Mazda’s MX-5 rejuvenated the roadster market in the late-1980s, but it can be said the model is a bot of a hairdresser’s rig, however a Queensland company did a lot to dispel this theory.
Bullet specialised in performance upgrades primarily focusing on providing supercharger kits to a large variety of vehicles before its set off on building the ultimate MX-5. A tough exterior featuring vents and pumped guards provided a hint of what was underneath.
Initially, the first model based on the NA featured a 13B turbocharged rotary engine from a Series IV RX-7 boosting power to 225kW compared to the top of the range MX-5’s 99kW.
Further enhancement came with the second generation’s arrival in 1999 as a 4.6-litre V8 sourced from Rover was mated to a Borg Warner gearbox including a heavy duty clutch, but this specification only lasted for a small while.
Evolutions called the Roadster and Roadster SS followed with these models featuring Toyota’s 4.0-litre V8 with a choice of either a naturally aspirated or supercharged set-up.
These models featured wide fibreglass guards and a re-designed front clip, taking it away from the MX-5 factory appearance. An added bonus was these two variants were the first to comply to Australian Design Rules as in turn this enabled the performance to be enhanced.
Powerful, yet carrying minimal weight, 18-inch wheels and large four-pot disc brakes provided the perfect package to have fun as the Toyota V8 produced 320kW to reach 100km/h in 4.7s.
Ranging from $98,000 for the naturally aspirated variant and $120,000 for the supercharged version, a Bullet was an amazingly fast and fun piece of kit with these still asking a good price even today.
The Bullet is another great example of Australian ingenuity and the company appeared to be planning the build of a supercar as it moved away from the MX-5 donor builds, however it appears the update was made sometime ago.