Who wants to take over my '84 S project? (long)
 

I've been fiddling with this for several years now, but Uncle Sam says that I'm headed far from home again, second time in two years, so at this point I'm better off seeing if any of you rotorheads wants to continue where I left off . . .

The car: It's a 1984, base model I believe (AC is the only luxury). I rescued it from someone's front yard, where it sat for nine years . . . it's been covered in my garage for the last 3. Sunrise red; clearcoat is peeling and the the paint is severely faded but absolutely no other damage; small amount of surface rust next to the windshield wiper, and along the windshield trim, easy fix prior to the paint job it will no doubt need. There's an old picture of it in my avatar; I'll try to take some more later. 105,000 miles

As I said, this has been a project so there are many parts that have already been replaced . . . others are off the car, in boxes, ready to be re-installed. If you ever wanted to tear a car down and rebuild it, this is the car for you, since I've already done the hard part (the teardown) and have done most of the "heavy lifting" on the rebuild. This is what I mean:

The engine: The original 12A was seized, that's why it was parked by the previous owner. I purchased a used 12A (with about the same mileage) off a guy who does a regular RX-7 parts business on thepartstrader.com. I pulled the old engine and installed the new, but have not yet hooked up the cables and hoses, etc., to get it running. Oh, and while the engine was out I replaced the clutch and all associated parts, to include the slave cylinder. I also have a clutch master cylinder rebuild kit, not yet installed. I also have some other assorted engine parts I picked up along the way, such as a race-modified Nikki carb/intake (stock carb is still installed on the engine), plus a aftermarket fuel pump/regulator.

Exhaust: I purchased a slightly used Racing Beat street port system from someone on this site . . . header is installed, the twin presilencers are not. The muffler that came with the car looks like it was recently replaced prior to the car going down, so I was going to re-use it.

Suspension etc.: This is basically done. I bought a gently used set of Tokiko shocks/struts and lowering springs off of ebay (someone was switching to coilovers). All bushings replaced with PST polygraphite; oversized front sway bar installed; new brake calipers, discs and pads; new tie rod ends; new ball joints; new bearings. Probably some other new stuff I forgot to mention. Tires are brand-new Sumitomo HTR-200s in 195/60R13; wheels are "+" alloys that could use a good buffing/polishing. Brakes are 95% complete; just need to find a bracket for the right caliper (I'm sure someone on this site has one laying around), install the pads, and rebuild the master cylinder.

Interior: Apart, but ready to reinstall. New grey carpet (full set). Cloth seats just cleaned, a little more wear on the driver's side compared to the passenger's, but no rips/tears. Storage bins are ready to be re-installed; since they're out, you can see there's no hidden rust in the wheelwells (this car was "rustproofed" when it was new). Dash is 100%, no cracks.

What this car needs: Drain/clean old gas out of tank. Connect hoses/cables/exhaust/AC in engine compartment. Put interior back together. Minor body work, then paint. So close to completion, yet so far (for me). I know there's someone here that could have it on the road before the end of the summer.

What I need: This car cost me $600, and I've spent another $1500 or so in new and used parts, and put in a ton of man-hours on this project. So, I'll keep this post active until July 8, looking for a good offer. I'm willing to practically give this car away, but I really can't accept an offer under $500, so we'll start there.

One final point: I'm willing to deliver this car a reasonable distance, say 300-400 miles, as part of the bargain. From my place in southcentral PA, that means NYC-Jersey Shore-Richmond-Pittsburgh as N-E-S-W limits.

After July 8th, I'll accept what I believe to be the best offer considering price, location, whether or not you want me to deliver, etc. I also reserve the right to say "sold" at any time if the "right" offer comes along before that time.

I won't part this car out (I don't have the time, so don't ask) but someone who is enterprising could make a good bit of money in a short time if he/she wants to buy it to part it out to others. After all, it's mostly apart now.

Cash only, sent to paypal prior to delivery.

PM me with offers/questions.

Steve

Hey Steve, sorry to here of Uncle Sam's plans for you and the disruption that it's causing. It sounds like you've given that car a lot of love and care, thanks for giving the rest of us rotor heads an opportunity to cash in. I already have three GSLs, so I'm not the one for this project, but somebody will get a good deal. Good luck and take care!

Damn. You're too far away and with an ex-wife who likes to make sure I keep my lawyer fat and happy I can't afford it anyway. Somebody will get a good deal.

Wherever Uncle Sam is sending you, I hope you come back in one piece and ready to pick up the addiction again.

Here are pictures of my car
 

Two great pics; makes me want to reconsider . . .

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8987/im0006779we.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/9176/im0006793cz.jpg

The other side; sun was at a bad spot.

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1544/im0006784fv.jpg

Back and front.

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8279/im0006807wr.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1002/im0006813mv.jpg

Inside, ready to reassemble. Needs new vinyl on the top of the doors.

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2858/im0006753oi.jpg

This pic shows the two spots of rust I mentioned, and shows how some of the paint has faded. Old inspection stickers read 12/93!

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/70/im0006768wd.jpg

Update on offers
 

I've gotten two nibbles so far . . .

one offer at $600, but outside my designated delivery area; would have to meet him along the way . . .

the other is a tentative interest, but just down the road.

Still looking for that perfect buyer who has cash, desire, and is relatively nearby. Is it you?

Thanks to ray and slashdawg, by the way, for their kind words.

What would delivery cost for say...a 170 mile trip?

Hows the underbody, frame rail, brake and fuel lines? This might just be what I'm looking for? I'm located outside of Buffalo NY.


Thanks, Ed

Everything under the car is in pristine condition . . . some "older" members of the forum may remember that in the 1980s there was a hot aftermarket business in "rustproofing". You would buy the service through your dealer when you bought the car, and the rustproofing company would spray some kind of compound along the bottom of the car and in rust-prone areas such as wheelwells and inside the body panels . . . some of the major companies doing this work were Ziebart and Rusty Jones . . . well, it appears that this was done on this car, there's a black tarry substance everywhere on the undercarriage, and as a result there's no rust, or any corrosion damage to any of the lines.

By the way, I've installed the carpet and have begun putting in the seats and center console . . . should be done by the end of the day and I'll post pics . . . easier than I thought it would be.

I gave you a pretty elaborate answer in response to your PM . . . just figure the gas/time/hassle of delivery into your offer, if it's worth it to you to have me do the driving vs. you coming to get it yourself.

In the end, I will have to compare all offers. Sorry I can't be more specific than that; there are just too many variables.

Yeah, I apologize for replying in here, but I did that before I realized, "Oh yeah..PM's."