The FD RX-7 is everything you want in a sports car, including failure | Cammisa Revelations | Ep. 17

The RX7 is almost 30 years old and still looks beautiful today. It will always be a classic.

It's worth noting that Kobayakawa was one of the "47 Ronin" who figured out how to get that first Cosmo's 10A to work. Also, the powertrain engineer on the FD became program head for the ND MX-5, which is why it's so good. And last, if you get your NA Miata restored through Mazda's factory resto program, some of the techs are ex-pit crew from the 787B Le Mans effort. Such a cool, tight-knit company.

Man, this takes me back. I owned, daily drove, and repaired a 1st and 3rd gen Rx7s. Rebuilt the 13b engine a few times, built a single turbo setup, mapped a haltech ecu, etc.

The technology behind high performance cars has trickled down so much, that even hot hatches can toast 10-20 year old super cars nowadays, while also being affordable and reliable. But sadly cars like the RX7, NSX or other similar sports cars have practically disappeared from the market; I had always hoped we would see a "poor mans" NSX or RX7 in the future. I know we should be glad, that we still got the GR86, Nissan Z and Yaris GR, but knowing what could have been is still sad.

Timeless design. Could release it today minus the pop ups and a few design refreshments and no one would question it

The sound that car makes on the ending drive is just pure symphonic melody.

Never ceases to amaze me how beautiful this car looks in person compared to how it shows in pics or on the screen. It’s proportions, lines, size… Over time it will be more appreciated for what it is. Kudos for Mazda’s mindset and making it happen.

I want a car show featuring Jason Cammisa introducing the cars, Chris Harris communicating the driving dynamics, and Frank Stephenson talking car design.

Everytime one of these comes out now I am just elated in anticipation of how good its gonna be. Please keep em comming Jason and Hagerty.

This RX-7 generation just looks damn modern and desirable even 25 years later, it's bonkers... 🤤👍🏻

Growing up, I had a few friends with 1st/2nd gen RX7s, and when most of the motors popped, the guys would do V8 swaps into them.. NOT the case for my buddy J's 3rd gen RX7. That can was an Absolute Beast! We did everything we could to add/free-up the ponies, and when we maxed out on all of that, We took a trip to visit Dave & Kim at KD-Rotary in PA. They're RX7 Mad Scientists for sure! DYNO tuning is what we went for.. What we got was So Much More.. An 'emergency drop off' was called in, and all appointments slowed down.. We got to see one of the US's most popular "Import Tuner" - as it came on on a flatbed.. All I remember is that it was a black RX8 3rd gen, Insane HP and Insane stereo system to boot. With time ticking, Dave and Kim ordered a party-pack, and we all got to hang out and enjoy.. Pizza & wings have never been so much fun.. Our little party also consisted of a full-tour, [I remember a handful of NISMO Nissan tuner cars there also - Dropped off to be dyno-tuned] we got to see all of the RX7s in different states of build, repair, tuning, etc. There where prototype builds, and Three-Rotor Setups! <---- Absolute Monsters! And to top that off, they showed us In Depth how the ECU monitoring/tuning process worked In-Real-Time, which was pretty bad ass to us at the time - And IMO still is now. GREAT Cars! GREAT Shop! GREAT People! 🤘 Sam -

Thanks. I owned seven Mazda rotary cars including all three generations of RX-7. Raced a few modified ones too. Wish I still had my FD today. One FD just sold At Barrett-Jackson Auction for over $50,000 USD. I still have my 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX8, modified and going strong. But I do miss my red 1993 FD. It felt like I was wearing it , so fun to drive and blow away other sports cars of the time. Cheers

I just bought a 1993 RX-7, love it!

I believe that the FD RX-7 is just about one of the most beautiful cars ever made... but you’re right, maintenance and upkeep are a nightmare.

I adore this vehicle to death and am lucky that I was able to grow up with one. My dad had bought one in 1993 at the Mazda dealership in Michigan and has held onto, maintained and driven it all these years. Just hit 36k. The feeling of this car is magic, the sounds and feel and of course, it's looks.

I was a presentation and public speaking coach for 30+ years, with a number of high profile clients. Jason's work on these videos is nothing short of sensational. Smart, funny, entertaining, informative. Does NOT get any better.

Had the R1 in back in '93, pretty accurate review. One thing never mentioned is the cool "Top Gun" locking on target beeping that you'd get when approaching redline. Almost poetic and definitely fitting/appropriate in that car. The reason was unlike piston engines, the 13B would actually smooth out and get quieter approaching redline, so drivers needed a heads up to shift and not just keep on trucking. Just an amazing car for its time and price point.

I was lucky enough to drive one of these, despite all the hype... they are still UNDER rated, unbelievably fun to drive. it was basically if you gave a miata a 8ball

Don't know why they didn't add some types of hood ducts and or NACA Ducts to help bring down temperatures under the hood. Car still would have looked great and won't have to worry about turning everything under the hood into "coal" LOL!!!

It has been said that the introduction of the Miata in 1989 took sales away from the RX7 rotary and eventually killed it. Despite the second generation 1986-91 RX7 looking like a Porsche 924, I think that it is the prettiest, most practical sports car. I owned my 1986 base model RX7 for six years, and at 18 years old, it still did 140mph. It had a roomy enough interior to be comfortable. With its hatchback, I could take my cats to the Vet, go to the laundry mat, and even move furniture. And it was a hell of a lot of fun to drive.