Mazda RX7
Credit: Ben Wilson
Number Plates:
MD1523
Driver/Ownership:
1985 - 1987: Neil Allport
1987: Gary Croft
1989 - 1990: Reece Jones
1991 - 2016: Bert Murray
2007: Neil Allport
2016 - Current: Dean Graham
History:
A car famous in New Zealand rallying culture, the Mainfreight RX7 was synonymous for putting Neil Allport on the map through his exploits during the mid 1980's. Arguably the benchmark during his era of reign, the efforts of Allport in the 1985 and 1986 editions of Rally New Zealand were likely the best results achieved by a Mazda RX7 on the WRC stage worldwide.
In 1987 the car was leased to Gary Croft who would unfortunately have a rather large off during that years Hella Lights Rally. Following the quite significant off-road excursion, the car was purchased by Reece Jones in what is believed to be a damaged state. Jones would use the car throughout the 1988 and 1989 seasons. Following another big off the car is understood to have been re-shelled.
In 1991, the car was then purchased by Bert Murray. Murray would campaign the car for many years adding to it's history and cementing itself as one of the most iconic cars in New Zealand. Neil Allport had the opportunity to once again drive the car in 2007.
In 2016, Bert Murray purchased the ex Richard Kelsey RX7 and the car was sold to Dean Graham.
Updated 19/4/20
MD1523
Driver/Ownership:
1985 - 1987: Neil Allport
1987: Gary Croft
1989 - 1990: Reece Jones
1991 - 2016: Bert Murray
2007: Neil Allport
2016 - Current: Dean Graham
History:
A car famous in New Zealand rallying culture, the Mainfreight RX7 was synonymous for putting Neil Allport on the map through his exploits during the mid 1980's. Arguably the benchmark during his era of reign, the efforts of Allport in the 1985 and 1986 editions of Rally New Zealand were likely the best results achieved by a Mazda RX7 on the WRC stage worldwide.
In 1987 the car was leased to Gary Croft who would unfortunately have a rather large off during that years Hella Lights Rally. Following the quite significant off-road excursion, the car was purchased by Reece Jones in what is believed to be a damaged state. Jones would use the car throughout the 1988 and 1989 seasons. Following another big off the car is understood to have been re-shelled.
In 1991, the car was then purchased by Bert Murray. Murray would campaign the car for many years adding to it's history and cementing itself as one of the most iconic cars in New Zealand. Neil Allport had the opportunity to once again drive the car in 2007.
In 2016, Bert Murray purchased the ex Richard Kelsey RX7 and the car was sold to Dean Graham.
Updated 19/4/20
