Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Mazda's design chief working on new RX-7]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/report-mazdas-design-chief-working-on-new-rx-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/report-mazdas-design-chief-working-on-new-rx-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/report-mazdas-design-chief-working-on-new-rx-7/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Click above for a high-res gallery of past Mazda RX-7s

We've been hearing rumblings about a Mazda RX-7 revival for so long, we've almost gotten numb to the idea of a next-generation, rotary-powered coupe. But Mazda's new design chief, Ikua Maeda, has given us a desperately needed hope injection when he told Autocar that initial sketches have been completed and he's campaigning Mazda execs to bring the new sports car to market.

The reborn RX-7 will likely be powered by Mazda's next generation Renesis 16X rotary engine, most recently seen in the Mazda Taiki concept, displacing 1.6-liters and making use of a longer stroke, direct injection and aluminum side housings. Outputs haven't been disclosed, but it's safe to assume the new mill will put out around 250 to 300 horsepower and a sizeable increase in torque, while boosting fuel economy and reducing emissions (and hopefully burning less oil in the process).

Maeda says the new RX-7 will move further upmarket than its predecessors, with a focus on higher interior quality going forward. Fine by us, but we hope a hardcore, track-focused version is in the cards as well. And if Maeda is to be believed, we could see the fruits of his labors in concept form as early as next year.


Gallery: Mazda RX-7


[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Mazda's design chief working on new RX-7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20112011 mazda rx-72011 mazda rx72011MazdaRx-72011MazdaRx72012 mazda rx-72012 mazda rx72012MazdaRx-72012MazdaRx7mazdarx-7rx7Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Grassroots Motorsports'</i> Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/tim-suddard-picks-ten-future-japanese-collecter-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/tim-suddard-picks-ten-future-japanese-collecter-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/tim-suddard-picks-ten-future-japanese-collecter-cars/#commentsFiled under: ,

First generation Mazda Miata - Click above to see entire list of future Japanese Collector Cars

"Everybody wants to go to the dance, no one wants to stay and clean up." So says Robert De Niro's Sam in John Frankenheimer's spy thriller/car porno Ronin. We mention the line, because it's not only well written, but nicely sums up most people's attitudes towards classic, collector cars. Yes, we'd all love a Boss 302 Mustang or a Maserati Bora, but no one wants to pay the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to procure and maintain them. But what if in the future collector cars weren't limited to American muscle or exotic Europeans? What if relatively cheap and reliable Japanese cars came to be collectors items?

Regardless of the answer, that's the exact future that Tim Suddard, publisher of both Grassroots Motorsports and Classic Motorsports, is predicting. In fact, here's what he has to say about it:
Right now Japanese cars are generally overlooked by the collector car world, but we expect that to change. A generation that grew up on Hondas, Datsuns and Mazdas is coming of age where they're after the icons of their youth. Where previous enthusiasts paid big money for the Mopars, Chevelles and GTOs that they couldn't afford when teens, we expect the same happen soon with milestone Japanese cars.
Which, if what Suddard is saying is true, means that both demand and price should increase. Which is probably... bad. Click here to see the ten cars (with captions) that Suddard claims are going to be future classics, plus our own two cents on each selection. And of course, what do you think? Also - like what you see? If you're in the Southern California area, don't miss the 2009 Japanese Classics car show this weekend


Gallery: Tim Suddard's ten most collectable Japanese cars

1997-2001 Acura Integra Type R1990-2005 Acura NSX1970-1973 Datsun 240Z1967-1973 Datsun 5101985-1991 Honda CRX Si

Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>240Z510AcuraAcura IntegraAcura Integra Type RAcura NSXAcuraIntegraAcuraIntegraTypeRAcuraNsxAE86CollectorCollector CarsCollectorCarsCRX SiCrxSiDastun 240ZDastun240zDatsunDatsun 510Datsun510HondaHonda CRXHonda CRX SiHonda S600HondaCrxHondaCrxSiHondaS600IntegraIntegra Type RIntegraTypeRJapanJapaneseMazda MiataMazda RX-3Mazda RX-7MazdaMiataMazdaRx-3MazdaRx-7MiataNSXRX-3RX-7Tim SuddardTimSuddardToyotaToyota CorollaToyota Corolla GT-SToyotaCorollaToyotaCorollaGt-sWed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Mazda RX-7 still under development, next RX-8 to be called RX-9]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/rumormill-mazda-rx-7-still-under-development-next-rx-8-to-be-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/rumormill-mazda-rx-7-still-under-development-next-rx-8-to-be-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/rumormill-mazda-rx-7-still-under-development-next-rx-8-to-be-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The recent news out of Japan hasn't been good for fans of front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-doors. First came word that Subaru and Toyota were postponing the launch of their boxer-powered RWD coupe, then the S2000 is killed off and finally reports suggest that Nissan has cancelled its Silvia successor. Thankfully, all is not lost. InsideLine is reporting that Mazda is hard at work on another version of the RX-7 and development is underway on the next RX-8, supposedly - and predictably - dubbed the RX-9.

According to IL's (traditionally) unnamed sources, Mazda is working on a 16X twin-rotor Wankel (two rotors, each displacing 800cc), boosting displacement of the current 13B by 300cc and putting out upwards of 270 hp in naturally aspirated guise. Mazda's aim for its next generation of rotary engines is to dramatically reduce emissions and boost fuel economy to the tune of 20%.

Mazda will likely use the same engine to motivate the RX-7, but in addition to offering a traditional manual gearbox, Mazda is developing a dual-clutch transmission with a twist: the DCT will allow drivers to set the exact points where the clutch packs engage for maximum performance on the track.

The RX-7's circuit-friendly cred is enhanced by the report that Mazda engineers are struggling to keep the coupe's curb weight in check. An all-new chassis is being developed that will supposedly eliminate around 220 pounds, bringing the RX-7's weight down to approximately 2,640 pounds.

We're keeping our fingers crossed that both the RX-7 and RX-9 will make an appearance during this year's show season, although the way things are going, we don't expect to see either at this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

[Source: Inside Line | Image: Motor Magazine via Carscoop]

Rumormill: Mazda RX-7 still under development, next RX-8 to be called RX-9 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazdamazda rx-7mazda rx-9mazda rx7mazda rx9MazdaRx-7MazdaRx-9MazdaRx7MazdaRx9rx-7rx-9rx7rx9tokyotokyo 2009tokyo motor showTokyo2009TokyoMotorShowThu, 12 Feb 2009 20:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Auction of the Day: Mint 1984 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE for a good cause]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/auction-of-the-day-mint-1984-mazda-rx-7-gsl-se-for-a-good-cause/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/auction-of-the-day-mint-1984-mazda-rx-7-gsl-se-for-a-good-cause/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/auction-of-the-day-mint-1984-mazda-rx-7-gsl-se-for-a-good-cause/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for image gallery of Patti Wilhelm's GSL-SE

For the first generation Mazda RX-7, it didn't get any better than the GSL-SE. The FB cars were done by 1985, and the GSL-SE was only available for 1984-85. Carrying larger brake rotors, an upgraded suspension, revised front airdam and a fuel-injected 13B Rotary, SEs are sought after and a clean, unmolested original-owner car is a rare find, indeed. Patti Wilhelm's 1984 RX7 GSL-SE is the cleanest we've ever laid eyes upon. Even though it's traversed 291,000 miles since she drove it away from Valley Mazda in 1984, the car has been well cared for and has seen recent refurbishment and upgrades like Bilstein shocks.

Patti sadly passed away from kidney cancer in June, 2008. She wanted her RX7 to go to a good home, and that it should benefit others. Being a motorsports enthusiast and an animal lover, the beloved Mazda is being raffled off, with the proceeds going to The Humane Society of the United States. Autoweek magazine is helping coordinate online bidding, which currently stands at $7,100, and will close at midnight on December 14th. We're wowed more by the quality of Patti's life than anything, but the car is just as much a class act. Head on over to place your bid for a good cause.

