found a 80 and a 81 both have rear tails like 79.... the 81 has an old body kit that I've never seen before.... big whale tail(unknown maker) also has a glass moon roof that is like part of the body kit, fiberglass panels that mold the glass moon roof flush old stuff, the car has canada/europe stickers/rear tails.. I think, just looks diff... both have the early rims... the other 80 is wrecked(rear quarter) but driveable machanically sound.. all runnung equipment just needs to be swapped over the the 81 paint on both are fair>poor.... but they come with 2- 12A cores one fully blown other has weak compression/bad oil seals...... and the going price is $400.00.. I don't deal much in 1st gens just looking for a A>B runner..... both have fair interior mix and match both have working trannys little to no rust, 2 spots..... just 20 hrs labor to swap... what do you guys think.... can I sell the cores to break even... anyone interested in cores???? going to try to get picks today...

 

1978-1980 had the same body style, as did 81-85, so the 81 is probably a late '80. Did you check the production date on the door frame?

The whale tale, if I'm not mistaken, was actually from Mazda?
The moon roof sounds odd tho....

$400 for both plus two spare cores? Not a good deal by the sound of it...

Make sure to check them for rust behind the bins.

 

going back today car didn't smell damp pretty dry for oregon... well I've seen many of the whaale tails and looked at pics on the forum none look the same... sounds right on the yrs.. looked at titles... if not good what would you offer.. yea sunroof looks like some after market fits well thou... huge glass... I've been searching pics of 1st gens on here. none look the same.... this tail is like some thin light weight ridged, but hollow. perfect fit thou needs some refurb thou..... there is a hole cut for the antenna to pop throu.. looks so much like a porch wing but not mazda.. I think .. either way need pics for you guys to decide.. soon...

 

This thread is useless without pics.

 

Titles don't mean a lot when it comes to years.
My last -SE was an '85 by title, but was made in november '84.

Check the "manufactured on" date...

And take pics.

 

Thats cause you cant read

 

I can....but I am just really lazy and would rather stare at pretty, colory pictures.

 

I'd also be careful with aftermarket sunroofs. You have no way of knowing if it was properly sealed and re-enfored....

 

Whatever you do, Don't make your basis that there isn't any rust by the way it smells. Take the extra minute and take out the bins and look otherwise you will be disappointed.

 

Seriously good advice....

 

well i have something to say about your 85 being manufactured in 84...think about it for a second....you buy a brand new 2005 model car when can you get it ????is have to say 2004 and you couldnt buy a car if it wasnt manufactured...there fore explaining why your 85 was manufactured in 84.....and they started doin that back in the 40's....and just make sure you kinda do the sound check for bondo in the usual rust places..bondo will sound hollow when you knock on it

 

FYI the sunroof in the 79 and 80's WERE HUGE from the factory... THey are bigger then the 81-85....

 

True... to a point.

Mazda was really bad at selling cars by the wrong model years back then. The early '79 RX-7s from North America, with only the drivers side mirrors, were actually '78 model cars in Japan.

The thing with the 84/85 RX-7s (Series 3 to our international friends) is that really was no clear difference between the models. There were a few changes phased in over time, but nothing that clearly devides the model years.

For instance. My old '85 SE (made in '84) had the short air intake that sucked air from in front of the rad. My new '85 SE (made in October 85) has the longer style intake that takes air fron in front of the battery.

I've also heard that some of the early 2nd gens were sold under an '85 model year in Japan.

My point is simply that I suspect his '81 is actually a late '80 sold under the wrong model year.