1979 Spark Yellow Barn Find!
08-01-14, 11:09 PM
#1
1979 Spark Yellow Barn Find!
Much earlier this year I was working at the Dayton Auto show. Its a tiny crappy little boring show. When you work auto shows you meet all sorts of different people. Mostly sheeple that buy SUV's and mini-vans. But occasionally you run into a fellow enthusiast. I ran into a gentleman, and I cannot remember how but we started talking cars. He told me about his fathers all original 1967 Firebird convertible. And mostly we talked muscle cars. Then he started talking about his first -new- car he bought in 1978. He told me it was an old Rx-7, so of course I told him about mine, and how many I had owned. I even made mention of how I wouldn't mind having an Rx-7 that early. That's when he started telling me that he is looking to sell the car. But he doesn't want it to go to just anybody. He wants it to go to the 'right' person. Someone who will take care of it, and fix it since it has been sitting in a barn for so long. I gave him the website URL to Ohiorotaries and told him to get on Facebook and stay in touch.
I didn't hear from him, and forgot about the car. I figured it was in really poor shape, and probably too expensive. He didn't tell me much other than it was a '79 he bought in '78 and it was a five speed car. Fast forward to sometime last month and I went to a Cars and Coffee at the Greene in Beavercreek. I took the '81 and was almost immediately approached by a familiar looking gentleman. He started complimenting the car, and talking about his. And for the better part of the conversation I forgot that we had met before. He even started telling me about the car again. Except this time, he said it had been garaged its entire life, was still in a barn, and... It was yellow.... Here we are chatting at Cars and Coffee.
This time I got his contact info, and afterwards I wasn't sure if it was worth investigating. I didn't have the funds for another car. Then I drove a friends SA, and decided I should at least take a look at the car. So a few weeks after the Cars and Coffee, I called him, and a few days later I went to see the car.
The day prior to seeing the car he called me and started telling me everything that was wrong with the car. He repeated over and over about how it wasnt perfect, and it had been driven a lot. And that the mileage showed. I really started to worry about how bad the car was going to be, and he had mentioned he wanted to sell it cheap. I was ready for a car in terrible condition, but hoping for a car in good shape. The last thing I was prepared for, was the condition the car was actually in...
It was a wonderful moment when we laid eyes on the car, it was so perfect. The car was off the road a ways, but as I came down the driveway my jaw dropped. I couldnt believe it.... I immediately realized I wasnt going to be able to afford the car...
He admitted that he had cleaned up the car, despite that I just couldnt get over how nice the body or interior was.
I went over the car with a fine tooth comb, the few faults I found were pretty minor. The interior was beautiful...
In my hurry to leave my house I forgot my tools and jumper cables. Luckily he had some tools, so I stole the battery out of our car and removed the trailing plugs. One rotor sounded a little weak, but after a few cranks it sounded pretty good. I assumed maybe a seal was stuck and cranking free'd it up.
I decided against starting the car as I didnt know how bad the gas was, and it was missing a vacuum line. So even if it did start, it wouldnt run well.
Well when it came to talk price, I was very surprised. He wanted to ask 12-1500 and was willing to take $1000. I told him the was was probably worth every penny of 1500. But that I couldnt swing that much money at that point in time. He really wanted the car gone as he was paying to store it where it had sat for the last few years. So before long a deal was struck, and the car was mine!
He was the first owner, he had bought the car in 1978 after finding a dealer that wasnt marking cars up a ridiculous amount over sticker price. The catch was you gave the dealer three color choices, and preferred options, and sat on a waiting list. He waited for six months, his preferred colors being red, blue or yellow. With yellow being the last choice, and a sunroof as one of the options. A few folks turned this car down, as yellow wasnt a popular color. And it was a non-sunroof car. So he almost contemplated passing on the car. But after waiting for so long, he jumped on the car. He went to pick it up at the dealer and it was on the showroom floor roped off. They even let him drive it out of the showroom!! Because of this it has its window sticker, and -lots- of other documentation. It even came with original keys!
