- Seller: Jack P (Contact)
- Location: Mooresville, North Carolina
- Mileage: 147,825 Shown
- Chassis #: JM1FC3517J0104037
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1.3-Liter Rotary
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Up for auction now on Barn Finds is this 1988 Mazda RX-7 Convertible, a well-sorted example of Mazda’s rotary-powered sports car that’s been kept in great shape and thoughtfully maintained. It’s being offered from Mooresville, North Carolina, showing 147,825 miles and carrying a clean title.
Under the hood sits the familiar 1.3-liter rotary engine, which was overhauled in 2021 and has logged less than 2,000 miles since the rebuild, according to the seller. It’s paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, keeping the car true to its driver-focused roots. The listing notes that it’s a great driver, suggesting it’s ready to be enjoyed without major mechanical concerns.
A few tasteful updates have been added, including a new stainless steel exhaust from the catalytic converter back and LED headlamps. These improvements keep the RX-7 functional and enjoyable while maintaining its clean, original look.
The interior shows some wear, particularly on the seat piping, which is common for these cars. The convertible top has a patch, but otherwise, the car appears well-cared-for throughout. The photos show a clean and intact overall condition, with the kind of preservation that makes it appealing for both collectors and drivers alike.
The aftermarket wheels and exhaust add a subtle personal touch while keeping with the spirit of the RX-7’s design. The combination of the rotary powerplant, manual transmission, and open-air convertible layout makes it a classic Japanese sports car experience—simple, engaging, and fun to drive.
Mazda’s second-generation RX-7, known as the FC, blended smooth rotary performance with balanced handling and elegant styling. The convertible version, introduced later in the model run, remains one of the most enjoyable ways to experience this platform. With recent mechanical work and a clean presentation, this example represents an opportunity to own a driver-quality RX-7 that’s been maintained with care.
Would you keep this RX-7 as a weekend cruiser, or would you refresh it further for show duty?
Bid On This Auction
Logan Purkis bid $2,600.00 2025-10-20 12:04:13
sccaracer bid $2,500.00 2025-10-20 12:03:51- Logan Purkis bid $2,300.00 2025-10-20 12:00:08
- sccaracer bid $2,200.00 2025-10-20 11:59:50
- Logan Purkis bid $2,000.00 2025-10-20 09:14:39
Bob Rogers bid $900.00 2025-10-20 02:54:23
PhilLa bid $800.00 2025-10-19 12:27:12
dshak bid $700.00 2025-10-19 09:36:41
JCA bid $600.00 2025-10-17 19:37:25- dshak bid $500.00 2025-10-17 19:29:00
- JCA bid $400.00 2025-10-17 19:07:48
- Bob Rogers bid $300.00 2025-10-17 11:01:00
Gonzo bid $200.00 2025-10-17 09:10:18- Bob Rogers bid $100.00 2025-10-15 04:17:11
I had a couple of these rotary engines years ago and man did they scoot!
pretty clean for 150k on the clock. If the engine was rebuilt by a knowledgeable engine shop with receipts, that would address the biggest high milage concern for many. GLWTS
Black isn’t my favorite exterior color, simply because it’s so hard to keep clean, and looks terrible when it gets dirty, but this one checks all of the boxes otherwise. If I had a place to keep it, I’d be all over it! GLWTA!
My first car was a 1987 RX-7. It had similar mileage and ran great. After burning the clutch up from doing too many burn out, I sold it to a classmate who put a new clutch in it and he drove it for a few more years. The 13B is a great engine as long as it has enough oil and the fuel injectors get replaced when they start leaking. Mine leaked so bad it wouldn’t start hot, you had to unplug the fuse for them, turn it over, put the fuse back in and then it would fire up. I still miss that car.
And time marches on, at an exhilarating pace.
My first car was a 1952 Ford, three on the tree.
My favorite car was a charcoal grey 1979 RX-7.
Ole CHO. I flew international cargo missions for weeks at a time, with CHO sitting abandoned in a huge parking lot,
It always started at first crank and was smooth as glass.
I will likely buy another.
My favorite version of the RX-7, by far! The first year for both a fully-independent suspension and drop top, the first generation cars made do with a solid rear axle and the third and final generation was a hardtop only, and had priced itself out of the market, as it grew in both size and price!
Might just be the way you wrote it. But all years of the FC RX7 had independent rear suspension and rack & pinion steering. Yes, 1988 was the the first year for the convertible. I have an 1982 FB which is plenty of fun and nothing wrong with the (4-link/watts link) rear suspension. But I must agree that this 1988 convertible would be a blast to drive and actually more practical if I could say that. There is little that compares to the driver experience of a rotary engine and manual transmission in a well balanced car. It will be interesting to follow the bidding on this one.
Yes, my phrasing wasn’t clear. While the third generation RX-7 had both IRS and rack & pinion steering, cost and the lack of a folding roof were my primary objections to the last RX-7, before it gained an extra set of doors and became the RX-8.
In 1976 i had a 1972 RX2 blue with a white interior and a 4 speed. That was a fast and fun car fooled a lot of cars with that rotary engine.
Why the can of WD-40?
I’m so close and want to bid…why no video of the complete opening and closing of the top? Does it function properly? Also, do you have the factory exhaust and wheels? Between the Hoonigan key chain and the inexperienced driver riding the clutch, has this been adult driven or youth driven?
Holy cow, just $2,600… is that correct? Kicking myself!