Mazda RX-7 FD Series: An Ultimate Guide

Introduction

The Mazda RX-7 FD Series has firmly cemented itself in the hall of fame of ’90s JDM cars. These beasts took over from an already popular predecessor, the FC series, and went on to be in the “greatest of all time” conversations. Funnily enough, the Rx-7 is the most popular JDM amongst our customers and the JDM that we've exported most at ZervTek. Australia, the US, New Zealand, the UK, and some other European countries have been the most popular destinations for these.

What makes the RX-7 series so special? Fun fact: Mazda was facing bankruptcy, before taking a gamble to fit the infamous rotary engine to the first design of the RX-7 when it was built in 1978. It paid off, clearly, and the FC and FD series’ went on to become some of the most popular cars from Japan that hit the export markets. Dive into the history of the vehicle, the models, specifications, and the prices of the vehicle with this ultimate guide.

History of the RX-7 FD Series

The RX-7 was two generations into its revolutionary success with the Wankel rotary engine. The second-gen FC series was a tour-focused, angular model with sharp edges that drew inspiration from the Porsche, an admission from creator Akio Uchiyama himself. After a flourishing period in the 80s for the RX-7 FC, it was clear that with the 90s, an evolution must happen. In 1992, the RX-7 FD3S series rolled out, a sleek, sporty design by Yoichi Sato that stood out amongst its competitors. Replacing the sharp, angular features of the FC with a subtle, rounded framework, the car had more of a sporting drive. To the pleasant surprise of many, it retained the rotary engine and gave a rawer edge to the driving than its predecessor.

The car was upgraded with a complex twin-turbo system, letting it achieve north of 252cc when it was first announced (236cc in European models), and towards the end of the standard FD cycle in 2002, it peaked at an impressive 276 cc. The first batch of FDs released between 1992 and 1995 was the Series 6. In the Japanese domestic market, these vehicles were offered in a wider variety, encompassing six variants. These variants ranged from the performance-oriented Type RZ, catering to driving enthusiasts, to the Touring X variant, which prioritized comfort and convenience with a four-speed automatic transmission. Conversely, the British market received a more streamlined selection. A single trim level was available, equipped with the suspension system derived from the more performance-oriented Japanese Mazda RX-7 models.

Vehicle Specifications

The FD was created around the time bio designs started becoming popular. Vehicles became more rounded and organic in shape, with curved corners. It also introduced the collapsible headlights on either side of the hood. The front had a low nose with a thin engine compartment, unique at the time because most vehicles had inline engines that wouldn’t allow such specifications. There were only two doors in the vehicles, leading up to a stretched-out rear windscreen. The back of the vehicle had a taillight spanning across the rear, and a spoiler on top.

The engine of the FD3S is a thing of beauty. The 13B REW engine has a 1.3 litre fuel capacity and its twin-turbo system enables it to get an even torque curve. The first turbo boosts the car with 10 psi of pressure at 1800 rpm, and once it climbs to 4500 rpm, the second turbo gives it a further 10 psi, boosting the car to its maximum 8000 rpm.

The specifications of the 2.6L Rotary TT RWD (276 cc) found in FD3Ss are shown below;

Model Range

The FC drew criticism for not having the sporty, race-oriented driving that made the RX-7 so popular. With the FD, Mazda went back to its roots, with some contemporary upgrades. The following is the range of FD models that Mazda released until 2002.

Series 6 - 92-95

The model that started the RX-7 FDs all-timer run, the Series 6 was exported around the world. The standard model was the TS, and the more sports-oriented versions were the Type R, the famous Type RZ, the Touring X, and the Type RB.

Series 7 - 96-98

The next-gen arrived in 1996 and didn’t make any significant changes from the fantastic Series 6. Of course, it had to justify being the latest series, and there were a few updates including the addition of a 16-bit ECU that increased horsepower by 10 cc. This was only accessible on manual cars since it kicked in beyond 7000 rpm, which was the red line for automatic RX-7s.

Series 8 - 98-02

Series 8 was the final generation of the FD series before it gracefully bowed out. This series was exclusive to the Japanese domestic market and featured improved turbochargers that were highly efficient. It also upgraded the intercooler and the radiator cooling system, adding bigger openings to the fascia. The rear also got new aesthetics, with a brand-new spoiler design that was customizable as well. The rear also got new aesthetics, with a brand-new spoiler design that was customizable as well.

Additionally, it featured a leveled-up Auto Braking System for better braking distance ability. Three power variants were also provided, with the automatic vehicles having 251 cc, the Type RB a greater 261 hp, and the high-end models having a whopping 276 cc. The latter was designed to hit the maximum speeds that were allowed by the regulatory body of Japan.

Unarguably the most famous RX-7 ever made, the Spirit R is a limited edition RX-7 that was sold exclusively in Japan. Only 1500 units were made, which is what makes these vehicles highly elusive. While the modifications on the Spirit R aren’t radical, it does include new brake rotors of a cross-drilled type.

Prices

The market for collectible cars has experienced a significant price surge, and the Mazda RX-7 FD is no exception to this trend. Even Series 6 models with high mileage (over 100,000 miles) now command a price tag of around $25,000 (US) / £20,000 (UK). This price can climb even higher for pristine early models with low mileage, reaching up to $35,000 (US). Vehicles with desirable modifications, such as the RE Amemiya body kit, can push the value even further, potentially exceeding $40,000 (US) / £40,000 (UK).

Looking beyond specific regions, the global market for a Mazda RX-7 for sale reflects even steeper price increases. Well-maintained Series 7 and 8 models with low mileage (under 70,000 miles) can easily reach prices between $35,000-$65,000 (US) / £40,000-£60,000 (UK). However, the most exceptional examples can reach truly remarkable heights. Pristine, high-end Series 8 models can command prices exceeding $70,000 (US) / £70,000 (UK), while the extremely rare Spirit R variants have neared the six-figure mark.

Why Importing with ZervTek is the better option

The unfortunate reality is that acquiring a well-maintained RX-7 FD, regardless of location, has become quite a difficult task. This is where the services of ZervTek excel, as we will scour auction sites in the domestic Japanese market to find vehicles with the specifications you require. You could also browse through a stock catalog of curated vehicles to find the Mazda RX-7 of your dreams, but with auctions, you can check out the current market pricing, pick exactly what you want out of many options coming through the week, set your budgets and pay less by:

1. Buying at wholesale price with a fixed Zervtek service charge incorporating all the charges in Japan
2. Cutting off the middle man and doing the import process yourself

If you import with Zervtek and the bid is successful, the company will take care of everything up until the vehicle arrives at the destination port.
 

Summary

The Mazda RX-7 FD is a car that redefined classy sports outfits for generations to come and is still in high demand. Its bold and revolutionary design approach made it a fan favorite globally, and with a history that preaches perseverance amidst struggle and unique engine models, you would take a lot of pride in owning one.