You’d Never Guess There’s A Mazda RX-7 Hiding Under The Proteros Blade Nagual

The art of coachbuilding is not always reserved for historic companies like Zagato or Touring, as independent designers can also make a difference when they combine skill, effort, and determination. A fitting example is the pictured Proteros Blade Nagual, a one-off sportscar designed in Ukraine and brought to life based on Mazda RX-7 underpinnings.

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The model was penned by Ukrainian designer Grig Tobolin of Proteros Design and made its public debut in 2018, at the Aviation Museum in Kiev. For all these years it stayed below the radar, until it recently appeared on a used car listing sparking our interest with its unique styling.

More: This RE Amemiya Mazda RX-7 Thinks It’s A Porsche 911

The project started with a 1989 Mazda RX-7 (NC), before receiving a completely bespoke bodywork. The latter was inspired by the sharp lines of the Lamborghini Countach and the Lancia Stratos, both penned by Marcello Gandini.

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The extensive visual modifications make it really hard to spot the Mazda underpinnings. The low nose has fender-mounted headlights with body-colored covers and sporty bumper intakes. The profile features prominent skirts and a sharp character line, while the alloy wheels are sourced from the Lamborghini Murcielago.

The rear sends ’80s muscle car vibes thanks to the wraparound glass, the integrated ducktail spoiler, and the quad exhaust pipes. Other cool features include the slim bumper that doubles as a diffuser and the modern LED taillights. The exterior is finished in a striking Alsa Candy Turquoise Blue, while the interior is carried over from the RX-7 donor car, albeit with new seats sourced from the more recent Mazda RX-8.

Proteros Design

Under the hood lies the 13B rotary engine of the original, with a few performance tweaks. In earlier forum posts, the builder stated that the turbo 1.3-liter engine produced 210 hp (157 kW / 213 PS), disclosing plans for further modifications. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a manual gearbox. The car has traveled a total of 112,000 km (70,000 miles) since new, and is “a great pleasure to drive”, although it also needs “good care”.

The coachbuilt special is currently listed on the Unique Cars For Sale 3.0 group on Facebook, with an asking price of $70,000. While this number is quite steep for a used Mazda, it reflects the amount of work that has been put into the custom bodywork.

The Proteros Blade Nagual is located in the outskirts of Kyiv in the war-hit Ukraine. If necessary, the seller can deliver it to the nearby countries of the European Union. As for the reason behind his decision to sell his creation, the designer said he is unable to continue the project.

Proteros / Drive2.ru

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A post shared by Grig (@grigtobolin)

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