Urban Gear Works

This is the final generation RX-7, which ceased sales in the US in the mid-90's. They were still sold in Japan for almost a decade after that, but this one must already be on the verge of classic status. Devoted fans would argue that the RX-7 was a classic the day it  left the assembly line. The rotary engine is a Mazda hallmark, incredibly simple in comparison to piston engines, having very few moving parts, and capable of spinning at RPMs that put superbikes to shame. The final RX-7 saw it turbocharged all the way up to the 276 horsepower limit imposed by the Japanese manufacturers' "gentleman's agreement" of the era. Combined with a superbly balanced, lightweight, rear-drive chassis and covered in sculpted bodywork, the entire package made for a sportscar far beyond formidable. The RX-7 was perfectly matched against the Toyota Supra, its only Japanese rival on American soil. Even more than that, the combination of balance and light weight made it a worthy competitor against contemporary performance heavyweights like the Corvette, Viper, and 911.

The example I found has had some modifications, which are always a matter of personal taste, but overall they are fitting and well-considered. The aftermarket wheels and tires might be a little smaller than commonly chosen, but I'd be willing to bet they actually give better handling than a larger set - especially on city streets. The yellow seats are actual custom work, not seat covers, and on a turbocharged car like this one, the a-pillar gauges could provide vital information. In any case, there are so few of these Mazdas around that any example is a find - strangers actually stopped to talk to me about the car as I photographed it.

Urban Gear Works congratulates the owner on a fine specimen!