Description

Synopsis

Mazda launched its first rotary-engined car – the Cosmo – in 1966, and was the only car manufacturer to solve the major problems associated with Wankel’s radical engine design so that the unit’s potential could be exploited and enjoyed. Launched in 1978, the RX-7 provided effortless and uncannily smooth performance, attributes that endeared the model to enthusiasts through three generations of production.

With each reincarnation the RX-7 became more of a Grand Tourer and less of a sports car (a mantle handed on to the MX-5/Miata); global sales reduced as the car moved upmarket until, in the new millennium, the model was only sold in its native Japan.

Lavishly illustrated with good quality colour photographs, this book provides an in-depth insight into this amazing production automobile. “A must have for any RX7 enthusiast.”

Foreword 3
Introduction 6
Acknowledgements 6
Notes on the Second Edition 7

Chapter 1: A brief history of Mazda 9
The Mazda marque 10
Post-war growth 10
The rotary revolution 11

Chapter 2: Birth of the RX-7 14
Wankel’s dream 14
Mazda and the rotary engine 15
The Cosmo Sport 110S 17
Other Mazda rotaries 18
A harsh situation 22
Project X605 23
Rotary update 29
X605 chassis details 31
The rumour mill 32
The Savanna RX-7 35
The new car in America 37

Chapter 3: The legend grows 43
A Stateside view 45
The car’s impact in Britain 47
The RX-7 reaches the UK 50
Revival, and links with Ford 54
Savanna news 56
The US 1981 model year 57
The ‘Mk.II’ in Britain 58
The Elford Turbo 59
Japanese specials 60
American update 60
The 1982 model year 61
The 6PI rotary engine 62
1983 64
Corporate news 65
The Avatar 65
The RX-7 goes turbocharged 66
The US 1984 model year 68
European update 70
The home market 74
End of the line 75
Bowing out from Europe 75

Chapter 4: The second generation 78
Project P747 79
A new body 79
The powertrain 84
Chassis details 85
P747 reaches production 88
The new RX-7 in Japan 88
America greets the new model 91
Press reaction 92
The latest RX-7 in Europe 95
The Turbo in the States 98
1987 99
The RX-7 Convertible 101
Other 1988 model year news 102
The 1989 season 108
The 1990 model year 114
European update 116
The US market in 1991 119
Japanese specials 121
End of another era 121
Looking towards the future 121

Chapter 5: The third generation 123
A clean sheet of paper 123
Establishing a concept 123
The powertrain 124
Chassis details 125
A styling competition 129
‘Operation Zero’ 136
The new model in Japan 138
The American scene 139
The car’s arrival in Europe 145
News from Japan 148
American update 149
Changes for 1994 151
Japanese specials 153
The US 1995 model year 153
The RX-01 156
A sad situation 157
The legend continues 159
Corporate news 159
The 1998 model year 160

Chapter 6: The RX-7 in competition 162
IMSA racing 162
Mazda at Le Mans 167
Racing in Britain 169
Other European races 170
SCCA racing 172
The RX-7’s WRC record 173
Group B capers 173
Rallying in America 174
Facing reality 175
Racing in Japan & Australia 176
LSR attempts 177
IMSA update 177
SCCA news 179

Chapter 7: The twilight years 180
The 1999 model year 183
The 1999 Tokyo Show 185
Entering the new millennium 188
The end of a glorious era 197
RX-8 update 197
Afterword by Takao Kijima 200

Appendix 1: RX-7 buyer’s guide 202
Engine & transmission 202
Suspension, steering & braking system 203
Body & interior 203
The best buy? 204

Appendix 2: Production figures 206

Index 207