Gallery: RX7 GSL-SE


[Source: Autoweek via MotorWorldHype]

Auction of the Day: Mint 1984 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE for a good cause originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1984 mazda rx71984MazdaRx7auctionfirst generationFirstGenerationgsl segsl-seGslSehumane societyHumaneSocietymazda rx-7mazda rx7 first generationMazdaRx-7MazdaRx7FirstGenerationPatti WilhelmPattiWilhelmrx-7Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: 2012 Mazda RX-9, real or fake?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/rumormill-2012-mazda-rx-9-real-or-fake/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/rumormill-2012-mazda-rx-9-real-or-fake/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/rumormill-2012-mazda-rx-9-real-or-fake/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

UPDATE: The renderings come from the latest issue of Winding Road, which contains a whole article on Mazda's plans for a new RX. Click here for more.

click above for more images of this 2012 Mazda RX-9 concept

The only car brochure we ever held on to was for a 1993 Mazda RX-7. It was the baddest car of the time -- the 300Z was four years old, the 911 had gone soft, Ferrari had that hideous 348, the C4 Corvette never really did it for us, and the lunar lander Supra hadn't landed yet. The low, tiny twin-turbo monster was it as far as we were concerned.

Which is why we are always happy to read about the next coming of the RX-7. Just Put has renderings of an RX-9 concept that it says would have a Wankel powerplant of somewhere around 1.8 liters, and be more oil and fuel efficient than the current generation. Power would make it to an unidentified number of wheels via a dual-clutch 6-speed transmission and limited-slip diff.

We have no idea from where these two renderings have come. They could be official images that were leaked. Their slightly low resolution supports that theory, as often leaked images are small and enlarged beyond their resolution later. Or it could be a nicely done photochop by a fanboy. Either way, we think it lacks aggression and the rear looks highly derivative. The front end's nicely complex features doesn't seem to match the simple buttocks, another reason why it might not be the real deal. But hey, first let's get verification that an RX-something-fast really is on the way, and we can sort out the styling later.

Thanks for the tip, Jon!

[Source: Just Put]

Rumormill: 2012 Mazda RX-9, real or fake? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazda rx 7mazda rx-9mazda rx9MazdaRx-9MazdaRx7MazdaRx9rx-7rx-9rx7rx9Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Mazda's Taiki-inspired RX-7 revival]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/rendered-speculation-mazdas-taiki-inspired-rx-7-revival/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/rendered-speculation-mazdas-taiki-inspired-rx-7-revival/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/rendered-speculation-mazdas-taiki-inspired-rx-7-revival/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"We've just introduced a special edition of the RX-8" was the response from a Mazda rep when asked when we might get a new RX-7. Not the answer to the question, but we understand that it's all hush-hush when it comes to whatever might be in store on the 2-door, rear wheel drive, not-an-MX-5 tip. A new RX-7 (FE?) will debut within the next three years according to Autocar, and it will be the first production car to carry the design themes presented in Mazda's latest series of concept cars (Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki). The RX-8 will be freed up to evolve into more of a GT if the 7 comes to be. Autocar has had its digital image wizards whip up what they think the car might look like. We hope not, as it looks like what might happen if a Corvette stopped short in front of a Testarossa. In other words, it looks like 1988.

Joining the new "flow"-ing exterior lines will be a thoroughly revised rotary engine. Bumped out to 3.2 liters, the new Wankel will have direct fuel injection and sport forced induction via turbocharging. Reshaped combustion chambers are said to improve thermal efficiency, burn more completely, produce more low end torque, and return better fuel economy (woo-hoo!). We're surprised they didn't switch it's fuel to Unicorn sneezes, as the rest of the improvements seem like a fairy tale outcome for the wimpy, thirsty Wankel we know and love.

