Greetings. First post.

My elderly uncle has moved out of his home and into a care facility. I’m knee deep in cleaning out his home. In the garage sits a 1980 RX7. I don’t know squat about these cars, but its pretty cool and I think it’s in OK shape. My other uncle bought it new in 1980, sold it to his brother (the uncle I’m helping) so it has had two owners. Pretty sure all records can be found, just have to dig through the mess. I know at one time it was running well, but as my uncle’s health has declined over the years it has sat in the garage, unloved.

The body appears to be to be in good shape and it has been covered / garaged the whole time. I’d like to bring it back to life if it’s not going to be too much headache. Be fun to get it going again and keep it in the family.

The car is in Aurora CO and I’m in CA. Any recommendations on a mechanic in CO that can help me determine what I’m dealing with? Any other thoughts for a non “car guy” that wants to bring this poor little machine back to its former glory?

Thanks very much.

 

My first thought would be to restore the car. You need to find out how long its been sitting and how much rust is on the car. From there you can create a plan of attack. The car is fairly easy to work on and we can guide you on what to do. Avoid paying someone to work on the car if you have some mechanical ability. Plus, doing the work yourself will instill great pride in the car over the span that you own the car. What color is the car and do you have any pictures of it?

 

I think an honest evaluation of the car and its condition should be 1st priority. Without that, you really don't know what or how much work may be required to bring it back to what ever level of expectation you have. Sitting "unloved" as you call it, does not paint a encouraging picture of its condition. Neither does "running well at one time". The main thing "a good rotary mechanic" would bring to the table would be if the engine needs a rebuild or if it runs but needs some experienced carburation tuning. More often than not, these cars require more of a general mechanical knowledge to get them running again. Flushing out the fuel tank / system, replacing the fluids, inspecting the brakes, general repair and maintenance type of work required from long periods of sitting and non-use. That would be my first guess for this car. You may want to bring it home to where you can devote more attention over a period of time to evaluate its condition and get it running again.

Not trying to discourage you, but if the car needs major work, the reality is the cost to restore will quickly put you upside down value wise unless you are able to perform most of the work yourself. If you have an emotional attachment, that can increase the monetary value you place on its worth. In general terms, a non-running car with unknown problems will attract mostly low ball offers. Optimistically, maybe $1000 depending on overall condition. An average running / driving car can bump that up by 1 to 2 thousand.

I agree with Dave, some good pictures, inside, outside and under the hood would help to generate some better opinions from members here.

 

We need pics as mentioned to give you a good evaluation but if you are not a car guy, i.e. able and willing to do your own work, I would really consider why and what you want to do with it. Just getting it running will be at least a few hundred to 1K in $$$ if you do your own work. Multiple by 3x for someone else easily.

 

My uncle has a country place
That no one knows about
...
I strip away the old debris
That hides a shining car
A brilliant red RX7
From a better vanished time
I fire up the willing engine
Responding with a roar
Tires spitting gravel
I commit my weekly crime

1 check for rust, if none proceed
2 fill the tires with air
3 see if it rolls
4 ship it home and use it as an excuse to learn to wrench, plus you find more capable rotary mechanics in CA than CO
5 we're here for you and between archived threads, shop manuals, and online parts stores, the car will live again

 

I have hopes for a two owner garaged car. Please have pictures taken. we can help access the situation. As a reference the 1979 and 1980 models seem to hold more value second to the GSL-SE trim model.

 

BRING IT TO LIFE. it will be the most rewarding project you will undertake. these little cars provide smiles for miles, little elbow grease a two owner car that has been in a garage should be a easy car to put back on the road, only thing in question is that old 12a sitting. i wish i could convince my better half to let me buy 3 more, or 15.

 

Thanks for the replies. I will be back in CO in a few weeks and will get photos.
It's grayish blue, and I'm fairly confident rust is not a major issue. I have not inspected it closely, just pulled off the blankets that are covering it and have not seen huge issues in that area. I know that's not saying much. But it's sat in a garage in a dry climate (Denver area), so I'm hopeful

Have to admit, I'm leaning toward selling it because, as pointed out above, the $$ to get it going again may be more than I'm willing to part with.

 

Rush is one of my favorite band..

 

@PJPilot Good if you get this thing put back together, good luck getting it to pass CA smog! If the rats nest around the carburetor has been removed, you're going to have a hard time. If it's still there, you're going to have to chase down vacuum leaks, but it's doable.

 

You know, it will take some cash to get it running properly but the car will be extremely rewarding to own and drive. Plus, the knowledge gained during the restoration will be priceless and will inspire confidence in you to take on other projects. Who knows, it might take less than you think to get it back on the road. I would give it a shot.

 

Buy a metric socket set, metric wrenches, philips screw drives, hydraulic jack, jack stands, wheel blocks (a must), chilton's manual, clymer's manual, and BAMM! you are now a car guy.

Find a flat concrete or asphalt area and get some cardboard to lay on and BAMM! you are a car guy with a garage.

Add two led battery lights (not supposed to work on my car at my apartment), and you are as equiped as well as me............and there is no problem that I can't tackle on this car successfully.