1988 Mazda RX7
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While there have been many marvels in engineering among the modern automobile, none have been quite as unique as the Wankel engine, also known as the rotary motor. Beginning in the late 1800's the rotary engine had applications in things as small as bicycles and evolution found the in motorcycles in the early 1900's but it was not until the year 1929 that a German engineer by the name of Felix Wankel developed a version of the rotary engine that incorporated an eccentric rotary design. This utilized an eccentric shaft that made a constant movement of a triangular shaped rotor being propelled in the off space between the rotor and the housing through the principle of combustion. Mazda undertook the concept when they took up a study contract on the Wankel in 1961 for automotive applications from the practical all the way up to racing due to its extremely high revving capabilities associated with the design of the engine. The fist RX7 was made the year 1978 and a cult following of one of the greatest Japanese vehicles was born.
Our 1988 Mazda RX7 is the first year a convertible was available to the US market. The convertible featured headrest mounted...