cwphoto

Hi guys,



This is probably for the Australian members only as it relates to the RX-7 SP model released to the Australian market in 1995. I believe at least 25 examples were sold by Mazda.



For non-Australian members, the SP was a locally modified version of the 1st-series FD (commonly known as series 6) RX-7 and featured 204kW and 357Nm. It was equipped with 17" wheels, bigger brakes, some lightweight body panels, and a 110L fuel tank. The dry weight was reduced to under 1,280kg and the final drive ratio was changed to 4.3:1 (from 4.1:1). It was successful in winning the Bathurst 12-hour race in 1995 against some exotics from Europe (Porsche 911s and BMW M3s etc).



I have owned two previous FDs (1992 & 1993), and would ideally like to secure an unmodified SP as a long-term drive.



Does anyone know where I may find some detailed information on the history of this model? I have also seen at least one model based on the 1996 version (series 7) called the SPII - identified by a lower rear wing. I have seen some reports that only one (!) of these models was ever released, however I am sure I have seen a couple of examples in Sydney over the last couple of years.



Any information would be welcome.

FlamingGuts

nice.

post some pics of your FD and previous FD's if you have any pics

Srce

Try this, and welcome to NP.



http://cp_www.tripod.com/rotary/pg12.htm

VII13B

Here is some more info on the original SP



http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~markinoz/sp1.htm



Here is some info on the never released SP2



http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~markinoz/sp2.htm



Keep an eye on some of the below websites. Every now and then one will pop up for sale. They are still fetching around the $60K AUS mark. Generally they are all low kilometers as most people have had them as collector items. I would have one locked away if I had the cash.

Here is one a friend of mine owns:



http://www.geocities.com/mys38u/



click on the link to SP



Check these out for one's for sale

www.carsales.com.au

www.carpoint.com.au

www.autotrader.com.au



Hope the info helps. Good luck hope you find one.



Cheers,



Matt

VII13B

SP RX-7

cwphoto

Thanks heaps for the links Srce and Matt - it's only made me more determined to find a good example!



By the way, has anyone driven one of these before or know of someone who has one?



It would be interesting to see how an SP compares with a standard FD on the road - I would imagine the 357Nm is noticeable.



C.

FlamingGuts

so is racing big in australia?

Girlpowerrx8

What can I say. YEP. Mike (formally known as Rx7S7) who has past away, had a Rx7 SPII. He raced his at the local track in Sydney, where he past away. It was a quick car, can't remember times. I have the SP gear box and some other parts from his old car, So mines a half SP, don't know if it's the S or the P.

cwphoto

Flaming,



Racing here is quite diverse and we're probably fairly represented on the world scene (watch out for Mark Webber in F1!) - however bikes are where we tend to be very well represented (Mick Doohan; 5x World Champ in 500GP, Mat Mladin (I once raced against him) in AMA Superbike).



Locally the scene is "V8 supercars" which are similar to the American NASCAR - except we don't race on boring ovals (sorry guys, don't know what the deal is with your beloved ovals).



The rotaries however have always been popular with our scene. A bloke by the name of Allan Moffatt (I think he is Canadian by birth) was so successful with a 1st gen PPd RX-7 that it was banned from the National series! (this was early eighties).



The 2nd gen was not so successful - but there weren't many categories for it to race in.



The FD did very well as has been well documented, winning the Bathurst 12h (Mount Panorama is one of the world's great racetracks, as good as Spa in Belgium I reckon - do your self a favour my US Brothers, if you're ever in Sydney in October you've gotta get to the Bathurst 1000. Sitting by the fence at Reid, Sulman, or McPhillamy on top of the mountain whilst the V8s roar past is something you'll never forget).



There is now a popular tarmac rally held in Tasmania (Targa) which attracts a varied field from classics to Porsche RS CS. The FD does very well here even though it's now 10 years old!



As you know, we were the only country to get the second series of the FD outside of Japan (i think). So the Rotary is quite popular here - particularly the older R100s, RX-3s (I had a nice 3 with a Bridgeport when I was 19), Capellas etc. It is really only the last say five years that turbochargers have become popular in the older models as modifications - when I grew up through the eighties/early nineties it was all familiar "whup, whup, whup" of the Bridgeports, Jports and PPs!

cwphoto

Sorry to hear about Mike, Girlpowerrx7. Though I bet he's glad that parts of his car are still making somebody happy.



Interesting comment about the gearbox, was it the same as the stock model do you know?