The RX8 took the notion of a sports coupe and redefined it. The rotary engine - assumed by many to have been forgotten by Mazda - was back with a bang but in the best possible way. The RX8 won prizes and scooped awards by outperforming opposition that often had much heftier price tags or good engines in a humdrum package with lacklustre chassis dynamics.

The RX-8 is a fast, smooth and very distinctive choice in a world full of 'me too' styling. The 'clap hand' doors had not been seen on a production car for decades - Mazda made them safe for the new century and created a full four seater with low slung looks. The Renesis evolution of the Mazda 13B rotary engine benefits from Mazda's steady progress with materials technology and 21st century electronic management to make it a truly modern package.

Like the FC RX-7, the '8' is offered in two states of tune but whatever your choice

MRP have some tempting upgrade and performance options which can make this unique car better. The after-market for performance and styling products for these cars is still relatively young but our suppliers are now listing more equipment and we are developing our own range of products to address some issues that make a great car less easy to live with than we think it should be. (Watch this space)

Less than 70,000 cars from a production run of eleven years, with very few major changes, makes the FD the rarest RX7. Only 124 were sold in the UK before Mazda removed it from dealer lists in 1995. A few came in via the dealer network after this but the bulk of the FD's here are imports.

Mazda's engineers went back to the drawing board for the FD and did a fine job in paring weight down and protecting the shell from rust. Inevitably some cars are now showing their age but most are remarkably solid.

Stylish, light, fast with terrific handling and drop dead gorgeous looks, the FD is also comfortable and civilised. Be wary of cheap, badly maintained, examples because the FD is a complex animal with twin sequential turbos - designed to eliminate spool up delay and deliver a smooth surge of power.  Many owners now convert them to a single larger, modern, turbo. 

MRP offer a full range of performance and styling upgrades (from all the right people) to take your FD from mild to wild - depending on your need for speed!

In production from 1985 - 1992 and the only '7' available from the factory as a soft top, the second generation RX7 moved towards grand tourer and away from its sports car roots. The FC offered buyers a turbocharged rotary for the first time (in the UK). These Turbo II cars had a 185bhp version of the 13b engine but the N/A cars (EGI) models had only 11bhp less and can be more practical for DIY owners.

Now often seen as the entry level rotary car because their reputation for rust keeps prices low, a well sorted FC is a sophisticated, involving and rewarding proposition. MRP always urges owners not to break these cars for parts as so many that could have been saved are already lost. Maybe it's not as fast (or furious) as an FD or not as delicately styled as its predecessor but the FC can nevertheless be a stylish, practical, alternative to other closed coupes or open cars of its day...we may well start a campaign!

The first generation RX7 was an instant hit at launch in 1978. Competition success followed quickly and the high revving engine took FB RX7's to wins in British and European touring car championships as well as huge success in SCCA races in the US. This sparked an appetite for competition at Mazda that culminated in the Le Mans winning 787B.  When production ended in 1985, over 470,000 had been produced - the majority going to America.

Because the rotary engine has evolved with only Mazda pursuing automotive development, a number of components have remained common to more than one engine type. This can make upgrading early cars with later specification parts a lot more realistic. MRP offer FB owners maintenance and upgrade options as well as supplying original Mazda parts at competitive prices. There are still some panels available to restore rust ravaged bodywork.