Mazda’s “Rotary experimental” cars have forged a line in history that can’t be ignored, and this 1979 model still has a long life ahead of itself. Purchased new in the Connecticut area, this Mazda RX7 was driven only 48,439 miles before it was parked in a garage in 1989. Fast forward 2018 and this sweet low mileage find has survived the test of time very well. The SA22/FB RX7 chassis has a huge cult following, making this low mileage find a steal for the $2,750 asking price! Check out this beauty here on craigslist out of Berlin, Connecticut. Thanks to Gary for sharing this fantastic example of an early surviving RX7!
While some folks hold certain ideas about rotary engines, these early 12A units are quite reliable and offer a fair level of fun in this lightweight chassis. I have heard rotary folks say that “12A’s will run after being submerged in the ocean for a few years. Just add some ATF and turn the engine over by hand and its ready to roll.” So I would suggest an ATF treatment, as well as a total fuel, brake, and cooling system overhaul and check as would be the norm for any long term parked vehicle.
I personally like the earlier body style of the first generation RX7 as the interior has a more classic appearance. I also prefer the exterior styling as well compared to the later and greater GSL-SE that so many rotary folks admire. As a whole the interior looks quite fair as if it would clean up very well. The only major downside I see is that the awesome 70’s plaid seat inserts are worn/rotted, so the seats will need some attention in the future. I would opt for a professional upholstery job for the seats to mimic the original appearance. Then I would carefully clean the light mold and dirt from the interior, and I would likely leave it as is from that point.
Charming and sporty, the looks of this RX7 haven’t faded, but there are a few minor issues to point out. The driver front corner and back corner have a few minor dings that keep this beauty from being “perfect.” I am not too hurt by the damage, but I would opt to clean it up and prevent any further damage from occurring. While this isn’t exactly a mint garage find, this is still an impressive find that would be a joy to own, and drive. Would you jump on this cheap low mileage Rotary find?
It’s not a bad deal considering the low mileage. I had a 79 that I bought from an associate at work for $500 back in the mid 90’s. It had a clean body (southern car) and the sun roof. I also have an 84 GSL with the 12A engine that I bought with 5K miles on it in 1988. Comparing the 2 cars is an interesting exercise. The GSL has leather, moon roof, PW, 4 wheel disk brakes, alloy wheels, electric antenna, and fancy sound system (no longer working). However, it never seemed to have much power and still doesn’t. The 79 ran like stink…a small rocket ship in comparison, but it was much more primitive to drive…front disks, rear drums for one, and the interior was much less appealing. Handling was similar for both, although I have lowered racing springs on the 84. The 79 just felt more raw and less sophisticated. I sold it a year or so later for around $2K. Still have the 84 but the carb is giving me hell probably due to sitting for over a year now. 185K on an almost perfect body and clean interior. I may be buried in it some day :-).
Just an FYI because I may have owned a few dozen of these cars in the past 30 years but this is not a good deal at the seller’s price. With the damage to the body, the long-term storage, and the lack of running it at least every 6 months it’s not worth it. You would put more money into rebuilding engine then it’s worth. There’s no way the coolant side seals or heck for that matter even the Apex seals are going to be any good after sitting for the past 30 years. Walk away from this one. That’s hard for me to say since I’m a huge Wankel fan but not a good deal.
My ’79 that I bought new sat for two years without running. Fired it up, smoked a little for a few minutes then ran strong as ever.
I had a 1981 which was one of my best cars ever. It was lots of fun in the snow with close to 50/50 weight distribution. I was in a junk yard and the owner showed me his 1979 JDM right hand drive, non wrecked RX 7. It was off white over brown.
I agree this will require an engine rebuild, upholstery, body work, paint, brakes, and tires. All that adds up quickly.
A friend of mine had two rotary Mazda’s, a Luce and an RX 2 I think it was. He would leave them for 6 months while he visited his daughter in USA and every time he came back he would have to replace the Apex seals as they would stick, and as soon as the motor was turned the tips would break off. He eventually settled in America taking both cars with him.
The numbers on the dash mean very little with a car like this.
The condition is the only thing to look at when determining price.
I don’t know why the numbers on the dash are even mentioned on cars like this.
I have to wonder if the odometer hasn’t rolled over once. 47k in 10 years and then parked for 30? Everything about this car is filthy dirty including the interior. I’ve purchased convertibles that have been sitting in a garage with the top down for 10 years that didn’t look as bad.
I bought a ’79 brand new. Drove the heck our of it for years, trouble free and the rotary responded to header.exhaust/lightened flywheel very well. Gave it to my brother in who used it as an autocross car up in the northwest for years and won his class every year.
The Apex seals also fail when the engine is over-revved – that may be why it was parked in the first place. All it takes is one missed shift…… being a non-turbo car, I don’t know if this one would have had a rev limiter.
Geze, I over-reved the 12a in my ’79 for years with many a missed shift
with nary a hint of a problem. I think the rotary has a bad rep that it does not deserve
I think you should own more than one before you state something like that. Everything that has been stated about the rotary engine is spot-on and are very common problems with all owners of rotary engines except for yours obviously. Your car must have been made on a Wednesday. LOL
I agree with arizman2. If someone disagrees, then please define how many thousand RPM they over-reved their rotary, assuming they even had one. So, what I do find odd about the car listed is the corrosion inside the cabin. It is not inline with the better condition of the exterior. I will agree that the price is on the higher side, but too high if your looking for a 1st generation. Gen 1 RX7s are more fun than a barrel of monkeys, and very reliable. Gas mileage is not horrible either, I continue to get about 22 mpg.
I bought a ’79 used in 1982. Kept it for 6 years. It was silver like this originally, but my brother-in-law painted it lipstick red for us. They are great fun to drive and pretty well built. Had to have the carb rebuilt once.
The “Poor Man’s Porsche” soon became the second car by which all others would be judged, after my 1969 MGB. The Corvettes have compared favorably but they’re really a whole different ballgame.
Nothing quite like horsepower.
The only real knock on the rotary is the gas mileage. But then, it’s probably a bit better than a ’67 big block, so who cares?
I worked for a Mazda dealer in the mid 80s. We had a 1979 RX-7 traded in that had a Janspeed exhaust and carb work done; was a lovely thing to drive fast.
There are to many questions on this one for the asking money. The general condition tells me this car has more than 48k on it. The alloy wheels are also missing, it looks like it’s fitted with a set of S level steel wheels.