1st Gen General Discussion The place for non-technical discussion about 1st Gen RX-7s or if there's no better place for your topic

Found a 3/1978 SA!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-16-08, 10:37 PM
  #1  
I am Me. I am special.

Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
duffman692002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Quinlan, TX
Posts: 1,027
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Found a 3/1978 SA!

I'm a land aprraiser and do thousands of miles a month and I come across some nice cars every now and then. I almost missed this lil girl but I it just caught my eye so I whiped around to have a look.

It's an SA with the manufacture date of 3/1978. This is the first, and only "1978" SA I've ever seen and it's a shame it was left to rot out on the side of the road. Oddly enough, the owner showed up while I was taking the pics and said I could have both for 200 bucks, the other being an 83 in slightly better condition. I know we've got an SA/FB registry but I don't know if ya'll are keeping up with just car currently on the road or if you add the ones the rest of us come. I thought this might be the earliest on the list but looks like there are a few ahead of this one.
Pics:






Underneath all that rust and shitty brushed on paint is the orginal Spark Yellow. Car was last registered in 94 and the guy told me it ran when he left it out there. If I didn't already have an 85 I'd be all over restoring this but I don't have the room or time to do a proper job. If any one here is seriously interested in restoring this car, send me a PM and I'll give you the owners phone number and the location of the car. It really is a shame that one of the earliest SA's is out there wasting away.
Old 04-16-08, 11:08 PM
  #2  
I hate drum brakes

 
Box_Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hoodride rx7 anyone? Looks like a perfect candidate.

Make sure it runs, then slam it.
Old 04-16-08, 11:09 PM
  #3  
sellout

iTrader: (4)
 
Midwest 7's's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Lawrence KS
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
wow 1264 is early.
rotarydude needs that for his collection.
Old 04-16-08, 11:09 PM
  #4  
Can You Wankel?

iTrader: (12)
 
Rx Seven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,040
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Wow thats a nice find. Some one should seriously try and restore it if its not to rusted out.
Old 04-16-08, 11:13 PM
  #5  
I am Me. I am special.

Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
duffman692002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Quinlan, TX
Posts: 1,027
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Rx Seven
Wow thats a nice find. Some one should seriously try and restore it if its not to rusted out.
The hood is done for and the rear hatch drain is rusty but didn't feel destroyed. All four tires were flat so getting under it wasn't really an option. If there's real interest I'll go back a do a much deeper look into it's over all condition.
Old 04-16-08, 11:35 PM
  #6  
Rx-7 Heaven

iTrader: (2)
 
Mickster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What a find Duffman. Keep your eagle eyes roaming for more lost and hidden treasures. Thanks for posting pics.
Old 04-16-08, 11:45 PM
  #7  
Full Member

iTrader: (1)
 
choopacabra530's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Big Apple, Nevada
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
that reminds me of a commercial thats on TV for some auto parts place.

"there are few joys like that of towing home a new car"

My first two cars were spark yellow 79s, so I have a serious soft spot for them.
Old 04-17-08, 02:24 AM
  #8  
keep it original!!

iTrader: (3)
 
boyee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SF Bay Area, California
Posts: 1,329
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
nice find! do all early model SA come with those twin wiper rubbers per wiper? interesting...
Old 04-17-08, 02:29 AM
  #9  
RX HVN

iTrader: (2)
 
7aull's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,889
Received 227 Likes on 167 Posts
So I'm trying to figure out how come it's got Canadian-Spec 1980 speedo in it!?!? (dual: mph w/metric kph, and 80mph)
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Old 04-17-08, 05:17 AM
  #10  
Have RX-7, will restore


iTrader: (91)
 
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,698
Received 1,049 Likes on 889 Posts
Hades will be all over that lol. if i were closer i'd take teh pair and restore the 79.
Old 04-17-08, 07:22 AM
  #11  
Go Hawks!

iTrader: (1)
 
64mgb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here's another 3/78 SA, in slightly better condition. Number 501090.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2114698

Rich

Old 04-17-08, 09:22 AM
  #12  
Burning Oil-Grinding 3rd

 
Hades12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Union Mills NC
Posts: 4,094
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Very nice find. 1264 makes it a first day Production.

Here is my #195
http://www.matthewnanney.com/195.htm


Old 04-17-08, 11:11 AM
  #13  
Full Member

 
Root79Rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Indiana
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i wonder why it has 2 mirrors?
Old 04-17-08, 12:03 PM
  #14  
Burning Oil-Grinding 3rd

 
Hades12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Union Mills NC
Posts: 4,094
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Root79Rx7
i wonder why it has 2 mirrors?

