As time went by, nations worldwide saw their automobile industries flourish. The Asian nation that definitely stands out is Japan. Thanks to brands like Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda, Japan was able to successfully become a serious threat to well-established European and American automakers.

RELATED: 10 Japanese Cars That Changed The World

Though Mazda is nowhere as successful as Nissan or Toyota, the company still produced some very respectable sports cars. The infamous RX-7 is the sort of sporty Japanese car that left the competition in the dust. When modified, the RX-7 can become a true supercar killer. This is for this exact reason that the RX-7 became an icon.

10 Green Beast

The Mazda RX-7 sure is one of the awesome Mazda sports cars every gearhead should own. It is by far one of the best vehicles ever made by Mazda. Though the car is now nearly thirty years old, it has not aged one bit. The reason behind it is the fact that the RX-7 is one of those Japanese cars that can be modified into an absolute beast.

RELATED: These Japanese Sports Cars Look Better With Bodykits

This crazy green RX-7 is perfectly modified. From the engine bay to the back bumper, this heavily modified Mazda is very likely to grab all attention wherever it goes. Not only it is bright green, but it also took about five years to finish. Now producing 900 hp, this RX-7 is far more powerful than most stock Lamborghinis out there.

9 Rocket Bunny

Rocket Bunny Mazda RX-7 FD3S
Via Pandem

The RX-7 has been transformed into about everything. From the mean drift machine to the drag-ready monster, the car received about every treatment possible. As a result, it has become quite difficult for tuners to come up with truly original modified RX-7s. That being said, some tuners out there never fail to amaze car fans worldwide.

Rocket Bunny Mazda RX-7 FD3S
Via Pandem

This Pandem Boss FD3S is mean. Despite the purple paint, the car looks nothing but aggressive. The RX-3 front end is quite common on the RX-7, however, this wide-body kit adds a much-needed layer of aggressiveness. To top it all of, the roll cage is an obvious indicator that there is a beastly engine hiding under the hood.

8 Street Racer

Mazda cars are a dime a dozen in the US. From the Miata to the 626, it is easy to find any of the mass-produced Mazdas on Craigslist for a tenth of their original value. When it comes to the RX-7, things become a bit trickier. Given the fact that the car is quite rare, finding one in terrific condition may cost an arm and a leg.

This '93 RX-7 looks like a true daily driven race car. The car is equipped with the same LS7 engine found in the 2015 Camaro Z28. It is possible to see the roll cage inside the car, thus indicating that the car is made for the track. Thanks to 585 hp to the back wheel this car can easily zoom down the track and pull a few power slides.

7 American Japanese

It is well-known that Mazda is a huge fan of the rotary engine. Found on several vehicles sold by the Japanese automaker, the rotary engine feeds on oil and has had its fair share of bad reviews over the years.

RELATED: The Owners Of These Mazda RX7s Modified Their Cars To Perfection

There are several facts nobody knows about Mazda's sports cars. Most people are unaware that the FD3S is far from being the first RX-7 ever made. The latest RX-7 is popular for a very good reason - it can be turned into anything. This mix-and-match Mazda RX-7 has a 415 hp beating Chevy heart. That is right, another LS swap.

6 Stanced

People from all over the world take a different approach when modifying cars. In the US, it is very common to stumble upon a classic muscle car with a modern supercharged big-block V8. In Germany, very conservatively modified domestic cars are the name of the game. In Japan, negative cambers are all the rage.

Fans of Japanese cars and custom trends will most likely fall in love with this RX-7. The car was conservatively modified, yet it looks like a million bucks. After getting some nice BBS rims, the car received a lowering kit and just a smidge of negative camber. A lot of people may not appreciate the work done to this car, but true Japanese car fans will.

5 Drift King

There is not a single rear-wheel-drive Japanese car that has not received the drift treatment. After all, drifting is a Japanese thing. The winding roads found in the more mountainous parts of the country are simply perfect for drift aficionados. The trend picked up a lot of steam over the years, and was even glorified in Fast And Furious: Tokyo Drift. 

The RX-7 was turned into a drift car numerous times. However, James Deane's 480 hp MazdaRX-7 FD3S can put on a show and sounds great unlike several "for show" drift RX-7s are there. Sadly, this monster is not street legal. It can only be driven around a track by professional drivers.

4 Track Ready

The greatest thing about the RX-7 is its ability to be turned into a true racecar that can handle both iconic tracks, such as Laguna Seca, or less known tracks made for drifting. Though turning a stock RX-7 into a track-ready vehicle may cost a lot of money, the end result is likely to be mind-blowing.

The RX-7 is among the greatest road cars from Mazda, and there's a good reason behind it. This crazy carbon fiber RX-7 is equipped with a modified three-rotor powerplant that must produce a very decent amount of power. The car looks nothing like your typical Mazda car.

3 Ruby And Gold

The RX-7 is a great car all around. It fair to say that it is among the best Japanese cars out there. The Mazda RX-7 really is the only Mazda that can rival the Toyota Supra, Acura NSX, or Nissan Skyline. Similar to its competitors, the RX-7 is far more attractive when it is tastefully modified.

RELATED: 10 Stunning Photos Of Modified Mazdas That'll Make You Want One

This RX-7 is the definition of a show car. It is covered in a beautiful red/ burgundy color that compliments the gold rims really nicely. The fender flares are tastefully chosen, making the entire car a lot more aggressive and attractive. Under the hood sits the infamous Mazda rotary engine. However, an Efini twin-turbo system was added, among other things.

2 Blue Bunny

There are times when one simple modification can destroy an entire car. Whether it is the rims, a poorly chosen body kit, or a wing that would be more at home on a jumbo jet, it is quite easy to turn an awesomely modified car into a piece of junk. One thing people sometimes overlook is the right choice of rims.

The RX-7 is already equipped with a very impressive powerplant. The 1.3L rotary engine is capable of producing up to 255hp, which is quite a lot for a car that age. As a result, some gearheads believe that the only enhancements the car truly needs are a new set of rims and a body kit. This stunning RX-7 is a prime example.

1 Japanese Monster

Over the years, gearheads have developed a taste for Frankenstein-like cars. The good kind of Frankenstein-like cars. It is quite common to stumble across a V8-powered Mini. It is even more common to see German cars with Japanese engines, especially the 2JZ-GTE from the Toyota Supra.

As gearheads have had the chance to see, LS engines have been shoehorned into about any car. This RX-7 is fitted with a highly-modified turbocharged LS1 powerplant that is far more too powerful for a regular RX-7. As a result, the car was turned into a mean Japanese dragster. The car is as powerful as it is stunning.

NEXT: 10 Times Mazda Has Built Incredible Sports Cars