Banzai!!!
 

I guess it’s been a couple years since I began lurking on this site, discovering that there are others who actually follow these quirky little cars with a real passion. I’ve read lots of fun-poking, between members, even offering up my own here and there. I’ve also learned things that I never knew about these machines, marveled at the depth of others knowledge and made a few acquaintances along the way. I figure maybe it’s time for an introduction, one that might even entertain a few of the others who hang out here.

In 1979, I was 19 and I had just landed a job that turned in to my career of employment. One in which I’m still working today. My teenage years had been consumed with motocross and my every waking moment centered around racing and riding. By my late teens, my competitive enthusiasm had expanded to cars as well as other, “curvy” distractions……. I was in the market for a 2nd vehicle and in my thirst for information, I’d routinely soak up several magazines and here is where I first came across this advertisement for “the car you’ve been waiting for, is waiting for you” It was the new Rx-7.

I devoured every magazine test, comparison and road review I could find. Before long, I made my way out to the local dealer where I swallowed the hook in one big gulp, as soon as I saw one in sheet metal. I put my money down on the next Sunrise Red, 5 speed available, this was when most 7’s were sold even before they hit the lot. You had to wait your turn for the privilege to pony over your money.

In the mean time, I could only get all excited when spotting one of these-still rare silhouettes on the open road! I was so anxious; I started ordering several aftermarket catalogs, Pacific T-Tops, Racing Beat, I even signed up as member to the Rx-7 club of America which entitled me to a subscription to Rotary Rocket magazine. It took a very long 3 summer months, but one warm, bright August afternoon I finally met the sexy girl in the red dress I’d been lusting after.

I was tingling all over and could barely keep from jumping right out of my skin. I tell you, I had every one of my teenage hormones standing at attention, on fire and screaming out loud as I walked around my shinny, sparkling seductress. She was teasing me with her every curve, shimmering in that orangey, bright autumn sunlight. An image that is still with me to this day. “Arrest Me” red glossiness contrasted by trim black and raw, aluminum alloy. Inside, the cabin was basic black with grey velour seat inserts and radio / shift surround. The only bling was the thin chrome strip that ran along each door panel and separated the upper and lower dash halves. The smell was new vinyl and fresh carpet. All the controls worked with smooth precision and precise clicks. I couldn’t wait to get her by myself and have my way with her!

Another thing that is etched in my memory is the aircraft like tink, tink, tink of the metal in the exhaust / heat exchanger cooling after switching off. It starts rapidly and gradually slows to longer infrequent intervals. My license plate was a no-brainer. A few years earlier, one of my racing buddies nicknamed me “BANZAI”. Apparently, I had developed a reputation to hold it WFO regardless of circumstances or immediate danger, plus my last name begins with a B so it all just kind of rolled off the tongue and clicked together. About two weeks after bringing her home, I bought and installed a set of stripes which another local dealership was offering. These along with an aftermarket steering wheel were easy modifications that made me feel like I owned a “one of a kind”.

At 19, I was on top of the world. My first new car and she was this new thing, something clean, cool and tasty. Attention just followed you every minute behind the wheel. Other drivers would let you go first, just to gawk and wonder WTF is THAT? Sometimes you could even read their lips as they were pointing you out to their passengers. My Ego never had it so good. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my motorcycle racing probably saved my car from the scrap heap. I took my youthful aggression out on the race track and was relatively easy on my girl. She was for me to enjoy, not abuse. As a result, she was always pampered, spoiled and given the red carpet treatment. My Princess!

In about 81, I installed an air dam by a company out of Kansas City called Xerxus Design. It replaced the whole front bumper and 5mph absorption system. As time marched on, my race bikes turned to street bikes, I matured somewhat and bought a house. I still fed my adrenaline habit, racing go carts and formula fords while my beloved Rex was always patiently waiting. Sometimes I’d wake her up, to do a little maintenance, stretch her legs on a nice day or just give her a good rubdown. Mostly though, she slept under cover in the corner of the garage.

