Hey Everyone!
I have a potentially cool opportunity on my hands but I am hoping to get some feedback and help before I try anything. I have lived in my same neighborhood for the last 8 years now and in all of that time I have been walking past this poor old beat up FB. Well after many years of just looking at it, I finally went to the door to find out whats going on with it. An old woman answered the door and gave me very basic information. I can go back and ask some questions anytime. It belonged to her son and he passed away some time ago. Obviously 10 years of more for how long I have seen it in this condition. It has probably not started in 15-20 years is my guess though I could be off. You can see what is going on outside of the car but here are a couple of my basic questions about this scenario. In the end, I may end up getting this for FREE, in exchange for painting this poor old ladies home. *At least my young silver tongue is forseeing this, and I plan to play the angle of helping restore it to beautiful condition so that she may once more see it how it used to be as there is some sentimental value at play here too.*

I have a lot of plans for my FD and I do not want this to cut into my budget hardly at all! So I am hoping to keep the budget as low as possible. Also car is just under 170K miles =)

1.) I am assuming the worst and potentially considering replacing as much as possible mechanically and electronically to make it close to new. What is my best resource for finding SA/FB components for the engine and electrical that closely resembles stock equipment? I know time is the enemy here and I may be years too late on that one.

2.) The interior does not look too bad other than the top of the dash has been exposed to direct sunlight for years and there is some very visible cracking above the glove compartment. I know interior components are hard to come by but is there anyone with there eyes on junk yard/salvage lots with 1st gens on hand? Or are there any resources for something that is maybe not OEM but would fit well in replacement to some of the interior components?

3.) I have not popped the hood yet but the body exterior does not appear to be rusting anywhere. I have read some posts in the 1st gen forums on some recent new owners and found some good advice there. If the motor was not put to sleep properly though would it be worth the time rebuilding or simply just dropping in a new engine, or even like a TII swap?

4.) And finally all I can think of at the moment is.... If you got this thing for free, what is the maximum amount you would feel comfortable possibly spending getting it back in good mechanical working condition. Mechanics, electrical, some interior stuff, paint and addressing some of the cosmetic exterior trim components.

I may abandon this thought as I am seeing some decent deals pop up here and there on sa/fb's. There was one in Michigan a few months back that I almost jumped on with 30K miles for less than $10K for a GSL-SE. If I can keep this whole thing for UNDER $5,000 USD I would probably be happy with that. I may be shooting for the moon but that is why I am seeking some sage wisdom here.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read!

Looks like there might have been a mild fender bender or something to the left.

 

Well, with only exterior pictures to look at, I'd guess it got hit slightly on the right rear, and it looks like some jerk jumped on the hood at some point. Aside from that, the body looks fairly straight and it has a 12a. Without looking under the hood, your guess is as good as mine as to what it's going to need. Is there even an engine in there? If you already have a project car, this one is going to get in the way. If you're super lucky with these kinds of things, you could pour some MMO down the throat, rock the eccentric shaft back and forth a few times and spin it over with a new battery, fresh gas, and after draining the old gas and oil out, putting in new - it just might start. Depends on how long it's been sitting, really.

Tires, paint, random bodywork and interior are all going to add up over time, but if you plan on keeping it they'll be $$$ well spent on a FREE 1st Gen. Get it rolling and you might just work on it as you get around to it and have a pretty good driver. Standard suspension stuff at this point is going to include Front Control Arms, Strut Tower Bushings, Rear Upper & Lower Control Arms, Watts Links & Arm, Shocks, possibly Wheel Bearings in front, Tie Rod End Links & Idler Arm (Moog!). A lot of the 1st Gen parts are getting very hard to find through Mazdatrix, so your body panels may need to come from a pick-A-part or junk yard somewhere, and you'll have to get creative. Looks like it has all the glass, which is a plus. For FREE, it would be hard to go wrong with it. Good luck,

 

i'd bet that if you put a battery in it, and poured something flammable down the carb, it would run.

after that you're looking at the typical fluids/filters/tires/brake and clutch hydraulics to get it driving. it'll probably need a radiator, or at least get it rodded out, and a thermostat. intake gasket O Rings are probably bad.

after that, if you're lucky that will cover most of it (these cars are simple and reliable). if you're really lucky the engine is leaking between the dowel pins and you get to rebuild it, the 12A rotary is the easiest engine in the world to build, so you should do it if you have the chance.

cosmetics are up to you, these cars do make excellent daily beaters.

if that was running, but otherwise in as found condition, it would be on CL here for about 3k asking price, so there is plenty of margin to get that thing driving

 

IF moisture got into the motor and it sat for that long, the irons could have become rusted/ pitted; know from experience... Otherwise, the motor should be entirely worth rebuilding at 170k. Although it might feel slightly underpowered compared to the FD.