Mazda RX-7 History
Mazda's iconic rotary-powered sports car — three generations (FB/FC/FD), the FD a sequential-twin-turbo legend.
Photo: “1981 Mazda Savanna RX-7 GT” by TTTNIS / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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
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
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
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.
Body styles
- Coupe
- Convertible
Notable special editions & performance variants
RX-7 Turbo II
The turbocharged FC RX-7, a notable step up in performance for the second generation.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Mazda RX-7
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.