spark yellow history questions
06-19-11, 11:32 AM
#1
spark yellow history questions
Ok I know everything..... well sometimes I act like I do and think I do but it I know it isn't the truth. I do try to collect the info in one location to try and preserve it....
On that guys look at this auction I thought the seller would post more proof if so this car could have gone through the roof money wise.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda...item4aac00ac26
Based on this does anyone know the car?
Has anyone heard of this before and is there any proof to back up the claim.
On that guys look at this auction I thought the seller would post more proof if so this car could have gone through the roof money wise.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda...item4aac00ac26
Based on this does anyone know the car?
Has anyone heard of this before and is there any proof to back up the claim.
06-19-11, 05:03 PM
#2
Sin City Rotary
now I know alot less then the rest of ya's but 538014 (if I remember right) why so far in the production to peddle a car that started moving off the showroom floor? Sounds like a great story but like you I say, really??
06-20-11, 03:55 AM
#3
Dude-
Attached is a shot off a Hemmings Motor News ad posting from...07?
There is no data to match these but:
-mileage
-color
-CT address
so I'm betting same car.
'course this doesn't really PROVE anything, but would make the buyer (you???!) confirmed a Helluva Deal compare to earlier asking price!!!!
Would hope anyone dropping $7K would have contacted SOMEbody local to go eyeball this thing. While the crappy photos show it looking clean...but "showroom"? naaaa. Engine compartment would suggest it was at the very least rode hard, put away wet. 13K mi is dream-time use BUT if it was poorly stored then there could be a lot more spent to make this sleeping beauty road-worthy again. If it DOES appear to be everything it is presented as being, then I'd call $7K price "well-bought" for the new owner.
Guess we all wait and hope the New Owner steps up here on the Forum and shows us the Money.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Attached is a shot off a Hemmings Motor News ad posting from...07?
There is no data to match these but:
-mileage
-color
-CT address
so I'm betting same car.
'course this doesn't really PROVE anything, but would make the buyer (you???!) confirmed a Helluva Deal compare to earlier asking price!!!!
Would hope anyone dropping $7K would have contacted SOMEbody local to go eyeball this thing. While the crappy photos show it looking clean...but "showroom"? naaaa. Engine compartment would suggest it was at the very least rode hard, put away wet. 13K mi is dream-time use BUT if it was poorly stored then there could be a lot more spent to make this sleeping beauty road-worthy again. If it DOES appear to be everything it is presented as being, then I'd call $7K price "well-bought" for the new owner.
Guess we all wait and hope the New Owner steps up here on the Forum and shows us the Money.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
06-20-11, 09:01 AM
#4
Waffles - hmmm good
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I don't know about the production facts but I have seen that car advertised before
and I remember that Hemmings add as well. I thought it was a joke when I saw it.
At 7k I would call it well sold by the ebay seller. I wouldn't give more that about 5K
for it. It was about 7K brand spanking new and nows its 30+ years old and I know
of at least a couple of other spark yellows in that kind of condition that have gone
for a lot less.
So dude, who bought it? Any ideas?
and I remember that Hemmings add as well. I thought it was a joke when I saw it.
At 7k I would call it well sold by the ebay seller. I wouldn't give more that about 5K
for it. It was about 7K brand spanking new and nows its 30+ years old and I know
of at least a couple of other spark yellows in that kind of condition that have gone
for a lot less.
So dude, who bought it? Any ideas?
06-20-11, 11:40 AM
#5
Awful lot of road-rash on the lower lip for 13k. Also engine-bay rust (was driven in winter salt, apparently, and not cleaned - - either that, or a lot of dirt accumulated in there, got wet, & was left for years) & lug-nut corrosion. & what's up with all that dirt build-up on the fan blade tips? Almost looks like over-spray. Water pump housing is quite rusted, too.
GLASS sunroof...?
Psg.-side mirror...
January 79 build date.
Nice car. $7k seems a bit high but I could see someone going there if they really, really wanted it & it runs cleanly. It's nowhere near showroom condition, though. Good survivor condition car, but not 'incredibly clean' nor does it 'look like a brand new car.'
If it still 'has the new car smell,' I'd bet it came out of a spray can.
GLASS sunroof...?
Psg.-side mirror...
January 79 build date.
Nice car. $7k seems a bit high but I could see someone going there if they really, really wanted it & it runs cleanly. It's nowhere near showroom condition, though. Good survivor condition car, but not 'incredibly clean' nor does it 'look like a brand new car.'
If it still 'has the new car smell,' I'd bet it came out of a spray can.
