1993 Mazda RX-7
Japan’s rotary engine masterpiece
First production car to offer sequential twin turbochargers
Final and most refined version of the RX-7
Mazda’s RX-7 exemplifies Japanese sports car innovation in the late 20th Century, and it represents an excellent value offering performance, engineering, and style which make a great addition to a collection. Their unique rotary engine with its light weight and high engine output combined with a well-balanced chassis and sleek bodywork showed that Mazda could challenge the European builders on and off the track at a fraction of the cost. With this example having fewer than 15,000 miles and only 2 previous owners and given the popularity of the RX-7 within the Japanese Sports Car enthusiast market, serious collectors are on the lookout for similar vehicles to add to their Youngtimer stable.
The RX-7 is Mazda’s 3rd and final generation of their iconic rotary engine powered 2-seater sports car using the FD designation to introduce an all-new body style in 1992. Mazda had already established itself in the Japanese sports car world with its 1978 RX-7 model introduction, putting it on par with Datsun’s 240Z in price and performance. What made the RX-7 stand out from the crowd was the unique front engine Wankel rotary engine which offered a superior power to weight ratio as compared to conventional piston engines. After changes and upgrades to styling and handling, the 1992 RX-7 FD grew in size and proportions with an increase in engine displacement and fuel injection. In addition to newly styled bodywork, the Gen 3 RX-7 featured a Hitachi developed sequential twin turbo induction system , a first for mass production automobiles. The result was 252 horsepower from a mere 1.3-liter twin rotor engine and was coupled to a 5-speed short throw gearbox but carried a curb weight of under 3000 lbs.
This car is equipped with aerodynamic enhancements of a rear wing and front chin lip spoiler along with Bilstein shock absorbers for increased handling performance. Drivers not familiar with the characteristics of the sequential turbos would be pleasantly surprised when the second turbo would kick in at about 4000 RPM giving the car an added blast of acceleration as the tachometer needle would swing toward red line. Car and Driver Magazine named the RX-7 Top 10 Car of the Year on six separate occasions based on the style, build quality, value and driving exhilaration. Highly modified RX-7FD achieved success in racing competition and were featured prominently in the Hollywood “Fast and Furious” movie franchise.
Specifications
Engine: Twin Rotor Wankel 1.3 Liter, Twin sequential turbocharging, fuel injection, 5 speed manual transmission; rear wheel drive
Horsepower: 252 hp; 217 ft/lbs Torque
Brakes: 4-wheel disk brakes
Performance: Top Speed 155 mph, 0-60mph 5.0 sec ¼ mile 13.9 sec
Curb Weight: 2875 lbs
Fuel consumption: 25.5 mpg