1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL

- 1.2L Rotary Motor
- Glass or Painted Sunroof
- All Original Paperwork
- New Brakes and Rotors
- New Fuel Tank and Lines

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 135 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, and a link to the RX-7's accident-and-damage-free Carfax history report, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“The bestselling rotary-engined car of all time was revolutionary in more ways than one.” – Autoweek, April 2020

The Autoweek writers supplied a brief history of the RX-7: “Designed as (Mazda's) accessible, everyday sports car, the RX-7 featured near-perfect weight distribution, keeping its rotary engine slightly behind the front axle, while offering impressive aerodynamic efficiency for the time. The RX-7 was powered by Mazda's 1,146cc twin-rotor 12A engine, good for 100 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque, which placed it well ahead of the competition at the time. This displacement would grow to 1,308 cc during the model run of the first-gen RX-7, with output growing to 135 hp, while a modest curb weight helped the RX-7 score points on and off the track. The track in question was (Belgium's) Spa-Francorchamps where the RX-7 took the overall victory at the 24 Hours of Spa in 1981, becoming the first Japanese car to do so. Victories in the British Saloon Car Championship in 1980 and 1981 quickly helped the RX-7 cement its reputation as a sports coupe to be reckoned with, one that was still docile and economical enough to be used on a daily basis.”

Offered here is a 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL in Shelby Brown Metallic over brown. As a last-year, first-generation RX-7 model in a rare color, this example shows 102,276 miles on its odometer, under 3,000 miles per-year on average since new. The RX-7's overall exemplary condition is a reliable indicator of proper, regular care by a meticulous owner, as befits this rotary-engine legend.

The exterior light-brown metallic paint is literally in near-showroom-new condition. The gloss and uniformity of the paint across all body panels shows beautifully. There is virtually no sign of fading or other deterioration of the finish. Clearly, this completely stock RX-7 was kept out of the sun and inclement weather on a regular basis. There is no chrome on the body; all window and other body trim is rendered in black, which, together with the body paint color and the classic sportscar styling, makes for a very appealing presentation. All factory badging is in place. Factory-tinted cabin glass—including on the rear hatch—is clear and free of cracks; lighting lenses on the pop-up headlights and clear-lens taillight array are likewise pristine. Original Mazda-branded, four-spoke alloy 13-inch wheels (in good condition with signs of slight surface wear) are mounted with Kelly® Charger raised-white-letter 70-series tires.

The GSL's chocolate interior is as handsome as its body. Door trim incorporates like-colored hard plastic, horizontal-weave corduroy fabric inserts, and lower carpeted panels for a pleasing combination. The same three surface treatments are on display throughout the interior. Nicely bolstered, sport bucket seats are upholstered in the corduroy fabric with vinyl trim showing few signs of wear. Darker brown cabin carpeting in excellent condition—including the rear cargo area—is protected in front with matching carpet mats. The Mazda-branded sport steering wheel with black-metal trim frames the brown, stitched-vinyl dash, and a straightforward instrument cluster. The large speedometer and a 7,000-rpm-redline tachometer (demonstrating the high-revving efficiency of the rotary engine) are centermost. (The lens over the instrument cluster has dulled with age.) Auxiliary engine-monitoring gauges are arrayed to the left and right in the cluster. The center stack includes slide-lever controls for the heat, ventilation, and air conditioning above the factory audio unit with multi-channel equalizer, all with brushed-metal-effect trim. The console-mounted shifter for the 5-speed manual transmission shows little wear. Power-window and mirror controls as well as storage complete the console.

Under the front-hinged hood, beneath its blue Mazda air-cleaner cover, is the highly regarded, 1.2-liter rotary powerplant. The engine bay is very clean and well-ordered. All components are correctly mounted, and all surface finishes are in very good condition. Viewed from below, the chassis is straight, free of damage, and complete. No modifications from stock are noted in the engine bay or on the chassis.

All factory identification and equipment stampings and decals remain in place. The sale includes owner literature (including an owner-maintenance quick guide) and a Chilton's repair manual.

While the more than 135 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this RX-7 in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

In the brand's advertising at the time, Mazda proclaimed “The more you look, the more you like.” As this lovely metallic-brown GSL amply demonstrates, some advertising captures a powerful truth, and so stays as relevant now as it was back in 1985. So, look all you want, but don't wait too long to get in touch lest this rotary delight end up in someone else's stable