[Source: Autocar]

Rendered Speculation: Mazda's Taiki-inspired RX-7 revival originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>78concepthazakemazdanagarerenderingrotaryrxrx-7rx-8rx7rx8ryugaspy photosspy shotsSpyPhotosSpyShotstaikiwankelThu, 06 Dec 2007 19:31:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/19/ebay-find-of-the-week-mazda-fd-rx-7-equipped-with-grand-nationa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/19/ebay-find-of-the-week-mazda-fd-rx-7-equipped-with-grand-nationa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/19/ebay-find-of-the-week-mazda-fd-rx-7-equipped-with-grand-nationa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Here's another example of liking the individual hardware pieces, but being repulsed by the idea of the ultimate combination. RX7s are cool. Grand Nationals are cool. But a vehicular mash-up of a 1993 RX-7 powered by a Buick GN's V6 seems a little weird. Weird to think that it even gets past regulatory agencies, as it's an older, totally alien engine in a newer car, which might make it interesting to register in a state with California emissions. The swap is well done, though, even if we'd question the handling a heavier and much more powerful engine in the snout brings with it. It's fast, but does it understeer like a pig and snap the tail out? The seller seems to have focused on posting low elapsed times in the quarter mile, so think about that when you conjure what the dynamics may be. Follow the jump for more.

[Source: eBay via Carscoop]

Gallery: GN powered RX-7

Continue reading eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6

eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7buickebaygngrand nationalGrandNationalmazdarxrx-7rx7turbov6Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: RX-7 owner loses all four wheels]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/14/video-proof-that-drifting-is-for-idiots/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/14/video-proof-that-drifting-is-for-idiots/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/14/video-proof-that-drifting-is-for-idiots/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Hey, look at me, I'm a TuFF-GuY(C)! I know! Let's abuse our cars and call it a "sport!" So, drifting was kind of fun when we were 16 and called it "donuts," at least until we learned how much a set of tires cost (and universal joints shortly thereafter). The owner of this 3rd-generation RX-7 perpetrates a horror on one of our favorite cars by being in a big hurry to show off. Apparently, his mind was so addled by the opportunity to create acrid smoke that he forgot one little detail. Off he goes, ready to be impressive, and then the wheels come off his little dream cruise. Literally. All the lugnuts, sitting in the paddock. Whoops. Bet it was a quiet ride back home, perhaps with a few new squeaks and rattles from below.

Uh, yeah, so it was at an SCCA autocross event, not a drifting event, where all four wheels on this RX-7 fell off. Our blogger Dan, meanwhile, has been charged with a BWI - Blogging While Intoxicated. He gets belligerent towards examples of induced oversteer when he's on the sauce - Ed.

Thanks for the tip, Jaymez!

Video after the jump.

[Source: Break.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: RX-7 owner loses all four wheels

VIDEO: RX-7 owner loses all four wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentdriftingmazdarx-7videoThu, 14 Jun 2007 12:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Celebrate 40 years of rotary power with Mazda]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/30/celebrate-40-years-of-rotary-power-with-mazda/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/30/celebrate-40-years-of-rotary-power-with-mazda/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/30/celebrate-40-years-of-rotary-power-with-mazda/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image for a gallery of the Mazda Cosmo Sport

The good old internal combustion engine has been in service since the 17th century when Sir Samuel Morland rather impractically used gunpowder to drive water pumps. It was not until 1876 when Nikolaus Otto invented the modern four stroke engine that the internal combustion engine became practical for automobiles, however. Those same four cycles, intake, compression, combustion and exhaust are used in the Wankel rotary engine, although instead of the strokes of a piston the rotary creates it's cycles as a roughly triangular shaped rotor spins inside its housing. Doesn't make sense? Click here.

2007 marks Mazda's 40th in using the rotary engine. Our favorite application of it would have to be the Cosmo Sport, of course. Many of you will choose the RX-7 as a personal favorite. It's also alive in the current RX-8, which even sports a hydrogen-powered version for the alternative fuel crowd. And we'd be remiss if we forgot to mention the jaw-dropping four-rotor 787B racer that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Those of us who own, or have owned, a rotary engined vehicle and loved it can take this moment to say "thanks" to Felix Wankel and to Mazda for its commitment to the rotary. Forty years and going strong!

