For almost any engine configuration, multiple manufacturers come to mind as the defining marque. If you think V8, you could just as easily talk about Ford, Chevrolet or even Rover. V12s? Time for a debate about Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes and many more. But when we talk about Rotary engines, we talk about Mazda.
And, unless the iconic 787B Le Mans winner of 1991 comes up, one car in particular will be the topic of conversation; the RX-7. From 1978 until 2002, across three generations, the RX-7 was the ultimate flag-bearer of the rotary engine.
Whether it was on the road or on race tracks, the RX-7 was a success, and an absolute standout among its peers.
In the early-2000s, with the RX-8 looming large on the horizon, Mazda opted to produce a special send-off for the RX-7. And it came in the form of the Spirit R Type-A. Building on the performance of the previous RZ variant, this model featured a 276bhp version of the 13B, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. And, with a curb weight of 1270kg, the car was more spritely than almost all of its RX-7 forebearers. 0-60 comes in less than five seconds.
The Type A version is the most sporting variant of the Spirit R. Unlike the B and C versions, it is a two-seater, adorned with the lightweight red-trimmed Recaro seats previously seen in the RZ. 1504 Spirit R’s were produced in total, and 1044 of them were Type-A versions.
Mazda’s press release for the Spirit R Type-A said the following: “The Type-A Spirit R model is the ultimate RX-7, boasting the most outstanding driving performance in its history.” Who are we to argue with that?
With forged BBS wheels, an adjustable rear-wing and more, it looks as purposeful as its performance figures suggest.
Our example has 63,120km on the clock, or 39,220 miles. It has three previous owners, and is currently MOT’d until October. It was first registered in the UK in 2018. The car also comes with its Japanese auction certificate, at grade 4.5. It has all of its original Japanese handbooks and service records.
It is completely standard with the exception of a KW suspension kit. The original Bilstein suspension is also present with the car, however.
The car is in exceptional condition, and would be a perfect investment for any JDM enthusiast. It is a car that deserves to be a driven, and needs to be taken out on the open road to be fully appreciated. The RX-7 Spirit R Type-A will only become more sought-after as the years go on, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to own this beautiful machine.