Gallery: Mazda’s secret stash

Deep underground in a California basement, there’s a huge stash of very special Japanese cars…

The basement in question rests below Mazda’s North American R&D offices in Irvine, and it’s packed full of amazing pieces of historic Japanese racing hardware. Don’t take our word for it though, take a look at these snaps.

MORE: The restoration of the Mazda 787B (video)

IMSA prepped SA22C RX-7

Miata (MX-5) racing car

Period tool transport vehicle for quick trackside repairs

Don Sherman’s legendary IMSA RX-2

Logbooks galore

The only left hand drive Spirt-R RX-7 ever built. Constructed for an American Mazda executive at the time

Mazda 757, last seen at the 1987 Le Mans 24hr.

Many cars undergoing repairs and race-prep, such as this completely wild MX-6 racer.

Of course the 787B is the star. This one is kept in a complete race-ready state and is driven by Robert Davis of Mazda North America. This very car finished 8th in the 1991 24hrs of Le Mans.

Pictures: BBC