When Rod Millen hit the starter on his custom-designed and built four-wheel drive, four-rotor 1985 Mazda RX7 the explosion made photographer Dennis Fregger and I jump. It shattered the morning quiet, and flushed the birds out of the bushes a hundred yards away. The sound of an unfettered rotary engine at full song is like nothing I had ever heard before.
I climb over the side bar of the roll cage and settle into the seat, which is comfortable and form fitting. In fact, Millen says, “That car is like a comfortable old shoe to me.” The custom built dash is all business, with big, easy-to-read, no nonsense Stewart Warner gauges. The tachometer is turned in such a way that Rod can easily see it to keep the engine in its optimum rpm range.
No Subscription? You’re missing out
Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content.
