Tag Archives: RX-7

Auctions

A VeilSide Mazda RX-7 from Tokyo Drift Heads to Auction

Leave a comment

The Fast & Furious franchise has had its fair share of turbocharged highs and nitrous-fueled lows, but for purists, 2006’s The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift remains the crown jewel. Long before the series turned into globe-trotting superhero fare, Tokyo Drift delivered something much more visceral—an unapologetic love letter to car culture. And at the heart of that love story was one car that stole the screen: Han’s Mazda RX-7.

With its curvaceous VeilSide Fortune bodykit and black-and-orange livery, Han’s RX-7 was less a tuner special and more a statement of intent—a bridge between the underground drift scene and high-end design. It looked like a concept car that accidentally wandered onto the streets of Shibuya, all attitude and apexes.

Next month, a machine built in that very spirit is set to cross the block at Mecum Auctions. And while it’s technically a replica, this RX-7 channels Han’s swagger in all the right ways—minus the right-hand drive setup that made parking-lot donuts a bit awkward on U.S. roads.

Built for Show and Go

The car wears a genuine VeilSide Fortune widebody kit, one of just nine originally constructed for Tokyo Drift. Beneath the hood sits Mazda’s famously temperamental 1.3-liter twin-rotor engine, freshly rebuilt and thoroughly modernized. The upgrades read like a tuner’s dream: an equal-length lower intake manifold, a BorgWarner turbocharger, a Haltech ECU, and a new Greddy intercooler feeding a completely overhauled fuel system.

Mecum hasn’t quoted exact figures, but let’s just say the combination of rotary noise and boost pressure promises to make Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4S tires earn their keep.

A Chassis Ready to Dance

The RX-7 sits on custom BC Forged three-piece wheels and rides on coilover suspension—because no self-respecting Tokyo Drift tribute should look good standing still. Stopping power comes from upgraded brakes with stainless steel lines, while a MagnaFlow midpipe and aftermarket exhaust promise the kind of soundtrack that’ll turn every tunnel into a concert hall.

Interior Upgrades for the Modern Age

Inside, the theme continues: purposeful, modern, and a little bit nostalgic. A Haltech digital dash replaces the original cluster, and a double-din infotainment system adds contemporary comfort without sacrificing style. Carbon fiber trim and a new shift knob add subtle flair, while upgraded speakers ensure the Tokyo Drift soundtrack sounds as good as you remember—should you feel like living out your own DK moment.

The Legend Lives On

Whether you’re a die-hard Fast & Furious fan chasing childhood dreams or just someone who appreciates a properly executed rotary restomod, this RX-7 delivers the goods. It’s fast, it’s furious, and it’s just civilized enough to survive a coffee run.

Han may have left the screen, but his spirit—equal parts cool confidence and controlled chaos—lives on in metal, fiberglass, and the whoosh of spooling boost.

Check out the listing at Mecum Auctions, and maybe—just maybe—bring a little piece of Tokyo Drift home.

Source: Mecum

Auctions

Han’s Iconic Mazda RX-7 From Tokyo Drift Sold for Staggering $1.2 Million

The Fast and Furious franchise has a storied legacy of turning modified cars into silver-screen legends, and now one of its most recognizable rides has just fetched a jaw-dropping price at auction. The 1992 Mazda RX-7 FD, featured in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006), has sold for £911,000—or roughly $1.2 million—through Bonhams, marking one of the highest figures ever paid for a Japanese tuner car from the film series.

This particular RX-7 is believed to be one of only two surviving examples used during the filming of the franchise’s third installment. On screen, it was piloted by Sung Kang’s fan-favorite character Han, and though it was mostly used for static and close-up shots, its screen presence has etched it firmly into JDM and movie car history.

Built to impress, the RX-7 wears an aggressive VeilSide Fortune widebody kit, giving it a stance over 7.9 inches wider than a standard FD3S. Only the roof and tailgate remain from Mazda’s original design. Its pearlescent orange finish, paired with 19-inch Andrew Premier Series Racing Evolution 5 wheels wrapped in meaty Pirelli P Zero Nero tires (a massive 12 inches wide at the rear), makes the car instantly recognizable.

Closer inspection reveals its film roots, with remnants like “#71 HANS” stickers and mounting marks from camera rigs still visible. Despite being a showpiece on set, the RX-7 isn’t just for looks—it underwent a significant mechanical refresh before the auction. RE-Amemiya, a legendary name in the rotary tuning world, rebuilt the car’s twin-rotor turbocharged engine. Although the odometer reads 66,785 miles, it has clocked only 5,000 miles since the overhaul. That said, it has reportedly been sitting for a while, suggesting some recommissioning may be required before it’s back on the street or track.

