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Forbes
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Fast And Furious Mazda RX-7 Sells For Record $1.2 Million At Auction
The RX-7 Veilside Fortune fetched $1.2M. Since the first Fast and Furious movie landed in theaters in 2001, titled simply 'The Fast and The Furious,' the money-making franchise has generated a combined total of over $7.2 billion. That makes this 11 movie franchise (so far) one of the most popular, biggest earning and most successful in history. So it stands to reason that the cars appearing in these action flicks might generate intense interest and some serious coin as well. How about over seven figures? The RX-7 fetched twice the previous record of $550,000 Last weekend at Bonham's Goodwood auction in Sussex, England, the heavily modified 1992 Mazda RX-7 (with a Veilside Fortune body kit) from 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift' saw the hammer come down on a winning bid of more than $1.2 million. That is a record for a Mazda road car and is twice the $550,000 paid for the previous record-setter for the 1994 Toyota Supra driven by Paul Walker in the first Fast and Furious movie. The RX-7 starred in Tokyo Drift Interesting, however, it's not the most expensive movie car. A blue Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, driven by Paul Walker in Fast and Furious 4, sold at a Bonhams' auction in 2023 for $1.3 million. The fact that a car from Tokyo Drift, which was actually the worst performing of all Fast and Furious flicks, with a record-low box office of $157 million, should reach such a high price just goes to show that the third movie in the franchise has some hardcore deep pocketed fans. Even though it barely features the two original lead characters and has a lackluster script, in the flick's defense, there is some superb stunt work and cinematography and the combination of cars—including a Nissan Silvia, a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, a Nissan 350Z, a Mazda RX-8 and a Ford Mustang Fastback—is one of the best in the whole franchise. Justin Lin, Director, Nathalie Kelley, Keiko Kitagawa and Keiichi Tsuchiya (Photo by Nathan ... More Shanahan/FilmMagic) But even though Tokyo Drift may not have been as big a hit as all the others, the cars in this installment are hugely impressionable and hard to forget. Just about any casual fan would recognize the RX-7's black-and-orange paintwork as the hero car driven by actor Sung Kang's character Han Lue in Tokyo Drift, and as one of only two said to have survived filming, it crossed the finish line just past the seven-figure mark. Japanese customizer Veilside is well-known in motoring circles for its aerodynamic kits, and the brand has become part of the Fast and Furious landscape. This modded-out RX-7 dons the company's Fortune widebody body kit, which added nearly seven inches of width, in addition to a huge rear spoiler and massive side vents. Apparently the reason it survived in such pristine condition is because this RX-7 was almost exclusively used for still shots and driven sparingly.
Car and Driver
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Han's Modified Mazda RX-7 Just Sold for $1.2 Million at Auction
The heavily modified 1992 RX-7 from The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift just set a record for Mazda road cars at auction. The hammer fell on a winning bid of more than $1.2 million at this year's Bonhams' Goodwood auction. This is twice the amount paid for the previous record-setter from the Fast and Furious movies—a 1994 Toyota Supra that sold for $550,000. In the pantheon of the Fast and Furious films, Tokyo Drift is a bit of a dark horse pick as the best of them. It barely features either of the original two leads, has plenty of corny dialogue, and the plot is a little thin. On the other hand, the behind-the-scenes stuntwork is great, Han Lue (portrayed by Sung Kang) is such a charismatic character that he'll overcome his on-screen death, and the cars are as cool as they come. At this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, one deep-pocketed fan voted for the third Fast and Furious movie with their wallet. Bonhams Hitting a staggering $1.2 million at the Bonhams auction, a 1992 Mazda RX-7 with bodywork by Veilside just became one of the most expensive Mazdas ever sold. Even a casual fan would recognize its black-and-orange paint as the hero car driven by Han in Tokyo Drift, and as one of only two said to have survived filming, it crossed the finish line just past the seven-figure mark. Veilside is a Japanese tuner notable for its aerodynamic kits, and it's something of a staple