1980 Rx7 colour PZ brilliant black
01-25-20, 11:23 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
1980 Rx7 colour PZ brilliant black
Serial number sa22c 629490 1981 fb engine transmission original factory as it’s a late year model factory rims sun roof power antenna clock two mirrors 5 speed transmission black on black front and rear speakers gray centre conceal pinstripes from new but have been removed I am the original owner from new 92.000 km
01-27-20, 05:48 AM
#5
Definitely a beautiful example!! 1980 was a great year for the car! If it were mine I would repaint the center caps to correct shade of black with the mazda logo in the center unpainted. I would also source a correct shift **** as the one that is in the car is not correct for the car.
01-27-20, 10:20 AM
#6
Always good to have original owners find their way here, Welcome! This is a great resource of Rx-7 info and facts you may have never known. Brilliant Black was introduced in 1980. They used it on the Leather Sport model that year, plus some regular trim cars like yours. But not that many, it is a rare color. To me, the gear **** is correct, the shift boot isn't. That's an FB boot. In 80 they used the vinyl SA boot.
What do you mean by : "1981 fb engine transmission original factory as it’s a late year" ?
The period tires look great. Are they original to the car? I have never saw RWL Biggie's that say "steel belted 60" Normally, they were "70" series. .I'd hope you have a more modern set to use on the street. Those old ones can suddenly fail without notice.
What do you mean by : "1981 fb engine transmission original factory as it’s a late year" ?
The period tires look great. Are they original to the car? I have never saw RWL Biggie's that say "steel belted 60" Normally, they were "70" series. .I'd hope you have a more modern set to use on the street. Those old ones can suddenly fail without notice.
01-27-20, 11:47 AM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Always good to have original owners find their way here, Welcome! This is a great resource of Rx-7 info and facts you may have never known. Brilliant Black was introduced in 1980. They used it on the Leather Sport model that year, plus some regular trim cars like yours. But not that many, it is a rare color. To me, the gear **** is correct, the shift boot isn't. That's an FB boot. In 80 they used the vinyl SA boot.
What do you mean by : "1981 fb engine transmission original factory as it’s a late year" ? So in 1980 they made 1980 and 1981 side by side after a late in the year date sorry can’t remember what date if it’s a late year it got a 81 engine and transmission fb serial number will show if it’s a late year mine is sa22c629490 very late year
The period tires look great. Are they original to the car? I have never saw RWL Biggie's that say "steel belted 60" Normally, they were "70" series. .I'd hope you have a more modern set to use on the street. Those old ones can suddenly fail without notice.
What do you mean by : "1981 fb engine transmission original factory as it’s a late year" ? So in 1980 they made 1980 and 1981 side by side after a late in the year date sorry can’t remember what date if it’s a late year it got a 81 engine and transmission fb serial number will show if it’s a late year mine is sa22c629490 very late year
The period tires look great. Are they original to the car? I have never saw RWL Biggie's that say "steel belted 60" Normally, they were "70" series. .I'd hope you have a more modern set to use on the street. Those old ones can suddenly fail without notice.
interior complete original never changed right about the fb explained this car is a original sa/fb maybe one of the very first fb even before fb came out as it’s a 1980 also I really can’t remember maybe a Ls?? If someone knows please let me know at New remember the salesman saying something about the car being special but I always thought it was a sales pitch until I found out last year that the car is very rare could be the latest 80 documented around if someone knows how to help me add this to the list I would be thankful. A little hard for us out school people
Last edited by Buddy Bower; 01-27-20 at 11:59 AM.
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01-27-20, 12:31 PM
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Definitely a beautiful example!! 1980 was a great year for the car! If it were mine I would repaint the center caps to correct shade of black with the mazda logo in the center unpainted. I would also source a correct shift **** as the one that is in the car is not correct for the car.
