Sorry guys! I accidentally deleted the whole RX-7 SP thread.
I accidentally double posted, then hit the wrong button and deleted the whole thread insead of my post.

What I was trying to post was in response to RICE saying the SP will be worth a lot of money in years to come.

I think that's a possibility, but far from a certainty. What criteria do you think makes for a valuable car in this country (think about what other classic cars are valuable and why)? Does the SP really meet those criteria?

I personally think the SP meets the requirments to qualify as a classic.

It has a proven racing pedigree.
It is different enough from the common variety RX-7.
It is a very capable car, even in the hands of a not so capable driver.
It was built in very limited numbers.

The fact that there will be only a handful of people that actually want one makes up for the limited supply.

Average Joe doesn't know what the hell is so special about that RX-7, but then average Joe couldn't tell an XY from an XY GTHO.


Definately deserves to be called a classic. One day a clean genuine example will be worth a fortune to a prospective buyer, because they will all be owned by people who will never sell.

Even though I wouldn't call myself a collector in any sence, I have mucho respect for that car. I would personally prefer to own a garden variety FD (like I do), so I can butcher it with a clear concience (like I have).

I could see myself looking for one in years to come, but by then I won't be able to get one....see above...

Gee, we finally get Rice back on the forum and we delete his posts

I think it was an old thread dude

Nah it wasn't, I checked the date, cause I was thinking the same thing!

I never thought i'd see the day! I tried to coax him back before but he wouldn't have a bar of it!

I don't think I agree with that.
In Australia the only thing that seems to count towards a racing pedigree is series wins in the ATCC. The single 12 hour enduro that the SP won counts for little. The event didn't have a long history and doesn't have a presence today (though it may start up again next year apparently). The 2 hour showroom showdown in 1999 (a support race for the touring cars at Bathurst) counts for absolutely nothing.

If the RX-7 becomes valuable then of course the SP will be more so, but if in 30 years nobody gives a thought to some odd old thing called an RX-7 then I doubt anyone will care about the SP either.

The Mini Cooper S has a great racing heritage, was a bit different to a standard mini, was a capable car in its own way, etc, but it's hardly worth as much as an XY GT. Even the GT I think is only worth as much as it is because Ford (and Holden) V8s still have a major cult following and a racing presence, hence lots of people are interested in their history. Where do you think rotaries will be in 30 years?

I suspect that the RX-7 might go the way of the RX-3 and be worth a little bit to the right people, but nothing to get all worked up about. Perhaps it could go the way of the Cosmo 110S... but I have my doubts.

When I get around to buying an FD, I'll be chasing an SP, helping push the value up. Im sure Im not alone, so of course the value will rise.

Pete's back? Really???

Oh, yeah, SP's are really....really.....nice.

SPs are terrific cars, and I'd definately want one, if I had the $s.

But I'm not so sure that in years to come, they will be worth mega dollars.

As Steyr said, they really don't have the pedigree that cars like GTHO Falcons and GTS Monaros have.

They competed in the nations biggest races, driven by some of the nations most popular and charismatic racers. They were new, high powered versions of very popular production cars. They were something that all young fans aspired to owning and have a truely special place in the hearts and minds of a whole generation of motorsport fans.

The SP on the other hand, was a limited run of a car that was never sold in great volume, and only really appeals to certain individuals. Just have a look here at AusRotary. I would dare to say that many people would not even know of their existance, or at the very least, know exactly what they are. They entered and won a race that was never really big on the local scene. The 12 hour disapeared after only four years, mostly due to a lack of support from the wider community, and therefore sponsors. I've watched some videos from those races, and there is hardly anyone spectating.

The thing that has pushed the market for older classic cars in recent years is that many baby boomers are coming to retirement, all cashed up. They want the car that was an icon in their younger days. There are plenty of knowledeable people out there who can identify an original version of these classics quite easily, and plenty of clubs to maintain registers, etc. A genuine model can be authenticated, so those who are in the market can buy with relative confidence.

I doubt there will ever be a similar demand for SPs.

And, they suffer from the problem that, from what I have been told by an SP owner, no two cars were built the same. By all accounts Mazda were experimenting with each car. There is no club for them, and probably no register to keep tab on them. And, there are many ideas on how many were actually built. 25 originally, then another 10? Others swear by 45. Such doubt, combined with other people building copies, will no doubt cloud the water, and may well discourage people, in 20 years time, to part with a lot of $ for them.

One thing that does interest me with cars like GTs, SPs, Brock specials, SLRs etc, (in fact many cars that are on the border of being classis) is that many owners try to artificially up the value of their car through talking up the car. They try to create an aura around the car.

