Most petrolheads have had the thought to build their own car at some point or another. The crazy ones actually do. There are a few, such as Pagani or Koenigsegg, but few make full businesses from their passion. There are countless others who build the dream machines in their garages. One such person is David Mazzei who is responsible for the Mazzei Formula Five you see here.

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The car is built for the human experience. The sound and mechanical connection to the drivetrain. No power steering, no air conditioning, and an engine that produces the sound of the major 10th Harmony reminiscent of the V10 F1 era. We drive cars for the thrill, which involves all of the senses. If it was built purely for efficiency and performance it wouldn’t be fun anymore
– David Mazzei

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A Crazy Caper

The Alabaman native decided that there was no need to start his journey from scratch. Instead, he opted for a kit from Superlite SL-C as the base. The tubular spaceframe has double wishbones at each corner. The rear arrangement has in-board spring/damper units. The idea is for hobbbyists to use the platform to build their own creations based on the kit. Mazzei is most interested in the powertrain aspect of his build.

V10 Noises

The former musician likes tuneful sounds. He wanted his car to have the same soundtrack as a V10-era F1 machine. As you can imagine, V10 F1 engines aren’t just lying around for project car builds. So there was really only one option without heading down the expensive V10 route… a five-rotor motor. Yep, a FIVE rotor. The unit displaces a massive, by rotary standards, 3,3 litres.

The engine was built by specialists BilletPro and is of a peripheral-port design. Additionally, it is force fed by a massive Garrett turbocharger that measures 106 mm. A six-speed Hollinger MXT sequential transaxle sends power to the rear wheels. The engine is capable of producing about 1 200 kW, but Mazzei is aiming for a more ‘sane’ 900 kW (1200 bhp). That should be more than enough power on a car that will tip the scales at a scant 1 100 kg.

Click here to check out a wild-sounding, drifting four-rotor McLaren P1.

“The car is geared for 200 mph (322 km/h) so it should be ridiculous acceleration; death is very possible,” said Mazzei jokingly in an exclusive chat with Double Apex. We can’t wait to see, and hear, the Mazzei Formula Five in action.