I have finally done it. I have acquired my dream car. Now it will need a bit.....a lot....of work but I couldn't say no for the price, free.
I was driving to work and this beauty caught my eye. Parked in a giant lawn of other long forgotten about relics, I turned into the property and asked about the car. We exchanged numbers but they seemed reluctant to discuss selling it so I carried on about my day.
After a few months of non returned phone calls I gave up but the car never left my mind.
Today, 1.5 years later, I found myself working in the same area again. The car was still there. I pulled in and asked about the car again. This time they seemed more inclined to talk and mentioned they needed some work done on their property in my profession. We agreed to trade my service for the car.
1984 GS. It has been on this patch of grass since 2004.
Hoping for the best to get it road worthy again. If not, it's a complete car that I can salvage parts out of for the future.

 

Awesome! The car seems very complete and appears not very rusty. You cant go wrong with a simple, cool , GS. Good luck on your project.
What are you going to do first?

 

That's a great question. I'm not new to RX7's but I am new to restoring one. The first thing I will do is see if I can get it to turn over which from what I've read is a very in depth clean of the entire fuel system and then an electrical diagnosis. I would really like to rebuild the engine before even trying to get it driveable. Will probably remove the interior sooner than later to get a good look at the body and give it a proper scrub down. Any other suggestions are welcomed to bringing life to a FB that's been asleep for 2 decades.

 

You can see if it will turn over by simply trying to spin the harmonic balancer/accessory belts by grabbing it with your hand. If the engine is free you should be able to turn it over pretty easily (clockwise). The fuel system will need to be gone through, a carb rebuild, gas tank clean/seal/completely replace, and all soft fuel line replacement. As for electrical inspect for any rodent damage. I would not count on rebuilding the engine right away, the 12a's are pretty stout and I would be willing to try to get it running without a rebuild. I removed the interior on my 84 just to clean and remove odors after it sat for 16 years.

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Congrats on the purchase, looks like a really great start!

I agree with above, don't dive into a rebuild unless you find that the engine really does need it. The 12A is very hardy and hopefully with a little marvel mystery oil, some time, should free any stiction and come back to life.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the advice. As someone who has brought one back to life before you may hear from me looking for some more tips in the future. I'm also thinking any rubber components will probably be dried/cracked so will be taking a good look at all that stuff.

 

Well you guys have me optimistic about the motor not needing a rebuild. Hoping for the best with this project. No RX7 should rot away in a field. I'll do my best to revive this one.

 

Out in the cold for 20 Alberta winters.

This car needs a forensic study!

A time lapse set of photos would be cool.

 

Yessir haha. When I opened the door to have a seat I was expecting some horrific mildewy, moldy green cloud to punch me right in the face but no, it still has that RX7 smell. I'm definitely expecting some major rust issues as for 6 months out of 12, times 20 it's been probably up to the door handles in snow.

Will definitely be documenting this with thousands of pictures.

 

Haha, the snow generally isnt the problem: its the grass growing up to the floorboards that gets em.

I've brought back a few that looked like this, by the end you'll be an expert welder and sheet metal guy!

Best of luck!

 

There is some guy, maybe in Red Deer, that seems to do a lot of work on FB.

 

I know of Conroy Ganson in Ponoka. He's about 10min north of me. I'm in Lacombe. Do you know the details of the guy in Red Deer? I'm only 30min north of Red Deer.

 

Maybe its the Ponoka guy. I'd have to dig to find a link.

There is a guy in Toledo, Washington State, that has a field full of about 100 FB and Miata.

If you do a google earth search of the fields around Toledo you will likely see his collection.

 

 

 

Was able to bring her home in one piece. Would've been much easier had there been a key to unlock the steering wheel to get the front wheel pointed straight forward. Sure made winching it up the trailer and offloading real exciting. Guess I need to get used to these moments of excitement.

 

You should start up a build thread. Great way to document your progress, ask questions, get feedback, and allow us to live vicariously through your excitement!

 

Took your advice and started a build thread. Great idea!! Thanks.

 

Congratulations on getting the car home!! I'll definitely be following your restoration thread on the car!

 

I can't wait to see the underside of the car, especially the floor boards. I bet they're rusted out given the shape of the driver's side door. Bet it is from the 1980's era rusty jones rust proofing inside the doors plugging the drain holes.

Positive note is you can be like Paul Walker's first race in fast and furious where the diamond plate floor boards come off.