RX-7 Color Overview

paint code sticker on SA hood

There is a lot of RX-7 info on the Web, but it proves quite a puzzle to work out what paint colors should be used to make an accurate RX-7 model kit, so I compiled an overview by type and by year of all factory applied colors, 75 distinct exterior colors sofar.
I'm not sure the info on this page is of any use to an owner of a full-size RX-7 as all color info is listed on the cars data stickers or the VIN tag.

Sources

Most of the info listed here comes from Mazda manuals and sales brochures, with info from PaintRef.com Automotive Paint Cross Reference filling in the blanks.
Color samples are an approximation and for reference only. As computer screens have no way to depict metallic colors, I've added 'metallic' (or 'mica') to the names where appropriate.
As a rule of thumb for older Mazda paint codes: if the code is all letters it is a solid color, if there are numbers in the code it is metallic/mica (some exceptions in these lists are Pure White A3D and Brilliant Black A3F, which are solid colors and Noble Green VQ which is metallic/mica).
All metallics and mica paints have a clear top coat, as do a number of solid colors such as Brilliant Black PZ.

Note that not all colors were available in all countries and some colors have different names in different countries (e.g. color RH is called 'Sunrise Red' in most countries, but in Germany it is called 'Kirsch Rot').
The lists are probably not complete yet.

These lists only contain colors that are listed in official Mazda documents, however Mazda has always been willing to fulfill customer requests (e.g. a 2001 RZ painted 'Innocent Blue mica' with silver RZ badges, despite being only available in 'Snow White mica').
Some RX-7 websites mention 'Deep Purple Pearl E9' as a 1993 FD color, however this was a limited edition Astina/323F (Creon edition) color that I have not found listed in any FD documentation, this might be another special request by an FD customer.

Paints for plastic models

For a polystyrene or resin model kit it is usually best to apply a suitable primer base coat (e.g. Tamiya gray or white primer) and then apply a thin top coat of automotive paint, I've added all Motip/Dupli-Color Auto-Color matches I could find, as I get very good results using this paint on model cars.
I've provided some model paint alternatives just in case model paint is preferred, I plan to add more whenever I find good matches. Please note that these are close matches, rather than exact matches.
Zero Paints offers a range of automotive scale model paints that are accurately matched to more recent Mazda paint codes (from 1990 to current).

Interior

For the interior colors I only listed the factory code and the base color, as not all materials have the same color, pictures of various RX-7 interiors can be found on my RX-7 interior pictures page.

Wheels

Wheels on Rx-7 SA/FB were usually painted in a bright satin aluminum finish with dark recesses painted in Tornado Silver metallic K8. Wheels on RX-7 FC and FD were usually finished in gloss silver laquer, some US dealers offered brightly 'chrome' plated wheels.
More detailed info on most factory wheels can be found on the RX-7 kit wheels page.

Trim

Please note that on a real RX-7 items such as window trim, windshield wiper arms, etc. are finished in satin black, most model kits indicate to paint these items flat black.


Rx-7 SA, 1978

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Sunrise RedRH Tamiya TS-49 spraycan5-0290
Aurora WhiteWN 
Spark YellowYU Close to Mini color '902 Liquid Yellow'
Mach Green metallicG4 Tamiya X-25 Clear Green over Tamiya X-31 or Tamiya TS-52 spraycan'Limited' only
Tornado Silver metallicK8 Tamiya TS-38 spraycan70-0090Not available on 'Limited'

Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
Black00 Only available on 'GT' and 'Custom'
Beige24 Only available on 'Super Custom' and 'Limited', not available with Sunrise Red; Lower part of two-tone trim, with Brown dashboard top
Red25 Only available with Sunrise Red on 'Super Custom' and 'Limited'; Lower part of two-tone trim, with Brown dashboard top

Notes: At initial release in Japan, exterior colors and interior options were limited and tied to versions.
Four versions were available: 'GT', 'Custom', 'Super Custom' and top specs 'Limited'.
'Custom' always came with all black interior with all vinyl high-back seats,
'GT' always came with all black interior with vinyl high-back seats with plaid cloth inserts,
'Super Custom' came with beige or red interior with vinyl high-back seats with plaid cloth inserts and
'Limited' came with beige or red interior with deluxe seats (adjustable headrests) with plaid cloth front and vinyl backs.


