Whomever Keeps Changing my Info on the 1980 LS Editions on Wiki, Please Stop
09-25-12, 05:51 PM
#26
1980 ls
Once a year in the spring I clay it with Meguires clay kit and then wax with Collinite's #845 Insulator Wax. It was originally designed to be applied to high voltage porcelain coated ceramic insulators to prevent “flashovers” on high voltage lines. This is tough stuff!
09-29-12, 04:52 PM
#29
Ok... Ed, finally have gotten somewhat caught up with work after getting back from my trip, and tried to dig up some of the LS-specific paperwork I have here. I still can not find the inter-company memo about the pin striping (I will keep looking), so until I can find it, I will concede I may be wrong that all of the LSs were supposed to have come with the dual unequal width striping. However, I did dig up some info that may cause both of us (and the rest of us here) to raise an eyebrow... as you said, your window sticker says "special striping" for which you were charged a separate line item fee. You also made mention of having two new stripe kits (0000-88-0748) in your possession. That kit is the same one I have sitting here, and as yours I'm sure do, it actually has "Leather Sport Stripe Kit" on the label. Here is where things get a little interesting (to me, anyways)- as you probably know, any part number in Mazda's system beginning with "0000" is exclusively an accessory. A regional accessory, district accessory, country accessory, or company-wide accessory, or model-specific accessory, but just an accessory nonetheless. They are typically not issued to standard across-the-model parts that all cars in that model range share. This point may be why there are no stripe kit part numbers listed in the Mazda dealer parts bulletins for replacement parts for special production cars (in this case, I am specifically referring to bulletin number T-3-6 dated 11-01-90.)
In this bulletin, which covers 79 LEs, 80 LSs, 80 Anniversary Editions, 80 Anniversary 626s and GLCs, and 83 LEs, those models that all cars share a like stripe kit have specific accesory part numbers for those kits. There are no stripe kits at all mentioned under the Leather Sport parts. Something I also found interesting- while Dave (rotarydude) and I have found a couple LSs without A/C, and at least two with automatic transmissions, the striping seems to be a real oddball. For instance, as I am sure you may have noticed searching the internet, the majority of Solar Gold LSs have the same stripe kit your car does- but not all of them. Most Brilliant Black LSs seem to have the striping my two cars do- the one I first mentioned (dual pin striping)- but not all of them, and while most Aurora White LSs seem to be lacking any striping altogether, some have the striping I mentioned, some have the kit like what is on your car. Between that observation, and the fact there is no stripe kits listed in the specific parts listing for the Leather Sports, I have a theory- while there may have been a somewhat standardized recommendation given to the ports, maybe different ports for different regions chose to do different things. Keep in mind, for instance- your car was sold through MMA-East, which was handled by ports in Florida and New Jersey. MMA-East put their orders for vehicles in directly to Mazda of Japan back then. Whereas a car sold, say, here in Michigan was sold through Mazda Distributors Great Lakes, which put it's orders in through MMA-Central, and all MDGL cars entered through a single California port, but had an inland service port (Chicago, I believe). Beyond that, MMA-Central did not put their orders in through Mazda Japan directly, but through Sumitomo, Mazda's primary shareholder. Back in 1980, there were at least five offloading ports, and (I believe) around 7 or 8 inland servicing ports (info pulled from 1985 employee handbook). Then I have yet another theory- I wonder if perhaps there is a "VIN-split" similar to the '88 10th Anniversary cars, where up to a certain VIN or build date, possibly all LS editions received the same striping, and afterward, the three colors got their own distinctive striping (or none at all on the Aurora White cars.) Oh- and your comment about my use of "off-black"- noted. I used that for two reasons- while I have seen brown striping on both Solar Gold and Aurora White cars, I did/do not know for certain that they all were brown. Off-Black is a color reference use din the factory parts catalogs that over the years has referred to dark browns, dark reds and most often dark grays. I was sort of covering my rear using that term figuring if I cam out and just said "brown" someone would call me out saying their stripes were actually a dark gray. So I tried using the broadest term I could for any dark color other than black, and still got called out. Oh well. : )
I noticed the issue about the stereo system was already discussed. While your window sticker claims six speakers, as you pointed out, they are counting the rear dual voice coil speakers twice. I'll note on wiki that there are four physical speakers, but it was listed as six (and why).
And I noticed I forgot to mention the leather wrapped shift ****, will fix that as well (if someone else hasn't already).
