novarx7

While trying to find fenders and getting ready for some new paint and bodywork on my '84 GS.. I came across an ad for an '85 GSL that was being sold for "parts". Turns out the lady selling the car was only 20 minutes from my parents house, so I took a quick trip ..stayed at the rents place and checked the car out. It was a fully decked out '85 GSL w/ the red/brown leather interior. It has some issues, but all together was VERY straight and in much better shape than my '84.. so i did the logical thing and bought the car. I had purchased a lot of parts for my '84 project 12A full bridge engine and I'm very happy that I didn't have to abandon them.

Sad thing is, I'm not going to have to junk the '84.. I hate to see an fb not make it, but they all have to go sometime and I just dont have the space to keep it.

I'll let you all know how the project goes...

novarx7

Oh, the greatest thing... the car was garaged for its life until the last three years it was sitting outside at a mechanics shop... only has 81K original miles!

novarx7

Some more pics.

I also believe that the engine is seized or "carbon locked". I couldnt rotate it at all by the main crank.

I'll put a new battery in it this upcoming weekend and see.. if not, looks like good 'ol ATF for me..

If the engine does turn out to be a lemon, then I'll probably swap the engine from the '84 into it until I get the bp setup ready to go in...

Detroiter

if you dont mind, how much did you end up paying?

novarx7

I picked the car up for $500.... if it was actually running, it would have been worth at least $1K...

Paradox

iTrader: (1)

thats a amazing deal, car looks like its in mind shape, man!

Detroiter

why cant i find these kinds of deals? lol. Ive been trying to get my hands on an FB around the Detroit area and the ones i come across,they are all "original 50k, imacculate condition,etc,etc" that go for 2000 or more, I just want one along the lines of what all you guys are coming across that are a little bit beat but still run decent and for only 4-500 dollars

novarx7

I come across them from time to time..

The best deal yet was a car i bought and built for a friend of mine two years ago. It was an '85 GSL also, black on black interior. The car had 180K on it, but was garaged and maintained by the original owner. It started "running funny" so I checked it out..sure enough, weak compression on the rear rotor.. the guy saw that I knew the cars really well and asked what I thought it was worth.. i told him $250.. and he agreed, lol. It was a steal too since the body was straight and the car was all there. I ended getting a used motor w/ 90K on it, some rb exhaust parts, did some light fab..new carpets.. all for under $1100 and it was buddies first "sports car".. I've lost touch with him, but last I saw he had bought another fb and an rx8 so it was worth it to spread the rotary love...

novarx7

BTW, he did pay me back i dont work for free, lol..

Jason Guthrie

I've never been able to rotate mine from any of the "cranks" that I know to look for. WTH! I read this all the time and wonder why I bother to work out. Plus, I ride a motorcycle daily so you know my grip is good. JEEZ, wth!

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

If you can get an immaculate one for $2000.00 I would start saving my pennies. What most of you guys don't take into consideration is what it would take to get that $500.00 car to that condition. A paint job that would restore it to original condition can be $3000 on up.

novarx7

I also slid it in gear and gave a quick roll... wouldnt budge..not even a lil... usually on my cars i can still push a small amount while its in gear.. I didnt want to push to hard in case the engine is locked, breaking it free may hurt the engine more than help.. i'll get some atf or mmo in there before spinning it around... its worked on FCs before, lol...

Detroiter

I know those cars are worth all of that money and that's definately not a dispute. I was just saying I have been looking for one that just runs fine even if it has a higher mileage on it, as long as the body isn't swiss cheese that is fine too.