mazda.junkie

One week ago I went to do a roofing bid on a large body shop in Asheville, upon leaving I went behind the shop to turn around (02 3500 crewcab dually) work truck. At the far end of the lot, all by its self was a black 1st gen. So I get out and look at it, and it had seen far better days. There was rust on the hood and rear deck and the paint is about a 2 out of 10. Anyways, I notice the tag lapsed in 90'
and the tire's were dried up. I go and speak with the owner about the particulars of the job, and inquire about the 7. Conversation goes like this:

Me: So do you know who owns the black Mazda in the back lot?
Him: Yeah, It's mine.
Me: Are you looking to sell it anytime soon?
Him:Sure, It's a collectors car and could be worth some money.Why are you interested?
Me: Well, I have been looking for one, but that one is real rough.
Him: What's it worth to you?
Me: About $300.00

At this point, I thought he was going to tell me to have a nice day, and I'll call you if I need your services lol. But instead, He gave me the job, and the car for 3 hundred. I handed him a estimate for almost $6000.

To the point,
The car is whole, still has the louvers on the back. The interior is TOAST, the dash has 65 cracks, the rear view mirror crumbled like chalk in my hand. The seats rip if you press them, and the leather on the wheel is almost gone. The body is straight,and I looked well. The hood is unsalvagable, but the rear quarter and fenders are good but behind the hatch is a hole about the size if a golf ball
The engine is completely whole, with the exception of the trailing plug on the back rotor. All the glass, sunroof, emblems, lenses, stock wheels (OEM 79') etc. The gauge cluster looks NEW somehow!!?!?

I am stoked about having the car, but also slightly overwhelmed with all the things Im going to have to replace. The clutch pedal wont budge, the throttle is very stiff, and I don't know if it runs or what. My FC is in near perfect condition, but it had taken me a little while to work the kinks out. The Miata is just amazing fun but I wanted a 1st gen when I bought it. There is a decent amount of parts from what Ive seen.

Really, my question is this. I know it took some reading to get here, but I'm still a little excited.

Some of you bought your cars in great shape, but those that spent the time to bring your car back from almost nothing, is it worth it? and would you do it again? I love my FC, and will always have one, but I know I would love the SA just as much for what it is.

I will try to post some PICs when I get a chance.

1979 Rx7 76,xxx showing but could be on the second trip around
It say's Limited on both sides?

Thanks MJ

fellinn

I as-well bought a 1st gen in a pretty beat up condition. Interior shot, paint is a 5/10 and engine needs a tender loving wrench, but.. if you have fallen in love with 7's as much as I have, I would have def bought what you described for $300 and start putting some $ into it. I say the project will probably be like an ex wife, you will have your good times and have your bad.

mazda.junkie

I dont know what it is about these cars, I cant seem to get enough. Everytime I see an RX-7 I get excited like Im 9 years old, stupid I guess. I have been looking around online a little, and thumbing through the Black Dragon catalog. There seems to be plenty of sources for various parts, and the infinite wisdom of the collective 7Club. It's something fresh to mess with, and its nothing like my S4.

It kinda reminds me of that 16 years start-up video on Youtube of the SA

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

nice! you got a limited, this is good!

with a car thats been sitting for that long, you need to take things in stages....

like you mention the clutch hydraulics are shot, the brakes too

its minimum going to need the fuel filters, prolly a pump, and maybe the tank and a carb rebuild too

if the engine turns, squirt some oil in it, and see if its got compression, if the plugs are out, its likely blown. if its not, put some more oil in it...

have fun! if you've got time, this is a really cool project

mazda.junkie

Thanks, I will get time this weekend to really look over everything, and try to turn the engine over by hand. I guess it will take me awhile to get used to using a CHOKE. Only one plug was missing, but it still seems a little strange.

rxtasy3

iTrader: (2)

and learning how to start a carbed engine as well after being so used to FI. can't just jump in and it start without first pressing the accelerator a couple times. u'd be surprised at the number of ppl that don't realize that cause they're so used to FI and it start right up and never have to touch the gas pedal. and then post thread after thread here about "car wont start without spraying starting fluid in it." good luck with it and i hope u find that there's still life left in that engine.

wanklenoob

wow, that is some work... I bought my 85 with a few dents on the body, still got one more to try and get out before I give up and take it to a body shop, and broken badges. Infact it still says I own a ZDA in the back, and the front says I own an AZDA. I had to replace the rear passenger taillight, all new coolant hoses, new O rings under the oil filter, and a new thermometer. Other than the really minor paint issues, and tires that look like they've been driving the roads of hell, it's cherry.

Yellow '79

post some pics!and restore the car right, SAs are probly the rarest (and best looking) rx7s

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

first off, you now own one of 3000 79 Limited's in beat black. excitment should start overflowing just on the rarity of the car. i restore maybe 3 or 4 rx-7's a year and its worth it every time. every time i take home someone's "junk" that they just want to throw away and turn it into an excelent running road machine i feel such a sense of accomplishment. i own two FC's, an 88 TII and an 88 10AE and both are wonderful cars. i restored the 10AE and it was a huge accomplishemnt. i am in the process of restoring an 85 S. i bought the car with a blown engine, no interior, rusty floor and bad wheel bearings. now, the car only needs the wheel bearings replaced. it can be driven daily and the previous owner couldnt believe it was the same car when he saw pics of it. SA, FB, Fc, the restoration is all the same and i enjoy each car for what it is and enjoy driving any 7 any time!

