Winner of multiple races and awards, praised for its world-class handling and featured in many beloved video games and movies, the Mazda RX-7 is truly an iconic and stylish car.

Manufactured over a 24-year production run between 1978 and 2002, more than 800,000 RX-7s were produced over three generations, all of which made use of a compact and lightweight ‘Wankel’ rotary engine.

The Series 1 Mazda RX-7 was produced between 1978 and 1980 and replaced the Savanna RX-3 as a transition to a more ‘sports car-like’ appearance. Compared to its competitors the RX-7 boasted less size and weight, and the car complied with Japanese dimension regulations of the time, ensuring buyers were not liable for yearly taxes due to driving a larger car. Highly modified RX-7s competed at Le Mans from 1979 to 1982.

Subsequent Series of the RX-7 were produced over the years, each with their own design changes and the design team drew a lot of inspiration from successful sports cars of the time, including the suspension design of Porsche’s 928.

The third generation of the RX-7 was released between 1992 and 2002 and featured an updated body design as well as a new engine, the ‘13B-REW’, which was the first-ever mass-produced sequential twin-turbocharger system to be exported from Japan.

Between 1996 and 1998 Mazda released the ‘Series 7’ RX-7 which was sold in Japan, but also Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Minor changes to the car included a simplified vacuum routing manifold, a 16-bit electronic control unit and an improved intake system. The ‘Series 7’ was only produced with right-hand drive (RHD) and was only exported to RHD markets.

To date, the RX-7 has scored an unmatched 100 wins in 12 years of International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) competition in the US.

THE CAR

Built in September 1998, this Australian delivered third generation ‘Series 7’ Mazda RX-7 is in good condition with 161,559 kms on the clock.

Driven by a turbocharged ‘13B-REW’ rotary engine that puts out plenty of power (276bhp at 6500rpm), the smile on your face is hard to wipe off when the turbo kicks in. The 5-speed manual transmission is notchy and fun to drive.

Finished in stunning Montego Blue Mica, this car changes colour depending on the light and your angle of vision. Inside the car, the black leather interior is clean and well-kept for its age and features a MOMO gear shift knob and a SAAS turbo boost gauge.

The car has a genuine NOS spoiler wing on the rear and its two-piece alloy wheels with black centres set off the car and give it a tough stance.

Work has been completed on the vehicle since 2008, including the installation of a heavy-duty ceramic button clutch kit (rebuilt in 2017), a Pedders Extreme XA Coilover Kit in 2018, a heavy duty aluminum radiator, an Aeroflow fuel rail, a Walbro fuel pump, and an APEXi Power Intake Kit in 2022. There is also an upgraded braking system with high temperature brake pads and the air conditioning system was fully rebuilt in 2024 including compressor, condenser and hoses.

RX-7s are renowned for their handling and this example is no exception, particularly with the upgraded suspension.

The original owner’s manual and warranty information is included, alongside receipts for work completed on the car since 2008.

A chance to own a racing legend and an icon of the sports car world - a speed demon of its time.

Currently on historic registration in SA.