convertible
Although I have heard of something like 8 being made, (or something like that). This has been brought up a few times, there are a few floating around out there, but what you saw was almost definitly custom.
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From SteveMullin.com:
The Topless California
From 1979 to 1985, an obvious question was answered by Al Dooley when, as Pacific Avatar, he converted the first generation of RX-7 into convertibles. He had been working as a sales manager at a Mazda dealership, and one look at the new RX-7 in 1978 told him that a convertible would be a natural for the RX-7's clean shape and simple lines. Alter jigging and strengthening the body with framing under the floor pan, inside, and in the windshield posts, custom convertible tops were installed, Interestingly, the trunk lid of the 626 was found to be an almost ideal fit and had to be modified only slightly to be used on the conversions. Although a few convertibles were sold with standard mechanical equipment, most also had turbocharged engines, modified suspensions and brakes, and custom wheels and wider tires.
A series of wide-body convertibles, with front tenders and rear quarter panels flared, were constructed following the appearance of a special for a magazine, including one Twin Turbocharged RX-7 that was reportedly, and undoubtedly, a Porsche Carrera eater. The conversion also got extra publicity when one appeared in the low budget film, "Smokey Bites the Dust."
Several prototype convertibles on the 2nd generation RX-7 were built, though the project terminated when Dooley learned of Mazda's plan to produce a convertible of its own. First-generation cars were converted as late as 1988 with the last going to a doctor in Baltimore, Maryland. Although many were sold in California, Florida was the biggest market for Pacific Avatar's convertible RX-7s. In all, Dooley reports that 126 conversions were performed. The cars were numbered sequentially with a data plate installed under the hood.
The Topless California
From 1979 to 1985, an obvious question was answered by Al Dooley when, as Pacific Avatar, he converted the first generation of RX-7 into convertibles. He had been working as a sales manager at a Mazda dealership, and one look at the new RX-7 in 1978 told him that a convertible would be a natural for the RX-7's clean shape and simple lines. Alter jigging and strengthening the body with framing under the floor pan, inside, and in the windshield posts, custom convertible tops were installed, Interestingly, the trunk lid of the 626 was found to be an almost ideal fit and had to be modified only slightly to be used on the conversions. Although a few convertibles were sold with standard mechanical equipment, most also had turbocharged engines, modified suspensions and brakes, and custom wheels and wider tires.
A series of wide-body convertibles, with front tenders and rear quarter panels flared, were constructed following the appearance of a special for a magazine, including one Twin Turbocharged RX-7 that was reportedly, and undoubtedly, a Porsche Carrera eater. The conversion also got extra publicity when one appeared in the low budget film, "Smokey Bites the Dust."
Several prototype convertibles on the 2nd generation RX-7 were built, though the project terminated when Dooley learned of Mazda's plan to produce a convertible of its own. First-generation cars were converted as late as 1988 with the last going to a doctor in Baltimore, Maryland. Although many were sold in California, Florida was the biggest market for Pacific Avatar's convertible RX-7s. In all, Dooley reports that 126 conversions were performed. The cars were numbered sequentially with a data plate installed under the hood.
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
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From: KING COUNTY, WA
no lemonade, not even australia, MAZDA never built a FACTORY convertable fb..... there was a company that did conversions and somehow the car still retained factory warranty, but it was NEVER done by mazda....
Damn, it did start!
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From: washington
Need an E6x
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Originally Posted by Richard Miller
M
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From: Springfield MO
that chart from the avatar brochure, http://www.winisp.net/gsl-se/convertible/page13.jpg says the avatar cars had 307 hp. sounds alittle fishy fro what ive heard of power out of these engines? but i dont know
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Australia
yeh mazda never made a convertable version of the rx7, it was just a few places in amerca and what not, but i do however know that mazda australia made a few special edition convertable ones.. just like they have rcently made the RX-8 GT (turbo charged )
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