The Last Legendary FC RX 7
07-30-09, 10:58 PM
#26
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
07-31-09, 12:06 AM
#27
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: land of ahs
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mine is very close but blue and with 35k.
funny i had EXACTLY the same cup holder back in 88 or 89. i think they were sold in one of the auto mags for this application.
just took OFF a set of those exact tires, potenza re71. they are VERY VERY GRIPPY on dry tarmac, but wicked slick with even tiny amounts of water.
this was bridgestones FIRST directional tire and designed for the porsche 959 as i recall...
but they are very noisey with the top down, and will be even more so, now that they are old.
it's crazy to keep using 20+ year old tires, but i plan to keep the old set for another year in storage.
new tires make the ride MUCH smoother.
GOOD replacement options in oem size are limited to about 5 examples now and the only 2 bridgestones are all season or m/s rated.
___here are a few things i notice from scanning the photos, these are NOT criticisms, its just fun comparing ORIGINAL bits___
1. it looks like the BBS specific valve stem CAPS may be missing from a wheel or 2 ???
they are stainless or chromed, hexagonal and have BBS imprinted on the ends.
perhaps they were just taken off to air up the tires or while detailing.
2. the coolant FILL cap (rear cap by the alternator) doesn't appear to be the original and the front radiator cap looks to have been changed too.
actually that rear cap is the WRONG style (if i am seeing correctly in the pic) and should be changed back to the correct cap and pressure rating.
mazda dealers have the correct coolant caps (both of them) but they have slightly different labels from the OLD originals...
3. is the subzero coolant bottle gone? it's hard to see from picture angle...
these were supposed to be removed, but mine is still there with 20 year old coolant.
it's possible CALI cars did NOT come oem with the subzero bottle, my car off loaded in washington state, so it has one.
GREAT condition on the seats (obviously),
4. but is that drive floor mat original?
maybe it's just scrunched UP under the pedals, but there should be a NON carpet, smooth plastic, rectangular section centered under the pedals...
5. also the passenger floor mat should be MONOGRAMED "rx7" and i don't see that.
the oem mats have cheap plastic edging, those look NICER than oem.
6. so i think THOSE mats were aftermarket from the same folks that made the dash carpet and other rx7 accessories from 88.
i agree with keeping it as original,
what should be fun in finding the bbs center cap tool, folding wheel chocks, the original targa top sleeve and other bits UNDER the trunk carpet.
hopefully your dad has the original owners manual (and MAZDA EXCELLENCE case) and door sticker?
7. check 21 year old mini spare too...it probably needs a few pounds of air...
if your intent is too DRIVE this car now,
8.get the coolant drained and changed pronto and of course do the OIL/filter twice over the next few days...
other basic maintenance (plugs, brake fluid, tranny and so on) should be done before driving it TOO much.
the old tires won't explode with use, but they are gonna be HARD and make a noise that will make you think the tranny is bad.
and i would not be comfortable going FAST on 22 year old rubber.
9. the brake pads are likely ORIGINAL like mine, which means they are asbestos, do NOT use compressed air around the brakes or wheel wells.
ANY rags/microfiber used to clean the wheels or remove 'brake dust' should be TOSSED away. don't wash them TOSS THEM.
it's FUN owning one of these old birds in original trim, it will be fun to compare notes since our cars are so similar...
your production date is on the upper sticker just below the drives door lock POST...
take good care of her and congrats!
henry
Last edited by openrx; 07-31-09 at 12:34 AM.
07-31-09, 12:47 AM
#28
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: land of ahs
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
not to hijack your thread blake...
but it's not real if there are not pics, and i haven't posted any yet.
there are a couple taken by someone else, in THIS thread from a local gathering of rotorheads last weekend.
https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...5&postcount=84
some of the other shots (parked next to the COOL 70s truck) have her in them also.
henry
but it's not real if there are not pics, and i haven't posted any yet.
there are a couple taken by someone else, in THIS thread from a local gathering of rotorheads last weekend.
https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...5&postcount=84
some of the other shots (parked next to the COOL 70s truck) have her in them also.
henry
07-31-09, 09:35 AM
#32
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They are original... as for openrx I will address all the things you listed today, but note that the tires do not have caps on them, that's why they are stainless steel, and it was mazdas way of creating a more racelike car, with less weight and faster tire air filling.
07-31-09, 12:06 PM
#33
Brap Brap Psshh
![Tyler [S5 FC]'s Avatar](https://www.rx7club.com/customavatars/avatar115591_1.gif){kind=avatar}
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have you seen the RS's? There about the same, just look better, you should check it out, it would keep it original looking, just a bit more aggresive.