06-20-11, 04:10 PM
#6
Hence why I did not bid on it. I did send a message to the seller and so did a couple of other members. The seller did not present themselves in the best light. In his/her email back it was rather rude. In one instance he said bid on the car then I will show you documentation..... HMMM sounds a little fishy to me. I contacted him and said I was interested and if he posted real documentation that showed real proof I would be all over it. He did say that the engine bay had been treated with a rust inhibitor hence the funky look to it. I really wanted more documentation on the car more than anything... story sounds too good to be true.... Only 365 made... not to sell for 2 years.... something isn't adding up. The other thing that interested me is the color.... need some help from STU, DD maybe a couple of others.
79 specific, Color on that car was spark yellow... but the trim all appeared to be blacked out.. now I realize that black trim on a yellow car looks good, but I was pretty sure that all the 79s came with grayish trim and then they switched in 80 to black. The reason I am so interested in this the 88 car has black trim but we believe it was done during the repaint and we are trying to correct the little flaws.
79 specific, Color on that car was spark yellow... but the trim all appeared to be blacked out.. now I realize that black trim on a yellow car looks good, but I was pretty sure that all the 79s came with grayish trim and then they switched in 80 to black. The reason I am so interested in this the 88 car has black trim but we believe it was done during the repaint and we are trying to correct the little flaws.
06-20-11, 10:15 PM
#7
I have never heard of the claim about not selling yellow on black cars right away untill this car surfaced with it a while back. Personally, I'm not drinking the cool-aid on this one.
1) What kind of strategy would it be for Mazda to purposely sell a car, after its 2 two model yrs old?
2) If you actually had documentation proving it to be something unique, why on earth wouldn't you be waving it around up front to prove its pedigree and justify the asking?
3) I personally drouled on spark cars (for sale) on the lot in 79.
I have no reason to doubt the milage claim (The car appears very nice) or know how many Spark cars were actually made, but to me, the whole not sell em claim, casts a shadow over the entire thing and I think you were right to ask your questions and probe the sellers knowledge. I agree that no one person knows every detail about these cars or their whole production history. But I also don't know of any better collective knowlege base of it, than what resides here.
I do believe that the standard trim color in 79 was the metallic grey across the board. I also know that slight color differences do exist even off todays production lines. It's impossibile to have perfect, exact color consistencies over months of production. If the body was touched up, chances are, so was the trim. How do the door handles look. These do not wear as bad as the trim seems to and are left untouched many times. It would have matched the trim when new.
1) What kind of strategy would it be for Mazda to purposely sell a car, after its 2 two model yrs old?
2) If you actually had documentation proving it to be something unique, why on earth wouldn't you be waving it around up front to prove its pedigree and justify the asking?
3) I personally drouled on spark cars (for sale) on the lot in 79.
I have no reason to doubt the milage claim (The car appears very nice) or know how many Spark cars were actually made, but to me, the whole not sell em claim, casts a shadow over the entire thing and I think you were right to ask your questions and probe the sellers knowledge. I agree that no one person knows every detail about these cars or their whole production history. But I also don't know of any better collective knowlege base of it, than what resides here.
I do believe that the standard trim color in 79 was the metallic grey across the board. I also know that slight color differences do exist even off todays production lines. It's impossibile to have perfect, exact color consistencies over months of production. If the body was touched up, chances are, so was the trim. How do the door handles look. These do not wear as bad as the trim seems to and are left untouched many times. It would have matched the trim when new.
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06-20-11, 11:06 PM
#8
For that matter, the inside portion of some trim items might never have been redone - - and might not even be sun-faded. I know a lot of people who just re-do their trim with it in place.
In my personal opinion, I think that's likely bilge. I've never heard of an in-engine-bay rust treatment that makes the car look just like it has rusted on all the upper surfaces. And makes the water pump rust, too.
Originally Posted by Rotarydude
He did say that the engine bay had been treated with a rust inhibitor hence the funky look to it.
06-20-11, 11:51 PM
#9
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For that matter, the inside portion of some trim items might never have been redone - - and might not even be sun-faded. I know a lot of people who just re-do their trim with it in place.
In my personal opinion, I think that's likely bilge. I've never heard of an in-engine-bay rust treatment that makes the car look just like it has rusted on all the upper surfaces. And makes the water pump rust, too.
In my personal opinion, I think that's likely bilge. I've never heard of an in-engine-bay rust treatment that makes the car look just like it has rusted on all the upper surfaces. And makes the water pump rust, too.
06-21-11, 04:42 AM
#10
Man, this whole interior trim thing can be a bit of a minefield. here is what I have pulled from 4 sources;
Pics: 1978 JDM Dealer Sales Manual (some images also appear in home market brochures) and 1979, 1980 JDM brochures.
Data: April 1979 - 1979 Parts Book (N.America)
Photos illustrate interior trims on ALL models (again, for the FIRST run of RX7s, these specs changed as production evolved thru 1980, as the final photo details) which is FOUR in the home market. Our "GS" RX7s were basically "GT" trimmed cars with (optional here, not available there till later) sunroofs.
