Found an old, rusty Limited Edition '79!
 

Sad to see her sitting out there, but maybe some enterprising person can love this piece of history back to life (almost willing to take a shot!). Few pics but I'm driving in that area in the near future so will probably stop by. Wonder if she can be saved?


RX-7 RX7 Mazda 1979 Original Limited Edition

Happy New Year!
Lev

At that price I'd take a chance on it. Heck, those Almex wheels make it a sweeter deal!

odd to see it still look black... most "beat black" LE's faded to a brown color after 35 years.

Check the dash to confirm it's an LE (digital clock). If it is, then I'd go for it. if it's not, offer $400

Good find regardless

This thing has been listed for awhile. I almost gave him a ring last year when I first saw it but dont have a trailer to move it. If someone here picks her up keep us posted on what you do with it!

The 2nd sentence of the add hits the nail on the head. "would be great for parts" You could probably patch this car together and get it running / driving again for a couple grand and you could likely get your money back, maybe even make a couple bucks as long as you don't count the hours you've invested. Thanks for posting it up. Might help prevent it from returning back to the earth, just sitting out on that owners property.

I also saw this ad a long time ago - like about a year or so, and keep seeing it from time to time. It's not far from me, and I could borrow a trailer, but as Banzai pointed out, the owner says prolly best used for parts. I don't have it in me to deal with whatever rust issues that I imagine this has after going through my build. Looks like it's been sitting on the ground for lonnnnnng time.

Don't get me wrong, if I had the loose change and time I would be all over it for the chance that my intuition is wrong about potential rust issues, and there are some parts lots of us could use so I hope someone rescues it!

Thanks for the thoughts, guys! I've seen this ad for quite a while as well. First time was about 1000 and has steadily decreased. The same pictures since about Feb 2016? Probably running on six to seven years in the open now in a field. I thought about rescuing it and probably take a look when I'm that way again. Missing a mirror plus who knows if that's parts or the whole lot sitting in the back.

When I go, I'll take more pictures and share them on here. I have 11 months left in NC before I leave for my next command and while a good project or parts, will probably Iet it go for the next person. Besides, in all honesty, still looking for a '79-80 SA to drive off in since the Miata is about to go to a good friend!

Lev

Hey guys!

Well, wish me luck. Most likely going in next week or the next to take a look. A buddy of mine is going with his truck and trailer in the chance there isn't a metric ton of rust and all is in order. Called him up and he gave me some good details and history, so hoping all goes well!

Regards,
Lev

+1 let us know!

Well, went out to take a look at her! Guy was super nice, many stories of the Army. He had actually bought this car 13 years ago from the original owner. Car has had quite a life including time in Germany in the 80s! However, I believe he said that the car has been sitting mostly 10 years in his backyard, but least looks the same (we all know rust never sleeps!).

The car itself was not too shabby! There were a few holes in the first layer of the sunroof, and good as well as the underside of the hood. A few holes also noted in the sills, outside above the Rear left tire well bubbling up. The last noted are the ones shown in the CL picture in the rear and for the life of me, cant remember, but visible when opening the door on the frame leading to the engine bay on both sides. May be more, but all I could see.

All glasd was in near perfect shape with good chrome and gaskets. Engine bay was not too beat up but needs all rubber replaced of course, haha. The interior was perfect minud the cracked up dash and rips on the door moldings. Dash had the Quartz clock, rollover of 8000 miles. All in all, not too shabby!

.....So we struck a deal at 600 and she's coming home next week!

Congrats. After you get it back, post up some pics.

Cant wait to see more pics of it!

Glad you're taking the time to invest in the car!! Are you planning on restoring it?

Hi guys! Finally got the car in storage yesterday! With three flats, it was a doozy, but fellow service members gave me a hand! Only problem with was it busted the rear Mazda Emblem that was already brittle. Planning on restoring it, but gotta find the best way to stabilize and sand off the rust first! Pics to come!

Well, some sad news....
 

Me and my friend had been working on her for the better part of two weeks. Lots of nice parts, removed the air filter, fluids, definitely some rust on the body so all was fine! Even original tire axel and jack! But after I started removing the carpet in the rear to see any damage....definitely a lot! Rust holes every where with under the spare was about an inch or so of standing water! Considering the amount of time I have left in,NC, probably won't be able to fix many of the issues. So I feel left to a decision. Can she be saved or better to have parts for others? Rather not see her scrapped so I'd rather see her go to someone that can take care of her. Pics below: If anything, at least she isnt in the field anymore!

Interior:-

Last ones:

The wheels, the cluster and top center console are all worth some monies to the right person.
The emblems and maybe small parts and connectors may be useful too.

That has to be the worst rust I've ever seen. Not really repairable at all. I hope you can get
your money back out by parting it.

You just can't save them all. You could, but you end up with a car worth more than its weight in gold. If you decide to part it out, I'd be interested in some. The spare looks like a steelie. The original was a Almex mag like the others w/ a RWL Bridgestone.

Hey guys, appreciate the comments so far. It does suck, but least my buddy and I were able to get it out and hopefully spread lut the parts to yall that really need it. Ive been making a list so far of the parts that can be salvaged. Like yall said, the Almex wheels, instrument cluster, center console, and connectors will be part of the list. Remaining emblems, shifter knob, seats, jack, seat belts, lights will be part of the list as well to go to cars in need! As for the engine, tranny, not sure if anyone wants them. Hood is too rusted as well as the sun roof.

I wish it were in better condition, but might as well get as much off her before it is taken out.

Again, thanks! Lev

That one would be a tough save. You will end up spending thousands on the body alone. If you do decide to fix it, I would cut out a rear hatch floor from a spare 85 that I have and if you wanted, it would be yours for parts to fix the hatch floor. The car will need to be completely stripped and sand blasted before its repaired. It would be quite the ghost story to bring that one back. Depending of if term is more rust than the hatch floor it might be ok for a long term restoration project. The only reason I even speak of restoration is because its a 79 Limited. Otherwise it would be an instant parts car for me. Worst case, find another Limited and use this one for parts to fix that one and sell what you're not going to use. But be warned, once you sell the Limited specific parts, you will have an extremely hard time finding replacements. They just don't come up for sale often.

If you want to part it, Ive been searching for the radio/shifter surround for forever for my limited as mine was swapped for a chopped black one. let me know!

Another option is to find a crappy shell and cut out the bottom tub etc to replace. It can be done with enough willpower and knowledge!

Hey guys!

I got back not too long ago and have been thinking it over. will PM the members who I spoke to later, but I've come to a decision. I am going to sell ths car as is. I know these parts of use to fellow members, but I would like to see if someone could save it, rather than part her out and sent to the scrapyard. I have been saving funds from my side business and going to see about finding one in DD condition here in North Carolina. If I had more funds and more time in my current duty station, I would work a bit more on her. Members that I PM'ed will be notified! I will assess again, but if it doesn't have any major structural rust, I will sell as a project!


Again, thanks again for all your help and I apologize in advance!
Lev