01-27-20, 04:43 PM
#9
Your car is a GS trim level car. The "Leather Sport" was a package which included a brown leather interior, gold waffle wheels, remotely adjustable-electric mirrors and some other special equipment.
You car is also an "SA". As you mentioned, the VIN begins with SA22C, which makes it so. In 1981, the Fed mandated automakers to all go to a new 14 digit VIN format for the US domestic market. This is when the FB VIN was born. All Rx-7's sold in the US in 1979 and 1980 are known as SA's due to the VIN prefix, those manufactured to be sold beginning in 81 are known as FB's.
Mazda also re-designed several body components for 81, mainly the way the front and rear bumpers are integrated into the body and the interior also received a major facelift. On the engine, they updated the electronic distributor, first used in 80 and I believe went from the heat exchanger exhaust to a catalytic converter system. The configuration of the transmission in 81 changed too as did the location/ position of the shift level. Not sure what the salesman told you, but the 79 / 80 interior parts do not line up with an 81 and later transmission / driveline. The placement of the shift lever is different. The FB's are set slightly further back in the interior.
If your VIN is SA22C 629490, it would be one of the last 1980's made. According to factory info (can be found here): Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
that VIN would have been made in Sept of 80, the last month of 80 production. There should also be a tag on your drivers door jam which lists the year and month of manufacture.
You car is also an "SA". As you mentioned, the VIN begins with SA22C, which makes it so. In 1981, the Fed mandated automakers to all go to a new 14 digit VIN format for the US domestic market. This is when the FB VIN was born. All Rx-7's sold in the US in 1979 and 1980 are known as SA's due to the VIN prefix, those manufactured to be sold beginning in 81 are known as FB's.
Mazda also re-designed several body components for 81, mainly the way the front and rear bumpers are integrated into the body and the interior also received a major facelift. On the engine, they updated the electronic distributor, first used in 80 and I believe went from the heat exchanger exhaust to a catalytic converter system. The configuration of the transmission in 81 changed too as did the location/ position of the shift level. Not sure what the salesman told you, but the 79 / 80 interior parts do not line up with an 81 and later transmission / driveline. The placement of the shift lever is different. The FB's are set slightly further back in the interior.
If your VIN is SA22C 629490, it would be one of the last 1980's made. According to factory info (can be found here): Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
that VIN would have been made in Sept of 80, the last month of 80 production. There should also be a tag on your drivers door jam which lists the year and month of manufacture.
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mazdaverx713b (01-27-20)
01-27-20, 05:36 PM
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Your car is a GS trim level car. The "Leather Sport" was a package which included a brown leather interior, gold waffle wheels, remotely adjustable-electric mirrors and some other special equipment.
You car is also an "SA". As you mentioned, the VIN begins with SA22C, which makes it so. In 1981, the Fed mandated automakers to all go to a new 14 digit VIN format for the US domestic market. This is when the FB VIN was born. All Rx-7's sold in the US in 1979 and 1980 are known as SA's due to the VIN prefix, those manufactured to be sold beginning in 81 are known as FB's.
Mazda also re-designed several body components for 81, mainly the way the front and rear bumpers are integrated into the body and the interior also received a major facelift. On the engine, they updated the electronic distributor, first used in 80 and I believe went from the heat exchanger exhaust to a catalytic converter system. The configuration of the transmission in 81 changed too as did the location/ position of the shift level. Not sure what the salesman told you, but the 79 / 80 interior parts do not line up with an 81 and later transmission / driveline. The placement of the shift lever is different. The FB's are set slightly further back in the interior.
If your VIN is SA22C 629490, it would be one of the last 1980's made. According to factory info (can be found here): Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
that VIN would have been made in Sept of 80, the last month of 80 production. There should also be a tag on your drivers door jam which lists the year and month of manufacture.
You car is also an "SA". As you mentioned, the VIN begins with SA22C, which makes it so. In 1981, the Fed mandated automakers to all go to a new 14 digit VIN format for the US domestic market. This is when the FB VIN was born. All Rx-7's sold in the US in 1979 and 1980 are known as SA's due to the VIN prefix, those manufactured to be sold beginning in 81 are known as FB's.
