Beemax Mazda RX-7 253 Le Mans Car No.38 1/24 Model Kit

Recreate the Mazda RX-7 253 Car No.38 from the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans with this 1/24 scale plastic model kit from NUNU. Entered by Mazdaspeed in the IMSA GTO class, this rotary-powered Japanese racing car makes a distinctive subject for endurance racing and Mazda collections.

Car No.38 was driven by Yojiro Terada, Hiroshi Fushiuda and Win Percival. It successfully qualified for the event in 51st position before retiring from the race with transmission problems.

Mazda RX-7 253 at Le Mans

The RX-7 253 was developed from the first-generation Mazda Savanna RX-7 specifically for the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its appearance marked Mazda’s return to the event following a one-year absence and continued the company’s long-running rotary-engine challenge in endurance racing.

Mazda entered two RX-7 253s. Car No.37 qualified 49th, while the Car No.38 represented by this model qualified 51st. Both cars reached the starting field, giving the RX-7 253 an established place in Mazda’s Le Mans story.

Rotary-Powered Racing Car

The front-midship engine used two 654cc rotors and produced approximately 300 horsepower through its naturally aspirated rotary layout. This compact power unit reflected Mazda’s commitment to rotary-engine development and gave the RX-7 253 a clear technical identity within the IMSA GTO class.

The aerodynamically optimised body was designed by Takuya Yama. Its competition form included a front air dam and an extended ducktail, creating the distinctive profile used for the 1981 Le Mans entry.

A Focused 1/24 Scale Project

The 1/24 scale makes this Mazda a natural companion to other 1/24 plastic model kits. Its defined car number, driver team, class and event provide a precise foundation for a motorsport display centred on Japanese endurance racers or rotary-powered Mazda competition cars.

Product Details

• Manufacturer: Beemax
• Subject: Mazda RX-7 253 Car No.38
• Event: 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans
• Entrant: Mazdaspeed
• Class: IMSA GTO
• Drivers: Yojiro Terada, Hiroshi Fushiuda and Win Percival
• Scale: 1/24
• Manufacturer reference: BX24040

The completed project represents Mazdaspeed’s Car No.38, a two-rotor RX-7 253 that qualified for the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans with Terada, Fushiuda and Percival.