I'd love one. But would never consider paying the kind of money I'd be willing to pay for a genuine Phase 3 for example.

Craig

The FD3S has one big thing going for it, and that is timeless good looks. Due to this it will always be an appealing car for classic sports car enthusiasts. It also has a very strong competition history around the world. The fact that the SP was a limited run homologation special will push the value beyond what other FDs will be worth in years to come.

The big question I guess is by how much?

Comparing to other homologation type specials (Porsche Carrera RS for instance) the SP didn't radically differ from the normal road cars. Also, the SP really only has significance in Australia .. which limits the international appeal. It's not an Aussie icon, and isn't well known enough to attract attention in Europe, where alot of the cashed up classic car enthusiasts are. Also, and I hate to say it, it's Japanese. It will be a few more years before the Japanese cars are really viewed as equal classics by the normal classic car community.

My estimation would be a premium of maybe 50%-75% on top of a normal road going FD within ten years, rising to double for the 5 years after that. After that is anyone's guess, but they will be worth at least double a normal FD, probably more.

I would imagine the RZ and Spirit R Type As will follow a similar pattern, however the SP will be more desirable due to the fact it was a homologation special, and as such is tied much more to the racing side of things.

I disagree a little with this. The RX-3, in my humble opinion, appeals much more to a drag racing street rod type stereotype (at least that's what seems to be driving the market at the moment). The SP will appeal much more to general sports car enthusiasts (as well as rotary enthusiasts) due to the looks and sports car heritage.

At the end of the day the RX-3 isn't really a sports car. The RX-7 most definately is.

Your dead right - the Rx3 was never a sports car. Which makes it all the more weird how a daily commuter turned into a cult car which 35 years later people are clammoring to buy and spending 10-20x more on rebuilding than they sold for new. And in many cases more than the cost of a new car.

I think they key factor was the RX3 made a name for itself internationally in racing circles.

Personally I dont think the RX7 SP will ever make it like the Rx3 has - sure it will always be worth more than the standard model. If they had made a few more and it came out of japan not Oz and raced internationally and cleaned up that would be a different story..

btw mattah im not into the drag scene now and i wasnt when I bought my first rx3 in 1997 either

Simple fact stands I can sell my car for 60k today. Much more than any other RX7 around.

The SP is a original classic/highly desirable car, with attributes that no other prentender has in the rotary world its that simple.

They will be worth a literal fortune in the years to come, the only people who dont think so are ones who dont have the opportunity to own one. Lets face it with around 20 of the original batch left you have a slim chance to be part of that select group who can say they own the best Mazda produced to date

*Style
*Performance
*Rarity
*World beating performance against real sports cars

^

Welcome back Pete

When it comes to SP's, the big guy can't hold back...

Garkus

RX7 won the 12 hr race 4 times right? The first 3 times were in standard FD's against the 968's etc. The last one they developed the SP to kick butt against the 911's. Does that mean a standard FD has had more racing success than the SP?? (This is a question, not intended to cause an argument )

Anyway, the SP is a beautiful rare beast

Haha - good luck mate! You must know some real suckers if that's the case.
Current Redbook prices for an SP are $30,400 - $36,400. Your car has been modified (yes, I'm sure you can return it to standard) and raced. And why don't you tell us how much you bought yours for Pete? Wasn't it after an auction that didn't attract any bids even at a fairly low price?


Yes.

Totaly valid,

The original SP was developed by Mazda Japan as the M1020 prototype (which was never released. Its off shoots spawned performance Mazda's (FD's) all over the world including the PFS supercar and the Aussie developed SP (refined version of the M1020), Mazda Australia were forced to reduce the performance of the road going SP's via very restrictive exhaust systems as they were deemed to fast for the potential buyers. This info is around and easily confirmed.

The SP beat the worlds best (big dollar cars) it even intimidated one the worlds greatest (BMW) to not even race against it with a very advanced M3R ! It truely is a ledgendary car which achieved sucsess that wont ever be again repeated sadly FOr this fact alone the SP deserves respect and amoung people who actualy know something it indeed does get immense respect. Some of the best reactions I have had to the car are from motorsport people who dont even drive or have much feeling for rotaries. The greatest dis respect comes from dick heads who dont or will never own one, so go figure

Barry, I have two people who will pay that amount for my car today *its pretty simple*

The other simple fact is I wont sell my car ever !

Classics and car values associated with them can be influenced by many factors (as you know) my car is very popular amoungst people who know what it is and its history, not to mention its condition and performance.

Anyway glad you started the thread

P.S. My car has NOT been raced ! and it has only ever done one full lap at Wakefield Park ! (enough to beat most others !) simply done to prove its performance