Vehicle Description
1980 Mazda RX-7 Coupe
"By the late 1970s, cheap sports cars were a dying breed. The
quirky roadsters of the 1950s and '60s were struggling to adapt to
a new era of safety and emissions standards they were never
designed to meet, saddled with lowered compression, stopgap
emissions systems, and hastily tacked on 5 mph impact bumpers that
did nothing for aesthetics or weight. The Datsun 240Z was a brief
shining light earlier in the decade, but by 1978, it had morphed
into the overweight, decidedly less focused 280ZX. When the first
series SA RX-7 named for the first two letters of its VIN tag
arrived on the scene in 1978 as a '79 model, it was an instant
success." MotorTrend, April 2013
For consignment, a 1980 Mazda RX-7 coupe showing 76,888 miles, but
the true miles are unknown. First Gen RX-7's have seen an uptick in
interest in recent years and we're thrilled to have this well
maintained version of a now uncommon car here in the showroom of
Classic Auto Mall.
Exterior
Sixteen colors were available in the U.S. market for Rx-7's in
1980, and this one wears a single stage application of Stardust
Blue Metallic, paint code U2 for those keeping score. The somewhat
revolutionary shape of the RX looks great in any color and
especially light blue, where the beginnings of a wedge shape
finishing with a descending hatchback behind a straight C-pillar,
and above narrow fenders. The windshield rakes back dramatically
thus keeping overall height low, along with the center of gravity.
Hidden headlights are augmented here by added fog lights while the
tail light hug the back corners, split wide outside the license
plate box and underscored by a body colored bumper with black trim
in a relatively early example of monochromatic design. 13-inch
wheels carry 185/70R13 tires, visually enhanced by the black
molding that runs the midline of the car at a time when side
molding was fairly standard. Our scan of the exterior yielded no
notes regarding imperfections.
Interior
Plenty of thrills, but generally no frills describes most interiors
of the 80's, and this one mostly follows suit with simple black
vinyl door panels with polished trim and stitch patterned inserts,
window crank and even some storage in the carpeted kick panel.
Attractive and welcoming black bucket seats include vinyl borders
around a cloth insert and other than a tear in the driver's lower,
they are in great shape. Up front, the simple 4 spoke sport
steering wheel frames the instrument cluster, three gauges relaying
seven bits of information with a row of idiot lights below. In true
sports car fashion, the tachometer is front and center. Gray
plastic frames the center stack where we have a Clarion
AM/FM/Cassette player below it, numerous toggle switches, and the
A/C panel up top. This stack cascades down to the center console
where the black booted shifter resides along with a change holder
for those dreaded tollgate receptacles, and all is clean. Low pile
black carpet covers the floor and a black vinyl headliner is up
above with a decorative stitched design that runs north to south.
The carpeted hatch floor is open and clean and is flanked by molded
plastic walls that house integrated speakers.
Drivetrain
We find clean conditions under the hood and a 1146cc rotary engine
with 103 horsepower and a Nikki 4-barrel carburetor. A 5-speed
manual transmission sends power a short distance to the rear axle
housing 3.909 gears. Power brakes are onboard with discs in front
and drums in the back.
Undercarriage
General patina, some surface rust, and oil noted on the pans and
rear differential are the general conditions on the otherwise clean
underside. The unique exhaust system runs in tandem, utilizing the
central tunnel for some of the journey and terminating with a stock
style muffler giving way to dual chrome tips. Suspension consists
of coil springs up front and a 4 link with coil springs in
back.
Drive-Ability
The rotary engine delivers a spirited run and at this height and
size, even moderate speed feels fast. It's certainly fun with the
ability to track straight and turn with unwavering ease, all while
smooth shifts allow for quick acceleration, and as icing on the
cake, all functions operate as intended on this well maintained and
now vintage sports car. While Classic Auto Mall represents that
these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
We've had dozens of Mazda come through our halls over the years
that have found new homes, including RX-7's and RX-8's. But this is
the first first generation RX-7 we've had the joy of representing.
A virtual Holy Grail of the sports car world and one of the
original models of the JDM enthusiast movement, now available on
consignment in stock configuration, and we're guessing it won't be
here long!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
