1992 Mazda RX-7 Type R

This 1992 Mazda RX-7 Type R was inspected for a client at Hanaten Osaka auction on 27 October 2016.

How it was graded 4 B is a mystery, 3.5 C would have been closer to reality and probably still generous. This is a good example of why you should never buy sight unseen from auction.

Firstly this RX-7 had a colour change from red to white, quite a poor paint job with none of inside components painted. Paint was showing through red in a number of places and it needed a full repaint.

Overall it appeared to be a reasonably solid car structurally and mechanically, the engine was running OK and wasn’t blowing smoke as many of these rotaries do as they get older with a few kms. But it needed a lot of TLC.

Underbody had been painted to cover some rust, while that’s always difficult to fully evaluate without the use of a hoist, it didn’t look like was hiding anything serious.

Interior was a bit untidy. Passenger door handle was broken / missing. Steering wheel, handbrake, seats were a bit worn and dirty. 24 years old, so not altogether unexpected.

This 1992 Mazda RX-7 Type R sold for 815,000 Yen FOB, which would have been approx. $15,000 landed for race use (calculated at 80 Yen to the dollar).

We think given this relatively high price, someone must surely have bid sight unseen based on the kms and grading without checking the car in person. No one would have bid this much if they knew the true condition.

The pictures are typical of the information we provide prior to auction for each vehicle of interest, with any faults shown so you can clearly see the condition before we discuss whether to bid, and your budget.

It is vital when sourcing your vehicle to use an agent that takes the time to physically check each vehicle and looks beyond the auction pictures and report to confirm condition. Some vehicles may have an unpleasant smoke or other odour, rust underneath, or other faults which are impossible to know without inspection.

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