Any chance I can get you to email me a scan of your window sticker? Would love to see a genuine one for an LS Edition. (neal -at- kanseirotary.com)
Oh- and one last point for arghx- fair point, though not 100% correct. Technically, "whoever" would be used to indicate the subject of the verb "changing" is known to be only one person, or is indicative of only one person. "Whomever" as I used, technically should be used only when it is presumed more than one person is the subject of the linked verb. So, while your point is not completely correct, since I did imply it may be more than one person who has changed the information on Wiki, I will concede I should have said "Whoever or whomever..." for my subject line to be technically grammatically correct. Thank you, though, for reminding me why I so rarely choose to get on the forum anymore, and even more rarely post- too many folks that choose to post up comments that have no useful or constructive input towards the topic being discussed in a given thread. But keep in mind this comes from someone who does not care about their post count.
Neal.
In this bulletin, which covers 79 LEs, 80 LSs, 80 Anniversary Editions, 80 Anniversary 626s and GLCs, and 83 LEs, those models that all cars share a like stripe kit have specific accesory part numbers for those kits. There are no stripe kits at all mentioned under the Leather Sport parts. Something I also found interesting- while Dave (rotarydude) and I have found a couple LSs without A/C, and at least two with automatic transmissions, the striping seems to be a real oddball. For instance, as I am sure you may have noticed searching the internet, the majority of Solar Gold LSs have the same stripe kit your car does- but not all of them. Most Brilliant Black LSs seem to have the striping my two cars do- the one I first mentioned (dual pin striping)- but not all of them, and while most Aurora White LSs seem to be lacking any striping altogether, some have the striping I mentioned, some have the kit like what is on your car. Between that observation, and the fact there is no stripe kits listed in the specific parts listing for the Leather Sports, I have a theory- while there may have been a somewhat standardized recommendation given to the ports, maybe different ports for different regions chose to do different things. Keep in mind, for instance- your car was sold through MMA-East, which was handled by ports in Florida and New Jersey. MMA-East put their orders for vehicles in directly to Mazda of Japan back then. Whereas a car sold, say, here in Michigan was sold through Mazda Distributors Great Lakes, which put it's orders in through MMA-Central, and all MDGL cars entered through a single California port, but had an inland service port (Chicago, I believe). Beyond that, MMA-Central did not put their orders in through Mazda Japan directly, but through Sumitomo, Mazda's primary shareholder. Back in 1980, there were at least five offloading ports, and (I believe) around 7 or 8 inland servicing ports (info pulled from 1985 employee handbook). Then I have yet another theory- I wonder if perhaps there is a "VIN-split" similar to the '88 10th Anniversary cars, where up to a certain VIN or build date, possibly all LS editions received the same striping, and afterward, the three colors got their own distinctive striping (or none at all on the Aurora White cars.) Oh- and your comment about my use of "off-black"- noted. I used that for two reasons- while I have seen brown striping on both Solar Gold and Aurora White cars, I did/do not know for certain that they all were brown. Off-Black is a color reference use din the factory parts catalogs that over the years has referred to dark browns, dark reds and most often dark grays. I was sort of covering my rear using that term figuring if I cam out and just said "brown" someone would call me out saying their stripes were actually a dark gray. So I tried using the broadest term I could for any dark color other than black, and still got called out. Oh well. : )
I noticed the issue about the stereo system was already discussed. While your window sticker claims six speakers, as you pointed out, they are counting the rear dual voice coil speakers twice. I'll note on wiki that there are four physical speakers, but it was listed as six (and why).
And I noticed I forgot to mention the leather wrapped shift ****, will fix that as well (if someone else hasn't already).
Any chance I can get you to email me a scan of your window sticker? Would love to see a genuine one for an LS Edition. (neal -at- kanseirotary.com)
Oh- and one last point for arghx- fair point, though not 100% correct. Technically, "whoever" would be used to indicate the subject of the verb "changing" is known to be only one person, or is indicative of only one person. "Whomever" as I used, technically should be used only when it is presumed more than one person is the subject of the linked verb. So, while your point is not completely correct, since I did imply it may be more than one person who has changed the information on Wiki, I will concede I should have said "Whoever or whomever..." for my subject line to be technically grammatically correct. Thank you, though, for reminding me why I so rarely choose to get on the forum anymore, and even more rarely post- too many folks that choose to post up comments that have no useful or constructive input towards the topic being discussed in a given thread. But keep in mind this comes from someone who does not care about their post count.
