I have a 79 Targa and I'm curious if there were set options that Targa came with or not. It has a Targa band (which I think was the aftermarket one) standard transmission (I could only find 4 gears, is there a special way to get it into reverse?) I believe it had a/c, but it doesn't anymore. I've searched, but can't find any definite info. Thanks in advance.

 

The "Targa" was not an optioned RX-7. I think the 1979 only came in G, GS, and LS.

If you have a 4 speed, you probably don't have a sunroof I'm guessing. This would make it a G.

I think reverse in the 4 speed is to the right and down. Nothing special to get it in gear.

 

My car has a removable Sun roof (targa), and I can only find 4 positions in the transmission, it seems like it's a 3 speed standard, but no reverse lights come on (although I wouldn't doubt it if they were just dead)

 

In 79 the base model was designated as the "S" model. It came standard w/a 4 speed manual box. The upgraded version was the "GS" model. Standard transmisssion for this was the 5 speed manual w/a 3sp auto as a GS option. The targa bands were add on's, not an option or specific model. Mazda sold their own version or you could buy aftermarket ones. The only other version that first year was the 79 Limited. It was a jazzed up GS model with unique wheels, color and interior appointments. The LS's did not come along until 1980.

 

The reverse lights are triggered from a sensor on the tranny, yours may be missing or loose. Also
there was never a targa top from the factory. You have someones project car it sounds like.

 

It might just be a play on words here. A sunroof is not a targa top. Sunroofs are just a hole in your roof. A targa top removes the entire roof section over the front of the cabin btw the A pillars and B pillars. You have the windshield and rear section of the roof behind the front seats remaining.

Mazda offered the sunroof as an option but never offered a true Targa top. Their Targa band was just a decortative trim piece that gave the impression of a Targa top. It was an accessory that installed over the B pillars just in front of the rear hatch. You could have a car with a sunroof and a Targa band installed. But again, it wasn't an option they offered from the factory like the sunroof was. The targa band was an add-on accessary. Mazda sold their own "branded" version through dealerships or you could find aftermarket ones. Front Air Dams were the same way.

 

Mine has the aftermarket Targa band and the roof comes off. Not the whole roof, but the same section Thai would've a Sun roof. It seems factory to me, the latch and the interior piece match the rest of the interior. It also has the "waffle" wheels. Which model did those come on?

 

S models came standard w/ steel wheels, waffles were standard on GS cars however, I believe waffels could be had as an option on S models. Same with the body mouldings. By and large most S models came as "strippers" w/o many upgrades. If your tyring to figure out what model you have, the easiest thing to know is that S models came with a 4 speed manual and 2 spoke steering wheel. GS's had the 5 speed or automatic and the 4 spoke steering wheel. S models also did not come with the electric rear hatch release or intermittent wiper setting. Those were GS only amenities.

 

Throw us some pics and we can be more helpful. Words sometimes get in the way.

 

It's got electronic hatch release and 4 spoke wheel, but I can't find 5 gears plus reverse. I will try again tonight

 

Removable roof (I forgot to take a picture of the inside) and Targa band





4 spoke steering wheel





Electronic hatch release





A/c (radio was cut out. Sad day)





Half leather, half cloth? I tested it again and it is a 5 speed





Waffle wheels/nice side view

So I guess it is a GS with the Targa option?

 

Yes, it's a GS, but again the Targa band wasn't a factory option of any kind. Never was. Your Targa band is an aftermarket one, bought seperately and installed at some time. In some cases, the dealerships would spruce up cars by adding mud gards, pin stripes and maybe the Mazda branded targa band or air dam, but that happened mostly after the first couple years. In 79, RX-7's were in such high demand that the dealerships couldn't even keep an inventory on the lots.

The majority were sold before they arrived, plus at a premium above the MSRP. Besides, there wasn't a lot of aftermarket accessories available right away. You car is an early build 79, probablly built in mid to late 78. They did not start installing passenger door side mirrors until Dec 78 / Jan 79. Plus, you have the early style dash trim and door pannels. That reddish brn / purpleish burgandy interior color combo was on early cars too. Your hood prop rod might be on the right side too. The drivers door jam should have a label (early cars had a metal plate) that have the build month and year.

 

Should have a power antenna as well I think. I know the 80 GS did. Nice base for an SA restoration.

MOre pics of the engine, interior, underneath, whatever you have and we can help id or point out
issues you may have.

 

All I have other than torn out interior pictures at the moment. My restoration has been put on stand still until I get my Fc T2 swap completed. I don't know how to upload videos to here, otherwise I would put up my walk around. No passenger mirror, hood prop is on the passenger side, and it has an electronic antenna too. I thought the 1 piece Targa band was factory, and the 3 piece band was aftermarket?

 

 

So I did some looking and found some period info on your Targa band. You do have the one sold through Mazda dealerships. It was part of a 3 pc custom sport package including an air dam and rear wing, all available seperately begining in82. I had another acticle tha gave some additional background on the pieces and the guys behind them.

 

That's really awesome, I appreciate the info, I've tried doing research but haven't been able to find anything about the Targa. Now to find the air dam and the spoiler to match :p thanks again, that's really awesome.

 

The tail would fit, but since it was all made to fit an FB. It might take some extra doing to get the airdam to fit an SA.

 

I don't know too much about 1st gens yet, mostly just 2nd gen. I didn't realize the bodies were different between sa and fb.

 

In 81 they intragrated the bumbers into the bodywork more. Its more rounded at the corners. The forward part of the front fenders are different than the SAs and the FB nose is completely different than the SA front bumber. I've saw FB parts grafted on SAs but its not just a bolt up affair. There were other air dams made specifically for SA's.