Checking in to 1st gen with 84 GSL-SE
 

I've finally got my hands on a nice FB. Been looking for a while. Though currently building a nice FD and already had an FC I have been looking for what started the passion back in high school, the FB RX-7. Though this car has some miles on it it looks to be restored to original running condition in many ways. I can't wait to get my hands on it to evaluate it further. First time I have bought anything like this sight unseen....

Give me your thoughts. I realize the ground affect isn't original.

Looks great, lots of shiny new parts under there.

Was this the one on eBay that went for $8100?

That's what I saw in the car despite the miles.

Possibly? Sounds like you've been looking around. I've been watching quite a bit and threw a last minute max, not my style really, but one on the way none the less..

Making room
 

Deciding to buy it was the easy part. Making room for it is another thing. This is where you ask yourself, self, what did you get yourself into?

Ever had a project with directions that you had been better off without them. This is it! Great thing is I had put my other two post lift together prior and dealt with this before. Common sense goes a long way but you still end up doing things twice.

And finishing up.

The car looks extremely clean!! I see it has what appears to be the IMSA GTU front air dam on it which is a huge plus as that is a rare part indeed! The cap on the brake master cylinder's reservoir is wrong. Can't wait o see pics of the car when you bring it home!

Besides the IMSA air dam it has another goody coming with it, it has a targa top included. Maybe that was part of the look the original owner was going after. I was hoping someone had seen the car on here before because someone has apparently been obsessed with it.

The second owner had it only a couple years and was a steward, showed the car, kept it up and passed it on from what I can take away from my communications.

Originally from Texas then moved to Washington only to be brought back to Texas now for more rust free living.

Good catch already on the brake reservoir cap:icon_tup: I can't hardly wait to get it here either. Kinda nervous truth be told. Playing the waiting game like a kid waiting on Christmas!

Man, I would love to find me a targa band. Nice that it was included.

So glad you have us straight on that, were you bidding too or what?

It was a nice bonus. Seems like the front air dam could use some fog lights or something though.

I wasn't bidding. I like to follow the cost of first gen RX-7's. I recently sold my 1985 GSL-SE for $4500 via craigslist.

Nice! I considered passing on my Base 85 RX but I don't think I could get the $3k out of it I have into it. I also browse ebay and autotrader to see what the going rates are. Mine is southern but has higher miles.

Since you're asking for opinions - before I sent a dime, I'd make sure you get some good close ups on those bolts on the underside. The entire underside looks like it's been painted, including the bolts and shielding. There's white paint on the block of wood between the jack and suspension. It looks great - but make sure that's what you're looking for.

In my old age, I've found that other people's opinion of 'perfect' and 'original' aren't necessarily mine. Make sure you're getting what you pay for.

Good luck!

All good points indeed, and yes I saw this too. Fixing to find out soon enough. There is no doubt the car has been "cleaned" up, bolts replaced possibly and who knows what else really. I'm just gambling that I don't have a hack job here... pins and needles till she gets here. One more day....

It's here
 

So after much anticipation the car made its way across country to my driveway. After all the working myself up for finding the diamond in the rough to getting ripped off I have settled down to slowly absorbing the reality of the car which will likely take several days to take in. First impression is that the car is 33 years old with 116K miles! Tires need to be changed, rear hatch won't stay up and the washer fluid light goes on and off around corners, front air dam has cracks and the door ding isn't as bad as I thought it would be. This one has good rubber trim but the one around the gas fill is showing signs of needing glue, my 81' in the late 80's developed that problem.

This car is sorted out despite the miles. All the underbody cleanliness is for real. I can't wait to wrap up some work on my FD and put this on my lift to check out underneath more closely. Very clean, bushings, calipers, brakes, rotors, etc. It rides very tight and quiet, no slack or slop in steering and suspension. Even the interior is mostly free of creaks.

Speaking of interior, it is pretty clean as well. All electronics are working as they should. Radio, lights, AC, heat, wipers, cruise, joy stick for speakers (though out of center balance), clock, dash lights and gauges. Carpet in good shape. No cracks in dash. Door release handles have slight blemish. Door cards a little brownish..

Now about the paint. I can't say that it hasn't been painted because the front air dam isn't original, however, looking at molding, rubber trim, under hood, under car, even loose molding by gas fill door, there is no over spray or contrast anywhere that I have found. Is it that good of a paint job or have I just not found it in my haste? It's not on the lift yet. The mirrors look like someone tried to spay paint them. I think that is a classic bone job with these cars, that and the molding. Probably will look good getting down to the original paint on the mirrors.

Overall a very solid platform to work from. Perfect, no. Head start, yes. Have to get under the hood yet. Got a glimps of it, needs attention there with new wires and fresh pieces just to keep it reliable.

If the tires and wheels on the car are from the original car and I can believe what I learned from the second owner this car likely got most of the miles on it in the first ten years of its life. The tires on it now are date code 96' and are full of tread. Since then someone has meticulously pampered, prepped, restored, sealed and cleaned this car to an extent I am surprised by. I have not found rust (yet) in the usual places, I will continue to look. Car is old but looks well maintained at first impression without a compression check. No problems with hot or cold start. Pulls good all gears. Ran well all the way around.

More to follow as I dive deeper.

Tires
 

I'm thinking about replacing the tires on the car with raised white letters if I can find them. 205/60 14 is what is on the car. Anyone know or recommend a tire with raised letters in stock size?

RWL in that size, unobtanium. I got the last of the RWL Cooper Cobras a few years ago
in 205/60x13 and still have them mounted on my waffles. I have since gotten Konig Rewinds
15x7 with Dunlop Direzza II. Keeping the RWL tires/waffle combo for special occasions
only.

Congrats on the clean ride! Looks great!

She's a beauty! Glad things worked out...there's always the thought that things may not always be as they seem, considering a sight unseen buy and not having someone u trust inspect the car first. I will say though...it would be a shame to cover that paint with that awful targa band ;)

Man, no doubt there are no white walls! Hard enough to find a good black wall. Still looking for a good set...

Thanks, still checking it out really. All fun none the less. :icon_tup:

Ha, I know you like the targa:nod: and hopefully I'll get some miles out of this baby.. you never know. Just gettin started at 116K miles right:lol:

I love the white letter look. I've seen people use either paint or vinyl stickers to get the look.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2cd1370579.jpg

CLEAN SE :icon_tup:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2cd1370579.jpg[/QUOTE]

Hey! That's my car...