Mazda also re-designed several body components for 81, mainly the way the front and rear bumpers are integrated into the body and the interior also received a major facelift. On the engine, they updated the electronic distributor, first used in 80 and I believe went from the heat exchanger exhaust to a catalytic converter system. The configuration of the transmission in 81 changed too as did the location/ position of the shift level. Not sure what the salesman told you, but the 79 / 80 interior parts do not line up with an 81 and later transmission / driveline. The placement of the shift lever is different. The FB's are set slightly further back in the interior.
If your VIN is SA22C 629490, it would be one of the last 1980's made. According to factory info (can be found here): Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
that VIN would have been made in Sept of 80, the last month of 80 production. There should also be a tag on your drivers door jam which lists the year and month of manufacture.
01-27-20, 05:48 PM
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Your car is a GS trim level car. The "Leather Sport" was a package which included a brown leather interior, gold waffle wheels, remotely adjustable-electric mirrors and some other special equipment.
You car is also an "SA". As you mentioned, the VIN begins with SA22C, which makes it so. In 1981, the Fed mandated automakers to all go to a new 14 digit VIN format for the US domestic market. This is when the FB VIN was born. All Rx-7's sold in the US in 1979 and 1980 are known as SA's due to the VIN prefix, those manufactured to be sold beginning in 81 are known as FB's.
Mazda also re-designed several body components for 81, mainly the way the front and rear bumpers are integrated into the body and the interior also received a major facelift. On the engine, they updated the electronic distributor, first used in 80 and I believe went from the heat exchanger exhaust to a catalytic converter system. The configuration of the transmission in 81 changed too as did the location/ position of the shift level. Not sure what the salesman told you, but the 79 / 80 interior parts do not line up with an 81 and later transmission / driveline. The placement of the shift lever is different. The FB's are set slightly further back in the interior.
If your VIN is SA22C 629490, it would be one of the last 1980's made. According to factory info (can be found here): Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
that VIN would have been made in Sept of 80, the last month of 80 production. There should also be a tag on your drivers door jam which lists the year and month of manufacture.
You car is also an "SA". As you mentioned, the VIN begins with SA22C, which makes it so. In 1981, the Fed mandated automakers to all go to a new 14 digit VIN format for the US domestic market. This is when the FB VIN was born. All Rx-7's sold in the US in 1979 and 1980 are known as SA's due to the VIN prefix, those manufactured to be sold beginning in 81 are known as FB's.
Mazda also re-designed several body components for 81, mainly the way the front and rear bumpers are integrated into the body and the interior also received a major facelift. On the engine, they updated the electronic distributor, first used in 80 and I believe went from the heat exchanger exhaust to a catalytic converter system. The configuration of the transmission in 81 changed too as did the location/ position of the shift level. Not sure what the salesman told you, but the 79 / 80 interior parts do not line up with an 81 and later transmission / driveline. The placement of the shift lever is different. The FB's are set slightly further back in the interior.
If your VIN is SA22C 629490, it would be one of the last 1980's made. According to factory info (can be found here): Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
that VIN would have been made in Sept of 80, the last month of 80 production. There should also be a tag on your drivers door jam which lists the year and month of manufacture.
01-27-20, 06:17 PM
#12
In looking at the pictures I unfortunately see no FB parts. I would classify this as a late SA. The 81 model year as stated above introduced many body changes and mechanical changes. Mechanically, the exhaust was redesigned with the addition of a catalytic converter set and split air valve. The thermal reactor and heat exchanger were eliminated for the 81 model year. A shutter valve was added to the intake manifold to work in conjunction with a coating valve and new 4 electrode spark plugs. Also new for 81 was the removal of the ignitor box. The ignitors were attached to the distributor body, replacing the 1980's ignitor box which was mounted to the left side strut tower. The emissions rack was updated with added solenoids and vacuum lines as well. The fuel tank was enlarged for 81 to 16.6 gallons from 14.5 gallons.
