My new 1980 LS
06-18-17, 07:45 AM
#1
My new 1980 LS
When I was about 10 years old, I spotted this gold RX-7 siting outside of a local grocery store/pharmacy. I took notice to the car and stopped to look at the car every time I saw it there, looking in the windows and looking over the car as if I were going to buy it. I learned after asking an employee of the store if the car belonged to a fellow employee in the store and the worker there said that it belonged to the pharmacist. I saw the car less and less over the years and when I was in my late 20's I got a call from a man who said he had an RX-7 and said that he heard that I was the guy to call to work on them. He asked if I would stop by his place and see if I could get his RX-7 running properly. Being as flattered as I was, I couldn't say no. I stopped by and low and behold, there was the car that I was beaming over as a kid. Over the last 10 years I have been maintaining this car for the owner and he calls me yesterday and asks for a compression test. I bring my RCT-V5 over and we run the test. After the compression test and discussing the cost of a reman engine versus me rebuilding the engine in the car, the owner says, "you know what Dave, I'm old and I'm tired and I think the car should go to someone who appreciates it and will care for it as I have over the years. I think I'm just gonna give it to you". I asked him if he was sure and he said of course. So last night we trailered the car home and its sitting in my garage as we speak! This is a one owner car, bought new in June of 1980 right off the showroom floor. Included with the car is all of the original paperwork, manuals, window sticker, all receipts since new, all old parts that were replaced, and a custom car cover. Its truly the holy grail of an SA for me and I will cherish the car until I pass it on to one of my children. I will update this thread with repairs, pictures of shows and trips, and anything I come across that's relevant. I couldn't be a happier guy right now! Here are some pics:
Leaving his garage:
Loaded on the trailer for the journey home:
Home safe and sound:
Leaving his garage:
Loaded on the trailer for the journey home:
Home safe and sound:
Last edited by mazdaverx713b; 07-01-17 at 08:29 PM.
06-19-17, 08:45 AM
#6
Waffles - hmmm good
iTrader: (1)
Dave, I hate you right now. 
Ok, thats not true, I just wish it was me!
Beautiful car. We need a about 100 pictures of everything. Especially the engine bay and
all the stock wiring and connections. It would be a great resource for everyone else restoring
these.
Ok, thats not true, I just wish it was me!
Beautiful car. We need a about 100 pictures of everything. Especially the engine bay and
all the stock wiring and connections. It would be a great resource for everyone else restoring
these.
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06-19-17, 09:36 PM
#9
Thank you guys for the compliments and support! I took a bunch more pictures to share with you guys!! If there are any specific pictures that anyone wants to see let me know and I'll post them! The car truly is a gem and a time capsule. It is a cleaner car than my first LS. I regretted selling that LS... I will cherish this car.
06-20-17, 06:11 AM
#11
It really is like Deja Vue, lol. About a month after I sold my first LS, I was really regretting it. The new owner had called saying that he was putting performance parts on the car and a stereo system and all sorts of other stuff. I was sick to my stomach. How could I sell my beloved car to someone that was not going to preserve its originality. Luckily I have a second shot and owning this car is truly a blessing. Its really an amazing car!
06-20-17, 06:25 AM
#12
Here are a few more pictures that I took the other day to share with everyone.
Original window sticker:
Driver's log book filled out by the original/previous owner:
Original manual set:
How the car sits currently:
The interior currently:
Very nice seats under the covers:
The spare and original parts that the previous owner included with the car:
Original window sticker:
Driver's log book filled out by the original/previous owner:
Original manual set:
How the car sits currently:
The interior currently:
Very nice seats under the covers:
The spare and original parts that the previous owner included with the car:
Last edited by mazdaverx713b; 07-01-17 at 08:34 PM.
06-20-17, 10:29 AM
#14
The sheep skin covers, steering wheel wrap and dash pad were all popular add on's when new. I'm guessing the original owner just pimped the interior out and these may have helped preserve those areas. Maybe he should have put a sock on the leather shift **** too? Still, this is a very nice gift and example. Just goes to show you what is still out there.
How is she mechanically? You mentioned replacing the engine or a rebuild?
How is she mechanically? You mentioned replacing the engine or a rebuild?
06-20-17, 12:11 PM
#15
Waffles - hmmm good
iTrader: (1)
Yeah, I had high quality sheep skins on mine for years before I finally redid the seats. Actually the
sheep skin is more comfortable than you would think even in the summer heat.
sheep skin is more comfortable than you would think even in the summer heat.
06-20-17, 02:43 PM
#16
The dash pad is good under the cover as are the seats and steering wheel. He added those items in the 80's to preserve the interior and they did their job well. The shift **** is and original ****. Same **** my first LS had but in much worse shape. I'll look for a nice original replacement.
As far as the engine is concerned, I ran a compression test with my RCV-V5 and on the front rotor I go 134, 130, 0. On the rear rotor I got 120, 128, 0. The engine runs super well and pulls strong. I don't think I've ever seen an engine with 0 compression on one face on each rotor and still run awesome like this one does. I think I'll put some MMO in the engine and let it sit, turning it over daily. Maybe I have a collapsed spring or stuck seal. The compression wouldn't be as good if an apex seal had broken and messed up a housing. The engine has to be pretty darn good internally to start as quickly as it does and run as well as it does... well other than the odd compression reading on each rotor. I'll be posting more pics of the car today!!
