Credit: Original article published by Classic Cars Journal.
Did you know that the Mazda RX-7 is the winningest car in the history of IMSA GT racing? From their first race at Daytona in 1979 where they finished first and second in class, the RX-7 has won races all over the world.
Topping the market-value chart for the RX-7 are the third-generation models, known among enthusiasts as the FD. These are a hot collector car with selling prices routinely north of $40k.
But it’s interesting that first-generation RX-7, the car that started it all and a car as important it its era as the Datsun 240Z, is still quite affordable.
The Pick of the Day is a 1982 Mazda RX-7 finished in its original color of Crystal Silver Metallic over an original black vinyl-and-cloth interior.
According to the O’Fallon, Illinois, dealer advertising the Mazda on ClassicCars.com, this is a well-maintained 47,404-original-mile car that is a preserved survivor, a one-owner car with a clean history. The car comes with all service records since new, including the dealer delivery info and window sticker.
The pictures with this ad show a car that that appears to be in fantastic original condition with no visible needs.
These first-generation RX-7s are light and fun to drive, with a weight of just over 2,400 pounds, near-perfect balance with the entire engine mounted behind the front axle, and great handling. The 1.2-liter 12A rotary engine revs quickly to its 7,000 rpm redline, so quickly that there is a warning buzzer should you exceed that figure.
It is unlike any other engine you have ever experienced. You have only 100 horsepower yet the car is capable of 0-60 in 9.2 seconds, 16.7 seconds in the quarter mile and a top speed of over 120 mph. Not bad for 100 horsepower.
When Road & Track magazine first reviewed the RX-7, they called it “an enthusiast’s dream come true.” I would agree with that statement as I have owned one.
This RX-7 with an asking price of $11,500 offers a tremendous amount of classic 1980s sports car fun for the money, which is what the RX-7 was originally designed to do in the first place.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
The post Pick of the Day: 1982 Mazda RX-7 low-mileage, 1-owner survivor appeared first on ClassicCars.com Journal.
