here is a helpful link backing up December '91 being first production of FD, also carries good specs and info on RX from 1978 to 2002.

http://www.j-garage.com/6110.htm

NB: JDM

 

Jim I'm not going to crack open the book but I remember it being a different body than an FC...possibly with an fc engine as someone else mentioned

 

There were no RX-7's sold as an FD body with an FC engine, as was claimed above. There were test vehicles using FC bodies to hide their work, but that is not what is being talked about in this topic.

 

I never said it was an FD body and neither did lone raider...as I remember reading it was very similar to an FD body...don't make me break out the book. These are actual production numbers, not model years: 2nd gen, 1991-15648 1992-245 3rd gen 1991-975 1992-26654 1993-6801 1994-5962 1995-5202 1996-4762 1997-3556 1998-1423 1999-4151

 

How cool, that's my birthday.

 

Yes I remember reading that Infini IV was some kind of crossover, but since there isn't a single photo of the Infini IV this discussion is heading for a deadend.

 

Well it wasn't. A quick search could have answered that.

http://www.rx7uknet.dircon.co.uk/rx7_fc3s_4.html
Information is listed under "the ultimate second generation RX-7."

 

NO NO NO - North America NEVER got a 1992 MODEL Year RX-7 (FC or FD), US SALES of the 93 Model year RX-7 (FD) started w/ the FD's North American introduction at the LA Auto show in Jan 1992, with the first US Deliveries in APRIL 1992. ALL US/North American models were sold as model years 93-95 even though the final dealer stocks of US 95's were not sold out until mid 1996. The PRODUCTION of North American (and iirc European) LHD FD's started in DEC 1991, or about 3 months after the start of production of the RHD FD's that were sold in the Japan/Austrialian/Asian market as 1992's

 

Maybe the one I was remembering reading about was not called the infini...who knows. The car I read about is actually in Mike Ancas' book not Jack Y's and I am about 95% sure it was a cross between 2nd and 3rd gens in one way or another.

 

Similar to the corvette placing masking markers over the body to disguise the car while in development.

 

If it was a cross between a 2nd and 3rd gen., it was an FC with a 13B-REW and possibly other components of the drivetrain and suspension. The previous model is often used for testing of a new model's powertrain and suspension components because it's readily available and it masks the changes from prying eyes. Testing of the C6's new LS2 engine in C5 Corvettes, for example.

No FD was ever produced with an FC powertrain, and no FC/FD combination was ever produced in quantity or offered for sale.

 

Yep I recognise that, and i'm sure that that it also said that this myth car wasn't a car with just panels stuck on to it to hide details but it really was a original car.
And that Mazda executives actually owned these cars.

 

No I don't think it was ever produced for sales purposes but only a in company promo car for domestic Japan market, more of a rolling concept than a production car.

 

I don't know how much weight this holds, but on the RX-7 screensaver that I downloaded from the Jap. Mazda site a while ago says "September 1991 FD3S"

 

I don't like to be the bearer of bad news, but the US did get a '92 model year RX-7 (in fact, it was produced through august of '92, making it a '93, in essence). If you belive it or not, the Convertible FC was the ONLY '92 RX-7 produced. They built it longer, just to give the world the only rotary convertible a little longer, being that the FD didn't have a cabriolet option.

If you don't belive me, go to www.mazdamark.com and go to FC specs, then the s5 specs page. They go in depth into the info on the Infini IV and the '92 convertible.

 

Correct... in fact mine was fabbed in December 1991!!

David

 

Thank you for that link, I really don't know what the book really meant on it having a diffrent body than the standard FC versions. I see no real diffrence.

 

Mine is no. 207 with mfg. date 12/91.

 

there was no "cross-over". the infini IV was the ultimate FC, as in it was FC in its final and fully developed form. it was a sign of what's to come in the FD, but nothing really crossed over. FD made its debut in october of 1991 in japan, and just under 1000 were made for the '91 MY, i'd guess a good number of those didn't reach showrooms but were press cars, etc. so for the japanese market, technically there were both MY '91 FC's and FD's

 

It has been stated that the FC made it to model year 1992, and proven.

It has been stated that the FD made its run in late 92' as a 93' model year and began production in 91' in Hiroshima.

Mazda may have made a car with and FC chassis but differant looks as a show car to get everyone hyped for the FD... now what it looks like is the ultimate Q... if it did exist there must be pics somewhere.

~Kris

 

No, it appeared on a personal web site, which does not constitute proof. Someone cough up a title or registration showing that they have either an FC or FD registered in the United States as a 1992 model, and then we'll see proof. Or not...

Short of that, try to find a 1992 RX-7 listed by Edmunds, Kelley, NADA or on Carpoint or any other used car web site.

 

I sear i saw a 1992 listed on autotrader.

Maybe the guy was mistaken.

Someone go ask in the FC forum.

 

Or reading the build date off the door jamb sticker. $5 says the VIN had a "P" in it for 1993.

 

Jimlab is right there was no 1992 fc the production stopped in 1991, whoever is selling that RX-7 doesn't know what he has.The first 3rd gen did start production in Dec. 1991 and the first ones that was sold in the U.S was sold in mid 1992 but it was a 1993 moldel.In the U.S there is no such car as i 1992 RX-7 you have a 3rd gen if the production date is 1992.

 

With this ever confusing issue of calling a 92 model car a "93-model" for the USA market & some even doubting the fact that FD production started in Oct-91.

I think a real easy way of dealing with this is to simply go with what Mazda Japan say. Thats where the cars came from. Thats there origin. Whether some USA marketing ****** wants to call a car that was built in DEC-91 a "93 model" should be dis-regarded as it creates too much confusion with the large percentage of international visitors to this forum & even many of you Americans who see this as confusing too. Perhaps stating them as a 91 would create the same confusion the "93" issue does (despite starting in Japan back then) but as a 92 would be more generally accepted since thats when they came "on-line" around the world.

I propose "BOOSTED7" to change the directory from "93-current" which is clearly wrong, to 92-02 which is accepted everywhere but the USA. However, this forum has the ability to replace this American misconception & set the record straight.

REgards