From the Classifieds: 1980 Mazda RX-7 Moffat touring car replica

Prepped and ready to take on any track, hill climb or tarmac duty, this 1980 Mazda RX-7 has just been listed on carsales by a Melbourne dealer for $129,990.

Extensive time and money has been put into this replica, a tribute to motorsport legend Allan Moffat.

With a history of its own, this vehicle has competed in the Bathurst 12-Hour category spanning from 2007 to 2010.

1980 was the final year of production for the Series 1 Mazda RX-7, a time when it was also waiting for its approval from the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).

Since 1972, Allan Moffat had always driven Ford Falcon racing cars, enjoying success with three ATCC titles – 1973, 1976 and 1977.

In 1981, after the CAMS dissentious approval of the RX-7’s classification as a touring car, Moffat made the switch to Mazda in the team sponsored by the Peter Stuyvesant cigarette company.

In 1983, co-driving with Japanese Mazda factory driver Yoshimi Katayama, they outright won four of the eight rounds of the ATCC, claiming Moffat’s fourth and final title.

Building upon the already credible production vehicle, the car-fanatic owner and active race participant has clearly made considerable effort with this RX-7 replica to ensure that both the mechanical and cosmetic aspects live up to the status of Allan Moffat’s original.

Starting life with a comparatively unknown 12A rotary engine, the car has been upgraded to Mazda’s legendary high-output 13B powertrain.

Due to the nature of a constantly maintained race engine, the seller has listed a generic 1000km, and judging from the dash we can infer the chassis itself has covered less than 100,000km.

As you’d find in any race car competing in ATCC, this car is fitted with a complete roll cage, fire extinguisher, Perspex windows and an endurance high-capacity fuel tank.

Further mechanical upgrades include a five-speed close-ratio gearbox, heavy-duty clutch and the addition of a limited-slip rear differential.

The RX-7 is standing on period-correct 15-inch honeycomb gold alloy wheels wrapped in Dunlop racing slicks.

Behind them sit upgraded slotted and vented rotors, which are connected to adjustable suspension front and rear.

Inside, the driver sits in a Racepro seat in front of a Momo steering wheel. The production car’s original gauge cluster remains intact, supplemented by additional dials in the fabricated replacement centre console.

This panel is also home to other functions such as brake bias control and push-button start with isolator key.

A flexible plastic air inlet pipe pierces through the passenger door to provide cool air to the driver, combating rising cabin temperatures during the course of a race.

With the worst of COVID-related cancellations of motoring events behind us, this built-for-purpose vehicle suitable for a variety of formats is looking to get back on the road to its competitive roots.

Take a closer look at this 1980 Mazda RX-7 Series 1 Allan Moffat Tribute for sale on carsales

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au