07-31-09, 01:44 PM
#37
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
07-31-09, 02:09 PM
#39
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: land of ahs
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yeah the 'aero style' mirrors color matched to the body were/are original on the 88s convertibles...
blake
so all 4 valve stem caps are missing? bummer.
since there was no hood ornament to steal, it became pretty common for sleezy punks to steal the BBS valve stem caps.
be assured they were there at one time.
i know of NO car sold new by any brand or dealer in the usa that doesn't include valve stem caps.
race cars swap wheels, they don't mess with valve stems.
the bbs caps are neat because they've got a nice gasket/o ring inside to better seal the deal.
it's important to keep water/soap/grit and crap OUT of the stems, if left exposed inflation will push the grit INTO the stem core seals...
which would make the stems UNreliable for holding air, NOT A GOOD THING to have tires leaking air while driving right?
while the the stems are metal, the cores have rubber/butyl bits inside that can decay if exposed.
get some caps bro, any cap will work for now, the originals may show up online.
you will note the wheels have crimp on balancing weights on the OUTSIDE wheel LIPS as well as inside.
dynamic (road force) balancing wasn't widely available in 88, and 'tape on' weights were uncommon.
SO if you do opt for new tires,
have them remove the crimp on weights and use back side balancing (with road force or weight matching) to clean up the wheels more
of course most of the useful maintenance depends on IF planning to DRIVE this car much or keep in stored.
many of us early/original buyers were lead to believe this was a VERY limited run like 1-2000 cars max.
it turns out that as many as 5-6000 of the 88s were shipped stateside, so it's NOT really a rare car.
otoh a showroom new looking 21 year old car is still pretty fun to drive.
it's hard to predict 'collectible status' or rising prices for 80s asian cars.
i doubt there will be much of either, so my view is get it current on sparks, fluids, rubber and brakes and DRIVE HER!
cheers
henry
They are original... as for openrx I will address all the things you listed today, but note that the tires do not have caps on them, that's why they are stainless steel, and it was mazdas way of creating a more racelike car, with less weight and faster tire air filling.
so all 4 valve stem caps are missing? bummer.
since there was no hood ornament to steal, it became pretty common for sleezy punks to steal the BBS valve stem caps.
be assured they were there at one time.
i know of NO car sold new by any brand or dealer in the usa that doesn't include valve stem caps.
race cars swap wheels, they don't mess with valve stems.
the bbs caps are neat because they've got a nice gasket/o ring inside to better seal the deal.
it's important to keep water/soap/grit and crap OUT of the stems, if left exposed inflation will push the grit INTO the stem core seals...
which would make the stems UNreliable for holding air, NOT A GOOD THING to have tires leaking air while driving right?
while the the stems are metal, the cores have rubber/butyl bits inside that can decay if exposed.
get some caps bro, any cap will work for now, the originals may show up online.
you will note the wheels have crimp on balancing weights on the OUTSIDE wheel LIPS as well as inside.
dynamic (road force) balancing wasn't widely available in 88, and 'tape on' weights were uncommon.
SO if you do opt for new tires,
have them remove the crimp on weights and use back side balancing (with road force or weight matching) to clean up the wheels more
of course most of the useful maintenance depends on IF planning to DRIVE this car much or keep in stored.
many of us early/original buyers were lead to believe this was a VERY limited run like 1-2000 cars max.
it turns out that as many as 5-6000 of the 88s were shipped stateside, so it's NOT really a rare car.
otoh a showroom new looking 21 year old car is still pretty fun to drive.
it's hard to predict 'collectible status' or rising prices for 80s asian cars.
i doubt there will be much of either, so my view is get it current on sparks, fluids, rubber and brakes and DRIVE HER!
cheers
henry
Last edited by openrx; 07-31-09 at 02:17 PM.
07-31-09, 07:18 PM
#41
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: land of ahs
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08-01-09, 11:03 PM
#44
lycanthrope
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: lancaster ca
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...296878096.html
08-01-09, 11:35 PM
#45
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: land of ahs
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08-02-09, 01:40 AM
#46
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
why give him ten when you can have it for seven?
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...296878096.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...296878096.html
08-02-09, 10:33 AM
#48
probably becuase it doesn't have the better mirrors, and notice how they leave little contact information, also note the car was just washed, yet the color looks a bit faded. They say its been in a garage, yet they mention that its been covered most it's life? My car's not for sale, but I still won the mileage race
it has the same mirrors
there is no contact information because it is a local craigslist ad, you email and then you go see the car in person or have a phone conversation. I see what looks like the sky reflecting in the paint, I cant see how it looks faded to you?
And alot of people cover thier car in thier garage, so much so they sell indoor only car covers.
Just saying that car is probably as nice as yours- dont hate.
