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So a 1985 rolling shell popped up for sale in my area and I'd like to know if there are any tell tale signs that it's a GSL-SE. There are no badges on the body, it's literally a frame, a body and wheels. They guy has told me it has disc brakes on all 4 which I know the SE's had but that doesn't guarantee its a 5 letter correct? What can I ask him to check?
Banzai Racing RX7 Vin ID RX7 1981 - 1985Example: JM1 FB 33 1 * B 0 ###### JM1 Mazda Passenger Car FB RX7 Series 33 Coupe 1 1146cc 12A Rotary 2 1308cc 13B Rotary * Check Character B 1981 C 1982 D 1983 E 1984 F 1985 0 Hiroshima Plant ###### Serial Number
Thank you very much. I figured the VIN would reveal all its secrets and he is sending that to me tomorrow. In your opinions is $750 a decent price for a rolling shell?
Definitely going to need a lot of work. VIN to verify and picts of the underside and engine bay would go a long way to establishing value.
I would think for $750 .. you could always part the car out and recover your investment if you feel you've gotten in over your head.
Do you have a garage to use while you work on the car and source parts that you'll need?
What the?!? Are you the seller??
I dont have anywhere to work on it now but when I saw 1985 and $750 in the same ad I had to look into it further. It would be sitting in my driveway until I get into project car mode. Could be a month, could be a year, could be a decade. My dream car is a 1985 GSL-SE so getting a cheap start is just that...a start.
Last edited by prescription_7; 01-17-22 at 09:55 PM.
The vin is how you would identify an original GSL-SE. After the 33 is a 1 or a 2. This indicates original engine and will verify if you have an SE or not as only the SE came with the 13B with fuel injection.
Haha .. no, I'm not the seller. There's not very many GSL-SE's available for sale in Alberta .. so pretty easy to find on Kijiji.
Parts are getting challenging to find .. but not impossible. Ideally you should wait for a chinook, and then try to spend some time going over the car to determine what parts are going to be needed. Use the winter months to source the parts and purchase them as you can afford to do so.
Maybe reach out to fellow RX7 enthusiasts in your area to go over the car with you. They may be able to help prioritize a list of hard to find parts. You should also contact Adam at RX7 Specialties in Calgary.
Weather and time will not be your friend. The extremes of hot/cold weather and sitting outside unprotected will accelerate the deterioration of any 40 year old vehicle.
basically if you have no vin, and you're looking at a bare shell it goes like this
the GSL-SE and the GSL had a rear wiper and so there are two holes in the roof for the washer nozzle. also it will have a sunroof.
the GS will then have no wiper, sunroof is optional.
the S, no sunroof for sure, no wiper either. the GS can be like this too, so you then need to look for crazy stuff. the manual mirrors the S had have a smaller footprint, and if it ever had AC
Weather and time will not be your friend. The extremes of hot/cold weather and sitting outside unprotected will accelerate the deterioration of any 40 year old vehicle.
Well the driveway storage will be temporary until I get my garage organized to make space for it. Thanks for all your tips. I appreciate it.
The seller has already mistakenly told me he was offered $400 to scrap it so if everything looks good I was going to go in for $500. Looking at a picture of the back there is no wiper so could not be a SE. Still waiting for the VIN...🧐
The seller has already mistakenly told me he was offered $400 to scrap it so if everything looks good I was going to go in for $500. Looking at a picture of the back there is no wiper so could not be a SE. Still waiting for the VIN...🧐
sorry, just be clear, you need to look for the washer nozzle, or holes for it. the wiper went on the glass, which can be swapped
So doesn't look like there is the wiper attachment on the rear glass. Of course it may not be the original glass but I'm also not seeing the washer fluid nozzle above the glass.
basically if you have no vin, and you're looking at a bare shell it goes like this
the GSL-SE and the GSL had a rear wiper and so there are two holes in the roof for the washer nozzle. also it will have a sunroof.
the GS will then have no wiper, sunroof is optional.
the S, no sunroof for sure, no wiper either. the GS can be like this too, so you then need to look for crazy stuff. the manual mirrors the S had have a smaller footprint, and if it ever had AC
U.S. models and Canadian models may differ in features (sunroof, rear wiper, headlight washers etc.).
All GSL-SE's used a fuel injected 13B. The gas tank, fuel pump, and return line will be unique to the SE.
The SE also used a different wheel bolt pattern as pointed out by j_tso .. as well as different front hubs and brakes.
All of the above items could have been swapped from an SE into a non-SE .. so that brings you back to getting the VIN.
The vin number will be stamped into the firewall on the passenger side. Next to that should also be a vin plate containing the vun number and color code. The color appears to be L6, Ocean Blue Metallic. L6 is a rare color and was only available in 1985. I have an 85 GS that I SE engine swapped and it is also Ocean Blue Metallic.
Even though it's not an SE are you still considering buying the car?
No I'm out. I've been wanting a SE since I was 17. 21 years later when I'm actually in a good spot to get one I'm not going to settle for less. It's my dream car. Think of it as always wanting a Lambo and buying a Fiero with the Lambo kit on it....just not the same.
I absolutely understand. I wouldn't settle either. Wait for the right one to come along. Typically you would want to buy the cleanest example you can afford. I wish you luck in your search for the perfect GSL-SE!
01-17-22, 02:12 PM