Good catch, It should not.

But in 28 years things get changed.
Old 04-17-08, 12:38 PM
  #15  
I am Me. I am special.

Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
duffman692002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Quinlan, TX
Posts: 1,027
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by 7aull
So I'm trying to figure out how come it's got Canadian-Spec 1980 speedo in it!?!? (dual: mph w/metric kph, and 80mph)
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Maybe replaced?
Originally Posted by Root79Rx7
i wonder why it has 2 mirrors?
The mirror are not stock. They're different from any I've ever seen.
Old 04-17-08, 02:51 PM
  #16  
I hate drum brakes

 
Box_Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Duffman692002
Maybe replaced?


The mirror are not stock. They're different from any I've ever seen.
I have the same mirrors on my '83, they fold in at speed.
Old 04-17-08, 04:24 PM
  #17  
Have RX-7, will restore


iTrader: (91)
 
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,698
Received 1,049 Likes on 889 Posts
those mirrors are stock from the 79 GS model being non power. if i remember correctly, the power mirrors were introduced in 1980. i would guess it might have been an option to add a second mirror. my 80 LS has the same type of speedo with the kph under the mph.
Old 04-19-08, 10:06 PM
  #18  
Full Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Rotor_king's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Fort worth TX
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Poor little guy. Where in texas is this thing? Looks nice but those oddities (speedo and mirrors) are weird.
Old 04-23-08, 09:53 AM
  #19  
www.ohiorotaries.com

 
clbsinvaders's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Pick it up. Can't be left in a field. Just act as a go between if possible, pick it up and sell it at cost, ie towing/time, so like $300.

A 78 SA is a dream of mine. There's a 79 (not sure about the numbers, though) around here I REALLY, REALLY want if I can sell my mitsu as a DD. Supposedly in good condition, too.
Old 04-26-08, 07:40 PM
  #20  
I am Me. I am special.

Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
duffman692002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Quinlan, TX
Posts: 1,027
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Rotor_king
Poor little guy. Where in texas is this thing? Looks nice but those oddities (speedo and mirrors) are weird.
Car is located on the corner of FM 593 & Hwy 271 in Gilmer Texas

Originally Posted by clbsinvaders
Pick it up. Can't be left in a field. Just act as a go between if possible, pick it up and sell it at cost, ie towing/time, so like $300.

A 78 SA is a dream of mine. There's a 79 (not sure about the numbers, though) around here I REALLY, REALLY want if I can sell my mitsu as a DD. Supposedly in good condition, too.
Your's and mine both. I wish I could, I REALLY do but I don't have room for another 7 along with the 2
85's and 2 Miatas.
Old 04-29-08, 10:58 PM
  #21  
proud SA care-taker

 
crosen91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 204
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
to bad i dont live in texas. it would look nice next to my sa built in 4/78, after the rust was removed
Old 04-30-08, 12:52 PM
  #22  
G0D OF DEATH

iTrader: (9)
 
vipergts_3's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i love feilds, if these things are sitting close enough to the road you can see them in the fall. gatta have a good junking eye for that though.
makes you wonder why they got put back there to begin with???
Old 04-30-08, 03:57 PM
  #23  
Waffles - hmmm good

iTrader: (1)
 
t_g_farrell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lake Wylie, N.C.
Posts: 8,783
Received 282 Likes on 232 Posts
79 and 80 GS came standard with two manual mirrors. I think the power ones showed up as an option in 80.
Old 04-30-08, 07:38 PM
  #24  
Burning Oil-Grinding 3rd

 
Hades12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Union Mills NC
Posts: 4,094
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by t_g_farrell
79 and 80 GS came standard with two manual mirrors. I think the power ones showed up as an option in 80.

not early cars, they did not have a passenger side,
Old 05-03-08, 06:02 PM
  #25  
I am Me. I am special.

Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
duffman692002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Quinlan, TX
Posts: 1,027
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by vipergts_3
i love feilds, if these things are sitting close enough to the road you can see them in the fall. gatta have a good junking eye for that though.
makes you wonder why they got put back there to begin with???
Just so happens that I know the answer to that, lol. The 83 was picked up to swap out motors in the 78, at least that's what the owner told me.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
09-16-18 07:16 PM
Bauer778
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
10
11-04-15 04:42 PM
GreyBush
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
3
09-14-15 01:29 PM
GreyBush
Single Turbo RX-7's
2
09-12-15 02:23 AM



Quick Reply: Found a 3/1978 SA!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:47 AM.