Rx-7 SA, 1979-1980

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Clair OrangeOC Tamiya TS-12 spraycan
Sunrise RedRH Tamiya TS-49 spraycan5-0290
Aurora WhiteWN 
Impulse BlueAY Tamiya TS-44 spraycan
Brilliant BlackPZ 0-0550
Spark YellowYU Close to Mini color '902 Liquid Yellow'
Mach Green metallicG4 Tamiya X-25 Clear Green over Tamiya X-31 or Tamiya TS-52 spraycandiscontinued for 1980
Renaissance Red metallicR3 Tamiya TS-18 spraycan10th Anniv. Edition only ¹
Indy Maroon metallicY6 
Sonic Bronze metallicY5 1979 only
Radiant Copper metallicY9 Tamiya TS-92 spraycan
Marine Blue metallicA7 
Daytona Blue metallicA9 
Stardust Blue metallicU2 Pactra X-13
Concord Silver metallicD6 
Sunbeam Silver metallicK3 10-0113
Tornado Silver metallicK8 Tamiya TS-38 spraycan70-0090
Imperial Gold metallicM3 Tamiya TS-87 spraycan
Solar Gold metallicM4 a.k.a. Solar Orange
Beat Black metallicE6 Tamiya TS-40 spraycan

Notes: ¹ to celebrate 10 years of Mazda on the US market, 3000 '10th Anniversary Edition' Rx-7 were made in 1980, based on the 'GS sunroof' version.


Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
Black00 
Wine10 
Brown23 
Beige24 Lower part of two-tone trim, with Brown dashboard top; 1979 only
Red25 'Limited' edition lower part of two-tone trim, with Brown dashboard top; 1979 only
From serial 540411 onwards (prod date mid-Jan 1979) an improved interior was fitted, the following set of colors replaced the ones listed above.
Black02 
Wine12 
Brown28 Lower part of two-tone trim, with dark brown dashboard top
Red29 
Brown70 from March 1980 (serial 606775) on, sunroof only

Notes: This is my first attempt to 'map' the 1979/80 interior colors, finding consistent color samples proved difficult and sofar I haven't worked out what interior colors were available with each exterior paint code.
The specs were changed repeatedly, limited editions got special interior colors and on top of that there were four types of seat upholstry available: covered in all vinyl (black, brown or beige), vinyl with cloth plaid insert (black, bronze, red or beige), vinyl with velours insert (black, brown or wine) and all cloth (beige or red plaid, 'Limited' editions only).
Specs of seat upholstry were improved slightly ahead of the rest of the interior, at serial 535839 (prod date mid-Dec 1978), at this time velours inserts became available.


Rx-7 SA/FB, 1981-1983

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Brilliant BlackPZ 0-0550
Space YellowYW Revell 12
Sunrise RedRH Tamiya TS-49 spraycan5-0290
Aurora WhiteWN 
Formula WhiteWT Tamiya TS-7 spraycan1-0280
Stardust Blue metallicU2 Pactra X-13
Misty Blue metallicU6 
Renaissance Red metallicR3 Tamiya TS-18 spraycan
Maya Gold metallicM5 
Havana Brown metallicT5 
Sunbeam Silver metallicK3 10-0113
Chateau Silver metallicS3 only on limited editions
Tornado Silver metallicK8 Tamiya TS-38 spraycan70-0090
Sparkling Black metallicH1 Tamiya TS-40 spraycan70-0425

Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
Black00 
Red10 
Tan29 Discontinued after July 82 (serial 700000)
Brown70 
Dark Tan81 substitutes Tan from July 82 (serial 700001) onwards

Notes: Sofar I haven't worked out what interior colors were available with each exterior paint code.
There were two types of seats, each with two types of seat upholstry available: high-back seats were either covered in all vinyl (black or brown) or in cloth velour (black, red, or brown) and high spec versions (GSL, SDX) were fitted with a new seat design with adjustable headrest, covered in either cloth with plaid insert (black, red or brown) or leather (brown, red or tan).
The old style high-back seats were discontinued for 1983, after which all four upholstry options became available on the new style of seat.


