Description
1999 Mazda RX-7 Type RS
A rare and completely standard Mazda FD-3S RX-7 Type RS with just 58k miles. I have owned it for the past 9 years during which it has been dry stored, never used in the wet and has covered only 1100 miles.
This 3rd generation RX-7 is a right-hand-drive Japanese-market JDM example, first registered in March 1999 it was imported for me by Torque GT in February 2017.
Highlights
Sought after ‘series 8’ RX-7
Innocent Blue Mica over black upholstery.
Sequential twin-turbocharged and intercooled 1. 3-litre 2 rotor Wankel rotary engine
Five-speed manual transmission
Torsen limited-slip differential
Vented disc brakes and ABS
Power steering
Alcantara sports seats
Four-passenger seating with rear seat belts
Nardi leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and handbrake
Air conditioning
Period correct Mazda CD and cassette stereo.
2 keys with working remote central locking
Current MOT
The Type RS
The 1999 ‘series 8’ RX-7 Type RS has several factory advantages over lower specification models, including:
276hp twin turbo rotary engine
Larger brakes
17” staggered five-spoke alloy wheels
Bilstein shock absorbers and uprated anti-roll bars
Torsen LSD differential
Shorter final drive
Raybrig fog lights
Twin oil coolers
Adjustable aero rear wingCondition
This RX-7 Type RS is standard as it left the Mazda factory in Hiroshima back in 1999, it has no modifications and shows no evidence of any past modifications in the cabin or engine bay, it even has the Japanese market speed limiter.
It drives superbly with the sequential twin turbocharger system performing as intended with strong and smooth power available throughout the rev range.
The handling, road holding and braking are excellent, the car starts first time hot or cold with no hesitation.
The air conditioning blows cold, all switchgear in the cabin works perfectly, The pop-up headlights, the power mirrors, power windows and the electric aerial function correctly.
The leather-wrapped Nardi steering wheel frames a central 6-o’clock tachometer with a 7, 500-rpm redline, a 180-km/ h speedometer (converted to MPH by Torque GT), and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature and boost pressure
The bodywork has a couple of minor marks and small dents as expected for this age, the paintwork does show signs of fading as usually seen on Japanese imports.
There is minor wear to the drivers seat bolster, the steering wheel and gearstick leather (see photos)
The RX-7 has always been run on Shell V-power. recent compression figures are shown in the photo gallery.
Service History
Japanese Service history and dealer paperwork is included
Recent Lanoguard corrosion protection in addition to the Dinitrol protection work completed by Torque GT in 2017
After an extended period of storage at the back of my garage, the CO emissions were high so service and maintenance work has been completed recently by an independent Mazda rotary specialist to correct this:
New Vacuum solenoid box
All new engine control solenoids
Every vacuum hoses replaced with silicone
Engine oil and Mazda filter (Millers oils)
Gearbox oil change (Millers oils)
Differential oil (Millers oils)
NGK-R Spark plugs
Mazda Engine coolant
Mazda Air filter
New brake fluid
Reconditioned brakes with EBC pads
New rear suspension pillowball bushes
New engine mount
New drive belts
New Yuasa battery
Eligible for import to the USA.
The 25-Year Rule: Enforced by the NHTSA, foreign-market vehicles that are 25 years or older from their manufacture date are completely exempt from U. S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
RX-7 History
If you have read this far then well done! - now prepare yourself for full FD RX-7 fact immersion
This info was taken directly from Japanese Mazda workshop manuals and the AusRotary forums (recent AI search engine results can be muddled and inaccurate)
The term ‘series 8’ was coined by the Ausrotary and RX7. com forums and describes the last updates and facelift of the FD RX7 which was only available for sale in Japan, all series 8 cars are Japanese Domestic Market only and are therefore imports when found here in the UK.
A ‘series 8’ FD RX-7 covers two production runs, version V (Dec 98-00) and version VI (Sep 00-02).
Series 8 Version V (98-00) - This RX-7
Top spec: RS (280ps)
Sports spec: R (280ps)
Base models: (255 or 265ps) RB and RB s-package (optioned up RB)
Series 8 Version VI (00-02)
Top spec: RS (280ps)
Sports spec: R, R Bathurst R (Aug 2001) (both 280ps)
Base spec: RB, RB s-package (255 or 265ps)
Later Special editions: Spirit-R (Apr 2002 type A, B and C), RZ (Sep 2000 on)
Series 8 (version V) changes from previous series prior to Dec 1998:
Engine and Drivetrain
(Type RS and R) 280ps (276hp) @ 6500rpm 32kgm (231lbft) @ 5000rpm
(Type RS and R) Abraidable seal turbos to reduce air bypass, high flow turbine and improved compressor efficiency
(Type RS and R) Higher boost pressure +11kPa at 6500rpm
Improved air intake duct splitting intercooler air flow from engine air, reducing intake air temperature, engine air intake feed is now under the number plate.
Increased diameter exhaust for improved flow (+10%), main silencer internal structure change and outlet pipe diameter increase for improved gas flow
cooling fan blades increased to reduce fan power use
(Type RS and R) Twin front mount oil coolers
16 bit ECU and integrated vacuum solenoid box to replace the ‘rats nest’ on older cars
Chassis, Body and Interior
Redesigned front bumper and splitter with distinctive side lights, often called a ’99-spec’ front bumper
(Type RS and R) ’99-spec’ Rear wing with adjustable angle
Front air ducting and brake cover change to increase air-flow to the front discs
(Type RS only) 17” 5-spoke alloy wheels 8. 5” rear and 8” front with R 255 and F 235 tyres
(Type RS only) Larger front and rear brake discs, F 314 x 32mm, R 294 x 22mm
(Type RS only) Bilstein shock absorbers
(type RS and R) Front anti-roll bar to ‘hard type’
(type RS and R) Rear anti-roll bar larger diameter 15. 9mm
(type RS and R) Front and rear strut top braces
(Type RS only) Raybrig fog lights
Black gauges, 6-oclock tacho
Boost meter
370 mm leather Nardi steering wheel
Front airbags