On the flip side of the keychain is an address, to a p.o. box. It also has a random looking number. If you lost your keys and someone found them, they just needed to drop your keys in a mail box. It would be forwarded to the p.o.box and Mazda would mail you your keys back. Pretty sweet! Probably not going to test if it still works though lol A buddy came out in his 4Runner, and helped me get the car home. (Looking at the sky because it looked like it might rain...)
Then I managed to get the car fired up by cleaning the plugs, freshening up the gas, and installing a good battery! It moved under its own power, and I parked it in the garage that first night!
I didn't hear from him, and forgot about the car. I figured it was in really poor shape, and probably too expensive. He didn't tell me much other than it was a '79 he bought in '78 and it was a five speed car. Fast forward to sometime last month and I went to a Cars and Coffee at the Greene in Beavercreek. I took the '81 and was almost immediately approached by a familiar looking gentleman. He started complimenting the car, and talking about his. And for the better part of the conversation I forgot that we had met before. He even started telling me about the car again. Except this time, he said it had been garaged its entire life, was still in a barn, and... It was yellow.... Here we are chatting at Cars and Coffee.
This time I got his contact info, and afterwards I wasn't sure if it was worth investigating. I didn't have the funds for another car. Then I drove a friends SA, and decided I should at least take a look at the car. So a few weeks after the Cars and Coffee, I called him, and a few days later I went to see the car.
The day prior to seeing the car he called me and started telling me everything that was wrong with the car. He repeated over and over about how it wasnt perfect, and it had been driven a lot. And that the mileage showed. I really started to worry about how bad the car was going to be, and he had mentioned he wanted to sell it cheap. I was ready for a car in terrible condition, but hoping for a car in good shape. The last thing I was prepared for, was the condition the car was actually in...
It was a wonderful moment when we laid eyes on the car, it was so perfect. The car was off the road a ways, but as I came down the driveway my jaw dropped. I couldnt believe it.... I immediately realized I wasnt going to be able to afford the car...
He admitted that he had cleaned up the car, despite that I just couldnt get over how nice the body or interior was.
I went over the car with a fine tooth comb, the few faults I found were pretty minor. The interior was beautiful...
In my hurry to leave my house I forgot my tools and jumper cables. Luckily he had some tools, so I stole the battery out of our car and removed the trailing plugs. One rotor sounded a little weak, but after a few cranks it sounded pretty good. I assumed maybe a seal was stuck and cranking free'd it up.
I decided against starting the car as I didnt know how bad the gas was, and it was missing a vacuum line. So even if it did start, it wouldnt run well.
Well when it came to talk price, I was very surprised. He wanted to ask 12-1500 and was willing to take $1000. I told him the was was probably worth every penny of 1500. But that I couldnt swing that much money at that point in time. He really wanted the car gone as he was paying to store it where it had sat for the last few years. So before long a deal was struck, and the car was mine!
He was the first owner, he had bought the car in 1978 after finding a dealer that wasnt marking cars up a ridiculous amount over sticker price. The catch was you gave the dealer three color choices, and preferred options, and sat on a waiting list. He waited for six months, his preferred colors being red, blue or yellow. With yellow being the last choice, and a sunroof as one of the options. A few folks turned this car down, as yellow wasnt a popular color. And it was a non-sunroof car. So he almost contemplated passing on the car. But after waiting for so long, he jumped on the car. He went to pick it up at the dealer and it was on the showroom floor roped off. They even let him drive it out of the showroom!! Because of this it has its window sticker, and -lots- of other documentation. It even came with original keys!
On the flip side of the keychain is an address, to a p.o. box. It also has a random looking number. If you lost your keys and someone found them, they just needed to drop your keys in a mail box. It would be forwarded to the p.o.box and Mazda would mail you your keys back. Pretty sweet! Probably not going to test if it still works though lol A buddy came out in his 4Runner, and helped me get the car home. (Looking at the sky because it looked like it might rain...)
Then I managed to get the car fired up by cleaning the plugs, freshening up the gas, and installing a good battery! It moved under its own power, and I parked it in the garage that first night!
08-01-14, 11:12 PM
#2
Day one of ownership, title the car in my name.... Check, I have consummated the relationship lol Mind you I havent even run the car to operating temp at this point.
Step two, change oil and filter...
Remove ancient metal framed air filter....
