Very few films have left their mark on the automotive world as much as the Fast and furious since its debut in 2001. Boasting an impressive lineup of memorable cars such as Brian’s 1999 Nissan Skyline and Dom’s ever-iconic 1970 Dodge Charger (a Toretto family heirloom, no less), the franchise has put it all together. to attract the public. a high-octane thrill with every new episode. Of course, you can’t talk about the series’ most famous rides without mentioning one. Tokyo Drift classic: Han’s 1997 Mazda RX-7 Veilside.
Driven by legendary helmsman Han Seoul-Oh, this sleek machine looks gorgeous on the outside and packs a massive amount of power under the hood. Surprisingly, the fans are always learn new things about this car every day! Here are some interesting facts you might not yet know about Han’s RX-7 Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.
8 The Veilside Wide-Body Kit
You may have noticed that Han’s car stands out proudly among all the other cars in the film, more than you might expect, even for an RX-7. That’s because Japanese aftermarket manufacturer Veilside fitted it with a widebody kit that added almost a foot to the overall width of the car! This gave the car an intimidating touch without detracting from the sexy underground aesthetic.
If you’ve ever wanted a car like Han’s, good news – the Fortune body kit used on the RX-7 is still available for purchase on Veilside’s website. Prepare to shell out around $17,000 for this!
seven Nine Replica Waterfalls
At this point, it’s no secret that most of the cars you see in the Fast the series are not just one car; they’re actually replicas of the original cars seen in the movie, and almost all of them are used for stunt scenes, so the Hero car doesn’t suffer major damage.
The RX-7 had new replicas built for a variety of different stunt scenes and shots, though none of them have the same power and handling as the original. In fact, the chrome wheels were apparently so heavy on the replicas that the crew had to shave the tires to help them come off the pavement.
6 A turbocharged rotary engine
Many rides in the series use fake motors and other props to trick viewers; they rarely came close to the specs stated in the movies (looking at you, fake fan in Dom’s Charger). Unlike others, Han’s Mazda had a 13B rotary engine and an HKS turbocharger to boot.
Paired with a titanium exhaust system, Brembo brakes and APexi suspension, the RX-7 held its own with around 300 horsepower and around 256 lb-ft of torque. The numbers are pretty close to the spec of the original 1997 model, and the car is said to have handled pretty well during filming!
5 A color change
It’s hard to imagine Han’s Mazda any different from what we know – from the body kit and split paint job to the unbeatable Alpine dual-subwoofer audio system, it’s practically perfect. What you might not know is that originally this slick beast looked very different from what we see in Tokyo Drift.
When the studio purchased this particular Mazda from Veilside, the bodywork was red and black. After a new coat of House of Color Sunset Pearl orange, it evolved into the RX-7 we know and love today. Really, was there another wanderer destined for this great color scheme?
4 Beginnings as a show car
Part of the reason Han’s ride is so unique is that it was built and decorated long before Tokyo Drift has been created. The studio bought it from Veilside, where its exact Mazda was on display as a show car.
Do you remember the beautiful Fortune widebody kit? Veilside was using the RX-7 to showcase the body kit at the Tokyo Auto Salon, where it was quickly noticed by photo car coordinator Dennis McCarthy. Before long, it was on its way to the United States to be used in the next film.
3 The (expensive) cost of leisure
It would take a lot more than the $17,000 body kit to re-imagine an RX-7 in Han’s style, but it’s possible! Between the body modules, intercooler, upgraded sound system, upgraded brakes and a sleek paint job, you’ll end up quadrupling the cost of the Fortune kit alone.
It’s true: invest around $80,000 and Han’s Mazda could be yours, according to legendary service advisor Craig Lieberman! For reference, the base model would have cost around $28,000 on its own in 1997, which translates to around $45,000 in 2020.
2 Surprising errors in the film
Any movie is bound to have bloopers and mistakes, and the Fast The franchise is no exception. There are a lot of blunders everywhere Tokyo Drift, and some are specific to Han’s Mazda! Some are audio/visual errors while others are continuity based.
For example, in a scene where Han and Sean are talking in the RX-7, you can apparently hear the engine change at least 7 times – in reality, this car only came with 4 or 5 speed transmissions, and Sean’s hands never really leave the steering wheel (you know, to change gears). In another scene, the Mazda is completely destroyed by DK’s Nissan Fairlady Z, which later appears with nothing more than a few scratches and dents. At some point, this ride switches from left-hand drive to right-hand drive with no explanation.
1 The fate of the RX-7
The cars of the Fast movies go through a lot of intense on-set action, and many of them are badly damaged if not totaled afterwards. Unfortunately, the majority of Han’s RX-7 replicas were destroyed by the end of filming.
Of the nine reconstructions, only two of them have survived. As right-hand drivers, the two survivors were returned to Japan due to the 25-year U.S. import rule. They were purchased by New Era Imports, a JDM auto broker. It’s unclear how much they went after filming, but any garage should be proud to have one or the other on display!
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