As far as the engine is concerned, I ran a compression test with my RCV-V5 and on the front rotor I go 134, 130, 0. On the rear rotor I got 120, 128, 0. The engine runs super well and pulls strong. I don't think I've ever seen an engine with 0 compression on one face on each rotor and still run awesome like this one does. I think I'll put some MMO in the engine and let it sit, turning it over daily. Maybe I have a collapsed spring or stuck seal. The compression wouldn't be as good if an apex seal had broken and messed up a housing. The engine has to be pretty darn good internally to start as quickly as it does and run as well as it does... well other than the odd compression reading on each rotor. I'll be posting more pics of the car today!!
06-21-17, 04:06 AM
#17
Seafoam if you are thinking carbon-locked seals Dave. (oh. Now all the Mechanical advice starts to roll in...).
I'd also run a bottle thru the gas tank too.
Man, all the paper history! solid gold (no pun!). So when can I collect the Spare from this one Dave?
;D
****: there are companies that now restore the leather covering on those. OE new or used is unobtainium, esp the LS brown leather, methinks.
This is a great story. Keep posting!
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
I'd also run a bottle thru the gas tank too.
Man, all the paper history! solid gold (no pun!). So when can I collect the Spare from this one Dave?
;D
****: there are companies that now restore the leather covering on those. OE new or used is unobtainium, esp the LS brown leather, methinks.
This is a great story. Keep posting!
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
06-21-17, 05:31 AM
#18
I do plan on running some Seafoam through the engine and gas tank. I rebuilt the carb last year and put a fuel filter on at the same time but it can only help the engine. I'll do a Seafoam treatment by sucking in the Seafoam through a vacuum line while the engine is running as well. Can't give up the spare on this one 
I'll look into finding a company to restore the shift ****. I haven't seen one for sale in about a decade so restoring my current one is going to be the best route. And it keeps the car that much more original.
I'll look into finding a company to restore the shift ****. I haven't seen one for sale in about a decade so restoring my current one is going to be the best route. And it keeps the car that much more original.
06-21-17, 05:40 AM
#19
Had the LS out of the garage yesterday and took it for a drive and adjusted the alternator belt and ran a compression test on the car. Took a few pictures that I wanted to share with everyone here!
Last edited by mazdaverx713b; 07-01-17 at 08:39 PM.
06-21-17, 05:45 AM
#20
Got back from my drive and decided to run a compression test. The numbers weren't fantastic but they weren't completely dismal either.
Front rotor:
Rear rotor:
When I was finished working on the LS, I decided to wash my 85 GS and I snapped some pics of that car as well:
Front rotor:
Rear rotor:
When I was finished working on the LS, I decided to wash my 85 GS and I snapped some pics of that car as well:
Last edited by mazdaverx713b; 07-01-17 at 08:42 PM.
06-21-17, 06:13 AM
#21
Your harem is starting to grow again.....This sure is a sweetie. I run a little sea foam on a regular basis just to help keep the innards clean. Those number don't look bad but I didn't see an RPM, which really help put the compression numbers in perspective. As for the shift ****, might try Redline Goods...
Leather steering wheel covers - RedlineGoods leather shift boots
I've purchased some shift boots from them in the past. I had a Limited steering wheel and shift **** redone to but would need to look at my paperwork to confirm just who I sent them too. May have been Redline as well. I was very happy with the results.
Leather steering wheel covers - RedlineGoods leather shift boots
I've purchased some shift boots from them in the past. I had a Limited steering wheel and shift **** redone to but would need to look at my paperwork to confirm just who I sent them too. May have been Redline as well. I was very happy with the results.
06-21-17, 08:04 AM
#22
Waffles - hmmm good
iTrader: (1)
That compression test looks good now. I know my SA, if sitting long enough, has poor compression
when first started until it gets revved a bit or warms up. This is sitting for longer than a week or two. I
suspect the side seals get stuck on one of the rotors and it basically runs on one rotor for a bit. I chalk
it up to age. Otherwise runs great. I bet its the same with this one.
It sure is a clean looking example of an rx7. You should get it detailed professionally and show it around.
when first started until it gets revved a bit or warms up. This is sitting for longer than a week or two. I
suspect the side seals get stuck on one of the rotors and it basically runs on one rotor for a bit. I chalk
it up to age. Otherwise runs great. I bet its the same with this one.
It sure is a clean looking example of an rx7. You should get it detailed professionally and show it around.
06-22-17, 05:47 AM
#23
The plan for this car is that its going to be used primarily as a weekend cruiser in the summer and to take to shows. I won't use it as a daily driver but I won't let it sit either. I'll drive it to work now and again as well. Its just a really nice example of an SA. The original owner that gave it to me stopped over and delivered some paperwork for the car and dropped off some pictures of himself with the car, dated June of 1980, the month he got the car. I'll post pictures of the pictures that he gave me. I called him last night and thanked him and I'll ask him for more pictures of the car from the 80's. I think having those would make the car even more complete.
06-22-17, 06:27 AM
#24
Couldn't agree more Dave. I'd take some pictures of you and him together with the car too. I put together notebooks where you can store all the documentation together in one place. Things like the window sticker, pictures, receipts of things for the car ect...
It's like creating a book of historical record for the car that can be passed along. It can only add to the providence and value of the car in the future.
It's like creating a book of historical record for the car that can be passed along. It can only add to the providence and value of the car in the future.
