S, GS, or GSL?
 

Considering buying a very solid ‘84 that I’ve run across, but I’m trying to figure out which model it is.

What is has (or doesn’t) for options:
No sunroof
No power steering
No rear wiper
No power mirrors
Manual windows
Checked pattern seat and door cloth (gray)
12A
5-speed
Radio and climate controls are missing, so no help there
Limited slip diff

It’s really the LSD that seems to be the outlier. I’m guessing GS with an optional factory LSD (if there was such an option) or someone has swapped in an LSD.

Thoughts? Any way to look up or get build sheets anymore? Thanks!

Discs or drums in back? If it's discs, I'm guessing someone (maybe even the dealer could have been convinced to) swap in a GSL or SE style rear end. It's an easy change.

If it's drums I'm guessing someone read that RX7s come with limited slip and included that point in the ad, but it's really an open diff.

Rear discs, 4x110. Wasn’t advertised as LSD, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Sounds like an 'S' (manual mirrors) with a GS rear end....

Stu A
80GS
AZ

Stu, do you mean an S model with a GSL rear-end? The solid rear disks would indicate GSL, while vented rear disks would indicate GSL-SE - though that would be an odd combination with the rest of the trim level description (manual windows, 12a, etc.).

Over the years, many people swapped in what they had, but rear disks (solid or vented) definitely indicates an LSD is (or was, originally) present.

The S model also did not include a windshield sun shade, a glove box or rear hatch light, no electronic hatch release, no dead pedal, no map light, and no illuminated driver's door lock cylinder. If that helps you determine if it's an S model.

Duck - it was the MANUAL mirrors that caught my attention. I thought only the S came so equipped...

Stu A
80GS
AZ

no sunroof makes it a GS or an S. Manual mirrors would make it an S model, but its possible to swap those.

also, the S model is the only one with no badge on the back, all the other models get a GS/GSL/GSL-SE badge

Reading this, I would say that it is not an S, but rather a GS and that someone swapped in a GSL LSD. The backstory that I got was that the original owner was in constant contact with Racing Beat, always looking for the latest upgrades, but rarely investing in them.

If I do buy it, it’ll become a full fledged GSL, less sunroof, if that was 100% standard equipment.

Swapping over to power windows would be a mildly difficult task. I'm all for adding the rear wiper and disc brakes with limited slip differential. The power windows would just be unnecessary in my opinion. More weight and the windows do not fully retract into the doors like the crank windows do.

i'm being dumb, if you PM me the vin i can tell you what model it is!

google search found this on the forum
https://www.rx7club.com/vindecoder.php

i input my vin and mine is a GS. make sure to use capital letters, otherwise it comes back as an invalid vin number.

I thought the S had only a 4 speed tranny?

Well a quick look at my original window sticker shows that's not right. My S has cruise and AC, but has the manual mirrors and 5-sp. I always thought I had a GS. Still wouldn't trade her for anything!

The S only had the 4 speed trans in 79 and 80. The 5 speed was optional. In 1981, the 4 speed manual transmission was dropped in favor of a standard 5 speed transmission.

The cruise control and ac install would have been done at the dealer,some dealerships took cars to independent places to have these accessories installed to circumvent service department charges. I did a lot of both installs,gravy work,sometimes tag team with another tech to do install,best time just under 45 minutes-depended on which kit we got from parts dept,there were two manufacturers of kit. One better made than the other,went in car faster. Made pretty good coin fixing up effed up ac installations from outside installers.

Dummy me tried this originally and didn’t use caps. Came back as invalid, like you said.

Doing it with caps worked, but there is a drop down menu to further refine the model type (what I am trying to determine) and whichever one I pick, G, GS, or GSL, that’s what it says it is. It initially states GS, which is probably correct, but the fact that I can change it makes me wonder if that is accurate or simply an initial default.

well for me the only thing that makes it a gsl is the disc brake rear. if drum rear, it's either s or gs.

Well, today I picked up what I’m sure is an ‘84 GS with a GSL rearend. Super solid shell, ‘84/‘85, and manual were my first priorities. Only a couple of small spots of surface rust in the engine bay, not a spot of rust anywhere else. Excited to get back into a 7.

Would love to see pictures of the car!

Have to figure out how. Been a while.

You can attach pictures directly in the thread or use a website such as imgur that hosts pictures and post them as a response in the thread that way.

Pic
 

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...831931e1f.jpeg

Oh, my God...
 

Do all of our garages look the SAME?!?

lol

You should see my basement. Once I complete this car, I need to clean house.

From (very little) evidence found, it appears that this car was first sold by Jeffords Motor Car Co in Brookfield, WI. Jeffords sold their Mazda and VW franchises to Hall Mazda VW,
also in Brookfield, in about 1985/1986. Hall still exists, today.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...00102a359.jpeg

Appears to be in pretty nice shape!! I say it's well worth saving and enjoying!

I would have to say that they probably do. My garage is a mess with parts as I do so much rotary work. Itsike pullinghens teeth to keep it clean:

Attachment 747079

Attachment 747080

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My first priority was to find a rust-free specimen, so yes, it is in very good shape.

It needs an engine and tranny which are sitting next to it, under the Koni box. I may go through the engine, first.

Paint could be left as-is, but I have a feeling that it will bug me that it is not the original H1 to the point that I will ultimately correct it.

Other than that, I plan to install all of the GSL options pulled from my last car, upgrade the suspension to make it trackable (perhaps along the lines of Kentetsu), and enjoy it for a long time.

Would be nice to see the car back on the road with the correct paint. Sparkling Black Metallic is an amazing color and your csr would look amazing in its original color! Kentetsu did great things with his 7 and if you do something along those lines I'm sure you will be very happy with it!

lmao! i guess so!