Replace with new...
Change out plugs... Then inspect drums and bleed brakes...
After this I started the car, didnt pump the gas, didnt use the choke. The car fired right up and settled into a strong 750 rpm idle. It was still smoking out the exhaust, but I let the car warm up. I let it idle at full temp for about 15 minutes. Once I was satisfied that it wasnt going to overheat or otherwise blow up, I took it for a lap around the block. Stopped, checked everything, idled the car longer this time. Went around the block again and opened up the throttle on the steepest part of the drive.... The secondaries opened! It -flew- up that hill! Stopped at the house, and checked everything.... Nothing was acting funky... So I grabbed my gas can, the mower needed gas, and I drove to the gas station!
Mind you thats a two mile round trip thereabouts. While there she got filled up, the tires aired up, and then I beat her all the way home. Did a little burnout at a stop sign by accident, and even chirped the tires into third gear. This engine is strong!! I started driving the car around on short trips, and recorded some of it. The coolest thing though, is that the car isnt smoking -AT ALL- after bringing it up to temp and running it to redline under load it is running great. I am so happy, and I cant wait to get back home from working in Indianapolis and buff the car, oh yeah Ill drive it too lol!
Step two, change oil and filter...
Remove ancient metal framed air filter....
Replace with new...
Change out plugs... Then inspect drums and bleed brakes...
After this I started the car, didnt pump the gas, didnt use the choke. The car fired right up and settled into a strong 750 rpm idle. It was still smoking out the exhaust, but I let the car warm up. I let it idle at full temp for about 15 minutes. Once I was satisfied that it wasnt going to overheat or otherwise blow up, I took it for a lap around the block. Stopped, checked everything, idled the car longer this time. Went around the block again and opened up the throttle on the steepest part of the drive.... The secondaries opened! It -flew- up that hill! Stopped at the house, and checked everything.... Nothing was acting funky... So I grabbed my gas can, the mower needed gas, and I drove to the gas station!
Mind you thats a two mile round trip thereabouts. While there she got filled up, the tires aired up, and then I beat her all the way home. Did a little burnout at a stop sign by accident, and even chirped the tires into third gear. This engine is strong!! I started driving the car around on short trips, and recorded some of it. The coolest thing though, is that the car isnt smoking -AT ALL- after bringing it up to temp and running it to redline under load it is running great. I am so happy, and I cant wait to get back home from working in Indianapolis and buff the car, oh yeah Ill drive it too lol!
08-02-14, 07:34 AM
#3
Wow!!
What an AMAZING find, congratulations! It's an incredible stroke of luck that you and this gentleman found each other. Rotary karma I guess. That car looks like it's in incredible condition for having sat around and in a northern state climate. Hell, for having sat around in ANY state for that matter! Judging from the condition of mine, if it was driven in the snow and put away the rust will form and eat away at it so I'm guessing that this wasn't driven in the snow much, if at all. Mine was put away for 9 or so years and not started in three before I got it and after I carefully brought it back to life and slowly got it up to temperature and drove around the 'hood a few times, it one day blew water out of the exhaust. Hope the doesn't happen to you but something you may want to keep an eye out for if this car hadn't been run in a long time.
Again, congratulations on your find. Curious, but what is the build date and number?
Again, congratulations on your find. Curious, but what is the build date and number?
08-02-14, 08:08 AM
#4
06/78 and 9411
He garaged it for its entire life, and treated it like a toy for a long time. If it needs a rebuild, well it will get a rebuild
This car deserves to be kept on the road. It has sat at least since 06/07 and potentially longer than that.
Ill be posting the window sticker and other cool documentation on Monday. I am away for work at the moment.
He garaged it for its entire life, and treated it like a toy for a long time. If it needs a rebuild, well it will get a rebuild
This car deserves to be kept on the road. It has sat at least since 06/07 and potentially longer than that. Ill be posting the window sticker and other cool documentation on Monday. I am away for work at the moment.
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08-02-14, 02:24 PM
#9
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nice car!
