Debadged - What the hell did I just buy?
 

Well, I didn't just buy it, I've had it for about 2 months. My first RWD car, a 1985 RX-7 __________! I've read the FB, FC, FMe! thread, but still don't feel confident about identifying the trim level. Here's what I know:

1. No Badges :(
2. Rear Drum Brakes
3. Removable Metal Sunroof
4. Power Windows
5. Controls for Power Mirrors
6. Original paint was Stardust Blue

My guess is its a GS, but as previously stated, I'm not confident that's correct. Is there anything else I could use to identify this thing? VIN says it's a 1.1 litre.

Thanks!

If the rear end is the original and it has a 12A, then yes - you have a GS. I thought the power windows where GSL/GSL-SE only option but could have been on option for a GS - I'm not sure. Parts are so easy to switch out that sometimes it hard to tell the original model.

The VIN will tell what type of engine it came with. Other then that, who know what was swapped out.

If you post a lot of pictures of the exterior/interior/engine bay we may be able to see enough clues to help you out. Like KC says, its easy to swap parts around. I knew a guy who put the 85 dash in an 83 cause he liked that dash better.

& I've got a '79 cluster in my '80 GS because speedometers should not just stop at 85mph...
& power windows
& power mirrors
& a glass sunroof
&....:evilgrin:

Stardust Blue wasn't available in 1985. Has to be Tender Blue or the rarer Rhyl Blue/Ocean Blue

Pictures will help us help you. The dash will be a big clue.

basically if you are looking at the bare shell, the S has no sunroof, so its easy. the GS may or may not have a sunroof, if yes, then you need to look for power mirrors (the footprint is different). the GSL and GSL-SE did have a sunroof, and they also had a rear wiper/washer, so there is an extra hole in the roof for the rear washer.

paint code should be V3 Tender Blue or L6 Ocean Blue Metallic. paint code is on the firewall tag

see brochure for options, http://foxed.ca/rx7manual/manuals/85_brochure.pdf

Pic of the VIN plate would be helpful as well.

yep! for an 85 we can run the warranty history which gives, model, colors, build date and sale date

*UPDATE*
Photos!

Hey, everyone, thanks for all the replies - Just wanted to give a brief ​​​​​​​ update since I tried to post the pictures several times from mobile without success. I should have access to my desktop later today and Ill be sure to upload the rest then.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...522cf0b556.jpg
I don't know what this photo is, it's not displaying. I hope it's not a cat.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...049a7facb8.jpg
You probably are cringing at the sight of the positive terminal. First thing I repaired, I'll have to take photos of the repair at some point.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...75dac91882.jpg
I wish I had the stock stereo. It's glorious.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...10a22b5c43.jpg
Gearbox is not angled at 60 degrees starboard like the shift knob. + My favorite ratchet.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...bd4b493775.jpg
:0
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...16f854fb34.jpg
Don't ask. I don't know where they went either.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...da9aecd0d6.jpg
Green for go? Apparently it's the fuel pump. I need to re-wire this, too. More at 11:00.

Photos!
 

I'm not certain what happened but the post I made with the photos disappeared - I'll try again. My bad on the "stardust blue" call - I figured there was just one name for the grey/blue shade.

Photos 'n junk:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...13aedbfaf0.jpg
Green switch is fuel pump... More at 11!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...35a6951a63.jpg
Dusty AF.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...10a22b5c43.jpg
Gearbox is not angled at 60 degrees starboard like the shift knob. + My favorite ratchet.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...16f854fb34.jpg
Don't ask. I don't know where they went either.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...049a7facb8.jpg
You probably are cringing at the sight of the positive terminal. First thing I repaired, I'll have to take photos of the repair at some point.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...522cf0b556.jpg
I don't know what this photo is, it's not displaying. I hope it's not a cat.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...bd4b493775.jpg
:0

Photos
 

Well, I tried posting photos from my PC and my mobile and neither posts shows anymore... read the stickies but I don't think I broke any forum rules for the post... I'm trying just text for now. Am I missing something obvious?

What most of us do is post links to a photo sharing site like flickr. That way we control the photos and we don't have to deal with the sites upload stuff.

problem may just be that there is a limit on file size. the pix u posted in the intro section work. and i don't bother with hosting sites anymore. uploading to this site is no different than a hosting site, and the pic shows in the post without having to use the image tags.

Wow - took me long enough. And go figure, the pictures look like they loaded anyways. Just incase though let's try this:

https://imgur.com/a/NgKOEN4

I don't know why I like that oval exhaust tip so much.

So the drum brake rear rules out GSL or GSL-SE trims. That leaves S and GS. I have a GS which has nicer looking seats, but the ventilation is controlled by sliders, instead of the push buttons like JR has. Were the push buttons an optional item, or did someone put GSL bits into JR's car? Also, in addition to liking that alt. bracket as throttle cable bracket, I like that fuel pump switch. Beats playing with a jumper wire under the dash.

Oh, and these are the nippies I was talking about on the Holley...

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e12718f585.jpg

only the gls-se rims have different bolt pattern. has nothing to do with whether it's drum or disc.

Yes, just saying it's neither one of those "upper" trim levels. The GSL and GSL-SE both had discs, so it has to be a S or GS. Unless someone went through the trouble to put a drum rear under a GSL model. In which case, maybe a previous owner had several parts cars and just slapped this one together out of parts. Hmmm.

The car is a GSL. The lift out sunroof, seats, rear wiper switch, push button climate controls, power windows and power mirrors are a dead give away. The lift out sunroof was only available on the GSL and GSL-SE in 1985. It seems to me that someone swapped in the drum rear end. Probably removed it to swap to another car or it went bad and the drum bake rear end was the fastest way to get the car back on the road.

Well, I know that I'm less certain than ever. Also, I'm not sure I'm ready for this battle, yet, sarge.

I agree J.R., I ain't ready for battle yet either over a friggin car model.

What's this thing with people picking up guns whenever they don't know what's going on?

Anyway, I agree with Dave, looks like a GSL to me.

You can tell from the seat upholstery, not to mention all the other options that Dave mentioned, power windows, push button temp control logicon, remnants of a top end Clarion sound system they shouldn't have taken out, etc etc etc.

And the drum rear brakes are considered by most an upgrade for their coolness factor, I have them on my LE:

Attachment 747981

Ray,i was good with everything up to the last sentence...I will be the last one to bring up politics with you...but if that ain't a spin dr tactic,i don't know what is...l.o.l.

Well, I'm about to pull my drum rear. I was going to give it to the junk yard but if anybody wants to swap it into their disc car to be cool, pm me.