We've assembled four galleries of famous Mazda rotaries, including the Cosmo Sport gallery below, as well as galleries of the RX-7, RX-8 and 787B Le Mans racer.

[Source: Mazda]

Gallery: Mazda Cosmo Sport

Continue reading Celebrate 40 years of rotary power with Mazda

Celebrate 40 years of rotary power with Mazda originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2007 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12a13bfelix wankelFelixWankelmazdarotaryrotary engineRotaryEnginerotorrx 7rx 8rx-7rx-8rx7Rx8wankelWed, 30 May 2007 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Road & Track rumormill: Mazda RX-7 development underway]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/road-and-track-rumormill-mazda-rx-7-development-underway/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/road-and-track-rumormill-mazda-rx-7-development-underway/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/road-and-track-rumormill-mazda-rx-7-development-underway/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



When the newest issue of Road & Track arrived in our mailbox, we were impressed that the 60th anniversary issue was sport compactalicious. The cover sports the new Mitsubishi EVO X alongside a photochopped '08 Impreza STI, and the inevitable shootout consists of the Civic Si, MazdaSpeed3, MINI Cooper S, Sentra SE-R Spec V and the VW GTI.

What was more interesting was one of the subtitles proclaiming that a new RX-7 is in the works by Mazda and that Toyota is (finally) beginning to develop an honest-to-God sports car based off the Lexus IS platform.

As for the RX-7, R&T's inside sources say that due to slowing sales of the RX-8, the engineers at Mazda are hard at work improving the 13B rotary's output. If (when?) the new RX-7 debuts, it will be powered by this new and improved Renesis, supposedly sporting an electrically assisted supercharger, much like the one found on the RX-8 Hybrid that debuted in Tokyo in 2003.

Additionally, the rumored RX-7 will grab styling cues from the Kabura concept (pictured) that was unveiled at Detroit in 2006 and will be built on the platform that underpins the MX-5/RX-8. Whether or not the next gen. 7 will come in a 2+2 configuration remains to be seen, but regardless, don't expect anything until the end of the decade.

[Source: Road & Track]

Road & Track rumormill: Mazda RX-7 development underway originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazdamx-5renesisroad and trackRoadAndTrackrotaryrx-7rx-8superchargedturboturbochargedMon, 30 Apr 2007 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mazda RX-7 was not meant to climb trees]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/13/the-mazda-rx-7-was-not-meant-to-climb-trees/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/13/the-mazda-rx-7-was-not-meant-to-climb-trees/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/13/the-mazda-rx-7-was-not-meant-to-climb-trees/#commentsFiled under: , ,

RX-7 climbs treeHere's a recipe for buyer's remorse: mix one red 3rd-generation RX7, a clear Sunday evening, a 2-lane rural road, and a curve. Then add the sudden application of 255 turbocharged horses, a berm, a tree, and a brand new owner.

There was no word on the driver, but the airbag went off (do they protect against trees?) -- and one assumes he made it out all right. In a bittersweet moment, the hitting the tree kept him from hitting the house just beyond the tree. The pictures tell the story.

Thanks for the tip, Evan!

[Source: Third Eye Concept]

The Mazda RX-7 was not meant to climb trees originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crashmazdarx-7treeFri, 13 Apr 2007 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[RR of the Day: 1993 Mazda RX-7]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/16/rr-of-the-day-1993-mazda-rx-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/16/rr-of-the-day-1993-mazda-rx-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/16/rr-of-the-day-1993-mazda-rx-7/#commentsFiled under: ,



We sure do love us some FDs. Yes, the turbo rotary is a ticking time bomb, just waiting for the slightest hint of ping to send shards of that wonderful Wankel through the hood, and yes, the engine has to be rebuilt every 40-60k miles, but if you had to pick a vehicle from the 90s (hell, even today) to attack a road course or autocross, the RX-7 is it.