The RX-7’s $1.2 million sale eclipses the price paid for Paul Walker’s orange 1994 Toyota Supra—another franchise icon—which brought in $550,000 in 2021. However, it still falls just short of the record set by Walker’s 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, which sold for $1.35 million in 2023.

With the continued rise of nostalgia-fueled collector demand and the cultural cachet of the Fast franchise, this RX-7 proves that movie cars—especially those with the right mix of rarity, tuning pedigree, and emotional appeal—can command supercar-level prices.

Source: Bonhams

News

Mazda Confirms Iconic SP Will Not Replace Miata, Hints at RX-7 Spiritual Successor

It has been nearly two years since Mazda captured global attention with the reveal of the Iconic SP concept at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. Draped in a striking Viola Red and sporting retro-futuristic curves reminiscent of the legendary RX-7, the coupe stirred up a storm of speculation: Was this the long-awaited successor to the Miata? Or perhaps something more powerful and spiritual—an RX-7 reborn?

As it turns out, Mazda has bigger plans than just redesigning its beloved MX-5. The Iconic SP is not the next Miata, but rather a rotary-powered sports car positioned above it, set to potentially revive the performance DNA of the RX-7 for a new era of enthusiasts.

Two Legends, Two Lanes

According to Mazda’s Chief Technical Officer Ryuichi Umeshita, the fifth-generation Miata is still on the way, and it will stay true to its roots: lightweight, affordable, naturally aspirated, and offered with a manual transmission. A future Skyactiv Z gas engine, compliant with stricter emissions rules, will ensure the MX-5 maintains its purity while embracing regulation-ready evolution. Even the design will subtly incorporate elements from the Iconic SP, blending heritage with the company’s future design language.

The Iconic SP, on the other hand, is shaping up to be a different beast entirely. Measuring 164.5 inches in length and riding on a 102-inch wheelbase, it’s significantly larger and wider than the Miata—hinting at grander ambitions. Mazda confirmed the Iconic SP will not wear the Cosmo badge, despite its rotary roots, but did suggest it could follow the lineage of the RX-7. A new name, possibly RX-9, is still under consideration.

The Heart of a Rotary

At the center of this revolution is Mazda’s new dual-rotor rotary engine, acting as a generator in the SP’s hybrid powertrain. Combined with an electric motor, the concept produces 365 horsepower, giving it more than enough muscle to fill the RX-7’s shoes. This rotary range-extender system is a more powerful, emissions-compliant successor to the unit originally found in the Mazda MX-30—which never made it to U.S. shores due to regulatory challenges.

Umeshita confirmed that the upcoming powertrain will meet U.S. emissions standards. More intriguingly, Mazda is exploring a version where the rotary engine drives the wheels directly, something we haven’t seen since the RX-8 ended production in 2012.

While a fully electric Iconic SP remains technically feasible, Mazda has ruled it out—for now. Instead, the company is focusing on refining rotary combustion technology to use not just gasoline, but also oxygen, hydrogen, and other alternative fuels, making the SP both futuristic and flexible.

A Business Case in the Making

Despite technological readiness, the biggest hurdle remains the business case. Mazda is still determining when and how to bring the Iconic SP to market. A launch before 2026 is unlikely, but the rotary engine will be technically ready “soon,” and it will pass U.S. regulations.

Mazda’s long-term strategy involves a flexible EV platform, expected by 2027, that can house various powertrains—including rotary hybrids. In partnership with Panasonic, Mazda is planning a homegrown EV lineup, but in the case of the SP, the rotary engine is central to its identity.

According to Jeff Guyton, Mazda’s CFO, the rotary engine is “part of the soul of the company.” A dedicated team of engineers—some veterans of RX-7 and RX-8 development—are working to ensure its legacy continues in a sustainable, modern way.

Mazda’s Two-Sports-Car Future

If Mazda follows through, enthusiasts will be treated to a dual-offering: the lightweight, agile Miata and the more powerful, futuristic Iconic SP. Together, they will represent two sizes of joy for driving purists.

Mazda is also nurturing nostalgia. The company has established a classic restoration program in Hiroshima, currently focusing on first-generation MX-5s. There are whispers of similar treatment for the RX-7—pending parts availability.

For now, fans must wait as Mazda carefully balances passion, regulation, and profitability. But with the Miata’s legacy secure and the Iconic SP inching toward production, the next chapter in Mazda’s storied performance history looks as promising as ever.

Source: Motor Trend

Gallery:

Mazda Confirms Iconic SP Will Not Replace Miata, Hints at RX-7 Spiritual Successor