twalke81

Last night this was finally delivered to me. This is my 4th gen 1 model (79, 80, 83 and now 79 again). 79 #1 was clay colored purchased in 1988.

This model is nearly original with allegedly 35k miles . Sent her to the dr for fluids, brakes and tires so i can christen on the hwy. Stock power atennae still working.

Vin is SA22c553961. Has a few suspect bits and pieces:

Large armrest connected to center console.
Body graphics
Blaupunkt stereo

The pic is crummy. Took it last night at 8:30 pm. Will post more next week when car is back from shop.

I'm putting together my to do list which thus far includes the items below. I welcome any suggestions - keep in mind I'm old and generally like a stock setup; this car is a time machine to me

To do:

New gas and brake lines
Change all fluids
Change all belts and hoses
Recharge AC
4 spoke stock wheel and new tires
Find Stock clarion radio and separate cassette deck
Figure out what the chrome bar is behind the seats
Get rid of the aftermarket sunroof
Determine if body graphics are stock and if not remove

Look forward to some feedback.

thecody59

iTrader: (1)

I don't think the stripes are stock they never sold them like that and you can't charge the ac in this car i have a 79 to the don't make the ac for this car anymore you would need to convert the ac or shell out alot of money for a old bottle.

DreamInRotary

iTrader: (49)

You can recharge the A/C.

Type "r152a A/C Conversion" in Google and the first thread is usually an RX7Club.com thread by someone who knows exactly what he's talking about. It's long and can be confusing, but your A/C will work better than it ever did - using all stock parts.

Any pictures of the chrome bar behind the seat?

twalke81

Will post one on Saturday night. Basically a chrome bar etending nearly the entire distance of the metal strip behind the seats that holds the carpet down. it has two strap loops on it and sits about 6 - 8 inches high. Will send the picture either way.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

R12 can also still be found now and then... though it is price-prohibitive.

Grats on the acquisition!

DreamInRotary

iTrader: (49)

r152a Conversion Tutorial

The thread that I was referring to is there. Cheap, easy and effetive - can't ask for much more!

Ryan Ludwig

Arnt those the stock waffle wheels?

twalke81

Yes. Just like the 4 spoke better.

woodmv

iTrader: (8)

Awesome car!!! I tried posting earlier today but my computer at work puked when I hit "submit"...

The stripes are definitely not stock. And I think the original radios are pretty hard to find these days. And speaking of the chrome bar, I have one that I picked up from a junker at PnP a year ago. I think the chrome bars are about as rare as anything on these first gens. I've only ever seen one other one in person (uninstalled), and one in a picture, so yours will make only the 4th I've ever known to exist!

I have to fabricate mounting brackets for mine, so if it's not too much trouble, and you're in there, you think you could take a pic of the brackets that bar mounts to? I need to figure out size, shape, dimensions, what they're welded to, etc...

Might could figure it out on my own, but a picture is worth a thousand words so they say!

Good luck!

twalke81

Happy to take a pic and provide dimensions. Give me the weekend to do so.

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

Welcome and congrautlations! Yes, give us some good interior, exterior and under the hood **** shots of her. does it still have the paint code decal on the underside of the bonnet? Looks like it could be Daytona Blue. One of the rarest 1st year only colors. The stripes are not stock.

The chrome bar you describe sounds like the rear luggage rack. Varients were sold as an Mazda OEM accessory through the dealership and aftermarket companies back in the day. They did not come with the car from the factory. You need a stock GS 4 spoke steering wheel? What is on it now? Since this is not your first Rotaryo, I assume you know the differences btw an S model and GS? What transmission is in it? S models had 4 speeds and a 2 spoke steering wheel. The GSs came standard with the 5 speed and 4 spoke.

Stock radios don't fall from the sky but they are around. What's harder to find are un cut radio surrounds. 7 out of 10 of these pannels were cutout to accept aftermarket stereo systems. I don't believe that any US model had a seperate tape deck in 79, except for the 79 Limited. They only had the AM/FM Clarion and a small pocket compartment that filled in the other opening. 1980 is when they threw the cassette players into the mix. The large padded top to the center console lid were aftermarket add ons too.

If you have an aftermarket sunroof, I'm not sure how you'd "get rid of it". You might be stuck. OEM sunroofs are a different size altogether.

twalke81

This is one is a GS. Will take a picture of the paint code with the centerfold pics.

Thanks for the info on the luggage rack and center console.

I think the blaupunkt was mounted over the console so if I can find a clarion unicorn I will be in good shape.

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

I believe U2 is the factory paint code you'd be looking for.

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

I looked it up and stand to correct myself. A9 was the factory paint code for Daytona Blue. Can only claim "Drain Bramage" for my first answer.

I also now see where the 4 spoke wheel reference was to your rims. I was thinking steering wheel. Your waffles are correct for a 79. The X wheels did not come along until 81.

twalke81

twalke81

twalke81

twalke81

twalke81

twalke81

woodmv

iTrader: (8)

Ahaaaa! That's the first time since the junkyard (pre-iPhone) that I've seen the luggage bar installed. Nice interior!

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

The paint code decal is on the LH underside of the hood along with an emissions lable and lubrication chart.

twalke81

Thanks for the notes. The hood has an aftermarket heat/noise blanket installed. Need to figure out how to gently peel back for the paint code.