Thankfully, there are a few intelligent individuals that understand the volatility of the turbo'd RX-7 and they tend to keep the modifications to a minimum. One of these smart chaps is ebaine1, the owner of this red 1993 example.

Make the jump for a few more details, pics and directions on how to submit your own ride to our Flickr pool.

Continue reading RR of the Day: 1993 Mazda RX-7

RR of the Day: 1993 Mazda RX-7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Feb 2007 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fdmazdarotaryrx-7wankelFri, 16 Feb 2007 10:07:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Third Generation Mazda RX-7 Limousine]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/12/ebay-find-of-the-day-3rd-gen-mazda-rx-7-limousine/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/12/ebay-find-of-the-day-3rd-gen-mazda-rx-7-limousine/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/12/ebay-find-of-the-day-3rd-gen-mazda-rx-7-limousine/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A limousine is reserved for a special day, for when you want to arrive at the big event in style. If you're like the Autoblog gang and you want to stand out from the rest, then the Town Car or stretch HUMMER just isn't going to cut it. If your main goal in life is to combine a limo experience coupled with low coefficients of drag then this RX7 has it all. Twin-turbo rotary engine, aerospace composite materials, and a power side door all scream "I'm different and I'm proud!" So what if it doesn't have a bar, you can spend your time listening to that 1.3L rotary gem. OK, maybe the light weight racing suspension and roll bars is overdoing it, but if you want exclusive, you've got exclusive.

The vehicle has 60,000 miles on it, but the engine only has 12,000. It's nice to know too that someone was so passionate about this vehicle they felt the need to pour over $170,000 into it. Current bid price is $27,500. Happy bidding!

Thanks for the tip, Fashnootin!

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: Third Generation Mazda RX-7 Limousine originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayLimolimousineRX-7Mon, 12 Feb 2007 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[RR of the Day: 1988 Mazda RX-7 Turbo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/18/rr-of-the-day-1988-mazda-rx-7-turbo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/18/rr-of-the-day-1988-mazda-rx-7-turbo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/18/rr-of-the-day-1988-mazda-rx-7-turbo/#commentsFiled under: ,



The FC chassis RX-7 has always been a vehicle on our automotive "want list" and although it was never as hardcore as the third gen. model that came afterwards, it's always been a competent performer.

This particular example is under the care of udubrx7, and is one of the 10th anniversary models produced in 1988. A full list of the modifications can be found after the jump, but a few highlights include a fully rebuilt and street-ported motor, complete with a BNR turbo setup, front-mount intercooler, a revised ECU tuned by Rtek, and a three-inch catback exhaust. The front bumper was replaced with a Series-5 unit from the '89-91 MY and although the stock rollers remain, they're wrapped in Kumho 712s.

It's a clean example of one of the more iconic rotary-powered machines from Mazda and udubrx7 is in good company, along with a handful of dedicated enthusiasts.

As a reminder, next week we'll be looking for the best quarter-mile performers to feature in our RR of the Day. If you've got a drag car, we want to see it, so follow the directions after the jump to learn how to submit your ride to our Flickr pool.

Continue reading RR of the Day: 1988 Mazda RX-7 Turbo

RR of the Day: 1988 Mazda RX-7 Turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Dec 2006 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazdarotaryrx-7turboMon, 18 Dec 2006 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[RR of the Week - Poll results]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/rr-of-the-week-poll-results/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/rr-of-the-week-poll-results/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/rr-of-the-week-poll-results/#commentsFiled under: ,



Last week's RR of the Day polling ended last night and in a close race, the 1983 Mazda RX-7 owned by Autoblog reader and Flickr member TactiBlue beat out David Moffitt's BMW 325is. A scant 64 votes separated the two after a total of 2,429 votes were cast, with as little as three votes separating the contender's rides at one point on Saturday. Both vehicles got considerable amounts of love in the 'comments' section, but in the end, people just seemed to like the Wankel-powered RX a little more.

