Naoko Nishimoto
Sports Car racing // Nagasaki, Japan
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Naoko Nishimoto, an 80-year-old retired motorsport enthusiast, drove her Mazda RX-7 FD daily for 25 years. Born in Nagasaki, she started driving at 21. Inspired by “Initial D” anime, she bought her RX-7 at 55, calling it her partner. After 25 years, 48,000 miles, and turning 80, she donated it to Mazda.
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At first, I thought that if it started to go wrong after about 10 years, I could just switch to a new RX-7
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FULL BIO: Naoko Nishimoto
Naoko Nishimoto, an 80-year-old Japanese woman from Nagasaki, became an unexpected icon in the car enthusiast community through her 25-year devotion to her Mazda RX-7 FD.
EARLY YEARS
Naoko obtained her driver’s license at age 21, initially driving family cars from Toyota. At 55, her life took an unexpected turn when she discovered the Mazda RX-7 while watching the anime “Initial D” with her son, sparking a passion that would define her later years.
EARLY SUCCESS
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 1999: Purchased a silver third-generation Mazda RX-7 FD[1].
- 1999-2025: Drove the RX-7 for 25 years, accumulating approximately 75,000 kilometers (46,603 miles)[1].
- 2025: At age 80, handed over her cherished RX-7 to Mazda for preservation and future display[2].
REPUTATION
While not a professional racer, Nishimoto earned admiration in automotive circles for her deep passion and commitment to her RX-7. Her story of purchasing a sports car at age 55 after being inspired by anime, then caring for it meticulously for a quarter century, resonated with car enthusiasts worldwide.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
References:
79-year-old Japanese granny who fell in love with Initial D sports car finds perfect new owner
Japanese woman returns her car on her 80th birthday
Mazda RX-7 FD3S owned by 80-year-old Japanese grandmother
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