Mazda RX-7 trio to hit auction block

An RX-7 Series 1-2-3 trifecta will be up for grabs at this year’s Shannons Autumn Classic auction in Melbourne, with each example being in prime original condition.

The Australian-delivered RX-7s were born in 1980, ’81, and ’85, and will be selling with no reserve. All three have 1146cc twin-rotor engines and are 5-speed manuals.

The Series 1 is expected to draw the most cash from wallets, with Shannons providing a ‘guiding range’ of $22,000 - $26,000.

The Series 2 and 3 are expected to go for around $14,000 - $18,000 each.

The 1980 Series 1 is the least traveled of the trio, having only covered about 22,670km in its 37 years, while the 2 and 3 have traveled just fewer than and just more than 100,000km respectively.

Originality is the key for these three vehicles, as none have been modified as is often the case with early RX-7s.

Shannons auction manager Christophe Boribon says seeing the cars with correct wheels, trim and anti-pollution gear still intact is a rarity.

“Because RX-7s have always had strong appeal to younger enthusiasts, they are often modified and can pass through many hands. This is the first time we have seen a collection like this come to auction,” he says.

The Series 1’s low odo reading isn’t the only quirk among these cars – the Series 2 has only had one registered owner from new, and Shannons reckons the Series 3’s lack of factory sunroof makes it an oddity.

If you want to get your grubby mitts on one of these Wankel-drawn chariots, May 8 is the date to be at Shannons in Melbourne.