A beautifully preserved 1994 Mazda RX-7 sold this week on Bring-a-Trailer for a whopping US$70,000, marking a new record for the highest prices among third-gen RX-7s.

The FD-generation RX-7 is considered by many to be one of the last truly gorgeous sports cars. This example is equipped with the Touring package, featuring fog lights, a rear windshield wiper, and a sunroof. Cruise control and air conditioning are also included, because creature comforts matter.

Powering this RX-7 is Mazda’s venerable twin-turbocharged 1.3-litre Wankel rotary engine, but it hasn’t spun much — just 4,600 miles (or 7,400 kilometres) have been clocked since the car was built, making it an extremely rare find.

The powerplant makes 255 horsepower and 217 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The rotary engine is known for revving high and its wonderful sounds, but it’s also a tad less reliable than a standard piston engine.

This remarkably well-preserved RX-7 features absolutely no modifications — not even different wheels — which is surprising and rare, considering these cars were also popular among tuners. The beautiful Montego Blue Metallic paintwork sets off the RX-7’s elegant lines and voluptuous curves perfectly, and works to hide the pop-up headlights even more.

All we wish is for the new owner to not keep it in a museum-like state for the rest of its life, but to (occasionally) take it on spirited drives, just like Mazda intended.