Fast Facts:

One of just 500 cars Mazda produced for the Japanese domestic market to celebrate their success with the RX-7 on Australia’s most famous race track

A conscientiously developed car offered from the care of a 14-year ownership and benefitting from a rebuilt 1.3-litre 13B rotary

Serviced every six months or 6,000 kilometres, whichever came first, by Ric Shaw Performance, who have worked on the car since 2015. The most recent service was completed at 102,439 km

The Details:

This 2002 Mazda RX-7 ‘Bathurst R’ is a thoughtfully modified example of the rare JDM icon benefitting from a rebuilt motor and consistent servicing through its 14 year life with an enthusiast owner.

In the ‘90s the cars were dominant in endurance racing, winning the Bathurst 12 Hour for three consecutive years between 1992 and 1994 and the Eastern Creek 12 Hour for four up to 1995. And that’s where the ‘Bathurst R’ name came from - built in a limited production run of 500 in the model’s final year of production to commemorate that success.

The cars were based on the Type R, receiving custom designed height-adjustable dampers, carbon tone panels manufactured by Mazda Speed, carbon shift knob and parking brake lever, and custom Bathurst R decals.

This example benefits from significant development work, and you can find a long list of updates in the appendix below. Importantly, the 1.3-litre twin-rotor 13B has been rebuilt with a mild exhaust port, new housing and new plates. Its twin turbochargers have been replaced by a single BorgWarner EFR 7670 turbocharger with a custom v-mount intercooler and radiator, and it now breathes through a custom 3.5-inch exhaust system with a hi-flow catalytic converter. The stock injectors have been tuned, and a Radium Engineering 1.85-litre surge tank kit installed.

This RX-7 rides new engineering certified suspension with MCA X-R (purple) coilovers, Cusco sway bars at the front and rear and improved racing drop links. A Project Mu FS44 front brake kit has been installed along with Project Mu braided brake lines front and rear. The rear brakes are a stock brake kit with Winmax W3 pads and a Cusco brake master cylinder stopper has been installed. Tyres are Yokohama Advan Racing TC3, with Nankang CR-S also available.

Paint and bodywork is reported to be in good condition with some stone chips noted near the wheel arches. The owner reports a previous dent in the stock hood, which has been replaced with a colour matched resprayed Re-Amemiya replica AD9 vented hood. Feed replica side skirts have been fit to the car.

The cabin is likewise reported to be in good condition, with the only note being a slight dimming of the dash lights. Interior modifications include a Microtech 5-inch dash datalogger and a holder for the Apexi power FC controller.

This RX-7 Bathurst R has been cared for by Ric Shaw performance since 2015 and has been serviced every six months or 6,000 kilometres, whichever came first, during its 14 years with the seller. The most recent service was completed at 102,439 km. A partial service history will accompany the car.

Conscientiously developed, well cared for and cleanly presented, this 2002 Mazda RX-7 ‘Bathurst R’ is an outstanding example of the JDM icon, ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.

Modification list:

Feed replica side-skirts

Re-Amemiya replica AD9 hood

Apexi power FC controller holder

Rebuilt 13B including new housing and new plates

Mild port exhaust port only

Mazda 3-piece apex seals with factory seal kit

Single turbo BorgWarner EFR 7670

Custom v-mount intercooler & radiator

Re-Amemiya AST

Custom 3.5inch Exhaust system with a hi-flow cat

Apexi power FC ECU

Dyno tuned to 225Kw (300hp)

Engineering certified Suspension

MCA X-R Purple coilovers

Cusco sway bars front & rear

Improved racing drop links

Gear box brace

Diff brace

Yokahama ADVAN Racing TC3 front 18x9.5in +45 offset, rear 18x9.5 + 35 offset (stickers included)

Nankang CR-S 265x35x18inch

Project Mu FS44 front brake kit

Project Mu braided brake lines front and rear 

Cusco brake master cylinder stopper