Ok, so I checked and the place that recovered the leather steering whl and shift **** was Craft Customs out of Texas: Custom Steering Wheels | Wood Steering Wheel | Repair | Restoration

 

Nice car you got there, Dave... wanna trade?

Might be the only other -7 that would tempt me to even offer.

Stuck side seals are the only thing I can think of that would account for that... Maybe it sat unrun & got varnished up on the bottom faces?

Do you get any crankcase blow-by when it's running?

 

I'm flattered that you like this car so much that you'd even consider trading your car! I fell in love with the the moment I first saw it, 26 years ago!

For some reason my pictures aren't loading. I'll have to take care of that. At any rate, the compression evened out to very good standards at 103,103,105 on the front rotor and 104,104,97 on the rear rotor. These compression readings were taken at normal operating temperature and I'm pretty happy with the results, given this car is 37 years old! The first test was on a cold engine as that's all the original owner would allow me to do. So, I'm not concerned so much about compression at this point. The way it runs when cold after I went through everything is a concern. I made a thread a year or so ago about it. I've taken a new video showing the condition and I'll start a thread on that as well. I want to get this thing sorted out quickly.

 

Cool story, man - thanks for sharing it.

I have a feeling a lot of us got 'the bug' back when these cars were new. I can still remember the night my dad brought home the -SE I own today. I rode in the back hatch area with my brother in the passenger seat, and I can still remember thinking how 'futuristic' the orange/red lighting on everything looked. Back then, everything had green backlighting. About 10yrs later, I'd end up taking my driving test in that same car, and is one of the reasons why I'd never sell it.

This -SA has that kind of history for you, and I'm glad you were able to own it eventually. Take care,

 

Lets see if the pic of my old LS is working..

 

Working on getting the pictures fixed

 

(The only other car that would hypothetically have me pulling my pink slip out of the safe would be a pristine Mach Green 79 with the original plaid interior.)

 

Your collection is just ridiculous Dave! Congrats on the steal, couldn't have a cooler story

I can't keep from eyeing up the C20 with the 454 badge on it towing the car hauler - thing looks mint as well.

 

I have a lot of 80's metal and fiberglass that's for sure, lol. Its pretty absurd I'll admit but I couldn't have it any other way. Once I started collecting cars, I just couldn't stop. I wish I could afford to build a large building to store them and restore the new ones. I just love 80's sports cars. I grew up seeing them here and there and falling in love with their shape as a kid. So now I collect what I can afford I suppose.

The Chevy truck belongs to gentleman that gave me the car. He drives it to work most days. He has plenty of other cars to choose from but he prefers that truck. He restored it himself and he did quite a nice job!

 

Congratulations Dave! I just read your post on obtaining your new LS, I remember you speaking of the car in the past. The car has found an excellent home and its good to know that it will stay in its original configuration. We should see if we can find a half way point between your place and mine and get our LS’s together. It would make for an interesting photo op to have two original LS in the same place.

 

You could - - if you didn't have the cars.

In which case you wouldn't need it anyway.

 

Glen, I could sell the cars as my wife has suggested as well but I don't think I could do that. They're almost like my second batch of children, lol. They're just so important to me and it would be tough to sell some of them. Looking at a job opening that pays 6 figures and trying to get in there. Have a buddy that says he will help get me in. If that pans out later this year then you can bet by next summer there will be a building in the works.

 

Maybe I should retire to Vermilion in 10 years or so... would you save the Beastie a parking space?

 

You know that I absolutely would!! Vermilion is a nice small town right on the lake. I live in the township just outside of town and its super quiet and peaceful out here. I live on a dead end street with a nice roundabout at the end and I'm surrounded by endless back country roads with some excellent curves. If you're ever out this way I do host two RX-7 meets per year with the first coming up this Saturday. Its across the country but if you'd ever like to visit, my door is always open.

 

You should post a shout out a month or 2 ahead of time. The follow on pictures are nice to see as well.

 

I'll do it if ever I'm up there!

A dream trip would be to come visit one of your meets, then a long run down south to one of Ray's meets - - a shoo-in for the Iron Butt award.

 

The car has been running and driving very well. Really enjoying it!

Glen, I'm going to host the next meet late this month or early next month if you're interested in earning that iron butt award!

 

Unlikely I'll be able to, based on current commitments... but never say never until the date has passed. I'll keep an eye open.

 

And you know what, if next June or July works better for you then that would be great as well. Its one heck of a drive so if you aren't able to make it I'd understand.

 

With that much planning time, I may just pull it off; will advise!

 

Wanted to share a few current pics of the LS that I took a couple weeks back when I had the car out and spent the afternoon driving the car. Absolutely love the car!!

 

Love it. So great overall, but those wheels really make it.

 

I have always been a fan of your stable. This is a very sweet addition to it. You are truly a rockstar in your own right. The car is gorgeous and that guy made a great choice in you for it's new home.



On a completely unrelated note, how long ago did you get rid of the Camrry coupe?

 

Looking great Dave. Always a pleasure to see this car.

 

I really appreciate the kind words!! I am honored to be able to own this car.

I sold the 5spd Camry back in 2016. Replaced it with a 2006 BMW 330xi 6spd which I love dearly. Still miss that car. Picked up a 2002 Avalon for $100 a few weeks back. 249k miles but the thing still runs and drives like a dream. Automatic though, but the price was right. I'll post some pics of it. Bought it as a winter car due to the BMW needing a clutch. I have the clutch, but its been tough to find time to replace it. So I figured that I'm covered for the just in case.