It's been a while, but I remember it as if it were yesterday. My girlfriend's parents bought her an 1981 Mazda Rx-7 base model. I knew there was a reason I had kept my girlfriend around :) Like all the cars on this list I had wanted one for a while and for some reason, I want the oldies. It was known for being nimble (which I got to experince first hand). This was thanks to it's light, stiff chassis and low center of gravity. The first generation is still considered light at 2300 lbs. when compared to the compostie built cars of today. It was also known for its unconventional power plant. The rotory motor developed by Dr. Felix Wankel uses two rotating triangular shaped masses instead of the up and down reciprocating pistons. The shape of the motor allows it to be placed lower in the car dropping the center of gravity. It produces just as much if not more power than a regular engine. Most peole try to compare it to a 4 cylinder engine because it has 4 spark plugs. I compare it to a 6 cylinder because there are 6 chambers (two triangles remember). I've always had a thing for the first gen and still think it is the most beautiful Rx7. The timless design from 1979-1985 will last forever. The 12a engine started at a respectable 105 hp. As time went on Mazda intorduced the 13b engine in the GSL-SE model with 135 hp. The second generation, aka chassis code FC, is ugly regardless but still popular. I'll probably get some heat for that. It went on with the 13b as the standard motor with different variations uping the horsepower output. The third generation Rx7, aka chassis code FD, is very sexy, and very powerful. Very understandable for a twin turbo 13b 1.3 liter motor puting out 255 hp from the factory in 1995 The last year the Rx7 came to the States. It did go on elsewhere until 2002 however. Just as a note, I kept seeing Efini models popping up every once in a while and wondered what it was. Well first Efini was another brand of Mazda like Acura is to Honda, but they died out. Efini then continued to indicate it was the sportier versions. When I get my next one I will keep it basically stock. A complete restoration would be nice if I could and turn it into a show winner. But man it's fun as hell to drive the crap out of it.