Triple Gem: Mazda RX-7 Royalty Turn Out

What’s better than owning one of the rarest Mazda RX-7 sports cars? Owning two, of course.

When the Triple-M Mazda RX-7 SP took the chequered flag at the 1995 Eastern Creek 12-Hour race, it was Mazda’s fourth consecutive victory at the annual Australian endurance event.

It’s hard to believe that historic victory was 30 years ago. One glance at the white RX-7’s timeless styling would make you think this special Aussie racer claimed its victory in more recent times. Only the vintage Triple-M logo gives the game away.

The Number 7 car’s win on that Sunday inspired sports car fans from Sydney to Shibuya, including one passionate Mazda fan named Sam.

“The Triple-M car is the Holy Grail of RX-7s,” he says, beaming as he closely studies the car’s race-ready details, which have been perfectly preserved by Mazda Australia as part of its Heritage Collection. “Its condition is amazing; it’s like it’s been frozen in time since 1995.”

His comments are fitting when you consider this lifelong Mazda devotee is the owner of the two stunning FD-series RX-7 sports cars in these photos.

In a humorous twist, as Sam enjoys meeting the ’95 race-winner for the first time, Mazda Australia staff marvel endlessly at his two extremely rare Series 8 ‘Spirit R’ road cars.

“I started searching for an FD RX-7 about 12 years ago and as soon as I discovered the Spirit R version I just had to have it,” he says.

And for good reason. Mazda created the Spirit R as a send-off for the Series 8 RX-7. This final, special-edition tribute to the sports car that expressed Mazda’s athletic character was the apex of three model generations spanning 44 years. Just 1,500 examples were produced for the Japanese market and today they are highly prized by fans and collectors, as Sam discovered.

“After a lot of patient research I found the precise example I wanted. As soon as it came up for auction in Japan I was determined to secure it. I pulled out every stop during the bidding process but I missed out at the last minute. I was devastated.”

Being so emotionally committed meant Sam had trouble letting go of his disappointment. But as time would reveal, hanging on turned out to be a good thing.  

“I had taken a screenshot of the car before the auction and made it my computer’s screensaver image. It meant I would enjoy seeing it every time I logged on.

“Unbelievably, about four weeks after that auction, I got a phone call from a guy I know. ‘Hey, aren’t you after a black Spirit R? Take a look at this Facebook link.’ And there it was: the car I missed out on buying. It had been purchased by a Melbourne importer.”

Sam made an offer that was too good to refuse. Indicating only 10,000 kilometres, the car was in as-new condition. What’s more, its original owner had specified the car from new with an array of highly desirable Mazdaspeed parts, including rare R-Spec components such as the bonnet, under-car bracing, and aerodynamic diffusers at the front and rear.

“The car was fitted with pretty much every Mazdaspeed option available at the time.”

Sam was thrilled with his black Spirit R. But like many passionate collectors, when an even rarer red example came up for sale two years later, Sam knew he couldn’t stop at one.

“I understand only about 50 examples were made in this colour. And as with the black car, it was out of the box; it was perfectly original with only 7,000 kilometres from new.”

Like its black stablemate, it was equipped from new with various rare Mazdaspeed options, including the same larger turbo intercooler fitted to his other Spirit R.

“Both cars were one-owner examples when I bought them, and it’s obvious both owners cared for them with meticulous attention to detail,” he says.

Sam has continued that same dedication, adding only 1,000 memorable kilometres to the black RX-7 Spirit R in ten years, and just over 800 to his red example.

When asked if he would ever part with them, the answer is a firm, ‘no.’”

“I have no interest in selling them. They bring back too many wonderful memories.”

Those memories run deep because Mazda has powered his entire family his whole life.

“My first car when I was 18 was a 1986 Mazda 323. Like so many teenage boys at the time, I made sure nothing was left original.

“My parents only bought Mazdas, beginning with a Mazda 808. To this day, my mum drives a Mazda and so do my two sisters. I still drive Mazdas.”

But it’s his brother’s car that is the catalyst for this story. He still drives a very special Mazda that Sam credits with starting a quest that ended with two very rare RX-7s in his garage.  

“As a kid I used to follow my brother to local car races. That’s where my love for cars began. But it was in 1990 when he brought home his new FC RX-7 that it all took off for me. I fell in love with it immediately.  

“Today, every time I see my two cars, it’s still a timeless experience. I feel like a kid in a lolly shop.”

Want to keep reading? Explore RX-7: 25 years of memories.