MAZDA RX-7 SERIES 1-3
MAZDA'S FIRST SPORTS MODEL PROVED TO BE HIUGELY POPULAR HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD
1978 brought the most important new model in Mazda history. The RX-7 was Mazda’s first mainstream sports model; a low-slung hatchback with hidden headlamps, a 1.1-litre rotary engine with five-speed gearbox and (initially) no automatic option.
The first RX-7s to arrive in Australia showed up at a time when anything that used fuel at a prodigious rate – as rotaries were prone to do – was seen as bad news. Price was also against the newcomer, with the basic five-speed rising from $14,800 upon arrival to $21,000 by 1983. Standard equipment initially included air-conditioning and headlight washers (why?), with automatic transmission optional from 1981.
None of that seemed to matter to the enthusiasts whose RX-7s began appearing in the spectator carparks at race circuits. They were there as owners to watch former Ford hero Allan Moffat make his blue and white RX-7 travel fast enough to win the 1983 Australian Touring Car title.
A Series 1 with its single carburettor 12A engine produced 77kW and a feeble 147Nm of torque. Hard work for drivers too, because the 12A needed to be spinning in a fairly narrow power band before delivering its performance.
Late in 1981 a Series 2 version arrived, with improvements that silenced most critics. Under the rear sat a very welcome extra pair of disc brakes and the less constricted engine produced 7kW of extra power. New alloy wheels with a distinctive four-spoke design were still only 13 inches in diameter and shod with relatively skimpy 185-section tyres.
Almost three years elapsed before Mazda felt sufficient pressure from rivals including the Toyota Supra and turbocharged Mitsubishi Starion to introduce the ultimate version of its original design. The Super Deluxe was renamed Limited and improvements included a larger 63-litre fuel tank, taller wheels and with bigger tyres, a sunroof, cruise control and somewhat redundant headlamp washers.
Pricing increased again, with a five-speed Limited exceeding $27,000 before being replaced by the significantly dearer Series 4. Rising prices didn’t seem to affect sales here or the USA, where RX-7s sales exceeded 60,000 annually.
Recirculating ball steering made the RX-7 feel heavier and less responsive than it should have, especially when its 3.7 turns lock-to-lock was compared with something like an Alfa GTV.
‘Wheels’ magazine’s 1984 test of a Limited criticised the car’s adoption of softer suspension settings mated to wider lower-profile tyres which, the magazine believed, had improved the car’s behaviour on smooth bitumen but diminished ride quality and response on “real world” roads.
The seats in early cars were criticised for short cushions and lack of support. Rear leg room with the front seats fully forward is only 190mm and zilch when the front seats are at the limit of their travel. Load-space even with the rear back-rest folded is limited by roof height.
Standing start acceleration in the 12A was disappointing, especially given the car’s weight of only 1070kg. Where it really made a difference was in twisty terrain where the perfectly chosen gear ratios and instant throttle response made it a hard car to catch.