Seems I’m always diving into some new challenge or adventure while hanging on to things from my past. Always totally consumed with what is currently on my plate. As a result, I never really noticed when these cars became scarce, disappeared from the streets or when other enthusiasts began organizing web followings and such to keep the torch lit. Until a couple years ago, I was a RX-7 island and only knew that I still had this first new car I ever bought, never really thinking about anyone else who might also share the passion for these zippy little machines.

A couple years ago I started thinking how neat it would be to dust off my ole flame and take her out to a few car shows and share her with others. I removed the air dam after like 27 years and reinstalled the original bumper, still having even all the old hardware. I started sprucing her up and detailing her out. I feel I’m kind of coming full circle I suppose, back to my beginnings.

Today, “Banzai” is more the cars name than my own. She survives surprisingly intact, still purring smooth and strong. I’ve kept every scrap of paperwork for the car, the window sticker, the paper dealers tag to drive it off the lot. Still have the factory can of touch up paint, an unused spare and 31 years worth of BANZAI license plates and renewal tags.

I’ve noticed that she still turns heads. Only now it’s a combination of some who remember these cars and those who have never saw one before. This past weekend (the 15th) marked the 31st anniversary of my taking delivery of my girl. So I took her out for a Sunday trip and snapped a few pic’s, to both mark the date and to share her here with you to appreciate as well. Not much else to say really, so maybe it’s time to show you what grabbed the attention of that kid those years ago, and still inspires him today to want to get her by himself and have his way with her. BANZAI !!!!!

And more....

The inside.

Beautiful beautiful story (and car!)

Makes me jealous... I get to celebrate only the 21st anniversary of acquiring Spry Beastie next month, and I soundly salute your dedication to preserving Banzai in very close to her glorious original condition, starting from Day One.

She's an interesting build... absolutely a 79, all right, judging from the engine compartment and rear bumper as well as your first-hand knowledge... but the console dress is in 1980 silver rather than 1979 black! The no-speaker dash top speaks to a later '79 assembly as well.

& I dont' think I've ever seen the tan shift/brake boots on a US SA before...

Do you have more info on her build date/history that you can share?

Georgeous car.

I saw the engine compartment and my jaw just dropped. Then I saw the interior and it tried to go down further!

That is one truly amazing looking car and an awesome story behind it. I read it all and after I thought, "Wow, if I had that rx7 tutorial website up and going, there would be an article on this car"

PLEASE submit that for this years calendar. Just make a post in the thread thats stickied so I remember to add you to the list.

Im still in awe!

First, thanks for the comments. Glen, it's a late production 79 comming off the line in May 79. I changed the lower dash and some of the interior to a brown, back when I put the air dam on. The boots are a left over from that.

I knew even then that I would probably have this car forever and knew the value of being able return the car to stock, so I scrounged spare parts from unlucky wrecks I found in boneyards of the day. (I wish I'd had taken more stuff now)
So, couple years ago when I decided to bring it all back, it was just a matter of getting all my old parts back out. The only things not standard are the steering wheel, mirriors, shift & ebrake boots, and the peice of foam I have covering the ebrake handle. The shift lever itself is one I chopped down to make my own short shifter in the early 80's. Of course, I still have all the remaining OEM parts in hand.

I resprayed the car in 08 too. Not a decision I made lightly but I had replaced a passenger fender and door in 81 due to a parking lot incedent. So, it was no longer 100% factory anyway's. Since I was trying to have her as show worthy as possibile, I just make the decision to repaint the whole exterior. The engine bay is still factory and surprisingly to me, untill just a few months earlier, I had never taken any pictures under the hood. FYI, while out yesterday, I just turned over 31K miles.

Chris, I have a pic from yesterday in mind, for this years calander. Just haven't shared it yet. I also have a 79 Limited that I'm finishing up that will be just as nice. Then there's the 80 that's not that shabby either.

I thought the shifter looked shorter, but that maybe it was just camera angle.

Another K8 '80? Sight for sore eyes. Wish we could park yours and mine next to each other, watch people's eyes cross.

You're blessed, sir. Takes an extra measure of dedication to keep cars that nice through the Iowejian winters.

