Mazda RX-7 History

Sports car · 1978–1995

History

Launched for 1978, the RX-7 became Mazda's defining rotary sports car: light, balanced, and powered by the compact Wankel engine, across the SA/FB (1978–1985), FC (1985–1991), and FD (1992–1995 in the US) chassis.

The third-generation FD, with its sequential twin-turbo 13B-REW rotary and curvaceous styling, is among the most revered Japanese sports cars; US sales ended after 1995, though the FD continued in Japan to 2002.

Generations

First generation · SA/FB (1978–1985)

Photo: “1981 Mazda Savanna RX-7 GT” by TTTNIS / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

The original rotary RX-7 — a light, affordable sports coupe with pop-up headlights and the 12A/13B Wankel.
- 1979
  Photo: “1979 Mazda RX-7 front 4.28.18” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1981
  Photo: “1981 Mazda Savanna RX-7 GT” by TTTNIS / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1982
  Photo: “1982 Mazda RX-7 (FB Series 2) coupe (23525706190)” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1983
  Photo: “1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL, front left” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1984
  Photo: “1984 Mazda RX-7 (FB Series 3) coupe (23525716940)” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation · FC (1985–1991)

Photo: “1986 Mazda RX-7 (FC) coupe (21105743820)” by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

A more refined, Porsche-944-influenced RX-7 with the 13B rotary, available with a turbocharger (Turbo II).
- 1986
  Photo: “1986 Mazda RX-7 (FC) coupe (21105743820)” by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1988
  Photo: “1988 Mazda RX-7 Turbo 10th Anniversary, Mecum Auctions Kissimmee 2024” by Pokemonprime / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1989
  Photo: “1989 Mazda RX-7 GTU in Noble White, front right” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1991
  Photo: “Mazda RX-7 Turbo Cabriolet (1991) (52561409729)” by Charles from Port Chester, New York / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Third generation · FD (1992–1995)

Photo: “Mazda Museum (52487308937)” by dennis bloodnok / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

The legendary FD: sequential twin-turbo 13B-REW rotary and stunning styling; US sales ran 1993–1995 model years.
- 1993
  Photo: “Mazda Museum (52487308937)” by dennis bloodnok / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.