The interior changed a bit with a new instrument cluster and radio surround. The heater controls were updated and the seats were also revised as well. The transmission was updated for 81, moving the shifter rearward 30mm and shortened 50mm. The door panels, sunvisors, parking brake lever, headliner, and map lighting were new and improved. The 81 model year added storage bins behind the seats, a headlamp on reminder chime, illuminated ignition cylinder, power fuel filler release, intermittent wipers, and a stop lamp warning light.
The interior changed a bit with a new instrument cluster and radio surround. The heater controls were updated and the seats were also revised as well. The transmission was updated for 81, moving the shifter rearward 30mm and shortened 50mm. The door panels, sunvisors, parking brake lever, headliner, and map lighting were new and improved. The 81 model year added storage bins behind the seats, a headlamp on reminder chime, illuminated ignition cylinder, power fuel filler release, intermittent wipers, and a stop lamp warning light.
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Banzai (01-28-20)
01-28-20, 11:27 AM
#13
As I commented in my 1st post, "This is a great resource of Rx-7 info and facts you may have never known".
Dave was able to add some more specifics on the changes from 80 to 81 (SA to FB). The only FB part I see on your car is the shift boot. There are too many design changes btw 80 and 81 for Mazda to have "combined" production runs. I think your salesman was being a typical salesman! This does not detract from your car however. Many people covet 1st generation (79-85) Rx-7's for their simplicity and basic sports car foundation. Plus, SA's have their own charm that again, some enthusiasts prefer over the later 1st gen's. And like previously mentioned, Black wasn't a common color that year.
1980 is a year where certain parts were only used in that one model year. The distributor with the ignitor box mounted on the left strut tower (in you engine bay picture), the small chrome trim caps that cover the arm rest upper mounting screw, the 2 rubber pads on the lower rear bumper are all 1980 only parts. The printing on your gauge faces are also 1980 only.
So you've already rebuilt the carb and went through the gas tank? Those are good things to do after a long storage. I'd suggest running some sea foam in your gas too. Just a few ounces per tank is enough to help keep things clean inside. Assume you plan on changing the engine / trans oil and brake fluids too? If you plan on keeping your old girlfriend a while yet, searching out some basic replacement parts before you actually need them is a good idea. Some parts have dried up the last 5-10 years.
Dave was able to add some more specifics on the changes from 80 to 81 (SA to FB). The only FB part I see on your car is the shift boot. There are too many design changes btw 80 and 81 for Mazda to have "combined" production runs. I think your salesman was being a typical salesman! This does not detract from your car however. Many people covet 1st generation (79-85) Rx-7's for their simplicity and basic sports car foundation. Plus, SA's have their own charm that again, some enthusiasts prefer over the later 1st gen's. And like previously mentioned, Black wasn't a common color that year.
1980 is a year where certain parts were only used in that one model year. The distributor with the ignitor box mounted on the left strut tower (in you engine bay picture), the small chrome trim caps that cover the arm rest upper mounting screw, the 2 rubber pads on the lower rear bumper are all 1980 only parts. The printing on your gauge faces are also 1980 only.
So you've already rebuilt the carb and went through the gas tank? Those are good things to do after a long storage. I'd suggest running some sea foam in your gas too. Just a few ounces per tank is enough to help keep things clean inside. Assume you plan on changing the engine / trans oil and brake fluids too? If you plan on keeping your old girlfriend a while yet, searching out some basic replacement parts before you actually need them is a good idea. Some parts have dried up the last 5-10 years.
Last edited by Banzai; 01-28-20 at 11:30 AM.
The following 2 users liked this post by Banzai:
Buddy Bower (11-19-20),
mazdaverx713b (01-29-20)
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