Congratulations Mr. Blue and for those of you who haven't already, be sure to submit your own ride to our Flickr pool by following the directions after the jump.

Continue reading RR of the Week - Poll results

RR of the Week - Poll results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazdarr of the dayRrOfTheDayrx-7rx7Mon, 04 Dec 2006 08:34:00 EST<![CDATA[RR of the Day: 1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/01/rr-of-the-day-1983-mazda-rx-7-gsl/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/01/rr-of-the-day-1983-mazda-rx-7-gsl/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/01/rr-of-the-day-1983-mazda-rx-7-gsl/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Ah, the RX-7. The first generation, it could be argued, are the best. They were inexpensive, sharp looking, sharper driving and durable. They burst on the scene looking a little like a cross between the Porsche 930 slantnose and the 924 greenhouse and rear end. Flickr member TacitBlue discovered the ersatz-Porsche goodness and affordable thrills of this 1983 RX-7 GSL and realized that it ticked every box on his "perfect car" list. Once he nabbed it, he did the right thing and went right to taking it apart.

Read on for the full story, a list of modifications and more pictures after the jump.

If you'd like to see your own ride featured here, simply upload photos of your ride into our Flickr group. Next week's theme is forced induction, so be sure to add your own unnaturally aspirated whip to the group. Detailed instructions can be found after the jump.

Continue reading RR of the Day: 1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL

RR of the Day: 1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12A13BMazdaRotaryRX-7RX7WankelFri, 01 Dec 2006 10:19:00 EST<![CDATA[SevenStock9 event unites RotorHeads from all over North America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/29/sevenstock9-event-unites-rotorheads-from-all-over-north-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/29/sevenstock9-event-unites-rotorheads-from-all-over-north-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/29/sevenstock9-event-unites-rotorheads-from-all-over-north-america/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Southern California RX Club held its annual celebration of all things rotary today at Mazda's HQ in Irvine, California. Every conceivable RX vehicle and rotary powered conversion showed up at the 9th annual SevenStock event. According to the organizers, SevenStock is the largest single day Rotary enthusiast gathering in the world. And it would be very hard to argue with them on that. Some 500 RXes had already turned up this morning by the time we had to leave. Last year's crowd was estimated at 5,000, and it wouldn't be too much of a leap to say that this year looked to be at least that big.

Resembling a typical meet with lots of vendors and special displays, the SevenStock event adds a unique twist for Mazda lovers. Showing how dedicated it is to its zoom-zooming enthusiast owners, Mazda not only invited the group onto its campus, but they also brought out examples of their most historical production models and some of their most significant rotary-powered racecars as well.

More info and photos after the jump.

Continue reading SevenStock9 event unites RotorHeads from all over North America

SevenStock9 event unites RotorHeads from all over North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Oct 2006 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ALMSB-K MotorsportsB-kMotorsportsCosmoCourage C65-MazdaCourageC65-mazdaIMSA GTOIMSA GTUImsaGtoImsaGtuJeff AltenburgJeffAltenburgJim BusbyJimBusbyLMP2Lola T616LolaT616Mazda 13BMazda Raceway at Laguna SecaMazda13bMazdaRacewayAtLagunaSecaMX-6R100Racing BeatRacingBeatRotorHeadsRX-2RX-3RX-4RX-5RX-7RX-792PRX-8SCCA SPEED World ChallengeSccaSpeedWorldChallengeSevenStockSouthern California RX ClubSouthernCaliforniaRxClubWankelZoom-ZoomSun, 29 Oct 2006 20:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Inspirational Vehicle: "Mark's 7"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/inspirational-vehicle-marks-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/inspirational-vehicle-marks-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/inspirational-vehicle-marks-7/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mark's 7

Car junkies are generally a close-knit bunch. They form local clubs, stage weekly cruises and car shows, and generally spend a lot of time working on their cars and helping each other out. Over at the NASIOC forums, one member posted a story that illustrates how close these relationships become.