08-04-14, 08:31 AM
#15
Seriously though lol
I plan on keeping it as original as possible. When I took auto-tech in high school the car I was assigned to was a 1979 Rx-7. Partially because the teacher had never had a reason to let anyone work on it. He knew I owned an Rx-7, and I really wanted to be assigned to that car. I remember thinking how ugly the SA was, and how superior my FB was. It was faded red, with a plaid interior. It even had an aftermarket backseat! The cars glovebox was full of old Pacific ads and magazines, and Mariah magazines. So I kept a lot of those, with permission of course.
I loved that car, and it was all original as well. I learned about carbs, and points, and drum brakes with that car. So lots of good memories.... Even did some burnouts in the school parking lot. So when the end of the year was approaching I started hounding my teacher to sell me the car. Unfortunately cars that are donated for educational purposes must be crushed. I did take a memento, the firewall vin plate, I made it into a fridge magnet. Years past, and I began to want an SA, I really wanted the same car color/interior. But when this popped up, and I sat in it... It was like being in a time capsule, both because of how nice the car is, and the memories from high school. It even sounds the same as that car... So yeah, its perfect just the way it is!
08-04-14, 01:34 PM
#18
My brother bought the car that I now have from the high school votech. Mind you that was early/mid 80s and in NY, so maybe the laws have changed or maybe are State specific. I'm just glad mine survived. Seeing your video makes me REALLY want to hurry up and finish mine! Glad to see that you're gonna keep it stock.
08-04-14, 11:00 PM
#20
Thanks guys!
Today started with getting the 7's acquainted. Having an S1 and S2 side by side is a cool thing to be able to do!
Then it was time to do a thorough cleaning, the SA having been stored, had some mouse poo in it.... Time to clean the heck out of it!
While cleaning the car I made a -very- cool discovery. An unused, full size spare... Its a factory fresh waffle!!
The tires date code says it was made in 1980!! It is still holding air!
More to come, need to build a factory style exhaust for it, and clean the engine bay. Hopefully my brake master comes in soon, its the only thing keeping me from going for a cruise!
Today started with getting the 7's acquainted. Having an S1 and S2 side by side is a cool thing to be able to do!
Then it was time to do a thorough cleaning, the SA having been stored, had some mouse poo in it.... Time to clean the heck out of it!
While cleaning the car I made a -very- cool discovery. An unused, full size spare... Its a factory fresh waffle!!
The tires date code says it was made in 1980!! It is still holding air!
More to come, need to build a factory style exhaust for it, and clean the engine bay. Hopefully my brake master comes in soon, its the only thing keeping me from going for a cruise!
08-05-14, 03:14 AM
#23
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Even though the spare looks brand new, best not to use a 35 year old tire, even in an emergency. You sure got a steal. I would have paid 3 times what you got it for!
08-05-14, 06:36 AM
#24
Mouse nests
Hey LokiRx7.1, mice had made a home in mine too in several places, so if you haven't already, check these areas:
Each of the two rectangular access plates into the top of the frame under the passenger and drivers footwells
Each of the two rectangular access plates into the top of the frame in the back where you access the rear bumper "shock absorber" bolts.
Rocker panels
Vents.
Under the tin panels behind the seat that give access to the rear inner wheel wells.
In the honeycombs behind the rear bumper.
I'm sure you're already aware of thise hiding places, but believe me the mice did as much damage to my SA as the snow and salt prolly did. I found three nests built from the insulation and underlayment from under the tin panels behind the seats. That crap held moisture and rotted out a good portion of the rocker panels - from the INside.
I wonder if your S2 is jealous of his new S1 step brother now that he gets to sit under the carport?...
Each of the two rectangular access plates into the top of the frame under the passenger and drivers footwells
Each of the two rectangular access plates into the top of the frame in the back where you access the rear bumper "shock absorber" bolts.
Rocker panels
Vents.
Under the tin panels behind the seat that give access to the rear inner wheel wells.
In the honeycombs behind the rear bumper.
I'm sure you're already aware of thise hiding places, but believe me the mice did as much damage to my SA as the snow and salt prolly did. I found three nests built from the insulation and underlayment from under the tin panels behind the seats. That crap held moisture and rotted out a good portion of the rocker panels - from the INside.
I wonder if your S2 is jealous of his new S1 step brother now that he gets to sit under the carport?...