A lot has changed since this 1974 Mazda Rotary Pickup (REPU) rolled off the factory floor. The engine type, size, and location have all changed. Instead of a small rotary engine under the hood a large Oldsmobile V8 from a 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado sits in the bed.
The Oldsmobile 455 has been bored to 468 ci and features Keith Black pistons/rods, polished crank, Schnieder cam, Demon 750 carb, and HEI ignition. The engine is connected to the factory Toronado THM425 automatic with custom axles and heavy duty u-joints.
The truck also features front disc brakes, swing arms and 9″ drum brakes from a 1968 Corvair Monza. Since the engine was moved to the back the gas tank has been relocated to under the hood.
The owner says the truck is very fast and gets around 20 mpg if you don’t mash the gas pedal. Which must be hard to do. The car is for sale in San Francisco’s Craigslist (ad no longer exists).
Source: builder/owner
Waste of good repu 🙁
If it was yours and you had to have a swap what would the engine choice be?
Mine would be 20B rotary.
I have a ’75 REPU that had a HIPO 289 and T10 4 spd installed by a group from a local community college. It was done right. To prove this, a fellow bought it after the swap and drove it as his daily for 25 years. It had the T10 swapped out for another four speed after the T10 had an issue on a lonely highway. The HIPO V8 was replaced with a standard rebuilt 289 but the heads were kept and refreshed. The truck looks stock and has that “old beater” look to it. I got it with the engine disassembled…I am in the process of putting it together now. Ought to be a shitload of fun. BTW…I need a grille. Anyone know where I can find one?