1974 MAZDA RX3

Australian delivered.

100% original unmolested.

Travelled 58,833klm and NO that's not a typo it's NOT been around the clock.

Sold new in November 1974 by a Canberra Mazda Dealer to a mature 49 year old lady.

Has all its original books / key / sales brochure / spare tyre / jack and handle / Touch Up paint can / "1128" RX3 tool kit.

This is what's called an Elite Survivor.

Why because it has provenance (ownership history) and its factory installed:
- 12A Engine
- Air Pump Thermactor Exhaust System and REAPS muffler
- Gearbox / Differential
- Wheels / Bolts / Caps
- Interior (no sun damage dash / door cards / seats, no rips / tears of vinyl seats, no fraying seatbelts etc)
- windows / front / rear windscreens
and factory applied Concorde Silver Metallic paint (original paint nil accidents)

It presents today, like it did the day it rolled off the Mazda assembly line in March 1974 but with a little patina. (Except for the usual service consumables that have been replaced and the addition of a Aunger rear louvre that I purchased NOS and fitted.)

I bought this 18.5yrs ago (Nov '06) when it had 54,481klm and I was nearly 35 years old.

I paid an absolute premium for it ($26k) but did so with a massive smile on my face.

It's a phenomenal car whose condition will astound you.

People think it's been restored but it hasn't.

It'd have to be THE BEST unrestored Australian delivered RX3 in Australia.

It really is a unicorn RX3 in not only it's condition but also because its had such few owners all of whom have babied it as their pride and joy.

These all original rotary engined cars rarely come up for sale publicly.

They usually change hands in the private market through word of mouth amongst collectors.

As we know anyone can modify a car, and most of us do, but to find one today that hasn't been modified during its 50 year life span, is extremely hard, let alone a performance car.

Remember they're only original once and so with that they'll always hold value especially for the enthusiasts / collectors.

Amongst the Mazda enthusiasts in Australia this car is well known, especially those in Canberra, where its original middle aged non-smoking lady owner (Patti) purchased it new from John Palmer Motors in Fyshwick, ACT for $3,612 on the 19th of November 1974.

She was literally the proverbial little old lady who at the time was attending Uni as a mature age student.

With her 2 kids having already grown up and left the nest, it really only ever had her as the driver, as her husband (James) had a company car,

After 24 years of ownership she decided to sell it at the age of 73 to the highest offer via a local paper advert in Oct '98 with 49,600klm.

The winner was another Canberran named Pete who only owned it for just over a month but didn't transfer the rego in to his name.

Then two Sydney siders owned it (Ivan (who didn't register it) & Robert) before I bought it from Robert with 54,481klm making me the 3rd registered owner (1 ACT registration, 1 NSW registration, 1 Qld registration).

I then drove it 1,020klm up to Brisbane with it never missing a beat,

I've hardly driven the car over these last 18+ years adding less than 3,400klm to its odometer. (NB I've fastidiously documented all trips / refuels / servicing.)

Over the years I've taken it to many local All Japanese Classic Day car shows and it's well known amongst the The Seven of Clubs Mazda Car Club of Qld committee members too.

Being an original RX3, as most where thrashed, raced or rusted out as daily drivers, this RX3 has been used as the reference / yardstick / benchmark for restorers wanting a factory concours restoration.

Arguably it has the most desired combination of Concorde Silver Metallic and Black Vinyl Interior.

The inside still retains some of its unique Mazda new car vinyl smell, as its never been smoked in or had the ashtray or lighter used.

You can see in the listed photos that the chrome edge detailing around the radio and vent controls, is all perfect with no wear like all 4 door card chrome strips too. Just incredible.

Likewise with the 4sp gearstick shift knob and no crack steering wheel.

It really does still drive like new, nice and tight.

Everything works including AM radio.

Been totally problem free over my 18+ years of ownership.

It awaits its new custodian / owner.

PS this car was featured on the TV show Hot Auctions.