Neal.
09-30-12, 03:04 PM
#30
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two new stripe kits (0000-88-0748) in your possession. That kit is the same one I have sitting here, and as yours I'm sure do, it actually has "Leather Sport Stripe Kit" on the label. Here is where things get a little interesting (to me, anyways)- as you probably know, any part number in Mazda's system beginning with "0000" is exclusively an accessory. A regional accessory, district accessory, country accessory, or company-wide accessory, or model-specific accessory, but just an accessory nonetheless. They are typically not issued to standard across-the-model parts that all cars in that model range share. This point may be why there are no stripe kit part numbers listed in the Mazda dealer parts bulletins for replacement parts for special production cars (in this case, I am specifically referring to bulletin number T-3-6 dated 11-01-90.)
Neal.
Neal.
this does two things. the first is that the 0000 parts can be accessories, touch up paint is a great example, but they can also be installed at the port.
a port installed 0000 part actually CAN be on all the cars in the model range, in a 1st gen AC is a good example; the best is the 3 on the side of a mazda 3, they are ALL port installed 0000 parts.
this basically just means that these 0000 parts won't show up in the regular parts catalog, as that reflects how the car left the factory in japan. there should be a bulletin or bulletins, from 1979-80. secondly the fact its a 0000 number tells you nothing, in and of itself about when or where it was installed.
the regional difference thing is interesting, it is possible that they do vary a little, although i have no info on that
edit; i will look thru my stash, if i have a bulletin maybe being out west it'll be different
09-30-12, 03:23 PM
#31
Thanks for the input! After reading your post and then re-reading my last one, I didn't do a decent job of pointing out that the "0000" numbers could be port installed. I assumed most folks already knew that, as nowadays some dealer accessory items can be ordered by the customer on an arriving vehicle, and they may be installed at the port, or put in the vehicle for the dealer to install.
Something else I forgot to add is that in the same parts bulleting I mentioned, the stripe kits for the 1980 Anniversary Edition cars is listed, since all RX-7 Anniversary Editions received the same kit (or were supposed to, anyway). That was my (poorly worded) comment about how not all cars of the same model range may get the accessory item in question if it is not listed on the bulletin for that special model. The "3" emblem you mentioned is a great point, and one I had not even thought of- since there are Axela-badged models in other LHD markets. That can take us back to my point about regional service ports possibly doing things a bit differently, not just for the US, but Canadian and Mexican market cars as well, though I do not know for sure if many Canadian market cars were serviced out of US-based service ports (such as Tacoma). Maybe the bulletin I am thinking of that I can not find, specifying the same stripe for all LS cars was actually for any LS cars that were destined for Canada?
I literally have binders and binders of dealer parts, service and recall bulletins some going back to 1970. Sorting through them to find applicable ones to the discussion is the issue I have- not much time to do it. The bulletin I mentioned took me an hour or so to find, as not all of the binders are neat and orderly- they are as they were removed from various dealerships over the years.
Neal.
Something else I forgot to add is that in the same parts bulleting I mentioned, the stripe kits for the 1980 Anniversary Edition cars is listed, since all RX-7 Anniversary Editions received the same kit (or were supposed to, anyway). That was my (poorly worded) comment about how not all cars of the same model range may get the accessory item in question if it is not listed on the bulletin for that special model. The "3" emblem you mentioned is a great point, and one I had not even thought of- since there are Axela-badged models in other LHD markets. That can take us back to my point about regional service ports possibly doing things a bit differently, not just for the US, but Canadian and Mexican market cars as well, though I do not know for sure if many Canadian market cars were serviced out of US-based service ports (such as Tacoma). Maybe the bulletin I am thinking of that I can not find, specifying the same stripe for all LS cars was actually for any LS cars that were destined for Canada?
I literally have binders and binders of dealer parts, service and recall bulletins some going back to 1970. Sorting through them to find applicable ones to the discussion is the issue I have- not much time to do it. The bulletin I mentioned took me an hour or so to find, as not all of the binders are neat and orderly- they are as they were removed from various dealerships over the years.
Neal.
10-01-12, 06:49 PM
#32
1980 Rx-7 LS info
Neil,
Thanks for the commentary. It seems the more we dig into this the more questions arise. I find it intriguing and now want to learn as much as I can about the SA series, especially the 1980 LS’s.
