EVENTS: SevenStock 17 Spotlight — Cherry Capellas

009-5098_MazdaRX2-ElvisIbarra

As the name implies, SevenStock is heavy on the Sevens. At SevenStock 17, however, Mazda RX-2s made a tremendous showing. We presented some of them already, along with R100s, RX-3s, REPUs and, yes, RX-7s galore. But there were three examples of Capellas, if going by their Japanese name, that deserved to stand out.

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The Ibarra brothers’ Mazda RX-2s are two of the most breathtaking examples we’ve ever seen. You might recognize elder sibling Abel as the import drag racing pioneer who raced his IDRC modified FD funny car during the height of the sport. It was once known as “the world’s fastest rotary,” capable of 7-second passes in the quarter mile. His red and black resto-rod is a flawless, unassuming classic complete with Landau dealer option vinyl roof, but sports a turbocharged brap-maker under the hood.

008-5097_MazdaRX2-ElvisIbarra

His brother Elvis owns something that we think is even sweeter, a bone-stock orange creamsicle purchased from a little old lady-owned in Reno, Nevada. Aside from the tires, this unicorn is all original, and when fired up the noise it emits is not the the unholy roar of a ported Wankel, just the smooth, sewing machine hum of an unmolested rotary. Just like in that commercial.

Lastly, though not even a rotary, this Mazda was notable for its sheer rarity: an all-original Mazda 616. Powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four, it was the piston-powered alternative to the RX-2. From the outside, the only difference is the badging and rectilinear taillights instead of the rotary’s quad circles.

033-5270_Mazda616-RX2Capella

The current owner says he unearthed it in Glendale, California, and proudly showed us its service coupon book and its period-correct curb-feeler. It is unquestionably the nicest example we’ve encountered. Not common to begin with, many of 616es were junked or gutted for a rotary conversions over the years, so sighting an all-original specimen with piston engine in tact is a rare opportunity that should be appreciated.

Amazingly, though, it wasn’t even the only 616 at the show. In case you missed it, here’s the rest of JNC‘s coverage of SevenStock 17.

Photo Editor: Ryan Senensky

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11 Responses to EVENTS: SevenStock 17 Spotlight — Cherry Capellas

  1. Nigel says:

    I like the orange one.
    (All three are very nice !)

  2. wantyerknobbies says:

    @nigel bro do you even own a jnc? lol

    • Nigel says:

      A 99′ Civic four door is as close as I can get.
      (However if you talk about 1/24 model kits. C10, C210, GX71, R30, sa22c, C230, 610, mx41 etc & etc).

  3. Pedro says:

    Fantastic examples of a rare machine! Best I have ever seen!

  4. J.A.C.K says:

    there’s a super old dude that rolls one of those rx-2s in my neighborhood. it’s in horrible condition but dope lines are dope lines. i may hit him up to see if he’d sell it next time i see him.

  5. Felix says:

    I used to own a white Capella 1600 4 door in the early nineties,
    bought it for $200, cleaned it up and sold it for $850!
    Already had my SA22C at that time and couldn’t afford
    to keep both, could barely afford my Rx7 at that stage in life.

    Old men with original JNC’s know what they have, I asked an old
    man in a carpark about his bone stock Rx4 (with vinyl roof) and he
    said young guys are always coming up to him making offers on his car.

  6. Dave Yuan says:

    I love the up-down arrows logo on the 616 booklet (owner’s manual?). A bit of a subtle jab at the reciprocating engine? Graphics from back then are so pretty.

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