of the Fast and Furious movies. This RX-7 wears the company's Fortune widebody body kit, which added just shy of seven inches of extra width, along with a huge rear spoiler and massive side vents. It's almost unrecognizable as a third-generation RX-7 apart from the roofline. Bonhams Given that the third-gen RX-7, or FD, is arguably the prettiest sports car from the golden age of Japanese performance, this probably isn't one for the purists. But given the provenance as a hero car seen on screens all over the world, it's little surprise this example of unbridled mid-2000s tuning culture cracked the million-dollar mark. Purchased by the current seller and shipped to the U.K. in 2008, just two years after Tokyo Drift's release, it's said to have been carefully stored, driven sparingly, and checked over by a local rotary specialist before the sale. The record amount nearly doubles the price paid for a Fast and Furious movie car—a 1994 Toyota Supra from the first two films that hit $550,000 four years ago. Bonhams With a new Fast and Furious film on the way, as well as a live-action drifting movie from Sung Kang in the works, this tuned RX-7 might prove to be a new generation's Bullitt Mustang. Hopefully, the new owner shows it off a little more this time around. Han would approve. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
Auto Blog
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Han's Veilside RX-7 From Tokyo Drift Is Going Up For Auction
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Han's bright orange Mazda RX-7 from The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift is one of the most recognizable movie cars of the 2000s. It didn't get the most screen time, but between its wild Veilside body kit, deep-dish chrome wheels, and unforgettable color combo, it left a lasting impression. Now, that exact car is heading to auction at Bonhams Cars this Saturday, July 11. It's road legal, has a valid MoT, and is ready for a new home. From the Big Screen to the Real World Source: Bonhams Cars Source: Bonhams Cars Source: Bonhams Cars Before filming began, Universal sent a stock FD RX-7 to Veilside, the Japanese tuning house known for its bold designs. Founder Hironao Yokomaku and his crew gave it the full 'Fortune' widebody treatment, retaining only the roof and hatch from the original car. The kit added more than 200 mm (7.87 inches) of width, while the 19-inch Andrew Premier Series Racing Evolution 5 wheels gave it even more flair. Surprisingly, this particular example wasn't used for drifting, but rather close-ups and static shots. Only two Veilside RX-7s from the film are known to have survived. Finished in pearlescent orange with glossy black accents, the car remains identical to its on-screen appearance. Its original Universal production markings are still visible too, including '#71 HANS' labels and scuff marks from camera mounts. Despite being a screen-used vehicle, it held up incredibly well and jas just 66,785 miles on the clock. Not Just a Show Pony Source: Bonhams Cars Source: Bonhams Cars Source: Bonhams Cars Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. We know rotary engines can be pretty finicky to maintain, especially when they're modified to oblivion. Fortunately, this isn't the case with the Fast and Furious RX-7. Renowned tuner RE-Amemiya rebuilt its turbocharged twin-rotor engine and kept its power close to the factory 276-hp rating. Apart from the engine, it received quite a list of upgrades, including a Blitz Nur-Spec exhaust, upgraded brakes, coilovers, and a new clutch. Inside, Veilside racing seats were added, a full Alpine sound system, and a non-functional NOS bottle. All in all, it weighs just over 1,050 kg (2,315 lbs) — about 200 kg (441 lbs) lighter than a standard RX-7. According to the listing, this example has been with the same UK owner since 2008, has only been driven in dry weather, and was recently inspected by Hayward Rotaries to make sure it's mechanically sound. Your Shot At A Piece Of Movie History Source: Bonhams Cars Source: Bonhams Cars Source: Bonhams Cars To some, this RX-7 is just an obnoxiously modified Mazda that goes brap-brap. But to us car nuts, it's one of the most important cars to star on the big screen. Whether you're after an investment piece or an avid Fast & Furious connoisseur, this black and orange Japanese sports car will catch your attention. Bonhams estimates the Veilside RX-7 will fetch between £250,000 and £350,000 ($339,655 and $475,517). About the Author Marnus Moolman View Profile
Top Gear
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Question of the Week: which movie car do you dream of owning the most?
