OK, back in the 70's when small pickups were gaining popularity across the states, Mazda introduced the worlds first and only Rotary Engine Pick Up, REPU for short.. The truck came with a 13b 2 rotor engine, which provided enough torque and horsepower to leave the competition in the dust, that list included trucks like the Ford Courier, Chevy Luv, and the imported Toyota and Datsuns..



The truck, which was only sold in the US, shared few parts with its closest relatives, the Mazda B1600 and Ford Courier.. The Rotary truck had a wider frame, and front track to give it more stability.. Front Discs were standard on the independant front suspension. It also had visual modifications like a more agressive sport car like grille, Flared fenders, and four round Taillights.. and the "Rotary Power" Vinyl sticker on the tailgate.. A sportier interior then the other trucks of it time was also installed....



These truck were built from 1974 to 1977, with the only major adjustment to the design being a larger cab in the 1977 model, which offered about 4" more of cab space..

Here is a nice pic..

Do you have any idea how many were imported to the states?

It has been rumored that it was 15000 - 20000..

i don't think they made 15k-20k.... there is no way.

I've seen about 75.. give or take a few..



I said it has been rumored.. I will have to research that info..Maybe mazda will make availiable specific numbers since they have been getting very nostalgic lately..

My uncle bought one new... I remember it well... because of all the little backfires it did.



The REPU is a FORD COURIER with a Rotary Engine and Flared fenders.

that and i think the grill is the other difference.

Finally....I know what REPU stands for, and what it is for that matter.

Being North side of you guys I have never seen, nor heard of them.

Its great to learn something new, thanx!



The only thing Rotary powered I have seen besides the 7 was a bike that came factory with a rotary in it. I can't remember who the manufacturer was, might have been Kawasaki, but i could be mistaken. I saw it one year at the bike show. I am an advid rider myself, but because i saw it only that once, the make has sliped my mind.



cheers

Shawn

that's wierd, cause everytime someone asks about my car, "that has a rotary engine right?



"yeah, a 2-rotor"



'like that one bike"





i've heard this many times..... i'm never heard of a rotary powered motorcycle......

I'll check into it, and post the make of bike. Unless someone else knows and posts it before me.

From what i remember it was a cruiser style in a maroon colour. Very long looking with the word "rotary" on the side caseing.

I have seen ome, I have my eye on one (make that 2) right now. One has been bastardized with a 350 boinger and on is languishing in a field

ok i lied i saw them at the pan ams, one there and one blue 9 second one at etown for summer slam i think. i meant like on the street.....

The bike you guys are thinking of was indeed a Suzuki, the RE-5 I believe is what it was called. Built in teh mid-70's. Somebody had one at sevenstock last year and it was on display in the main courtyard. Just look for Suzuki rotary on ebay, there is usually one bike and a few other parts if you have much interest.

Yeah, for the most part.. The grille is different, the tailights are different too..

Then the interior and some mechanical changes, like front discs were specific to the repu..





The guy with the Blue Repu at Sevenstock with the portrait of it by his truck is the owner of that bike.. He was telling me that him and his wife have acquired quite a few of the RE-5 bikes.. I think he said over 10.. He said his neighbors hate him.... heheheheheh cuz of the noise..

My boss had one. He hated it because he was always working on it. Then another guy I work with...his best friend had two and he was always working on it. They asked me if I knew anything about them. I said no....but now I do. I wasn't sure about the torque issue. I am told they have pretty good pick up....

Its the Pickup with pickup....

Here's a nice pic.

Nice REPU here.

never seen one in my life

I've never seen one in real life, that I'm aware of.. but I think they're cool.

They are really cool.They came with the 4 round tail on them and a rotary.Gods gift to street trucks.https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...#>/biggrin.png

Yes they are awesome trucks. If I had my way, I would have Judge Ito's REPUs gift to rotary engine enthusiat. Something like a Factory Mazda REPU with 420rwhp on 12lbs of boost. straight out the show room...

i'd buy that! repu's are cool, one day i'll have one



mike

If I ever find another one for sale before another FB than the T2 is going in to one. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...#>/biggrin.png Then slap a TO4r on it and go find Vosko. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...#>/biggrin.png https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...DIR#>/cool.png

haha, you just follow the trail of broken driveline parts...



miek

Here is the truck

Wonder if I can import one to Australia. That would be mint. Except over here we call them ute's, not pickups, so REPU would have to stand for Rotary Engine Powered Ute. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...DIR#>/wink.png

I am a big rotary fan.... one day 1 was behind a pickup that said rotary in black rusted paint. Sounded like crap. Looked all beat to hell. When he left and I cought up to him. I simply asked 12a or 13b. He said 13b... Oh man I want one now.... So lets see.... living in 2 parts of california all my life. From 16 till presant a rotary fanatic. Lived in the bay area and now SD..... call out every rx7 I see on the road..... and I have seen 1 repu... yeah they're a rarity... But I too will own one! That is actually my next purchase... https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...O_DIR#>/v1.gif

Nissan was selling restored older Z cars in the dealers, supposidly everything was rebuilt on them.



You should try something like that for a REPU, or even some 1st gens

there so hott we need more picturez

https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683894.gif

There were alot of repu's at sevenstock, damn sevenstock was cool, vosko you should go to sevenstock next year.



So many rx's, we came in and took over irvine! Rotary cars were everywhere.



I have a picture of the rotary bike from ss5

I uploaded a pic of that bike in the "other rotary" section.. I hope to see more Repu's this year..

I probably wont be driving my REPU to ss6, that is too long a drive for me in that truck. The 7 is alot more cushy of a drive for those long trips. Of course, it was cool having something there that only 5 or 6 other people had. There were about a million FD's there and mine wouldnt stand out at all. At least everybody remembers my REPU as the one with a stick holding the hood up https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...#>/biggrin.png

pic of my friend @ e-townraceway rx- truck

Yeah I definately remember yours.. My friend saw it and he was like WTF? There were only a few and they were all in good shape some even in excelent shape.. It was nice to see them that way, rather then rotting away at a wrecking yard..

https://www.nopistons.com/forums/index.php?...e=post&id=25572

https://www.nopistons.com/forums/index.php?...e=post&id=25573

https://www.nopistons.com/forums/index.php?...e=post&id=25574

https://www.nopistons.com/forums/index.php?...e=post&id=25575

https://www.nopistons.com/forums/index.php?...e=post&id=25576

https://www.nopistons.com/forums/index.php?...e=post&id=25577

https://www.nopistons.com/forums/index.php?...e=post&id=25580

Toyota's comi'n out with a retro fj series landcruiser; imagine......if mazda introduced a retro repu with a 3rd gen turbo, or 4th gen Renisis!

d.m r.,d o,m o,.ss l,.,s is screwing up keyboard.....

yeah and there were a few rotary powered nortons as well

and a van veen.. i think we have covered some of them in the other rotary section.. check it out for links..