Classic Austin Seven reimagined with a 13B rotary engine, Mazda 5-speed, disc brakes, and custom street rod styling.
A 1937 Austin Seven Roadster has been transformed into an eye-catching, high-revving street rod with a unique twist: it’s powered by a Mazda 13B 1.3-liter rotary engine. This wildly customized build combines vintage British charm with Japanese engineering, modern suspension, and bold, hot rod aesthetics.
Originally celebrated as a pioneering economy car, the Austin Seven helped make motoring accessible to the masses in early 20th-century Britain. But this example throws tradition out the window in favor of power, performance, and head-turning flair.
Refinished in Brilliant Red from headlamp buckets to wire wheels, the exterior pays homage to its vintage roots with a vertical grille and upright windshield, while embracing modern hot rod culture through shaved doors, sculpted hood vents, and staggered 14-inch front and 15-inch rear wheels wrapped in wide tires for a raked stance. The rear features minimalist bumpers and custom taillights, further distancing it from its prewar origins.
Inside, the red-and-tan motif continues with pleated tan vinyl door panels and a bench seat that wraps seamlessly into the cabin’s design. A trio of ivory Dolphin gauges framed in brushed nickel sit atop a matching red dashboard, while a modern floor shifter rests atop clean tan carpeting.
Under the hood lies the heart of the transformation: a Mazda RX-7-sourced 13B rotary engine, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and sending power to a rear axle with 4.10 gearing. Four-wheel disc brakes, coilover suspension, and a custom stainless exhaust complete the performance-focused underpinnings.
While mileage is unknown, the condition and quality of the build suggest careful ownership. The result is a wildly entertaining, highly original street machine that blends the whimsy of a vintage roadster with the bite of a performance tuner—offering a ride that feels equal parts classic car cruise and amusement park thrill.
