Highlights

Rare convertible variant, making up ~8% of the total 272,000 second-generation (FC) RX-7 models produced
In current ownership for seven years, covering just over 2,000 miles
Maintained by rotary engine specialist Essex Rotary, with over £3,000 spent
New convertible hood fitted at a cost of £2,000
Service book containing multiple Mazda main dealer stamps from new
MOT to 26th August 2027

The Appeal

The convertible version of the FC3S-generation Mazda RX-7 was produced in very limited numbers, with only about 22,000 to 22,500 units ever built globally across its entire production run (1988–1992). Combining the distinctive character of the twin-rotor engine with open-air motoring, these drop-top RX-7s have become increasingly difficult to find, particularly well-documented examples.

This 1992 car has been in its current ownership since 2019, during which time it has covered just over 2,000 miles and been entrusted to Essex Rotary, a rotary engine specialist, for its upkeep. The service book carries Mazda main dealer stamps from its earliest days, beginning with the pre-delivery inspection at McKay Mazda in Edinburgh in 1992.

With MOT to 26th August 2027, it's time for this Japanese rarity to meet its next custodian

Key Information

Mileage: 30,017 miles (indicated)
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: MOT to 26th August 2027
Technical specs: 1.3-litre twin-rotor (13B) petrol engine, five-speed manual
Paperwork: service book with Mazda main dealer stamps, invoices from Essex Rotary and other suppliers
Notice to bidders: a discrepancy exists between the mileage recorded at the 1997 service (29,932 miles) and the mileage at the point of the current owner's purchase in 2019 (27,952 miles)

Service history:

01/11/2023 – 28,907 miles – Essex Rotary Ltd (Invoice #ERW-5199)

Power Steering & Engine Maintenance: Installed replacement power steering cooler line, flushed power steering system with Royal Purple MAX-EZ fluid, and changed engine oil (Millers Nanodrive 10W40 Competition) and filter
General Tune-Up & Repairs: Inspected spark plugs, replaced main fuse, adjusted power steering and air conditioning belts, secured lower left wing and front lip to bumper, replaced rear fog light bulb, and fitted Bosch windscreen wiper blades
Hydraulics, Drivetrain & MOT Prep: Flushed brake and clutch fluid with fresh Comma DOT 5.1 fluid, secured propeller shaft to differential drive flange with new spring washers and replacement bolt, replaced vehicle battery, and performed pre-MOT inspection

27/09/2023 – 28,907 miles – Essex Rotary Ltd (Invoice #ERW-5181)

Electrical Diagnostics & Repairs: Investigated non-start issue caused by a blown main fuse; stripped interior trims, carpets, and seats to check wiring for damage or water ingress; repaired broken starter motor trigger wire with a new spade connector
Alarm & Ignition: Replaced Sigma alarm immobiliser key fob battery (CR2016) and retested non-start circuit
Dashboard & Cluster: Diagnosed non-working indicator panel/clock by testing with a known good unit
Interior Inspection Notes: Reinstalled all interior trim and noted corrosion and previous repairs underneath the carpet on both sides (worse on driver side)

25/06/2020 – 28,228 miles – Retail Invoice

Battery Replacement: Fitted new 12V 065 battery and disposed of old unit (noted battery bracket missing)

05/02/2020 – Mileage Not Stated – Twelve Volts Ltd (Invoice #9520)

Security System: Supplied and fitted Sigma S33 Thatcham Category 1 alarm system with microwave sensor

14/09/2019 – Mileage Not Stated – Essex Rotary Store (Order #5211)

Parts Order: Supplied FC3S power steering return line

06/09/2019 – 28,228 miles – Essex Rotary Ltd (Invoices #ER9255 & #ER9254)

Engine Compression & Tuning: Compression test completed (passed); set engine timing, adjusted throttle position sensor (TPS) settings, and adjusted engine idle speed
Major Service & Fluids: Changed engine oil (Idemitsu Racing Rotary) and HCS Hybrid Sports oil filter; replaced fuel filter and flushed fuel lines; inspected engine air filter and spark plugs (fitted new NGK spark plugs)
Hydraulics & Drivetrain: Flushed brake system with Comma DOT 5.1 fluid; drained and cleaned clutch master cylinder, tightened slave cylinder, and changed clutch fluid; changed gearbox oil (Idemitsu Racing 75W90) and differential oil (Royal Purple Max Gear 75W90)
Cooling System: Drained, flushed (Royal Purple Royal Flush), and refilled cooling system with genuine Mazda FL22 coolant and deionised water; fitted new genuine Mazda radiator cap
Drive Belts & Steering: Replaced engine drive belts (Gates alternator, water pump, secondary air pump, power steering, and air conditioning belts); replaced broken tensioner bolt on power steering idler pulley; topped up power steering fluid and temporarily repaired corroded return line with fuel hose
Undertray & Body: Removed front undertray, drilled/retapped broken corroded bolts, fitted replacement speed clips, reinstalled undertray, and adjusted loose convertible roof retaining clips

29/05/1997 – 29,932 miles – 1st Choice Cars Limited (Logbook Stamp)

8th Scheduled Service (42k Miles): Completed scheduled maintenance

26/05/1995 – 23,355 miles – McKay Mazda (Cameron Toll) (Logbook Stamp)

6th Scheduled Service (30k Miles): Completed scheduled maintenance

24/05/1994 – 22,127 miles – McKay Mazda (Cameron Toll) (Logbook Stamp)

5th Scheduled Service (24k Miles): Completed scheduled maintenance

27/05/1993 – 7,677 miles – McKay Mazda (Cameron Toll) (Logbook Stamp)

3rd Scheduled Service (12k Miles): Completed scheduled maintenance

22/07/1992 – 952 miles – McKay Mazda (Edinburgh) (Logbook Stamp)

First Service (1 Month / 600 Miles): Completed initial free labor service

30/06/1992 – 649 miles – McKay Mazda (Edinburgh) (Logbook Stamp)

Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI): Completed quality inspection and vehicle handover to original owner (Mrs. Sheila Young)

The Detail

Comprehensive service carried out by Essex Rotary in September 2019, including compression test (passed), engine oil and filter change, fuel filter replacement, new NGK spark plugs, all drive belts replaced, and full cooling system flush and refill with genuine Mazda coolant
Gearbox, differential, brake, and clutch fluids all changed during the same 2019 service
Broken tensioner bolt on power steering idler pulley replaced and corroded power steering return line temporarily repaired, with a replacement line subsequently ordered
Further maintenance by Essex Rotary in November 2023, including replacement power steering cooler line, engine oil change, brake and clutch fluid flush, and pre-MOT inspection
Electrical diagnostics carried out in September 2023, resolving a non-start issue caused by a blown main fuse and a broken starter motor trigger wire
New convertible hood fitted at a cost of £2,000
Sigma S33 Thatcham Category 1 alarm system fitted in February 2020
New battery fitted in June 2020; battery bracket noted as missing at that time
Front undertray removed, corroded bolts drilled and retapped, and undertray reinstalled with new speed clips
Mazda main dealer service stamps recorded at 952 miles, 7,677 miles, 22,127 miles, 23,355 miles, and 29,932 miles

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