I am sending you a scan of my original window sticker which will hopefully clarify one or two points. First off you will see that the stripe was not a separate line item fee but part of the ‘LS’ package. Secondly A/C was also part of the ‘LS’ package not a line item option. In fact the only line item charge above the base cost of the car was the ‘LS‘ package which included all the items listed in my earlier posting.
I wish there was a way to get information on the early Mazda’s such as build cards or assembly line instructions, etc. like you can on US manufactured cars. Oh well through your efforts and the input of others on this site maybe we can make progress in this area. Keep up the good work and let me know if I can provide any other information.
Thanks for the commentary. It seems the more we dig into this the more questions arise. I find it intriguing and now want to learn as much as I can about the SA series, especially the 1980 LS’s.
I am sending you a scan of my original window sticker which will hopefully clarify one or two points. First off you will see that the stripe was not a separate line item fee but part of the ‘LS’ package. Secondly A/C was also part of the ‘LS’ package not a line item option. In fact the only line item charge above the base cost of the car was the ‘LS‘ package which included all the items listed in my earlier posting.
I wish there was a way to get information on the early Mazda’s such as build cards or assembly line instructions, etc. like you can on US manufactured cars. Oh well through your efforts and the input of others on this site maybe we can make progress in this area. Keep up the good work and let me know if I can provide any other information.
10-02-12, 06:34 AM
#33
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it seems to me that Mazda had very little consistency witht he release of the SA22c models. The reason I say this is my car is a conundrum as well. It is an unknown model (ie. S or GS) and has all the options, it was a 5-speed with AC and had dealer made stripes as well as almex whjeels. However it didn't have a sunroof which when looking at all the other evidence points towards it being a GS however according to Mazda, all the mid 78 GS models had sunroofs. Like I said, I think the problem comes from the factory not being consistent and that is why the information is so hard to find.
10-02-12, 12:35 PM
#34
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That can take us back to my point about regional service ports possibly doing things a bit differently, not just for the US, but Canadian and Mexican market cars as well, though I do not know for sure if many Canadian market cars were serviced out of US-based service ports (such as Tacoma). Maybe the bulletin I am thinking of that I can not find, specifying the same stripe for all LS cars was actually for any LS cars that were destined for Canada?
I literally have binders and binders of dealer parts, service and recall bulletins some going back to 1970. Sorting through them to find applicable ones to the discussion is the issue I have- not much time to do it. The bulletin I mentioned took me an hour or so to find, as not all of the binders are neat and orderly- they are as they were removed from various dealerships over the years.
Neal.
I literally have binders and binders of dealer parts, service and recall bulletins some going back to 1970. Sorting through them to find applicable ones to the discussion is the issue I have- not much time to do it. The bulletin I mentioned took me an hour or so to find, as not all of the binders are neat and orderly- they are as they were removed from various dealerships over the years.
Neal.
the canadians do get different options, for example they got headlight washers. i think the option packages were the same US and canada, but the FC and FD aren't, so i could be wrong.
I wish there was a way to get information on the early Mazda’s such as build cards or assembly line instructions, etc. like you can on US manufactured cars. Oh well through your efforts and the input of others on this site maybe we can make progress in this area. Keep up the good work and let me know if I can provide any other information.
it seems to me that Mazda had very little consistency witht he release of the SA22c models. The reason I say this is my car is a conundrum as well. It is an unknown model (ie. S or GS) and has all the options, it was a 5-speed with AC and had dealer made stripes as well as almex whjeels. However it didn't have a sunroof which when looking at all the other evidence points towards it being a GS however according to Mazda, all the mid 78 GS models had sunroofs. Like I said, I think the problem comes from the factory not being consistent and that is why the information is so hard to find.
10-02-12, 03:44 PM
#36
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yep, plus halogen headlights, sunshade windshield, remote hatch release, 4 spoke steering wheel, rubber side trim, stuff like that.
the sunroof, alloys and AC were options. although it seems like a high percentage of cars have all three
the sunroof, alloys and AC were options. although it seems like a high percentage of cars have all three
10-02-12, 03:58 PM
#37
Originally Posted by j9fd3s
yep, plus halogen headlights, sunshade windshield, remote hatch release, 4 spoke steering wheel, rubber side trim, stuff like that.
the sunroof, alloys and AC were options. although it seems like a high percentage of cars have all three
Alloys: who actually likes steelies?
AC: most must have been sold in the south (westcoast/eastcoast collectively).
