I own an excellent driver 85 gsl, with rare 4 port 13b, Mazda dealer 3 pic frt spoiler and Enter 92 wheels.
I am considering rebuilding it. Touch up the engine with an Atkins kit, new clutch, brakes, seat upholstery, new long primary exhaust, some paint and body work.....could spend 10th easily. Will a modified car have any resale value once they become collectable?

 

It will sell higher than an non-running car.

I don't think the first gen rx7 will be collectable in our life time. There were too many made.

Now on the other hand if you are talking about 1000 years from now... But anything would be collectable then.

 

That is why you can still buy a 66 Mustang in need of a restoration for around $1500.

 

How many First gen rx7's where in James Bond movies or driven by Steve McQueen? Not a good analogy.



Now the FD on the other hand... semi-collectable. Driven by an actor in a movie, made famous, and destroyed by a generation of ricers. All of that leads to low supply and popularity. Give the FD 30 years and it'll cost a lot. (If they aren't already pricy garage queens)

 

The resale value is based on originality, mileage, and condition. A modified car will never be worth as much as an original example. With that said, if you love the car, put the money into it and rebuild it. You will not be able to sell it for what you have in it but if you enjoy the car and make it your own then there should not be a reason to sell it.

 

I think you should always build your car for yourself. As Dave stated, you will most likely never get out of it what you have in it so I think you should build the car for something that you want and enjoy, rather than trying to redo the car for a resale value that may never happen. Also, you have to think, if modified 1st gens do become collectible you do not know if your set up would be what people are collecting. When I bought my 83 in 89 your set up was the hot setup for the 1st gens. I would have LOVED to have a 4 port 13B back in the day, but know you have people doing 3 rotors, 13BT...etc in the 1st gen chassis so someone may not appreciate your period correct upgrades.

As a side note, I remember at one time you thought about selling your IMSA front air dam, if you decide it is on the market again, please PM me.

I think you should go all out and build the car the way you want it built... good luck!!