Building a 1985 FB in SA (South Africa)
In 2016 i bought a 1985 model FB as a rolling chassis. I bought it for rather cheap. But, being cheap comes with rust. The sunroof was rusted away, and the rear was also rusted badly.
soon after purchase, the parts sourcing mission began. I soon found out, that its best to try and source parts from the USA. i sourced a replacement sunroof in Cali and a body cut from a town 400km away from my town. I took the drive with family to buy a bodycut. Fast forward a few months, the repair and respray process started. I did none of the bodyworks. I would rather trust a professional at that. i will from here on keep this thread going. Hoping to learn alot about our beloved gen1 rx7s.https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...22f98cc929.jpgComing home for the 1st time https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b9f2075261.jpgAframe towing mazda with mazda https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4f3f4ae3d2.jpgIron worms had lunch in the sun https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fd8572cf6b.jpgWhen having a great behind, everybody want a piece of it.....even them iron worms https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...315ff186c8.jpg |
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...37f094362a.jpgReplacement sunroof
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a9629e9b6c.jpgRear bodycut Drove 800km roundtrip to buy this Totally worth the trip https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...42ad02a48f.jpgOn the morning that we took the rx7 to the bodyshop |
I love your tow method :D
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Originally Posted by Qingdao
(Post 12194746)
I love your tow method :D
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Originally Posted by rxtasy3
(Post 12194753)
as a kid growing up that's how dad towed the dune buggy.
But for an RX7 a pair of pipes and a chain work fine :lol: |
i'm sure but same way of towing the vehicle.
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Originally Posted by Qingdao
(Post 12194746)
I love your tow method :D
aframe is cheap as well. |
Few progress pics while it was at the bodyshop
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...509c174a69.jpgHoodscoop removed
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2398d18788.jpgRearpaired https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c9ddcd1dea.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fe90889bba.jpgResprayed original color. Matched according to code on the car https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...89953f72da.jpg |
When it closed in on completion
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Nice one! This is only the second 1st gen I've seen from South Africa. I recall the other one I saw had a 12A 6 port with the black air cleaner, which is unusual given I had only ever seen that engine on JDM RX-7s and early 80s JDM Cosmos.
What makes yours interesting to me is that it looks pretty much identical to a UK delivered series 3, evident from: - the headlight washers - the FC style small round indicators (repeaters) located next to the RX7 logo, rather than in the body protector moulding in front of the front wheel as they appear in JDM, Australian and North American models - number plate in between the taillights like Australian and UK models, rather than inset in the rear bumper with a black garnish like the JDM and North American series 2/3 models. - RHD obviously Where it differs is the spoiler, which looks like the 3-piece OEM spoiler that was an option on North American FBs. UK got a 1 piece polyurethane spoiler identical to that fitted on JDM and base-model "Sports" in Australia. I'd be keen to see the interior. I assume it looks like UK and Oz models. Does it actually have a FB VIN number or are you just calling it an FB because it is a 81-85 model? |
Responses i was hoping for
Originally Posted by KYPREO
(Post 12195359)
Nice one! This is only the second 1st gen I've seen from South Africa. I recall the other one I saw had a 12A 6 port with the black air cleaner, which is unusual given I had only ever seen that engine on JDM RX-7s and early 80s JDM Cosmos.
What makes yours interesting to me is that it looks pretty much identical to a UK delivered series 3, evident from: - the headlight washers - the FC style small round indicators (repeaters) located next to the RX7 logo, rather than in the body protector moulding in front of the front wheel as they appear in JDM, Australian and North American models - number plate in between the taillights like Australian and UK models, rather than inset in the rear bumper with a black garnish like the JDM and North American series 2/3 models. - RHD obviously Where it differs is the spoiler, which looks like the 3-piece OEM spoiler that was an option on North American FBs. UK got a 1 piece polyurethane spoiler identical to that fitted on JDM and base-model "Sports" in Australia. I'd be keen to see the interior. I assume it looks like UK and Oz models. Does it actually have a FB VIN number or are you just calling it an FB because it is a 81-85 model? This is a nice insight and comparison to the rest of the world. Exactly why i decided to begin a thread, eventhough its kinda late to start. my chassis is actually FB code (although i quit like the ring to the SA22C chassis code. The wing is a 3piece aftermarket unit, and that all the info i got on it. These 1985 models here came with the factory black poly rear spoiler. as for the interior, its the burgundy shade, will get you some pics soon, by the weekend, as the car is at my Dads place. i think our models are more UK orientated, but i dont know either. I am open to learn more about the different spec models. |
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nice
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I like those wheels... 14" or 15"?
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They are 15" wheels, and i dont like them.
i am after something else, but i am still open for options. I did find some OEM wheels, but the need repairs.....:sad: https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b7ba0b6a14.jpg |
Those look like GSL-SE wheels. Do you have 114.3X4 hubs?
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Yes i do have 114x4 pcd hubs
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Those wheels have some history ! Looks very much like a UK spec car...vented disc brakes front & rear?,does it have LSD?
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Originally Posted by GSLSEforme
(Post 12195723)
Those wheels have some history ! Looks very much like a UK spec car...vented disc brakes front & rear?,does it have LSD?
yes, vented from and rear, and different to the S2 brakes. Its suppose to have LSD. How would i check if its LSD or not? |
Originally Posted by Mr N4SA
(Post 12195883)
i am pretty sure we got a UK spec'd FB.
yes, vented from and rear, and different to the S2 brakes. Its suppose to have LSD. How would i check if its LSD or not? |
Interior n wheel close up
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2 Attachment(s)
From what i can see in your pics,interior looks in good shape. A good cleaning as car is put back together likely all it needs. That dash pad looks to be in mint condition,very lucky in that regard,must have been garaged for a lot of its life. Some here would be envious of the shape it's in.
Never understood why Mazda chose not to update UK,European,Australian export cars to the interior we got here in the US. |
What are your plans for engine/trans?
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The interior still looks good,
but i guess the last few years under a tree was killing the rx7. The US spec dash looks better, no doubt. i will transplant the 13B bridgeport from my 323GLC into the rx7. Its 48mm IDA fed 13b bridgeport. FC turbo gearbox matched to it. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6e0db47878.jpg |
Definitely identical to UK spec...even down to the digital clock and single DIN radio/cassette unit (which is different from the setup we got in Australia).
Nice interior condition for sure.
Originally Posted by GSLSEforme
(Post 12196351)
From what i can see in your pics,interior looks in good shape. A good cleaning as car is put back together likely all it needs. That dash pad looks to be in mint condition,very lucky in that regard,must have been garaged for a lot of its life. Some here would be envious of the shape it's in. Never understood why Mazda chose not to update UK,European,Australian export cars to the interior we got here in the US.
That said, I prefer the early style dash and instrument cluster compared the FC style one in the LHD series 3s. |
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