Classic livery and a Wankel soundtrack!
One of the most impressive things about rally cars is the way they just don't die. Put 'em into a tree, flip them on their roof, peel off an entire wheel on a rock - whatever the punishment, these machines are built to take it and come back for more. Such is the case with this 1984 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE, which, despite some pretty hairy collisions, looks to be back in top-trim shape, ready for the next challenge.
Recently sold on Bring A Trailer for $16,550, this Mazda RX-7 has been shredding terra firma since the '90s, and was acquired by the most recent seller in 2018 for a full rebuild. The car has been crashed multiple times over the years, including a full rollover incident, but now, despite its rough-and-tumble past, it looks like it's ready to once again scream through the stages.
Let's start under the hood, where we find a carbureted 13B rotary engine. Previously equipped with electronic fuel injection, the 1.3-liter rotary was totally overhauled, and now features a more reliable Weber down-draft carburetor, new Atkins rotary seals, a Racing Beat intake manifold, a Carter fuel pump, an oversized radiator, and a custom exhaust. The most recent seller also swapped in new plugs, wires, and fluids.
The Wankel powerplant feeds a five-speed manual transmission, which sends output exclusively to the rear wheels via 4.10 rear gearing.
The first-generation Mazda RX-7 is relatively lightweight, with a full street-spec model weighing in between 2,300 and 2,500 pounds, depending on the configuration. By comparison, this particular example was completely gutted, with every amenity deleted in the name of speed. As such, we're guessing that the final curb weight is around 2,000 pounds, give or take. To tighten the handling, the builder updated the suspension as well, throwing in adjustable KYB dampers front and back, while also reinforcing the front spindles and control arms and installing new Energy polyurethane bushings.
Inside, it's all business, with a full roll cage and bare metal surfaces. The factory dash was retained, while the pilot gets to grips with a three-spoke steering wheel and is held in place thanks to red Sparco racing seats and black racing harnesses. A spare wheel and tire are mounted in the rear in case of a puncture.
The exterior looks fantastic, with white paint and full vinyl graphics that give a nod to Rod Millen's prototype Mazda RX-7 driven in SCCA Pro Rally in the early '80s. A set of auxiliary light pods fitted with four Hella off-road lamps illuminate the way forward, while 14-inch six-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 185/65 Sumitomo Ice Edge tires provide the grip.
According to the listing, the odometer on this Mazda RX-7 shows 127,000 miles, with competition history at events like the 100 Acre Wood, the Missouri Show Me Rally, and the Ojibwe Forest Rally, among others.
All in all, we love seeing the first-gen Mazda RX-7 get some love, especially when it's lived the hard knock life of a rally car. Here's to another three decades of racing.
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