Words: Andrew Sluys
Published 28 August 2026
A 1986 Mazda RX-7 that has claimed multiple awards at car shows across New Zealand is up for grabs in the latest Northern Rescue lottery.
Wearing a plethora of modifications, this Series 4 RX-7 is fully certified, and has been valued at $80,000.
It has been showcased at 4 n Rotary Nationals, taking out Best Mazda RX7 Series 4 & 5 (second-generation RX7) in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Its winning streak continued in 2018, when it claimed Best Gen 2 RX7 at RE Union – the largest rotary car event in the Southern Hemisphere – before taking out Best Coupe at Atsumaru at Taupō Motorsport Park later that year.
In 2019, it was back on the podium again, winning H-Town Hardpark Best Rotary, further cementing its reputation as one of the standout second-generation RX-7s on the show circuit.
It has just undergone another respray, and is now finished in Indigo Light, which compliments the large three-piece wheels it wears.
Beneath the bonnet is a 13B rotary engine, which is reportedly capable of producing up to 600HP.
Restored by Dave Matehaere, the car was restored as a tribute to his late friend, who previously owned it.
“Now I can keep Sam’s legacy alive through Northern Rescue’s lottery, while doing some good by supporting the Auckland and Northland Westpac Rescue Helicopters.
“It’s a great way to hand over my custodianship to another car enthusiast, which is why I’ve worked so hard to do Sam’s RX7 justice.
“It’s a chance for someone to own the car in the finished state Sam had dreamed of and make it their own. Although I’ve done a heap of work rebuilding it and showing it, it really is still a blank canvas – despite being a fully built car.”
Tickets are limited to 4,000, and can be purchased from www.jdmlottery.org.nz
