BONUS: Fast, Furious, and Forever: The RX-7’s Iconic Journey

You can catch her all the time, just gettin' her kicks now (Go granny, go granny, go granny, go) With her four speed stick and a four-two-six now (Go granny, go granny, go granny, go) The guys come to race her from miles around But she'll give 'em a length, then she'll shut 'em down - "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena" Jan & Dean 1964

The Birth of a Dream: Mazda and the Rotary Engine

Every great invention has its moment of truth, a tipping point where vision meets execution. For Mazda, that moment came in the 1960s with the Wankel rotary engine. Conceived by German engineer Felix Wankel, this compact and lightweight powerplant promised to redefine the internal combustion engine. Unlike conventional piston engines with up-and-down motion, the rotary engine utilized a triangular rotor spinning in an epitrochoidal chamber to deliver power in a seamless, smooth cycle. Though fraught with challenges, it was a revolutionary design.

Kenichi Yamamoto, a brilliant and determined Mazda engineer, saw the rotary engine not as a curiosity but as the future of automotive engineering. His vision was bolstered by a team of like-minded innovators known as the "47 Samurai," who refined the engine and addressed its durability issues. Their first major success was the 1967 Cosmo Sport, a sleek coupe that introduced the rotary engine and proved that Mazda could compete with the industry giants. Yet, the Cosmo was only the beginning.

In the 1970s, Mazda expanded the rotary engine’s reach through its RX lineup, starting with the R100, RX-2, and RX-3. These cars showcased the rotary’s potential for performance and versatility but lacked the refinement and focus needed to transcend their niche appeal. Mazda needed a flagship, a car that would demonstrate the rotary engine’s capabilities and carve out a new space in the global sports car market.

A Star is Born: The RX-7's Triumphant Debut

In 1978, Mazda launched the RX-7, a car destined to change the automotive landscape. Known as the “Savanna RX-7” in Japan, this sleek two-door coupe was Mazda’s answer to a growing demand for affordable yet exciting sports cars. The RX-7’s design was inspired by European icons like the Lotus Elan, but its aerodynamic lines and compact proportions bear a distinctive Japanese sensibility.

The first-generation RX-7 (SA22C/FB) ran on the 12A rotary engine, a compact unit that produced modest horsepower but punched far above its weight regarding driving dynamics. The engine was positioned just behind the front axle and contributed to an ideal 50/50 weight distribution and a low center of gravity, making the RX-7 exceptionally nimble. Its lightweight body, rear-wheel drive, and manual transmission made it a car designed for the joy of driving.

Critics hailed the RX-7 as a triumph. Its affordability, combined with performance that rivaled much more expensive cars, made it an instant hit. The RX-7 also found a home on the racetrack, dominating the IMSA GTU series and earning a reputation as a motorsports giant. By the early 1980s, Mazda had sold over 470,000 units of the RX-7 globally, solidifying its place as one of the most successful rotary-powered cars in history.

Reinvention: The Second and Third Generations

As the RX-7 evolved, so did Mazda’s ambitions. In 1985, the second-generation RX-7 (FC) debuted, signaling a shift toward a more refined and premium approach. The FC design drew inspiration from the Porsche 944, reflecting Mazda’s desire to compete with European sports cars on their terms. The car was larger, more luxurious, and packed with technological advancements, including turbocharged variants that elevated its performance to new heights.

The FC introduced the Turbo II, a 13B rotary engine version that delivered 182 horsepower, making it a formidable rival to contemporaries like the Nissan 300ZX. Mazda enhanced the RX-7’s handling with independent rear suspension and advanced steering systems. The result was a car that combined comfort with razor-sharp performance, appealing to a broader audience while maintaining its core identity as a driver-focused machine.

The third generation (FD), introduced in 1992, is widely regarded as the RX-7’s magnum opus. The FD was a masterpiece of engineering and design, boasting a twin-turbocharged 13B rotary engine that delivered 255 horsepower and a 0-to-60 time under five seconds. Its organic, aerodynamic styling, crafted by designer Tom Matano, was as functional as it was beautiful. FD was lighter and more agile than ever, achieving a purity of performance that few cars could match.

Despite its brilliance, the FD struggled commercially. Its high price and poor fuel efficiency made it a tough sell during a global economic downturn. Yet, its critical acclaim and enduring appeal among enthusiasts ensured its place in the pantheon of great sports cars.

The End of the RX-7 and the RX-8's Struggles

By the late 1990s, the RX-7 faced mounting challenges. Emissions regulations tightened, and the rotary engine’s inherent inefficiencies—such as its thirst for fuel and high emissions—became increasingly problematic. The RX-7 ceased production in 2002 after more than 800,000 units had been sold worldwide. It was a bittersweet farewell for a car that had redefined what a sports car could be.

Mazda sought to continue the rotary legacy with the RX-8, introduced in 2003. The RX-8 featured the Renesis engine, a redesigned rotary unit that promised better emissions and fuel efficiency. While the RX-8 was innovative, it lacked the singular focus of the RX-7. With its four-door coupe design and less aggressive performance, the RX-8 appealed to a different audience, but it failed to capture the magic of its predecessor. By 2012, the RX-8 had joined the RX-7 in the archives, marking the end of Mazda’s rotary production.

A Farewell to a Legend: Naoko Nishimoto's RX-7

In December 2024, a poignant chapter in the RX-7’s story unfolded in Nagasaki. Naoko Nishimoto, an 80-year-old woman who had driven her RX-7 for 25 years, chose to relinquish her driver’s license and hand over her beloved car to Mazda. It was a deeply personal decision, but one made with gratitude. “It feels like it’s sticking to the ground,” Nishimoto said of the RX-7. “The indescribable exhilaration when you go fast is irresistible."

Mazda accepted the car with plans to restore it and use it as a public relations vehicle, preserving both the machine and the memory of its devoted owner. Nishimoto’s story is a testament to the RX-7’s enduring appeal, a car that transcended its mechanical nature to become a companion and a symbol of freedom.

The Legacy Lives On

The RX-7 remains a cornerstone of Mazda’s legacy, a car that embodied the company’s daring spirit and commitment to innovation. While the rotary engine no longer graces Mazda’s production line, concepts such as the RX-Vision keep the dream alive. Whether or not the rotary returns, the RX-7’s legacy is secure: it is a car that defied conventions, inspired devotion, and left an indelible mark on the history of the automobile.

Works Consulted

Car Memories. History of the Mazda RX. Car Memories, May 2023 https://www.carmemories.com.

Jurnecka, Rory. "Mazda RX-7: History, Generations, Specifications." Automobile Magazine, 29 May 2020. https://www.automobilemag.com/news/1979-1985-mazda-rx-7/.

KTN TV Nagasaki. "80-Year-Old Woman Transfers Her Beloved RX-7 to the Manufacturer, Returns Her Driver's License." KTN TV Nagasaki, 18 Dec. 2024. https://www.ktn.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=20241218010.

Mazda USA. Mazda RX-7 Heaven: Legendary Rotary Sports Car. Mazda USA, n.d. https://www.mazdausa.com.

Wright, Dr. John. "Mazda RX Series: How Mazda Strove for a Rotary Future." Shannons Club, 10 May 2021. https://club.shannons.com.au/club/news/super-models/mazda-rx-series-how-mazda-strove-for-a-rotary-future/.

Wikipedia Contributors. "マツダ?RX-7 [Mazda RX-7]." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%9E%E3%83%84%E3%83%80%E3%83%BBRX-7.