B&W Plaid cloth inserts were the Name of the Game on earliest GS Spark cars. It was all about parroting the Porsche style of the time.
The 1979 parts manual indicates Plaid as being available from the beginning VINs as folllows:
SA22C-500001 to -535838. The LAST chassis number was produced in Dec. 1978.
AT THE SAME TIME/VINs:
black vinyl was also equipped. Now in Japan, Vinyl was strictly the "Custom" (base) RX7 model territory, roughly equivalent to the "S" here. Yet here we have (with ebay Spark car) a GS with black vinyl interior/seating. I would have thought that the "S" cars would have been the only ones getting the "vinyl-treatment", as indeed originally just they were, but such are the vagaries of mass production. My 1980 GS also had vinyl, well into the velour-equipped timeline (below) of production (*sigh*).
At SN -535839/Dec 1978 the trim switched to Cloth/velour trim for the GS, while (for the most part) S remained vinyl. The Plaid was discontinued.
The 1980 color chart (with later 1979 RX7s sharing some of the trim, ALL of the colors!) - shows how the range of choices in colors and materials expanded considerably. Because this Chart shows SPARK as a color choice, this must be a VERY early-spec 80 line-up because I don't think I have ever seen a Spark 1980 production car. This could be a case of the marketing department being out of the Loop with actual production line.
Not sure if this all adds much to the discussion, but fascinating stuff for the SA-Nutz here!
STILL hope the Actual Owner of this car steps up!
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Pics: 1978 JDM Dealer Sales Manual (some images also appear in home market brochures) and 1979, 1980 JDM brochures.
Data: April 1979 - 1979 Parts Book (N.America)
Photos illustrate interior trims on ALL models (again, for the FIRST run of RX7s, these specs changed as production evolved thru 1980, as the final photo details) which is FOUR in the home market. Our "GS" RX7s were basically "GT" trimmed cars with (optional here, not available there till later) sunroofs.
B&W Plaid cloth inserts were the Name of the Game on earliest GS Spark cars. It was all about parroting the Porsche style of the time.
The 1979 parts manual indicates Plaid as being available from the beginning VINs as folllows:
SA22C-500001 to -535838. The LAST chassis number was produced in Dec. 1978.
AT THE SAME TIME/VINs:
black vinyl was also equipped. Now in Japan, Vinyl was strictly the "Custom" (base) RX7 model territory, roughly equivalent to the "S" here. Yet here we have (with ebay Spark car) a GS with black vinyl interior/seating. I would have thought that the "S" cars would have been the only ones getting the "vinyl-treatment", as indeed originally just they were, but such are the vagaries of mass production. My 1980 GS also had vinyl, well into the velour-equipped timeline (below) of production (*sigh*).
At SN -535839/Dec 1978 the trim switched to Cloth/velour trim for the GS, while (for the most part) S remained vinyl. The Plaid was discontinued.
The 1980 color chart (with later 1979 RX7s sharing some of the trim, ALL of the colors!) - shows how the range of choices in colors and materials expanded considerably. Because this Chart shows SPARK as a color choice, this must be a VERY early-spec 80 line-up because I don't think I have ever seen a Spark 1980 production car. This could be a case of the marketing department being out of the Loop with actual production line.
Not sure if this all adds much to the discussion, but fascinating stuff for the SA-Nutz here!
STILL hope the Actual Owner of this car steps up!
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
06-21-11, 01:42 PM
#12
Banzai, ---- agreed it was all too crazy and I have never heard any of that stuff. If I had been him with the documents i would have shouted it out.
Stu and others
awesome stuff but here we go mixing and matching US and JDM stuff... it drives me nuts also. lets not talk about the car that was for sale SA22C 53x,xxx I want you guys opinions and statements about my early 78 SA22C 500,088 we are trying to clean it up right. Since my car was repainted we got it with blacked trim(exterior) windows, rain gutters, door handles I am wanting to know can anyone of you verify an original yellow car with black trim? We believe that our car was also the picture car for the May 78 issue of the Southern Automotive Journal and if you review their pictures it does appear that the trim is black. I asked my friends at Mazda and none have a great answer but.... the katayama car (Daytona rx7 which is serial number 7) has blacked out trim as well... yea but it is a race car...
I know all of this makes my head hurt....
As for the interior mine definately is a GS model with accessories and it has the black vinyl interior.
Stu and others
awesome stuff but here we go mixing and matching US and JDM stuff... it drives me nuts also. lets not talk about the car that was for sale SA22C 53x,xxx I want you guys opinions and statements about my early 78 SA22C 500,088 we are trying to clean it up right. Since my car was repainted we got it with blacked trim(exterior) windows, rain gutters, door handles I am wanting to know can anyone of you verify an original yellow car with black trim? We believe that our car was also the picture car for the May 78 issue of the Southern Automotive Journal and if you review their pictures it does appear that the trim is black. I asked my friends at Mazda and none have a great answer but.... the katayama car (Daytona rx7 which is serial number 7) has blacked out trim as well... yea but it is a race car...
