any idea how common / rare Aurora White was for a 79 ?

I have an opportunity to pick this up . I've never seen a white SA before . Apparantly it has a GSL rear end but doesn't run due to carb problems. Not bad shape exterior from the pics, haven't seen it in person or the interior yet.

 

aurora white was introduced in 79 but not really a very common color. it was however *i believe* only available in 1980 on the Leather Sport.

 

That looks pretty good in the pic. Would be interested in seeing more pics if / when you acquire it. Good luck!

I believe Dave is correct. Aurora White was first available in the '79 model. I've seen quite a few over the years.

In 1980 this color was available in the Leather Sport (LS) Model.

 

"carb problems"
that could be code for "blown engine", so make sure you are either getting it for next to nothing ( like $100-400) OR you can be sure the engine is actually intact before forking over any more $! If its been sitting for a long time, its not unusual for the fuel system to be gunged up with old gas/deposits, which could then indeed be a "carb problem".

Mazda will do a compression check on your engine with a special mazda tool - would be $$ well spent if the engine is DOA.

Nice aftermarket wheels, and looks to be a racing beat exhaust (or at least muffler).
'Luck-
let us know if you get it. Lots of good help and info here.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

i definatly like the look of the car. i think if the price is right with "carb problems" or not, the car is a good investment. i've been keeping my eyes open for another SA but there are none around here.

 

Dig the wheels. Wish they made something like that nowadays.

 

probably won't see it for another week or so . We still have a lot of snow here and its stored outside.

Apparantly is was rebuilt and mild streetport but the carb floods because the guy played with the jets . I don't really need another 1st gen , but thinking it would be good long term source of parts for my '79 Limited if I can get it cheap enough.

One more pic I have attached

 

Hate thinking of an original looking as good as that becoming another parts car, but I understand the need.

 

i think the car looks like a great restoration project..not so much of a car that could be used for parts....

 

+1

 

well I checked out the car today . May offer $750.

VIN is 521396 and prop rod is on passenger side . My guess is a mid 78 production . WN paint code confirmed on hood sticker . The interior is bad , old red plastic and swapped GSL -SE red leather seats . The rear end is supposed to be a GSL SE swap but the rims are still 13 " ( so 4x110 pattern) so don't think that is possible ??? ... maybe a GSL swap as it has disc brakes . stainless exhaust in good shape with header ( damn , I just bought a header new ) engine is rebuilt but not sure what year the 12A is ?? ... going to see if he can get it to turn over , carb is off the car .

says the steering is tight and newer clutch ... felt pretty strong on the pedal

 

If the rear discs are solid, its a GSL rear, if the discs are ventilated its an SE rear.

 

Well, I am adding another 79 to the stable . I bought the aurora white 79 off the owner who is finishing college and doesn't have have enough time to invest in it . Confirmed original WN paint code and a build date of 10/78 . Hood prop rod on the right side . No passenger side mirror .

I will be keeping it in reserve for future parts for the Limited but may try to get it running and roadworthy on its own. It turned over but no start as the carb floods and is off it.

It has a red interior swapped into it that looks to be from a series 3 GSL or SE . Leather seats and different interior bits including storage bins and "flip up" wind deflector . Nice full racing beat header and stainless exhaust (italian muffler ?) with a streetported rebuilt motor which is also likely a series 3 . All emssions stuff removed . S3 alternator . Clutch feels strong . Still has the S1 front mounted oil cooler . GSL hubs and diff . Body is real good shape for a 30 year old Canadian car exposed to road salting . Must not have been driven many winters . interior has been coated with POR15.

I'll let you know if I get it running what the motor is actually like . If strong, motor may make into the Limited as a replacement while that one is rebuilt .

 

No pushblocks on the rear bumper - - More evidence of correct date.

 

we need more pics of the car. interior, engine bay......everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

A small update . sorry , no more pics yet .

We opened up the carb and it looked clean . I think the Nikki is a later model 12A that likely matches the block swapped into the car. Pretty sure its from a 84-85 GSL . Measured the height of the floats and they were only about 5 mm above the gasket as compared to the FSM spec of 11 mm. So we adjusted the spring and set them at 11.

Car fired up and runs on choke but won't stay running off choke ...... not enough fuel I guess ??? No smoke though , so I'm encouraged the motor rebuild is good.

Any suggestions on the stalling with choke off ?

 

Searching suggests the #1 culprit might be a vacuum leak in the hose from the #2 anti afterburn valve going to the intake manifold ... will look on the weekend

rats nest was removed on the engine by previous owner

 

As rare as decent SAs are becoming, it would be a real shame to use it for parts. Granted it's not stock anymore with the upgrades, but they are all good upgrades, discounting the interior. My sugestion would be to get it into driveable/streetable condition, then sell it and use those funds for parts you need for your 79 LTD. Doing so could make at least 3 dedicated 7 enthusuasts happy while still preserving one of the dwindling SAs still running.

As badly as 7s rust out in the northern winter climate, you shouldn't have much trouble trouble getting a decent price to premium price if it has minimal rust. You didn't say what you paid for it, but if you get the carb problem fixed and it running right, bring back the interior, it could be worth 1500-2k to the right buyer.

 

I couldnt live with myself if I parted a car that nice. The only cars I will part out, are those with one foot in the grave. (Rusted in quarters, wheel arches, rocker, and usually doors...) I have even saved cars in terrible condition, just because they ran really well. It would be a shame to see an SA that nice stripped. But it is your car, my advice would be to sell it and look for a basket-case SA to part out. Youll make a profit, and eventually get the parts you want.

 

sounds like a petition is brewing to "Save the Aurora White SA"

I'll get it running this year and see what happens. The Limited doesn't really need anything yet.

 

Yeah, we can tend to be that way when good ones come under threat. I've even sold a a decent shell to a Canadian member since sound or relatively rust free ones are almost impossible to find. Ask dj55b if he's happy with his shell, it cost him more to tranport it than puirchase it, but then I had already done all the rust repair an preservation work on it.

 

after letting the car sit in a field all summer trying to decide what to do ........ heres a little update on the current plans for the car .

The engine , clutch and stock suspension are going from this car into the 79LIMITED which is smokin' like a bonfire . But thats going to be it for the parts transfer out .

I am going keep the car and have a little fun with it. I am going to transfer the Ronin racing seats and RESpeed suspension that I put in the LIMITED back to this car , get it painted , blacken the interior trim from red, add a few good ebay parts I have sittin' around ( Konig rims , new BFG Traction TA's , new black dash , spoiler, chrome tag lights and door handles) ..... and add yet-to-be-disclosed controversial pair of parts and .............................

GOING TURBO FIRST GEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The guys that rebuilt my vert have an S5 T2 that is going in . This combined with the GSL rear already on the car should make this 79 a blast to drive. Looks like i am sticking with the SA tranny and shifter to keep the interior all 79 .

STAY TUNED

 

whats going on with the wheels that where on the car? post some pictures of them!

 

I gave them to my father-in-law for his deep blue 84 GSL .... the Gold look great on blue for sure . No pics but maybe later

 

What seats are going back in the LE? I remenber seeing pictures of those Ronin seats. They looked great in their I thought. To address the original question in your thread; although you don't see many white ones today, and I don't know actual production numbers, but, White was not that un-common in 79. Red White and the Copper (Bronze?) were fairly common, Blue and yellow seemed to be the scarest. At least in the Midwest. I may be getting some fabric and covers made next year for LE seats if your interested. They will be as close to OEM as possibile and probablly not cheap.