Shared by @grunty_diecast (Instagram)
This is the Mazda Rotary-Engined Pick Up, better known as the REPU or the Rotary Pickup. A variant of the second generation of the Mazda B1500 or Proceed, the Rotary Pickup was the world's first (and only) pickup powered by a Wankel engine. Compared to the Proceed, the Rotary Pickup featured a different front fascia, flared fenders, a battery mounted under the bed, a different dash and of course, a Mazda 1.3L 13B rotary engine under the hood. Produced from 1974 to 1977 when production was stopped due to poor sales, the Rotary Pickup appears to have only been available in the States and Canada. Some 16,272 were produced.
Now, about the casting. Designed by Jun Imai and introduced in the 2017 HW Daredevils line, the initial release (above) was designed to resemble Mad Mike Whidett's PITBUL. This casting has had seven known releases, the last being in the 2020 HW Speed Graphics line with Urban Outlaw graphics.
