1979 Mazda RX-7 series 1 - today's tempter

By: Guy Allen, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 14.06.2017

First-gen rotary sporster

Series 1 Mazda RX-7s are gaining collector interest.

Mazda RX-7s have been hot news on the local auction scene lately, ever since Shannons sold a collection of three early cars which represented the first three series.

That lot went for a gob-smacking $119,000, though it ended in frustration for one bidder. He or she got the first two cars at $27,000 and $37,000 respectively, but missed out on the third when it went for a breath-taking $55,000. See the report here.

Mazda in fact produced massive numbers of RX-7s over their 1978-2002 production life, though it's the original body shape, in the Series I through III (1978-85), that commands the big dollars.

Over 400,000 were made and the numbers here would be relatively modest.

A light rotary engine mounted behind the front axles helped to give these cars seriously good handling characteristics and a whole mini industry sprang up providing performance upgrades.

Some of the people who grew up with posters of these cars on their wall are now collectors themselves, which is reflected in the latest auction events.

All of which might help to explain the substantial price on this car, a Series I listed as being in very original condition (with the obvious exception of the wheels).

It's said to be a low-miler with log books and is priced at $34,990.

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