See? Easy.
10-02-12, 08:44 PM
#38
Options for the GS (added charge, above the cars base price) included the 3 speed automatic, the sunroof, alloy wheels and A/C (added at the port). It does seem the majority of GS's had 5 speed manuals with aluminum rims, a sunroof and air. But this is America and they knew what would be desirable and profitable in a sports car.
There were also some stripe kits available both from the factory and aftermarket (dealer applied) just like undercoating and paint protection, all dealer add on up charge items to personalize and protect your new baby.
I've never heard or read anything about halogen headlights. Not even sure they were around in 79/80. Interesting comment on the sunshade band on the windshield. This could be a GS thing. I think I've saw some without the tint band across the top, just never related that to an S model. My windows stickers just mention blue tinted window glass as standard equipment. I always considered that as a reference to the tinting on the rear hatch. In the bright sunlight the windshield band appears more greenish than blue.
10-03-12, 10:35 AM
#39
"Tinted glass" in the 70's/80's always meant tint (usually bluish) integral to the side and rear glass, and was an option on many cars at the time.
It's been standard on most cars for so long now that it looks odd to see clear, non-tinted glass on a car, but if you look at unmolested cars from the 50's and 60's, & many from the 70's, the glass is water-clear.
I know my GS has tinted side/rear glass (in addition to my added tint); I can't remember off the top of my head if my original windshield had a sunshade tint band or not., Car's on it's third windshield that I know of. Get a lot of sandpitting & rock hits in Cali - never rains enough to keep the roads clean.
I have seen SA models with clear rather than tinted glass, too.
It's been standard on most cars for so long now that it looks odd to see clear, non-tinted glass on a car, but if you look at unmolested cars from the 50's and 60's, & many from the 70's, the glass is water-clear.
I know my GS has tinted side/rear glass (in addition to my added tint); I can't remember off the top of my head if my original windshield had a sunshade tint band or not., Car's on it's third windshield that I know of. Get a lot of sandpitting & rock hits in Cali - never rains enough to keep the roads clean.
I have seen SA models with clear rather than tinted glass, too.
10-06-12, 08:08 PM
#41
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does any one have a pic of a white LS were the correct gold stripe can be seen clearly? reason for my LS is white but has the black stripe like on the gold car above but i also know its been painted before, and i would like to know what its supossed to have.
10-06-12, 09:05 PM
#42
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This is a very interesting thread and does shed some light on the intricacies involved with the distribution of cars. I can't comment directly on what Mazda did, but I know with other manufacturers there are differences between Canada and USA beyond the standard safety differences and change in speedometer (many cars have different bumper rebar or something to that effect).
To expand on things, there are cars that are near identical between the two countries but vary in options or even name. For example, the Volkswagen Golf mk 1 was known as the Golf in the USA, but in Canada it carried the Rabbit name along with a few diffferent optional items. I know Dodge has done different option packages between the US and Canada on the Ram trucks (I would say trucks are famous for this). One example is a 2005 Ram 1500 quad cab my dad had, it had what was called the Lone Star package which was an upgrade to the mid range trim level with some of the Laramie options. All my research on this says that package was only available in Canada. I'm guessing the distribution port was probably different for the cars between Canada and the US but I could be vastly wrong on this. I'm no logistics expert.
I can't speak for differences in bumpers or anything to that effect between the RX-7's in the US and Canada. The most major difference in options that I am aware of is with the headlight washers on FB's. Never seen those on an SA in Canada though. Besides that everything else seems to be the same.
To expand on things, there are cars that are near identical between the two countries but vary in options or even name. For example, the Volkswagen Golf mk 1 was known as the Golf in the USA, but in Canada it carried the Rabbit name along with a few diffferent optional items. I know Dodge has done different option packages between the US and Canada on the Ram trucks (I would say trucks are famous for this). One example is a 2005 Ram 1500 quad cab my dad had, it had what was called the Lone Star package which was an upgrade to the mid range trim level with some of the Laramie options. All my research on this says that package was only available in Canada. I'm guessing the distribution port was probably different for the cars between Canada and the US but I could be vastly wrong on this. I'm no logistics expert.
I can't speak for differences in bumpers or anything to that effect between the RX-7's in the US and Canada. The most major difference in options that I am aware of is with the headlight washers on FB's. Never seen those on an SA in Canada though. Besides that everything else seems to be the same.
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08-11-15 03:47 PM
