Mazda RX-7s are definitely on the collector radar and Shannons has a ready-made mini collection coming up.
An extraordinary trio of Mazda’s increasingly collectable sports car series – the RX-7 – is being offered up for auction by Shannons in Melbourne on May 8.
The cars include a Series I, II, and III, all of which are Australian-delivered and running manual transmissions. All are said to be in largely original condition and we’re told this is the first time such a trio has been offered in the one sale.
In case you’re wondering: yes, they came out of the same collection.
Notable for reviving the fortunes and reputation of rotary engines at a time when it seemed all was lost, the RX-7 series was a little more sporty than many of the Japanese two-doors being offered at the time it was introduced (1978) and gave the owners of cars such as the front-engine Porsche 924 series something to think about.
According to Shannons: “The silver ‘small bumper’ Series I being auctioned is a believed low-kilometre, three-owner car that was sold new by Hotham Motors in Traralgon, Victoria, but has spent most of the past 10-12 years in storage.
“The metallic blue Series II RX-7 is a one-owner, unmodified Melbourne car with original books, while the yellow Series III coupe is a low-kilometre car made even rarer by not having a factory sunroof.
“All sit on their original and distinctive factory alloy wheels, have excellent interiors and, unusually, each is fitted with air conditioning.
“Shannons National Auction Manager Christophe Boribon said it was very rare today to find three substantially-unmolested early RX-7s with their correct wheels, trim and anti-pollution gear still intact.
“Shannons expect the three RX-7s to appeal to Japanese and/or Mazda car collectors and are predicting that the Series I model will sell in the $20,000-$26,000 range, with the Series II and Series III models each commanding around $14,000-$18,000.”