Introduced in 1978 under Mazda’s philosophy of pursuing the joy of driving, the Mazda Savanna RX-7 (SA22C) made an immediate impact upon its debut. Following a class victory in the GTU category at the 1979 24 Hours of Daytona, the RX-7 went on to achieve continued success in endurance racing, laying the foundation for Mazda’s motorsport legacy that would later culminate in the 787B’s victory at Le Mans.
Its reliability and sophisticated styling earned worldwide acclaim, with even renowned French actor Alain Delon reportedly taking the car for a test drive. Particularly in the United States, the RX-7 became a major success and firmly established the image of “rotary equals RX-7.”
At a time when many Japanese manufacturers were forced to reduce engine output in response to increasingly strict emissions regulations, Mazda’s determination gave birth to the 12A twin-rotor rotary engine. Delivering 130 PS while achieving approximately 40% greater fuel efficiency compared to early Showa-era rotary models, the lightweight and compact rotary unit offered characteristics unlike conventional piston engines. Mounted in a front-midship layout and paired with a lightweight body of approximately 1,000 kg, the car achieved an ideal 50.7:49.3 front-to-rear weight distribution with two occupants.
The RX-7’s elegant wedge-shaped low nose, made possible by retractable headlamps and achieving a drag coefficient of Cd 0.36, together with its rear four-link rigid suspension incorporating a Watt linkage, created a handling-focused machine shaped by motorsport expertise.
This particular example occupies a special place in the history of the first-generation RX-7.
The higher-grade “SE” model was introduced in March 1979. However, a facelift and minor update followed in November of the same year, making this early-production “SE” variant an exceptionally rare model produced for only approximately eight months. Even more desirable, the car is finished in the iconic “Mach Green” color prominently featured in period catalogues.
The odometer currently shows only 49,119 km. Carefully preserved in indoor storage, both the exterior and interior remain in remarkable condition. Even the sunroof rubber mouldings — a distinctive feature of the SE grade — still retain an impressive freshness.
The current owner’s commitment to originality has been uncompromising. Even when the trunk dampers lost pressure, readily available aftermarket replacements were intentionally avoided. Instead, the owner insisted on retaining the original period-correct dampers incorporating factory rear defroster wiring, choosing to secure the trunk with a handmade stopper rather than compromise originality.
Such dedication reflects a determination to preserve the car exactly as it appeared in 1979.
A true time capsule preserving one of the purest and brightest moments in Japan’s rotary sports car history, this exceptional RX-7 is ideally suited for a collector who appreciates both its historical significance and the responsibility of preserving it for future generations.