Banzai, its people like you and the cars that you own and care for that i respect the most. seeing your collection strikes an immediate soft spot in my heart and i am taken back by your dedication to the preservation of these wonderful machines. the fact that you bought the 79 new and have cared for it so well over the years speaks very highly of your character as a person and a rotary enthusiest.

i'm not quite old enough to have purchased a new RX-7. i was born in 81 and grew up loving the 7. i cant tell you how much i wish i could go back in time and buy a new RX-7 and preserve it in the way you have done. i bought an 05 RX-8 and unfortunatly it was not new when purchased..so i dont get that sense of single ownership with the car. any chance you have any pics of the car when new or the paperwork that came with the car?

This deserves a better reply but all I can come up with right now is WOW!

Banzai do you have a set of OEM mirrors for her? I know you are like myself and few others here.

Dave

First Gen Original Owners Unite
 

[QUOTE=Banzai;10167152]
I knew even then that I would probably have this car forever and knew the value of being able return the car to stock, so I scrounged spare parts from unlucky wrecks I found in boneyards of the day. (I wish I'd had taken more stuff now)
So, couple years ago when I decided to bring it all back, it was just a matter of getting all my old parts back out. ...Of course, I still have all the remaining OEM parts in hand. ... FYI, while out yesterday, I just turned over 31K miles. QUOTE]

Banzai, that is one sweet car. I also bought mine new with delivery in February of '84. I couldn't afford a stable of cars so it was my daily driver for 24 years. As a result it has nearly 118,000 miles on it. Now that I'm not driving itexcept on clear dry weekends I am trying to get it back to nearly new condition. Its never going to be showroom clean. I never realized what a packrat I was until a year ago when I was in the attic looking for something and came across everything from when the car was new.: window sticker, tag attached to key on delivery, lifetime rust proofing warranty (car outlasted the company), mazda accessories guide, receipt for down payment, title papers and more. I too have the original spare as well as the jack and uselessly short tire iron. I'm not sure where you are in Iowa, but my car has toured the state, mostly around Iowa City and Dubuque.

DD, these toys only see the inside of a garage normally between Thansgiving and Easter. Southern Cali would be fun. Maybe someday. Our cars might be more related than you think. The 80 came from your neck originally. I am it's third owner. I found the name of the first owner, who had it about 25 years and a PO box address. Haven't tried to make contact yet, been super busy. The car's long time mechanic got it next and took it out of state. I bought it from him a few years ago for a parts car mostly, but she's too nice for that, runs like a top. She needs a few cosmetic touches to be really nice, but with values what they are, I'm consentraiting on other projects.

Dave, unfortunately I don't have many pictures of the car in it's youth. A couple poloroids or something. No pictures of the first day home or anything. Something I regret now. This was way before cell phone camera's. I think the only kids taking pictures were the nerdy types in photo journalism. My phone still had a rotary dial and was leashed to the wall. I think the latest techno gizmo in camera's was the flash cube! (4 shots before changing. What'l they think of next?)

Yes, I still have the paperwork. I keep a 3-ring note book on every vehicle. I keep all my documentation, reciepts, pictures all things pertaining to that vehicle in one place. (I hate looking for things) These will stay with the vehicles as a record. We are all just temporary care takers of these things but as such, we become a part of their history and intertwined with them. It all gets lost unless we take a little time to document it. Down the road, I believe it will immeasurably add to cars character and value. We as owners, sort of bring them to life.

Dude, Yes I still have the OEM mirriors wrapped in paper. They are in exceptional condition as I just had to have a set of baby Toronados back in the day. I still like them, as they are still on the car.

Hawk, Yes, I've took notice of your name and car (w/ the window sticker attached) before. That's cool you saved that stuff. Nothing like finding buried treasure! It appeared that you are in the 3 rivers area now. I'm in the QCA.

I'm so jealous. That car is beautiful

wow that's nice!

Original Owners.... the Chosen Few.
Ah to have had the Vision (- and financial where-with-all) back then!
Took me 26yrs to realize the Dream.
Thanks for sharing that "new car buzz" with us Banzai - great story.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

Thanks for sharing your story Chris. Those SA's are beautiful cars! Glad to see them all being restored.