Wow, I just watched an R1 with ~40K miles on the clock and a history with a moderate accident on its Carfax sell for $61K. It was listed as, "unrestored," but clearly the panels that were replaced/repaired after the accident were re-painted; it was a pretty obvious re-spray as well, with the passenger's side front quarter panel being a slightly darker yellow than the other panels on that side, and a bumper that was just off enough from square to notice. I was expecting it to go in the mid-high $30's given the accident history and auction setting. Craziness!

 

It is my impression that mainly people with lots of cash attend Mecum and much respect because they come ready to play. Unlike BaT where the auction is influenced by a peanut gallery that is comprised of a bunch of wannabe experts that only do it to make themselves feel important.

 

Haha, hilariously on point with BaT. What this car sold for definitely makes me question how well I understood the current market for these cars though. I was under the impression that only 100% original cars would sell for that kind of money right now given the right color and mileage (which this car had going for it for sure). Either way it was really interesting to see!

 

I would have expected perfection at that price point.

First engine bay shot shows that they didn't even source a stock upper intercooler hose:

https://www.mecum.com/lots/AZ0321-45...993-mazda-rx7/

Still, good to see a price like this.

 

Or even an battery cover! Crazy high price.

 

I’m meeting the new owner tomorrow and taking him one of my spare correct upper intercooler hoses. Anyone have a battery box cover? 🤓. He’s so thrilled and is in love with the car.

 

This is good news. I am wanting to sell my R1 - Black ~45k miles lightly modded. I moved on to other cars and just couldn't let go but maybe now is the time. Unfortunately it's not currently not running. It was in storage for about 8 years and I'm afraid to start it. I know it's not CYM but can I get half It still has the "Motor trend Car Of The Year" sticker on the windshield. I wonder how many people peeled that off. I'll see if I can post a pic. It's more of a cappuccino color right now with all the dust. I checked with Rotary Performance when I first pulled it out of storage and one of the worker guys quoted 7-12k to get it running which seems really high.

 

For anyone interested in the video of the CYM at the auction:


Starts at 3:03:27

They didn't have much of anything to say about the car :/

 

That car only needs a few things to be mint.

- That intercooler hose is from Pettit Racing, they sold that back in the day. Also the other coupler to the IC is silicone and I bet the one back at the Y-pipe is silicone.
- No battery cover, cheesy aftermarket negative terminal, no red rubber cover on positive terminal.
- Some weird box in the driver's corner of the engine bay - maybe a car alarm or something?
- Front mud guards and no rear mud guards
- Double-din stereo, would have been nice to have single DIN with the R1 storage pocket
- Finish on interior plastics doesn't match, maybe get a new instrument cluster surround so it matches

That's really nit picks, car is really super clean and nice. I ALMOST bought a CYM when I bought my FD in 2004, I saw some around $16k - that ship has sailed .

Dale

 

I think I sold mine too cheap!!!

 

Hey, I would’ve never expected anyone mention it, but my CYM has that exact MT car of the year sticker as well located on the passer side window.

Regardless, I’m surprised how much this particular CYM sold for.