No Reserve: Project 1979 Mazda RX-7 Limited Edition

This one-owner 1979 Mazda RX-7 Limited Edition two-door hatchback has been driven 83k miles since new and remained in garage-kept storage for over 30 years, originally configured as one of 3,000 units of its series that year. First sold to Fowler Motors Inc. in Montoursville Pennsylvania, this RX-7 is unmodified and original, presented as a candidate for a full cosmetic and mechanical restoration. Power comes from a 1.1-liter 12A Wankel rotary engine coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission, and handling is assisted by stabilizer bars both front and rear. Finished in Charcoal Metallic with black accents over a gray cloth interior, this first-generation RX-7 is now offered by the selling dealer with documentation, spare parts, an owner’s manual, a window sticker, promotional materials, and a clear Illinois title.

The Japanese-assembled RX-7 sports hatchback was produced for three generations beginning in model year 1978 on the Mazda SA22 platform. Lead design came from Maeda Matasaburo, and engineering centered around a compact rotary engine installed behind the front axle for optimized weight distribution. This RX-7 from 1979 is one of 3,000 units produced in Limited Edition trim for the year and remained garage-kept with the original owner long-term until recent acquisition by the selling dealer. The Charcoal Metallic body features as pop-up headlamps, a removable sunroof, black bodyside moldings, Limited badging, a locking fuel door, and a rear liftgate. As shown in the photo carousel, the body exhibits corrosion in the rocker panels.

Aluminum 13” wheels with Mazda-branded center caps are mounted to older Bridgestone steel-belted raised-white-letter tires. Braking is provided by power-assisted discs, and handling is assisted by front and rear stabilizer bars.

The two-seat cockpit is fitted with gray cloth reclining bucket seats, tied in with the door panels and contrasted by a darker center console, dash, and carpeting. Amenities include a digital clock, intermittent windshield wipers, air conditioning, a power antenna, and a Clarion push-button radio with an auxiliary tape deck. The photo carousel illustrates the interior condition as complete and original with some blemishes consistent with age.

Instrumentation includes a 130-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and gauges for voltage, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 83,909 miles, which the seller states is an actual reading, although true mileage on the chassis is unknown.

The 1.1-liter 12A Wankel rotary engine is complete and unmodified, although the selling dealer states that the car has been in long-term storage since 1989 and will require some mechanical refurbishment accordingly. Ratings for this powertrain when new were 100 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque, and power is sent to the rear wheels via a console-shifted 5-speed manual transmission.

Photos showing the underside are available in the carousel.

The sale includes documentation, owner’s booklets, spare parts, and a window sticker showing an original purchase price of $10,065 including freight and handling.