What the heck is a Mazda REPU?

What the heck is a Mazda REPU?

We all know how Mazda unconventionally chose to develop the rotary engine and use it successfully to win the 24-hour Le Mans with the 787B. This gave Mazda the distinction of being the first, and so far, only Japanese manufacturer to have won the grueling race (with a rotary engine at that).

Unconventionally, Mazda also decided on using the Wankel Rotary engine and shove it into road-going production cars. We have had the pleasure of seeing (and hearing) these in action in the form of the Mazda Cosmo Sport and for the younger folks, it was engraved into their ears as the heart of the rotary series of cars such as the RX-3, RX-7, and RX-8. Staying true to their unconventional ways, Mazda also decided to shoehorn the 13B into a pick-up truck.

Thus, the REPU was born. The Rotary-Engine Pickup, yes it is far from being creative but the nickname has pretty much stood the test of time. It was a limited run in actual production, but then there was a crazy man named Mike, Mad Mike, who went on to restore, build and drive one on a regular basis. Yes, Mad Mike loves his Mazdas and we have him to thank because Hot Wheels decided on using his truck as the base for the first release of the Mazda REPU in 1:64. Staying true to the original, the paint scheme on this truck is just awesome. The wheels do the truck justice in its small 1:64-ish way, but it’s really the two differently painted doors that blew me away. This casting is going to be one for the books. And together with the recently released RX7 (FD3S), 2017 is a hoot.

I may not have done proper justice to the REPU in the accompanying photos, but believe me when I say that this is one casting that you have got to get.