Mazda RX-7 FD

The FD is where Mazda's rotary obsession reached its peak, wrapped in one of the most beautiful shapes Japan has ever produced. Launched in 1992 with flowing, organic curves penned at Mazda's California studio, it looked like nothing else on the road and still does. The engineering lived up to the styling. The 13B-REW ran sequential twin-turbocharging, a small turbo for instant low-end response handing off to a larger one up top, and it was the first mass-produced system of its kind exported from Japan. Power opened at 255 horsepower and crept up to the gentleman's-agreement around 280 by the end of production.

What set the FD apart was that its the whole package, and an exotic alligator leather wrapped package at that. At under 2,900 pounds with near-perfect balance, it handled well enough that period testers ranked it among the best-driving cars ever made, full stop. The catch is that the mystical rotary and its intricate twin-turbo plumbing demand lots of attention; they run hot and punish neglect without mercy. A clean, honest FD is worth chasing, and a cheap, smoky one never is.

It earned its fame the usual way, with starring roles across the Fast & Furious films and a permanent seat on Japan's performance Mount Rushmore. Add a short US sales window and the lovely send-off Spirit R edition, and values have climbed to match the legend. The FD is the rotary dream car, gorgeous and thrilling and just demanding enough to keep you honest.