Ohio detailers uncover 8,800-mile Mazda RX-7 that ‘scared off’ its owner with its freeway speed
Published on Oct 14, 2025 at 7:22 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Oct 14, 2025 at 9:13 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
This Mazda RX-7 was discovered in a barn in Ohio after being neglected for over 20 years.
It’s such a shame to see such an iconic vehicle like this in this condition.
And the thing is, the car was not broken or anything – it was just extremely dirty.
And the reason why the owner stopped using it will surprise you.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
The unusual reason why the owner stopped using it
The RX-7 was discovered by WD Detailing, a YouTube channel that posts videos about cars being cleaned and detailed.
The car looked horrid, but simply because it was incredibly dirty.
The owner apparently bought it brand new from the dealership and drove it for about 8,800 miles.
After that, at some point in 1999, the car was seemingly abandoned in a garage and never seen again until now.
Apparently, the main reason was the car’s speed, which was a bit too much for the owner.
When WD Detailing decided to clean the car, they found a lot of junk, dirt, dead mice inside the glovebox, and, interestingly, ammunition.
Fortunately, they also found the car’s paperwork and documentation, including the Ohio title.
The Mazda RX-7 is an icon
The RX-7 is one of those underrated icons that gearheads absolutely love, chiefly due to the unique rotary engine.
The RX-7 is powered by a 275hp rotary engine that can rev up to 10,000rpm.
Back when it was new, this car was capable of reaching a top speed of almost 249km/h (155mph).
The problem with this engine is that it is famously unreliable.
This probably explains why Mazda hasn’t introduced a rotary-powered car since the RX-8 in the early 2000s.
The Japanese automaker has teased a variety of concepts for an upcoming replacement over the years, but none of those made it to production.
The good news – if we wanted to look at the silver lining here – is that Mazda is still using its rotary technology, technically, but only as a range extender for one of its EVs.