I know all of this makes my head hurt....
As for the interior mine definately is a GS model with accessories and it has the black vinyl interior.
06-21-11, 10:22 PM
#14
I don't recall any trim differences that stood out to me but would not have known a 78 built car from a 79 back then. Is the mirror is molded Grey? The true trim color would be nice to know, but this is so early it could be anything. I'd just go with what you think goes best colorwise. If you find the guy who could dispute it, you'd still win!
Stu-I do remember that over the summer of 79, almost every car I looked at (at 2 area dealerships) had red dot seats regardless of S or GS. Occasionally, I saw Burgandy velour seats but that was it. When I saw mine for the first time in August, I was surprised to see the grey velour inserts. I didn't know they even made em.
Stu-I do remember that over the summer of 79, almost every car I looked at (at 2 area dealerships) had red dot seats regardless of S or GS. Occasionally, I saw Burgandy velour seats but that was it. When I saw mine for the first time in August, I was surprised to see the grey velour inserts. I didn't know they even made em.
06-22-11, 03:53 AM
#15
Since my car was repainted we got it with blacked trim(exterior) windows, rain gutters, door handles I am wanting to know can anyone of you verify an original yellow car with black trim? We believe that our car was also the picture car for the May 78 issue of the Southern Automotive Journal and if you review their pictures it does appear that the trim is black. I asked my friends at Mazda and none have a great answer but.... the katayama car (Daytona rx7 which is serial number 7) has blacked out trim as well... yea but it is a race car...
I know all of this makes my head hurt....
As for the interior mine definately is a GS model with accessories and it has the black vinyl interior.
I know all of this makes my head hurt....
As for the interior mine definately is a GS model with accessories and it has the black vinyl interior.
Here are TWO Spark cars:
-one in Beige trim
-one in Black
does that help!?
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
06-22-11, 09:04 AM
#16
Waffles - hmmm good
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My 80 GS has black vinyl interior and no velour inserts. The inserts on the seats is a
vinyl mesh kind of pattern that breathes. I'd like to get them recovered and I have a
good seat person to do it, I just need the $$$ set aside to deal with it.
vinyl mesh kind of pattern that breathes. I'd like to get them recovered and I have a
good seat person to do it, I just need the $$$ set aside to deal with it.
06-22-11, 09:31 AM
#17
The seat vinyl was thoroughly trashed by the time I got the car; it had the ubiquitous 80's sheepskin covers on it.
06-22-11, 09:41 AM
#18
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There is a local guy here with a 5/78 car that he bought new. It's white with a black interior. The car is mostly original I think it had a repaint at some point and it has a jdm motor in it but that is it. I know the car is a GS.
If you want, I can probably meet with the guy and ask him questions and take some pics of the car. Just tell me what you would want me to ask him and take pics of.
If you want, I can probably meet with the guy and ask him questions and take some pics of the car. Just tell me what you would want me to ask him and take pics of.
06-22-11, 12:21 PM
#19
Sin City Rotary
choops 3/78 spark yellow, black interior, black vinyl seats no carpet on door panels, I beleive he got from original owners, I am sure we can get more pics of it
Last edited by 13x; 06-22-11 at 12:27 PM.
06-22-11, 01:20 PM
#20
Dave- does my above post not help? Confused - looks to me like OE black interior on Spark is viable. Ads the fact my later (SA22C-59xxxx) 80 GS ALSO came in @&*!$%!@#$ black in spite a near universal use of velour inserts in 90% (my number) of GS's by this time....
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Here is another question it has the accessory rocker moulding anyone have any NOS i need to know what it looks like new so we can refinish it.
Oh here is a crazy one for you guys when we had the 88 at the Mitty we found out that the engine isn't Rx7 or at least parts of it aren't Rx7. Engine builder extrodinair Rick Engman was checking it out and said "huh would you look at that those parts are late Rx3" This doesn't surprise me and it does match the 33.... kind of appears that maybe all the Rx7 parts weren't ready for initial assembly or maybe the JDM cars used Rx3 type stuff on intial runs.
06-22-11, 01:29 PM
#22
Waffles - hmmm good
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Oh here is a crazy one for you guys when we had the 88 at the Mitty we found out that the engine isn't Rx7 or at least parts of it aren't Rx7. Engine builder extrodinair Rick Engman was checking it out and said "huh would you look at that those parts are late Rx3" This doesn't surprise me and it does match the 33.... kind of appears that maybe all the Rx7 parts weren't ready for initial assembly or maybe the JDM cars used Rx3 type stuff on intial runs.
j/k