THUNDER PURPLE STRIKES

Soner Basak
1971 Mazda RX2 Capella

ARTICLE: JESSE BONNICI | PHOTOGRAPHER: JESSE BONNICI

Upon first glance, it’s impossible to miss Soner’s impressive RX2 Capella, boasting a striking Turbo 13B setup under the bonnet that purrs beautifully at idle. The distinct rotary brap reverberates, leaving an unforgettable impression.

This Capella really stands out in the Melbourne car scene, performing street duties while occasionally hitting the quarter-mile. Drawing attention to its aesthetic is the Violet Thunder Purple respray executed by Domenic Occhiuzzi, complemented by a Glasurit Ceramic Clear Coat. Retaining its chrome bumper bars, accentuating the 1970s styling, it is tastefully paired with 15” Convo Pros. Inside the cockpit, Recaro Sportster bucket seats, reupholstered to match the interior, elevate the comfort and style of the Mazda. Incharge Automotive Enhancements stitched together the trim in Black leather, accented with a purple hexagon stitch. A custom-made dash holder nests the Microtech 7” Display screen, ensuring complete control alongside the Turbosmart Eboost 2 controller.

At the heart of the beast lies a race clearanced 13B Rotary Cosmo Engine, featuring a large extended port with an SCR Race seal and dowelled housing fitted with a Cosmo Intake Plenum. A custom 50mm stainless exhaust manifold is paired with the Garrett G42 1450 and a 60mm Turbosmart wastegate delivering unparalleled power. Fueling the fire is a Fuel Cell equipped with x3 Walbro 460-lph fuel pumps & x1 525-lph pump, ensuring optimal fuel delivery. Keeping the car under temperature is a PAC Performance cooling kit, all work was undergone by Goran and Zoran from GZM automotive. Everything is electronically controlled by the Microtech Race ECU making 600 Horsepower to the rear tires on E85 tuned by Anthony Rodrigues at Horsepower Headquarters.

Transferring into the driveline, a 3-Speed Built Jatco Gearbox, coupled with a Dominator 5500 Stall Converter shifting the power through with the B&M Pro Ratchet Shifter, modernising the comfortability and drivability of the vehicle. Wilwood Brake front and rear brake upgrades, paired with Garage 48 Coilovers, ensure precise handling. Driving the power to the ground is the Mickey Thompson Radials via the 9” Differential, outfitted with a 4:11 Trutrack Center and 35 Spline axles, perfectly suited to the mini-tubbed chassis. This combination launched Soner and his Capella into the 9-second category on his last outing, running a Personal Best of 9.63 @ 140mph!

Moving forward, Soner is contemplating possibly pulling the motor apart as it has been together for some time to give it a check-over or maybe carry out a full revamp to the 13B. He is potentially looking down the lines of a full Bridgeport with a Nitrous Oxide kit. A transbrake setup is also on the cards to help with the tight converte, along with a Water Methanol kit to help keep the motor cooler and also run more boost and bigger injectors.

SPECIAL THANKS
Goren and Zoran GZM, Anthony Rodrigues, Domenic Occhiuzzi, Pro Image Detailing and Incharge Automotive