Cultural Enrichment

HOW THE OWNER OF THIS 815HP MAZDA RX-7 PAYS HOMAGE TO TWO DISTANT CAR CULTURES

- Rushton Skinner

Constant globalization brings together various cultures no matter how different. Though cultural appropriation is inevitable, we are obligated to those from whom we gathered inspiration. Common examples can be found in music and fashion, but they can also be found in the automotive world. Tito Perez is the owner of this ’93 Mazda RX-7 and explains that to “do right” we must be “authentic,” so the essence of the cultures we emulate add to our creations. In the case of his RX-7, he’s adopted influences from both Puerto Rican and Japanese car cultures by strengthening his rotary engine and using only authentic JDM parts.