Rx-7 SA/FB, 1984-1985

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Sunrise RedRH Tamiya TS-49 spraycan5-0290
Formula WhiteWT Tamiya TS-7 spraycan1-0280
Sydney BlueDP Discontinued for 1985
Orient YellowTC Discontinued for 1985
Light BeigeVG 
Dover WhiteWU 1-0120
Tender Blue metallicV3 
Canal Blue metallicV4 20-0720
Rhyl Blue metallicL6 
Havana Brown metallicT5 
New Trad Brown metallicT9 a.k.a. 'Desert Brown'
Sparkling Black metallicH1 70-0425
Sophia Red metallicP5 
Persimmon Red metallicR7 Discontinued for 1985
Opal Green metallicW1 
Sunbeam Silver metallicK3 10-0113
Advan Silver metallicS6 
Sound Silver metallicS7 Tamiya TS-42 spraycan
Custom Silver metallicV9 
Tornado Silver metallicK8 Tamiya TS-38 spraycan70-0090
Two-tone Silver metallic QKK3 10-0113Overall color
K8 Tamiya TS-38 spraycan70-0090upper halves of doors, fender sides
Two-tone Gold metallic QYP7 Overall color (Antique Gold)
T5 upper halves of doors, fender sides

1984 Rx-7 (Euro specs) in Two-tone Gold metallic Euro specs 1984 Rx-7 in gold two-tone paint

Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
Red11 Humbrol 70
Off-Black64 Humbrol 112
Brown79 Humbrol 72

RX-7 FC, 1985-1988

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Sunrise RedRH Tamiya TS-49 spraycan5-0290
Noble WhiteWY 1-0111
Crystal WhiteUC Tamiya TS-26 spraycan1-0400introduced at 88/02/15, 10th Anniversary Edition only ¹
Sapphire Blue metallic5A 
Arctic Silver metallicJ5 70-0215
Tornado Silver metallicK8 Tamiya TS-38 spraycan70-0090
Satin Gold metallic1A 40-0150
Pure RedNP 5-0160introduced at 86/04/02 (serial 140427)
Dover WhiteWU 1-0120introduced at 86/04/02 (serial 140427)
Brilliant BlackPZ 0-0550introduced at 86/04/02, Turbo II only
Royal Maroon metallic3A introduced at 86/12/25 (serial 528438)
Claret mica2H introduced at 87/07/01 (serial 600001)

Notes: ¹ to celebrate 10 years of Mazda RX-7, 1500 '10th Anniversary' RX-7 Turbo II were made in 1988, all painted Crystal White.

1988 RX-7 10th Anniversary RX-7 in Crystal White 1988 RX-7 10th Anniversary RX-7

Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
RedFD2 Not available on Convertible, only available with Tornado Silver, Brilliant Black, Sunrise Red, Satin Gold, Dover White, Royal Maroon
Dark GrayFD5 Tamiya XF-54Not available with Crystal White, Noble White, Satin Gold
BlueFD6 Humbrol 96Only available with Arctic Silver, Noble White, Sapphire Blue, Dover White
BlackFD7 Not available on Convertible, only available with Crystal White

RX-7 FC, 1989

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Brilliant BlackPZ 0-0550
Blaze RedSQ Tamiya TS-86 spraycan5-0551
Noble WhiteWY 1-0111
Crystal WhiteUC Tamiya TS-26 spraycan1-0400
Sonic BlueSN Turbo II only
Harbor Blue metallic5D 20-0390
Brave Blue mica5N not available on Convertible or Turbo II
Champagne Silver mica4F (a.k.a. 'Sand')
Silver Stone metallic3L Tamiya TS-76 spraycan10-0126
Winning Silver metallic1F GXL only
Shadow Silver metallic3G 70-0100
Mellow Burgundy mica6H 
California Red mica2N 150-0040Turbo II only
Shade GreenGU Infini III only

Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
RedFE0 Not available on Convertible, only available with Winning Silver, Brilliant Black, Blaze Red
BlackFD8 
BlueFD9 Humbrol 96Not available with Brilliant Black, Blaze Red, Mellow Burgundy

RX-7 FC, 1990-1991

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Brilliant BlackPZ 0-0550
Blaze RedSQ Tamiya TS-86 spraycan5-0551
Crystal WhiteUC Tamiya TS-26 spraycan1-0400
Brave Blue mica5N not available on Convertible or Turbo II
Shade GreenGU Infini IV only
Noble Green micaVQ Infini IV and 'Winning Limited' only

Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
Black/TanFE1
  
Only available with Brilliant Black on Convertible
BlackFD8 
BlueFD9 Humbrol 96Not available with Brilliant Black, Blaze Red

Notes: From 1990 on, Brilliant Black Convertibles got the option of a black interior with tan leather seats, tan door inserts and a tan soft top (code FE1).


RX-7 FC Convertible, 1992

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Brilliant BlackPZ 0-0550
Blaze RedSQ Tamiya TS-86 spraycan5-0551
Crystal WhiteUC Tamiya TS-26 spraycan1-0400
Shade Green ¹GU 'Final Edition' only

Notes: ¹ In August 1992 a 'Final Edition' version of the Convertible was launched, available only in Brilliant Black or Shade Green with gold colored BBS wheels, available in Japan only and limited to 150 cars, these were the last FC models ever made.
Black interior with tan leather seats could now be ordered with Brilliant Black and Shade Green.

Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
Black/TanFE1
  
Only available with Brilliant Black and Shade Green
BlackFD8 
BlueFD9 Humbrol 96Not available with Brilliant Black, Blaze Red

RX-7 FD, 1991-1993

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Competition Yellow micaJ9 4pts Pactra A8 + 1pt Pactra A55R-1/Type R only
Montego Blue metallic hiref ¹2A 130-0300
Montego Blue metallic ²M8 130-0300
Vintage Red hirefNT Tamiya TS-8 spraycan5-0330
Vintage RedNU Tamiya TS-8 spraycan5-0330
Brilliant Black hirefPX 0-0550
Brilliant BlackPZ 0-0550
Silver Stone metallic hiref4G Tamiya TS-76 spraycan10-0126
Silver Stone metallic3L Tamiya TS-76 spraycan10-0126
Crystal WhiteUC Tamiya TS-26 spraycan1-0400

Notes: ¹ the 'hiref' (High Reflection) paints were created by applying a thicker layer of paint, the body was rotated during drying. The extra thick color coat resulted in a smoother, more glossy finish. After 1993 the High Reflection paints were no longer offered.

² Montego Blue is a multi-layered paint consisting of gold-colored flakes suspended in a clear dark blue paint, this makes the paint coat look a dark metallic green in bright light.
Montego Blue was also used on special editions of the MX-5 Miata and on Xedos models.

In the early 90ies Mazda had switched to water-borne paints. Early on several colors had adhesion issues resulting in excessive stone-chipping, in particular Competition Yellow.
Mazda used Competition Yellow mica paint for the RX-7 only and as this color was costly to apply (3 different colorcoats), it was discontinued at the end of 1993 and replaced with Chaste White.
For the other colors Mazda initially changed the light gray primer coat to one matching the top coat color, this did not reduce chipping but made the chipped off paint harder to notice.
Some time later the adhesion problems were solved.


Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
BlackFE2 
TanFE3 Humbrol 250Not available with Competition Yellow, Silver Stone
RedFE4 Humbrol 73Not available with Competition Yellow, Vintage Red, Montego Blue

FD interior colors Note: carpets, roof liner, dashboard, door handles and center console are always black, the door inserts and seats are covered in leather of the indicated color with matching cabin trim.


RX-7 FD, 1994-1997

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Chaste WhitePT Tamiya TS-26 spraycan
Montego Blue metallicM8 130-0300Discontinued for 1997
Vintage RedNU Tamiya TS-8 spraycan5-0330
Brilliant BlackPZ 0-0550
Silver Stone metallic3L Tamiya TS-76 spraycan10-0126
Sunburst YellowHZ Tamiya X-83-02001997 RS-R only
Snow White micaN6 Only a single one delivered

Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
BlackFE5 
TanFE6 Humbrol 250Not available with Silver Stone
RedFE7 Humbrol 73Not available with Vintage Red, Montego Blue
Discontinued for 1995

Note: Interior colors are identical to those used for 1991-1993, but better quality materials were used.


RX-7 FD, 1998-2000

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Brilliant BlackPZ 0-0550
Vintage Red IINT Tamiya TS-8 spraycan5-0380differs from 1991 hiref !
Chaste WhitePT Tamiya TS-26 spraycan
Innocent Blue mica20P Tamiya TS-50 spraycan120-0080
Highlight Silver metallic18G 

Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
Black 

RX-7 FD, 2001-2002

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintMotipremarks
Brilliant BlackA3F 0-0550
Vintage Red IINT Tamiya TS-8 spraycan5-0380
Pure WhiteA3D Tamiya TS-26 spraycan0-0720
Innocent Blue mica20P Tamiya TS-50 spraycan120-0080
Sunlight Silver metallic22V 10-01322002 Type R Bathurst only
Sunburst YellowHZ Tamiya X-83-02002001 Bathurst R only
Snow White micaN6 2001 RZ only
Titanium Gray metallic25G 20-05852002 Spirit R only

Interior colors

color namecolor codesampleclosest model paintremarks
Black 

Notes: 2001 RZ came with red Recaro bucket seats in all-black interior.
Spirit R Types B and C came with red leather seats and red carpet as standard, Spirit R Type A came with red Recaro bucket seats in all-black interior.



The Change Log page lists all changes to this page since its first publication.


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