It looks like a member of the Barn Finds community is moving along part of his collection. This 1977 Mazda RX-3 race car here on eBay first appeared on our site as part of a write-up Josh received about reader David M’s collection of rotary-powered machinery. One of my favorite cars from that story was the ex-SCCA orange Mazda RX-3 racer, which is now being cut loose in hopes of someone else returning it to the track sooner than the seller can get to it.
One of my favorite features on this RX-3 is purely cosmetic but likely has real meaning for hardcore racers: the aero bits on the front and rear of the car remind of a very old Tomy die-cast car I had growing up, which was also a RX-3 prepped for racing with painted numbers and racing stripes on the tiny toy. According to the log book, this Mazda has been raced since it was nearly new, so those spoilers have been channeling downforce for quite some time.
This picture from the listing was also in the original Barn Finds write-up, which shows you just how much the seller loves these old Mazdas. The RX-3 was originally parked inside but has now moved outdoors. At one time, the collection was in Texas, but it now appears that some of the cars have moved to California – thankfully, both are good climates for vintage tin. In case you’re wondering, he does have other cars for sale, including this 1972 RX-3 sedan here on eBay and a 1975 RX-3 coupe, also here on eBay.
The asking price on the RX-3 is $6,000, and will include all of the trick suspension bits needed to bring this car to the track. Of course, like any race car, safety requirements will need to be evaluated to see what’s lacking and/or needs updating. In addition, some nice Racing Beat go-fast parts are included with the sale, along with a locked differential and a new fuel pump. You’ll have to do some research, but I’d imagine most vintage racing series would welcome a car like this to its ranks. Good luck to Dave on the sale!
Very cool find!
Back in the late 70’s I worked for Mazda and owned a 1974 RX-3 SP. It was one hell of a car! Silver with black stripes. I think they are almost all rusted out or on the track now.
Damn. They haven’t all crashed or rusted to extinction. Not a fan.
I think that guy owns all of them left in the world.
From the time of the original story we actually have sold off most of our collection including this one. We still have over a dozen choice ones but our spares and long term projects we passed on to others. This is being sold by the new owner although curiously he is using photos from my Facebook the original sale and my description. Ah well I wish him well still hoping to find C. Hurst as I need his assistance with the restoration of a 70s IMSA car he knows
Don’t make fun of those old Mazdas, they have a loyal following of fans. That car pictured in restored original condition would bring a LOT of money! Even like it is if the right person sees it he will get out his wallet quick!
I am looking for one, raced one in the early 80’s it was metallic green lowered with the racing beat header and a Holley 65 double pumper, ported, blueprinted at the mazda race division. We told by the techs, let the rotary breath and she will perform better than any piston engine, for less dollars. The biggest bang for the buck, and boy that baby could move. Rocket fast, We nicknamed it the “Mazadaratti” and at the time it would wax any corvette off the line, it was so fast. Very deceiving, it looked like any other Jap scrap at the time , but that car could rev like their was no tomorrow shut the rev limiter off ( yes it had a rev limiter) and 10,000 rpm shift were possible. Still miss that distinctive rotary whine! nothing like it. My buddy and I raced it for a season, and then a tragedy in my life took me down another road. Shortly soon after I handed him the keys and walked away. Still miss that car, if could only find another. .
A foundation for a nice resto mod?
1973 Mazda RX3 Restomod – Jay Leno’s Garage
https://youtu.be/rNsjQCBPUe0
This guy just bought this car for $1260 from an auction David m was running late week.
Very underrated the early RX Mazdas. I had a R100 in the early 1980’s. Swapped the 10a motor for Bridgeport 12a weber fed motor. It sure did surprise some of the V8 powered cars at traffic light take offs down here in Australia. Good R100’s are a rare sight here now. The very few I have seen for sale here sell for over $30,000 Australian.
Jim