Han’s Tokyo Drift RX-7 Smashes Estimated Valuation At Auction
Last week, we covered the story that one of just two remaining versions of Han’s legendary Veilside-kitted Mazda RX-7 from Tokyo Drift was heading to auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Image credit: Bonhams Cars
Bonhams had penciled in a respectable £250k–£350k estimate for the hero car. This seemed like a relatively fair price, especially since this was the super clean version used specifically for close-ups, and never drifted in the movie. However, under the chunky Veilside widebody kit, it’s worth remembering still a ’90s Mazda with a near-stock rotary engine.
On the day, a bidding war made the initial estimation seem laughable…
Image credit: Bonhams Cars
The final hammer price? A whopping £911,000 GBP (inc. buyer’s premium) – over $1.2 million USD at the current exchange rate!
This comes as an even bigger surprise since Brian O’Conner’s R34 GT-R (played by the late Paul Walker) from Fast and Furious 4 sold for $1.4 million, which was considered significantly more valuable following his passing.
It continues to prove these movie cars are likely to be an incredible investment, as long as you can afford them in the first place!
Granted, the RX-7 had lived a pampered life since its import into the UK in 2008 following an extensive rebuild by legendary JDM tuning house, RE-Amemiya, even if it came with a (pre-burnout) warning in the description that “as it has been stood for some time a new owner may wish to undertake some servicing.” Ugh, more expenses(!)
Image credit: Bonhams Cars
Let’s be honest, though, this isn’t just any old RX-7. It’s a rare example of a well-kept time capsule back to the moment drifting truly hit the mainstream, when having a screen in your dashboard was cutting-edge tech, and when Veilside kits and neon underglow were the holy grail of JDM tuning!
It may seem like a crazy price, but whoever the lucky bidder may be, they just purchased a piece of automotive culture that defined an entire generation’s relationship with Japanese performance cars.
If you’ve been dreaming of the opportunity to slide it through Tokyo’s streets like we all dreamed of back in 2006, we’ve got a treat for you. You can get behind the wheel of Han’s RX-7 completely free in Drift Hunters MAX!
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Bill is a writer and photographer who has been part of the Drifted team since 2015. His work extends to various print and online publications, including Wangan Warriors.
As part of the King of Nations team, he traveled extensively for several years, capturing top-tier international drift events worldwide. His hands-on experience, including rebuilding his own Nissan Silvia S15 drift car, gives him unique insights into drift car building and global drift culture.
When not behind the lens or keyboard, Bill can be found browsing classifieds for his next JDM project or shredding virtual tires on popular simulators like Assetto Corsa, CarX, and Forza.
You can learn more about Bill’s story here or follow his socials on X (formerly Twitter), Flickr, Facebook, and Instagram.
