Dominic Toretto, portrayed by Vin Diesel, is almost synonymous with the roaring, powerful Dodge Charger in the Fast and Furious saga. However, for those who remember the film that ignited the global phenomenon, “The Fast and the Furious” (2001), Toretto’s initial ride was a sleek, red Mazda RX-7. This wasn’t just any car; it was a carefully selected and subtly modified machine that set the stage for Toretto’s character and his penchant for powerful, visually striking vehicles. But why the RX-7, and what happened to it? Let’s delve into the story behind Toretto’s Mazda RX-7 in the first Fast and Furious movie.
The Mazda RX-7: Toretto’s Initial Ride
In the early, gritty street racing scenes of “The Fast and the Furious”, before the Chargers and international heists, Dominic Toretto was behind the wheel of a 1993 Mazda RX-7. This wasn’t a production creation specifically built for the film. Instead, mirroring the resourceful nature of street racers, the RX-7 was rented from a private owner. This approach of using privately owned vehicles extended to other iconic cars in the movie, such as Brian O’Conner’s Toyota Supra and Vince’s Nissan Maxima, both of which belonged to Craig Lieberman, the technical advisor for the film and the individual responsible for choosing the RX-7.
Under the Hood: Modifications to Toretto’s RX-7
Despite being a rented vehicle, the Mazda RX-7 underwent several performance enhancements to ensure it lived up to the Fast and Furious image. Crucially, the engine, a rotary powerplant known for its high-revving nature, was rebuilt with upgraded 3 mm apex seals. This modification was essential to allow the engine to handle significantly higher levels of boost, pushing the car’s performance envelope. Rumors circulated on set, and according to Lieberman, the modified RX-7 was estimated to produce around 305 horsepower at the wheels. This was a notable increase from the stock FD RX-7’s 255 horsepower, making it a genuinely potent machine for the movie’s high-octane sequences. Adding to the visual drama, a nitrous-oxide system was prominently featured in the car. However, in a touch of movie magic, this system was purely for show, cleverly fabricated from scuba gear and everyday plumbing parts.
From Silver to Red: The RX-7’s Transformation
While the Mazda RX-7 bursts onto the screen in a vibrant red, its original color was a more understated silver. In line with the visual language established for the main characters’ vehicles in “The Fast and the Furious,” Toretto’s RX-7 received striking, and somewhat controversial, graphics. This bold aesthetic choice ensured that even in fast-paced street racing scenes, the RX-7 was instantly recognizable as belonging to a key character.
The primary RX-7, known as the “hero one” car, was meticulously maintained and used for all close-up shots, ensuring a pristine appearance whenever the camera focused on the details. To handle the rigors of filming, particularly the stunt sequences, the production team acquired additional RX-7s. One RX-7 body shell was even sectioned to create a dedicated interior set on a sound stage, allowing for controlled filming of in-car scenes. Interestingly, another RX-7 was specifically designated to house the car’s stereo system, a feature not installed in the meticulously prepped “hero one” car.
The RX-7’s Roar: Sound Editing Secrets
For rotary engine enthusiasts watching “The Fast and the Furious,” the RX-7’s exhaust note might have sounded slightly off. This wasn’t an oversight but a deliberate creative decision. The RX-7’s engine sound was heavily manipulated in post-production, layered with sound elements from Toyota 1JZ and 2JZ engines, as revealed by Lieberman. This sound editing choice aimed to create a more aggressive and universally appealing engine roar for the movie audience.
Post-Production and a Second Life
After filming concluded on “The Fast and the Furious,” the story of Toretto’s RX-7 continued. Three of the movie cars were sold off and found new homes in diverse locations: The Netherlands, Florida, and Las Vegas. Intriguingly, one of these RX-7s was given a second life on screen. It was repurposed for “2 Fast 2 Furious,” the sequel, where it was driven by the character Orange Julius. For its second movie appearance, the RX-7 underwent a visual transformation, receiving a different body kit and a new graphics package to distinguish it from its original “Fast and Furious” look. However, its engine remained unchanged from its initial movie modifications.
The original “hero one” Mazda RX-7, the star of the close-up shots in the first movie, is currently in storage. Rumors have circulated, fueled by Lieberman, that this iconic car might be slated for a reappearance in a future Fast and Furious film, potentially “F9”. Whether this RX-7 will indeed make a comeback remains to be seen, adding another layer of intrigue to the legacy of what car Toretto drives in Fast and Furious’ opening scenes and its place in automotive cinema history.