Question of the Week A Fast and Furious legend came and went for sale all too quickly last week, and that got us thinking… Skip 4 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Lead movie cars are cool when they're done right, and Han's Veilside 'Fortune' Mazda RX-7 from Tokyo Drift is one of the finest examples of this. That it hogged most of the attention in a movie packed with characterful metal - from Sean's RB26-swapped '67 Stang to Takashi's menacing 350Z - is telling of just how right its builders got it. Advertisement - Page continues below So you can imagine our frustration that one of the three original cars used in filming appeared for sale last week… before the listing ended on a whim. Chances are, someone saw the £345k price as a worthwhile investment. Shame, that. We were just about to hit 'post' on a bound-to-be-successful crowdfunding pitch... sniff. You might like Just look at it. That body kit completely transforms the RX-7's looks with new light signatures and a spate of bumper attachments. Chromed and dished five-spoke alloys sit at each corner, and the gorgeous silhouette is finished up in a 'House of Kolor Orange' and black livery. It was left completely stock, too, so the sequential twin-turbo, twin-rotor '13B' engine still put out 276bhp, got to 62mph in 5.3s and topped out at 155mph. No devilishly over-complicated internals here; just brutal Nineties simplicity that probably could be driven with a pair of Uwabakis on. Advertisement - Page continues below Sure, the bucket seats are slightly worn, but you will find an aftermarket sound system, a DVD screen on the passenger's side, and lots of carbon fibre along the dashboard and centre console. That R34-humbling NOS bottle is still perched between the seats, albeit probably empty after all these years. Still, very desirable. Anyway, that got us thinking: if you could pick one, and only one, which movie car do you dream of owning more than any other? Any movie, any era. Let us know below, and we'll round up our favourite answers at the end of the week. Go. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
My unexpected Pride icon: Fast & Furious is my favourite camp classic
I am a 42-year-old lesbian who can't drive. And, since I'm baring all, I will add that I loathe people who drive extremely fast in obnoxiously large cars. Which, unfortunately, seems to be every third person in the US. In short, I'd wager I'm probably not the target audience for the Fast & Furious films. I'm sure I don't need to explain the blockbuster franchise to you: the first instalment came out in 2001 and the series has generated billions. But if you are somehow unfamiliar with them, the basic premise is that a ragtag team of misfits and street racers travel around the world, driving cars fast and furiously, beating up baddies. Target demographic or not, I'm a big fan. Ever since I watched The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) on a plane I've been obsessed with the films. Which, I will concede, are very stupid (my four-year-old could come up with the 'plot' for a typical F&F movie). But they are also great fun. And extraordinarily gay. First, there's the fact that they are completely over-the-top. As camp as they come; the drag queens of the cinematic world. In F9 they send a Pontiac Fiero to space for God's sake: the film is so gay it defies gravity. F7, meanwhile, features one of my favourite super-camp scenes (don't judge): Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson is in hospital with his arm in a cast but realises he has to drive fast cars and beat people up so busts open the cast by flexing his huge biceps while announcing, 'Daddy has to go to work.' I mean, come on, talk about the performance of gender. Speaking of performance, there's also the Rock's name. There is something just a tinge lavender about a man called Dwayne Douglas deciding to go by 'the Rock' instead. And then you've got Mark Sinclair, who plays Dominic 'Dom' Toretto in the franchise. Mark's stage name, of course, is Vin Diesel. I would absolutely give myself a name like that if I was going to be a drag king. Vin Diesel, Von Biceps, Tommy Testosterone – something along those lines. As any fan will know, ultimately Fast & Furious is about family. Dom Toretto says the word 'family' about 100 times in each movie and he doesn't mean his nuclear family. Rather the word refers to his ride or die crew of friends – who happen to be a very diverse bunch. It's cheesy, yes, but this emphasis on a chosen family is also quietly radical and queer-coded. I came out more than 20 years ago, when the world was a lot more homophobic than it is now. My family has always been supportive but I know plenty of people who haven't been so lucky. A 2013 Pew study found that about 39% of LGBT Americans have been rejected by a family member or close friend because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Finding your chosen family, and redefining what 'family' means, has always been part of queer culture. I feel particularly conscious of what 'family' means at the moment, as my wife and I raise a four-year-old. She is our only child but she has a number of half-siblings through the sperm donor, and we are in contact with these families: we are all woven together now. We spend a lot of time talking to our child about how every family is different, and try to expose her to different types of families. Still, looking at the world through her eyes, I have become hyperaware of how ingrained the idea of the heterosexual nuclear family is in society. According to a 2023 study, only 47% of Americans see a married gay or lesbian couple raising children together as completely acceptable. The idea that a proper family consists of a married mum and dad with two kids (preferably one of each gender), is reinforced in everything from cartoons to commercials. Fast & Furious would never be described by anyone as 'woke'. And yet it has always had diverse talent in front of and behind the scenes – one reason it's been so popular across many demographics. In 2015 Vin Diesel noted that: 'It doesn't matter what nationality you are. As a member of the audience, you realise you can be a member of that 'family'.' This is the beauty of F&F: it doesn't try to hit you over the head with political messaging, but it does constantly reinforce the idea that love is love.
