Beschreibung
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale 2023 - Cars on Saturday the 11th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. Following the demise of NSU's Ro80, Mazda was left as the only major automobile manufacturer using the Wankel rotary engine. An entire range of rotary-engined models was developed during the 1970s, but by the decade's end, the RX-7 sports car was the only one of its type selling in significant numbers outside Japan. Powered by a twin-rotor Wankel of, nominally, 2. 3-litres displacement, the pretty RX-7 coupé had debuted in 1978. Maximum power increased from 105 to 115bhp from 1981 - good enough for a top speed of 125mph, an excellent straight-line performance that the RX-7 combined with handling and grip on a par with European rivals. Restyled for 1986, the second generation car was fitted with a new, more powerful engine and improved rear suspension at the same time. A turbocharged variant was introduced in 1988, becoming available in convertible form the following year, and with 200bhp available was capable of a, claimed, 148mph with the top up.
This second generation RX7 Turbo Cabriolet was supplied new by Charles Follett Ltd. in London on 15th May 1992 and is accompanied by a list of older owners up until it was acquired by its previous owner in November 2004 and subsequently our vendor in September 2019. There is a massive invoice file detailing work on the car from 1996 right up to date. (See Summary on file) and the service records indicate regular main dealer servicing up until 2001. Thereafter, work was covered by Rotary Engine Specialists with comprehensive invoices on file including the engine change in January 2005 by Hurley Engineering, a year before it was laid up.
More recently, the car was fully recommissioned with all fluids changed and thoroughly examined. Numerous works were carried out which included a thorough overhaul of the fuel system, replacing fuel lines, cleaning injectors, etc., brake lines replaced, callipers refurbished and new OEM Mazda brake discs fitted with new pads, the wheels were refurbished and fitted with new tyres, the hood mechanism was cleaned, lubricated and refitted with a new rear roof section fitted, obtained from America, and underneath some rust was found behind the sills and the interior was stripped for a full repair with rust proofing.
The paintwork is generally very good, and overall the car is therefore described by its enthusiast owner to be in excellent condition, having passed it’s MOT with no advisories. The Rotary engine was replaced about 12, 000 miles ago and is very sweet. The engine bay is very clean with plated items, etc in excellent condition. It retains the battery cover, often missing. In the boot, the carpet is excellent with the correct tonneau cover, tool roll, wheel chocks and jack. Also present is the original black book pack containing the handbook, service booklet and instructions for the radio cassette. It even has the period Mazda sales brochure and a further service and Owners Manual on CD-Rom. It comes with two correct Mazda keys.
A now rare Collectors' item, it is unusual to find one in this condition - an opportunity not to be missed.
