb too well, he still managed 106 mph over the hill!