Is this a Japanese Vin Number?
 

SA22C-588460


I don't know. But i'm planning on buying this 1980 Rx7. Only thing is...i'm worried it's japanese and won't pass smog emissions. I know I can probably build it to pass, but i also wanted to run a Carfax on it, but it won't, stating that the car does not have a valid Vin. What should I do? Will this car cause me a headache to pass smog? Or should I go through with it?

Car Specs

1980 Rx7 (not sure which kind, i think it's a GS)
48-50K Miles. (supposedly)
5 speed

The car looks too good to be true ( I'm probably going to jynx it)

Can you guys give me some advice? It's selling around about 1,000. I think it's worth it...as long as I can pass smog. But this is my project car. I'm going to do a TurboII swap and all kinds of other goodies. I just want to know that the base of which all my money is going to be going into is sturdy. Not a lemon.

I'm brand new to this forum. I appreciate all the help and advice you guys can supply me with.

i have a 79 and its the same with me. i can't get a carfax because the vin has less numbers then what carfax needs. the car should be though. have fun.

welcome to forum. Not sure about vin. I had an 85 from germany and it was a "normal" vin number so to speak. Have no idea on japanese vins though. There are a few guys on here that are living in japan so hopefully they may chime in and help you. Rx-7s in general are hard to pass smog it seems so i think the easiest way for you is to simply move to a different state and then strip it all off and let the gas fumes flow.

Hi!

Mine allso has the SA22C Vin number,same as the Japanese ones.
As far as i know,all RHD Rx7`s Series 1-3 (1980-1985) Rx7`s have the SA22c

Isn't the rule in Cali that if it's older than 20 years it doesn't have to pass? Or something like that?

use to! used to! damn! and i was waiting for the 79 to get excepted (and in goes TII motor)
that rulebooks were changed with the new governator.

In the US, all 1979 and 1980 cars had SA22C VIN's...

In 1981, the US DOT mandated 17 digit numbers in a specific format. (IE, every 1st digit is country of origin, every 8th digit is engine type, every 10th digit is model year, etc.)

Hence, in 1981, Mazda switched over all US spec VIN's to JM1FB33...

Carfax will not do any vehicle older than 1981 because of this.

Usually when I goto buy a car and it's expected to be in roadworthy shape, I make a deal with the seller... Either we both go to the inspection station together, or he/she takes the car to get inspected... If it passes, I will pay for the inspection in addition for the purchase price of the vehicle... If it fails. They pay for it and I shop on.

And actually, if it fails, get the results and post em up here. We might be able to help you fix it.

Damn it Pele, you beat me to it, I wanted to help someone :(

~T.J.

EDIT: Im gonna be the smartass of the thread instead and say "ALL RX-7s have Japanese vin numbers and are Japanese cars" :D

Thanks a lot guys! I just finished the purchase of my car! I'm going to post up pics as soon as I can so you guys can see my new rx7! WOOT! I'm so happy! It ended up being 850 bucks, too! So I got a 150 dollar deduction on it!


*phew* I havn't even driven the car yet and i'm all excited. lol

they were all seperated at birth!

Mine is an '81 and the chassis is SA22C-660544

Congrats on your purchase :)

japan has stricter emissions that the states thats whay the motors are shipped because emissions get worse with more mileage so they send them here.

congrats on the car. i picked up my SA for $700 like a year or two ago. I've posted pics online when i first got it. i also had the same problem like you. i tried getting a carfax with the vin but it said its invalid. oh wells. i'll try and post more pics of the car as soon as i get a digicam.

Congrats TurboFB-
I have an 80 and love it. Best looking 1st gen (IMHO :)
Your serial number appears to by a North American Spec Sn. I recall (??) the SA22C-vin for US cars started (in 79) with 5XXXXX suffix, ie SA22C-500001. I thought the Japanese home market cars were SA22C-100001. Does your car have right hand drive and the wing-mounted (fender) mirrors, etc.?? if so, man I would LOVE to see some PICS!!
enjoy-
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska