Unlocking the Secret to Ageless Cool: How This 80-Year-Old RX-7 Shifter Proves Defying Age is Just a State of Mind
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We all know those tempting "lady-driven" sports cars for sale listings that claim they’ve been carefully maintained by grandma, only going to church on Sundays. Yet, what would you say to a mint, 25-year-old Mazda RX-7 still looking fresh with over 48,000 miles on the odometer, despite being driven occasionally by an enthusiastic 80-year-old grandmother from Nagasaki? Meet Naoko Nishimoto, a senior citizen who shared her RX-7, named "Seven" after her sons’ love of anime, from 1999 to 2024.
When Naoko wasn’t busy ferrying groceries in her trusty Mazda, Seven became a fan favorite in Initial D, spurring her on to purchase this beauty new at the time of its release in 1995. The perfect combination of engineering and design created an unbeatable driving experience; she was infatuated! Naoko treasured every journey, meticulously covering a little more than 48,000 miles over a 25-year history.
Two years ago, life took a sharp turn as she turned in her driver’s license and her 25-year-partner, both on her 80th birthday. As per her wish, her incredible car story caught on, earning numerous requests to own the RX-7. Among the 400+ interested offers, Naoko chose to auction her beloved to the manufacturer it originally came from – Mazda itself.
To conclude this extraordinary encounter, a localized dealership held an emotional hand-over ceremony. We see Naoko, resolute and beaming, surrounded by flowers, congratulatory words in a letter signed by Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro and a bespoke picture of Seven lovingly created by a Mazda design team. To express her thanks, she candidly uttered those heartwarming words: "Thank you so much for the 25 years we shared our lives with you, my dear Seven.”
The plans are in progress to meticulously assess Seven and further refine it in the role it was always designed for – promotional purposes.
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