back to your car:
the engine may be carbon locked. you may want to squirt some atf into the plug holes and let it sit for awhile. carbon locked engines never gave me any trouble after i'd free them up. go through the motions and replace the plugs, wires, cap and rotor, fuel filter, air filter, belts, flush the cooling system and replace the hoses and t-stat, replace the engine oil and filter, trans fluid and diff fluid, grease the door hinges, replace the clutch slave, hose, and master cylinder, check the brakes. you may want to replace them at all four coners and give the system a good flush. i'd say to expect to replace the wheel cylinders as well as the shoes. expect to replace the front rotors and pads. while you're in there, look at the wheel bearings. re-grease if good, replace if necessary. you'll most likely have to replace the seal though. check out you suspension bushings and boots. clean the engine grounds and inspect the coils. check the lights around the car, and replace the tires and i'd say that you should be in business. if you need any other advice feel free to ask. we'll get you squared away!

MountainScreamer

I must come see this car. If you need any parts I know exactly where to find them, body parts, wheels, etc... Where in Asheville did you find it?

mazda.junkie

Oh man, thanks guys for your support and interest. The particulars have been running through my head as to what I will have to replace, and the list is long.
I really had trouble sleeping lastnight, but im pretty high strung anyways.

The car is still in Asheville till I have time to sort out transport, but hopefully this weekend.

As to the Limited edition, I searched my *** off lastnight to try and find more details, but all I could find was about the 5000 in 83, and that the Limited was discontinued from that point. And yes it's black.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

You need to search for '79 limited edition (try searching using "LE"). There was another limited edition in '83, but it is much different than your car. There is at least one good thread that I remember that talks about what the '79 LE has. I'll try to find it for ya.

Kent

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

hope this helps. i took the pic from a book that i have:

mikewoodkozar

My neck hurts ^

lol

good find though

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

Here's a couple of good threads about the '79 LE.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-general-discussion-207/79-mazda-rx-7-limited-edition-629750/

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/1979-sa-limited-edition-232914/

Take good care of her. It sounds like a nice score.

BlackWorksInc

I know that you're probably no where near the stage of installing interior components...

But! If you're interested, PM me about getting some seats. The preivious owner covered them in ugly as hell wool seat covers, so the seats are pretty much new with nice creamy feel and all that jazz...

Oh! BTW, Pick-n-pull will be your friend for a long time when you work on this car... Good luck on getting her to run and be a monster on the road!

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

i've got another pic of that article that i can post if the sideways crap is not kosher

mazda.junkie

No, that is fine. I read it and that is what I wanted to know, Thanks!

I always wanted a white SA w/ white wheels and polished lip. The LE only came in black. So I guess painting it white would be like painting a 10AE....red lol. No offense to those who have haha.
So, in the distant future I will paint it back "Beat black metallic".

gsl-se addict: Thanks for the links, I am about to go over them and do a little research

DemonSpawn67: I will need seats in the worst way, but it may be a few months
before I can get the inside ripped out and have the money to buy interior components.........but, what color are they?

Anyways, the first order of business is to see what kind of gremlins the engine has
and see if in fact it is carbon locked. I have had 3 FCs and this is the first time I have hear about this. New or rebuilt carb, everything rubber, and all hydraulic systems are going to have to be replaced, and that's just under the hood.
You have to spend your money on something though, It might as well be on a
milestone car like the 7

P.S In everything I have read, everyone went ape-**** when these cars came out.
Its still holds its own today in my book.

mazda.junkie

The car in the first link is very nice, and I hope to achieve a result similar to that car, mine was made in 03/79

Here is a video of the 16 year start-up *puts flame suit on and jumps into a swimming pool* I know most have probably seen it but if not, its worth watching IMO. Fortunately, mines in a LITTLE better shape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRmfarqgaTw

BlackWorksInc

Great! Because I still need teh seats for another month or two until my racing seats/4 point harness come in... They're gray... which I am going to guess isn't your color.

bad 83

iTrader: (3)

Man, I love that video from YouTube. The '80 SA I have was pretty mutch a basket case also. The only good redeeming quality was it had an awsome body. The engine was shot, the interior was shot, and it looked like Freddie Kruger had got ahold of the dash. I was planning on getting the car, and parting it out. After it sat beside my garage for almost 2 years, I said screw it, if nothing else, track car. I was not letting this one go out like this. So, with the help of some friends donating some freebies, and scrounging some low buck parts, I am know driving the car back and forth to work. I maybe have a grand in it, in it's current state. I am going to replace the dash with a 84-85 style (another donated freebie!) probably next week. So, thank you for saving another one from the grave, and don't worry about what extent, or what direction you decide to go with bringing it back. We will still support you . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LnqZVvQWmo

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

Congrats on the find man! Good luck with the build up-I've started from "scratch" on mine and could've bought an FD with the money I've invested so far, but I'm happy with it and that's all that matters. Just have fun restoring/customizing it and make sure you take a break to pay your bills every so often!

-Adam

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

any updates on the car? did you bring it home yet?

mazda.junkie

Well, I have been putting in alot of hours at work and havent had time to mess with it much. I moved the car to a friends shop, and as soon as I get a few body issues ironed out, I will bring it home. I am going to try to make the time to put some oil in the plug holes and turn it over by hand this weekend. If the engine is not healthy enough to revive, then Im just going to order a new engine from one of the places Ive been looking at.

Anyone have a rustless hood for a fair price?

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

i've got one. heck i have about 5. not sure how to ship something that big though...