The poster, who goes by the alias "Gherkins31," tells the the story of his friend, Mark, who is afflicted with Lou Gherig's Disease. Sadly, his condition has reached a point where he is unable to walk and has limited arm strength. He couldn't work on his Mazda RX-7 project car anymore, and any hopes he had of seeing it transform into his dream ride seemed to be dashed. It still needed a great deal of work, as shown in the "before" shots at NASIOC.

Then, his friends stepped in.

They stole the car Overhaulin'-style and pooled their time, effort and wallets to make the once-unlikely dream a reality. Three weeks and $13,000 later, they surprised Mark with the car you see above. Its name, spelled out in a windshield graphic, is "Mark's 7."

Oftentimes, a car's restoration is called a labor of love -- a reference to the owner's feelings for his vehicle. In the case of Mark's 7, it was exactly that: a labor of love -- the group's love for a friend who, in his time of need, they treated like a brother. We congratulate them all on a job well done.

Thanks to reader Sean G. for the tip.

[Source: NASIOC forums]

Continue reading Inspirational Vehicle: "Mark's 7"

Inspirational Vehicle: "Mark's 7" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Aug 2006 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inspirational storyInspirationalStorymark's 7Mark's7rx-7Wed, 02 Aug 2006 19:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Travelogue: 2006 One Lap Of America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/09/autoblog-travelogue-2006-one-lap-of-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/09/autoblog-travelogue-2006-one-lap-of-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/09/autoblog-travelogue-2006-one-lap-of-america/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Well, the fuse has been lit on the 2006 installment of the splendiforously-titled Tire Rack Cannonball One Lap of America presented by Car & Driver (better known as 'One Lap'), and as usual, your trusty Autoblog contact is on the scene. We had high hopes for 'live-blogging' the Cannonball Run offspring this year via daily updates, but circumstances have conspired against us.  At any rate, for those not terribly familiar with the event, here's the (kinda-sorta) quick and dirty:

Brock Yates, patron saint of modern American automotive journalism and founder of the original 'Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash,' created a weeklong national road rally in 1984 for gearheads and their hangers-on. In its original incarnation, the event was a bleary-eyed run around the perimeter of these United States. In more recent times (1992-present), One Lap has evolved into a more sophisticated setup that sees racers drive from racetrack to racetrack around the country (the route changes each year), with stops at major and minor tracks along the way. The race is essentially a 'rung whatcha brung' event in which cars of wildly varying description and capability duke it out in different racing venues for overall and in-class wins. The beauty of One Lap is its simplicity-- if you can find a state willing to slap a license plate on it, it's okay by Brock. Racers must attend a couple of track day schools and meet certain rudimentary safety standards (helmets, SFI-rated firesuits, etc.) and run on tires purchased from title sponsor The Tire Rack, but everything else is essentially fair game.

Entrants test the durability of their rides, their backsides, and their mental states not only with long transit stages, but also a good cross-section of events -- everything from road courses to ovals to drag strips. Transit stages on public roads are not timed or scored events, though generally there is at least one passage control along the way to keep things 'on the level.' By way of example, a few years ago, One Lappers were treated to a dirt oval, proving once and for all that auto afficianados haven't lived until they've seen a Lamborghini Diablo spraying muddy roostertails up over the catch fence.

Click through to the jump for more One Lap of America, including dozens of photographs!

Continue reading Autoblog Travelogue: 2006 One Lap Of America

Autoblog Travelogue: 2006 One Lap Of America originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 May 2006 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911994996998Brock YatesBrockYatesCannonball RunCannonballRunCaterhamDuallyEliseF-150F-350F-SeriesFactory FiveFactoryFiveGrand CherokeeGrandCherokeeM3Noble M400NobleM400RX-7RX-8Testa RossaTestaRossaUltraliteViperZ1Tue, 09 May 2006 11:54:00 EST