It's been only a couple of weeks since Nissan announced a comprehensive restoration program for the iconic Skyline GT-R R32, and Mazda s now launching a heritage program for the FC- and FC-generation RX-7. Joining its older Roadster Restore program for the first-generation Miata, this new heritage program will produce parts for the second- and third-gen rotary-powered coupes, produced from 1985 to 2002. It looks like it's time to get your old RX-7 out of storage for a proper restoration.

Mazda is rebuilding 91 parts, but more will follow soon

The Japanese firm reprints 30 parts for the FC model and 61 components for the FD generation. The initial list was put together based on input from shops that service the RX-7 in Japan and includes parts like throttle position sensors, vacuum hoses, rubber bushings, gaskets, and fasteners.

It's not exactly enough to perform a full restoration, but Mazda says more parts will be added as the program grows. The list should soon include interior parts, as many owners of the third-generation RX-7 struggle to cope with brittle plastic components.

The program could expand to include full restorations

The Japanese firm is already offering such a program for the MX-5 Miata, so it already has a network in place. All it needs to do is update its shops so that they would also handle RX-7 repairs. With the Miata program also available in the U.S., the RX-7 program could expand over the Pacific as well.

Classic Japanese sports cars are getting a lot of love these days

Mazda isn't the only Japanese automaker that is looking after its classic sports cars. Toyota also offers restoration programs for the A70 and A80 generations of the Supra, as well as one for the 1960s 2000GT. Honda launched a comprehensive restoration program for the NSX years ago, and it recently added the Beat to its list. Finally, Nissan provides a full restoration program for the Skyline GT-R R32, but it's also making parts for the newer R33 and R34 models.

Mazda RX-7 history

The RX-7 nameplate debuted in 1978 with the SA generation, also known as the Savanna RX-7. A replacement for the RX-3, the RX-7 was sold until 1985 with three different rotary engines, including a turbocharged version with 165 horsepower.

The second-generation (FC) RX-8 debuted in 1985 and saw the coupe fully ditch the 1.1-liter engine for the larger 1.3-liter unit. The FC remained in production until 1992 with a total of 272,027 units produced.

In 1992, Mazda launched the FD-generation model, the rarest yet the most iconic of all RX-7s. Powered by twin-turbo rotary engines only, the FD RX-7 developed 276 horsepower and 231 pound-feet of torque in its most powerful iteration and tipped the scales at less than 2,900 pounds.

Mazda built fewer than 70,000 RX-7s from 1992 to 2002, but many of them are still on the road today. The Japanese coupe was sold in the U.S. for only three model years, from 1993 through 1995. Around 8,600 examples were imported from Japan.