The Mazda RX-7 was a popular Japanese sports car that was in production for 25 years. Like most other cars of its type, the RX-7 had rear-wheel drive with a front-mounted powerplant. But the machine was differentiated by its use of a lightweight Wankel rotary engine. Across three generations, more than 800,000 of the vehicles were built, making it one of Mazda’s true success stories. This 1983 edition is being offered by its second owner and is in good overall condition, even after having seen plenty of use (120,000 miles). Located in Cloverdale, California, this interesting auto is available here on eBay where $6,107 isn’t enough to crack the reserve.
The Wankel rotary combustion engine was invented in the 1950s and was used by Mazda up until recently. They are known for being more powerful than other motors of their size, but they were also known to consume more fuel. The first RX-7 was introduced in 1978 and was followed by the second generation in 1981 and could come in either carbureted or turbocharged forms. These later models used a 5-speed manual in place of a 4-speed (but an automatic transmission was an option).
This RX-7 might be one of the nicest you’ll find and comes with an Experion AutoCheck report of 85, which is well above the normal range for a 40-year-old like vehicle. The machine was purchased new in Santa Rosa, California, and has maintained citizenship in that state all along. Mechanically, we’re told it’s a sound sports car and you could hop it and drive it anywhere without concern of whether you’d make it back. The body, paint, and interior are all good with just the usual wear and tear that you might expect. This is a “Limited Edition” model which I assume came with a higher level of trim when new.
The seller acquired the car from the widow of the first owner, but we don’t know how long ago that transaction took place. It apparently needs nothing but to stretch its legs and get a recharge of the A/C freon. The RX-7 comes with a sunroof which is a nice touch for cruising. For prospective buyers within the State of California, this little car has recently passed its smog test. With some recent brake work done, it should stop as well as it runs. When was the last time you saw a 1980s RX-7, at least not all tricked out?
I was at my local 7-11 a RX-7 pulled in. I think it’s a 81 or 82. I forgotten how small they are! It pulled in between to hugh pickups. I walk back and look at it. It looked like a rc toy car! 😂 I drove one back in 79. It was cream yellow with brown interior. It was fast to me being low to the ground. This RX-7 would be fun to own. But I would worry about the seals leaking and blowing smoke . Today we don’t see many of these since rust took them out. Glad to see this engine is stock looking and no mods. Good luck to the next owner.. 🐻🇺🇸
There is one up the street here. Small but not too small; excessively sized pickup trucks not withstanding.
I was at a Mazda dealership recently, they have a Cosmo on the display floor, roped off of course. That makes the Miata look big. The sales guy said it was for sale, but had no idea how much. He said Leno was interested in it, but he already has a white one so passed
The “SA” and “FB” series are nearly identical and are both First Generation RX7’s.
Had a 1980 model and an 83 both had 5 spds….
The 4 speed was used in the base “S” model in ’79 and ’80 only. The GS in those years had the 5 speed as standard equipment. Starting with the ’81s, the 5 speed became standard in all trim levels and the 4 speed was dropped.
To answer your last question, Russ, in my garage. And to the first commenter (Big Bear) the early 70s rotaries were subject to end-seal failure, but the RX-7s were pretty bullet proof if you changed your oil regularly and made sure that the oil injector pump was working (on the 12A it was down low in the front on the right side that fed oil to the carburetor in small amounts to keep things lubricated in the moving chambers). I put almost 160K on my 84 GSL before I swapped in a rebuilt engine (and later discovered that I didn’t need to do so…oh well). Mine is mostly stock (although I’ve played with the Nikki 4 barrel carb some…pump piston mods and gotten rid of the bird’s nest of relays and the flapper valve under the intake manifold). I did install Racing Beat springs that lowered it 2 inches, but that was years ago. I got mine with 5K miles in 88 and it’s still in pristine condition paintwise (garaged and waxed), leather interior, and moon/sun roof pair. The original dealer must have installed thin chrome trim around my wheel wells that looks very classy and not at all garish. I never fail to get compliments when driving it, which I don’t do much now.
The instance car has no markings for GS or GSL (definitely not GSL-SE which I believe was only available, the 13B injected engine, from 84 on). Limited Edition must mean the wheels, which are different from the standard. As far as the transmissions available, all I know is that I had a 1979 and it had a 5 speed. It was much more primitive than the series 2 and 3 versions (81-83 and 84-85) but faster and also came with a sunroof.
If anyone is interested, I have an 83 GS parts car that’s pretty intact (automatic unfortunately and a seized engine), but lots of good parts. Interior is pretty dried out but the bones are there and almost all body parts are interchangeable.
Oh and a note about the seals, when I bought my 1980 the Mazda rep was at the dealership and he told me the best way to make sure the seals on the rotary tips set was to run it like you stole it and drive it hard from new. Never had an issue on either I owned as I took his advice….
Piston engines go thump, thump, thump, and the Mazda goes mmmmmmmmmmm…
BF: “The first RX-7 was introduced in 1978 and was followed by the second generation in 1981 and could come in either carbureted or turbocharged forms.”
Incorrect. This is a first generation, second series car, not a second generation car. The second generation was introduced in 1985 as a 1986 model and ran through 1991.
Second, there was no turbocharged first gen car sold here. Turbo first gen cars were sold in Japan but not imported to the U.S. The U.S. would have to wait till 1987 for a turbo Rx-7.
As to these Limited Edition ’83s, these were a run of 5,000 based on the GS trim level (thus the sun roof). The Limited Edition had unique Chateau Silver paint with red pinstriping and special 14-inch alloy wheels. Standard equipment included A/C, cruise control and 4-speaker AM/FM/cassette unit with 7 band equalizer.
Had a GSL and ran it hard, sold it with 179 K and still ran strong. That started my rotary fling, 3 second gen and a 3rd gen, had fun with them all. Rotary uses oil and they require regular oil changes. Great sports cars!
I got given a 12A motor by the Mazda garage that I used to work for; it ended up strapped into the front of my Skoda Estelle as ballast. No ancillaries, and I couldn’t afford them at the time. The Skoda was my first competition car – autotests – If I’d been able to transplant the 12A it would’ve transformed things.
I saw one this morning. Currently in my old pole barn. Need to finish other projects and get back into my main barn/shop to do a little body work. It is a (seasonal) daily driver 1982 and mostly stock. Nikki 4 barrel, DLDF ignition conversion, and Tokico shocks. Best advice is to maintain the oil injection system and run a 1/2 ounce per gallon of 2 stroke oil. The 12A engine can get respectable fuel economy.
21 hours left. $6,600 and reserve not met. I expect it to hit $8000 before the time is up. Looks very nice. But I like my Enkei Apache wheels much better even if they are not factory original.