01 Dec Street Legal Mazda Rx7
Since the FD was only introduced in the United States for a short time, production figures were low and thanks to the “Fast and Furious” franchise, demand for this legend picked up again in the early 2000s. However, since the third generation RX-7 was produced in Japan until 2002, some right-hand drive models can now be imported and legally driven in the United States. In fact, Mazda RX7 owners at the time were so afraid to cross county lines because they thought their car was illegal, which they probably should have looked for if they had moved to a new state. But after only 3 years of production, Mazda stopped producing the RX7 on American soil and it quickly became the stuff of legends. Eventually, people began to claim that the government had banned the Mazda RX7 for a number of reasons: lawmakers hated that a Japanese imported car outperformed US-made muscles, the car was involved in a number of illegal racing deaths, and so on. While Mazda has always been known for producing the MX-5 Miata over the past three decades, they have also produced a car that has remained in the minds of car enthusiasts and gamers alike: the RX-7. During its production here in the United States, this sports coupe has gone through three different generations, the latest of which is the most popular. And although the car disappeared long ago after it stopped, they still appear in the Japanese domestic market, but is it illegal to have one in the United States? So, is the Mazda RX7 illegal? Well, technically, yes: any Mazda RX7 produced after 1995 would have been manufactured for the Japanese auto market, meaning it had a left-hand drive configuration, which is illegal in the US. However, Mazda RX7s produced before 1995 would be completely kosher with the federal government. After taking the wrong career path, Jarryd quickly dropped out of law school to pursue a career in journalism. An internship at a leading automotive magazine fueled his love of journalism and prepared him for the world of finance and investment writing. As exciting as it may be, Jarryd`s first love has always been to drive, and joining CarBuzz in 2022 has brought him back to his place – via the latest automotive news and events. In his spare time, he scours classifieds looking for cheap (and ruinous) classic luxury limousines or simply rides around in his own aging German luxury ship.
But why did the U.S. government make the Mazda RX7 illegal? Or, better yet, was it illegal at all? The only catch is that you have to find one that was produced in the 1995 model year or earlier. Technically, the Mazda RX-7 is not illegal in the U.S. unless you want to import one of the latest iterations. Then you will have to wait a bit. While the Mazda RX7 quickly became an iconic outlaw car, the truth is far less cool: Mazda had ceased production of the RX7 in America due to stricter emissions regulations. Not wanting to cram a smaller, cleaner engine under the hood, Mazda simply shrugged its shoulders and instead quietly pulled the coupe out of the U.S. and European markets, instead focusing production of the RX7 on the Japanese market. And why shouldn`t it be: this sports coupe had a very distinct design that has hardly changed over the three generations in which it has been produced. It was also legendary for its smooth handling and unique rotary engine, which produced more power and speed than the competition in its price range. But after 1995, the Mazda RX7 mysteriously disappeared from American shores and rumors began circulating that Uncle Sam`s iconic coupe had been banned. While the FB and FC models of the Mazda RX7 were very popular among car enthusiasts, it wasn`t until 1992 that the third-generation Mazda RX7 entered the commercial vehicle market and blew everyone away.
Just like with the transition from FB to FC, Mazda hasn`t hesitated to move away from the design essence of the RX7, but has put more emphasis on all the lines and corners while retaining most of the `78`s design elements. The 3rd generation Mazda RX7 was introduced into pop culture, albeit briefly, thanks to films like Gone in 60 Seconds or the Fast & Furious franchise. This means that car collectors who want to get their hands on an authentic RX7 from 1992 to 1995 will have to pay a high price. Sure, you could get your money`s worth if you resell it in the future, but that`s only if Gen Z values fuel-guzzling cars as much as their ancestors. The Mazda RX-7 has always been known for its timeless look, amazing handling and, most importantly, its rotary engine. However, it wasn`t the first platform to have a Rotary Wankel under the hood. In fact, the Cosmo Sport, launched a decade before the first generation of RX-7, claims this rite, but the RX-7 has carried the torch for years to come. The first generation RX-7, known on the FB, was produced from 1978 to 1985 and featured a long hood, curved glass, and a 1.1-liter rotary engine that sat behind the front axles, coining the term “front mid-engine.” The engine produced only 100 horsepower, but its 2,500-pound curb weight, low drag coefficient, and 50/50 weight distribution were more than fun to drive.
It is certainly an impressive machine. The all-wheel-drive RX-7 shines in the metallic blue paint, which has been paired with five-spoke gold wheels. This widebody kit offers all the threats anyone would need, and aside from the carbon fiber hood, the four-rotor Mazda is simple. It is a neat and somewhat elegant bespoke product. Over the years, Dahm and his RX-7 dream have built a huge following. It`s clear as soon as they arrive at SEMA, with people bombarding the team to take a closer look at photo opportunities. The Mazda RX-7 (FD) remains one of the most iconic and sought-after Japanese sports cars money can buy. Besides the beautiful body, the big brother of the MX-5 Miata is best known for its rotary powertrain. Rob Dahm is a big admirer of this unique engine, and the YouTuber even owns a three-rotor RX-7 that can give Ferrari a run for their money. The third-generation RX-7 broke down all barriers. Known as the FD, the third-generation RX-7 was produced from 1992 to 2002, but only from 1993 to 1995 in the United States. The fame of this powerhouse was its elegant aesthetics paired with a revised 1.3-liter twin-turbo rotary engine producing 255 horsepower and mated to a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission that sent power through the rear wheels.
However, a four-speed automatic transmission was also available. The Mazda RX-7, especially the third-generation model, will forever be preserved in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts as one of the greatest cars the brand has ever produced. It`s definitely worth buying one now, whether it`s an American or Japanese model, as it`s a car that`s considered a gem among Japanese sports cars of the 90s. The latest models can now charge a hefty premium, but a clean model is worth every penny. However, it was the Mazda RX7 that became known for decades for maximizing the performance of a Wankel engine.