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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.
Coming home for the 1st time Aframe towing mazda with mazda Iron worms had lunch in the sun When having a great behind, everybody want a piece of it.....even them iron worms
well, i cant afford a trailor, and this way i can do it alone. Works well, done it 3times already. And no issues yet. I do stop regular just to do a safety check that all is still well.
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?
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?
hi KYPREO
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.
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.....
Those wheels have some history ! Looks very much like a UK spec car...vented disc brakes front & rear?,does it have LSD?
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?
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?
Elevate the rear axle (both wheels off the ground) Spin one of the wheels forwards (as if you are rolling the car forward) and watch the other side. If the apposing wheels spins backwards it is an open differential. If both wheels move in unison then it has a limited slip differential.
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.
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
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.
They would need to design and tool for the equivalent parts to be made in RHD version. JDM market stayed with the 78-83 style interior as well, so it would have been uneconomical to depart from the original dash design just for these smaller export markets. I don't know why Mazda thought it was necessary to update the whole dash and console for the LHD market for the series 3, but keep in mind around 80% of all 1st gens were sold in the US. Let's say another 5-10% were sold in other LHD markets. That means only around 10-15% of all 1st gens were RHD. Much of a business case to design a new interior. Unfortunately, for the same reason, many RHD specific replacement parts have been obsolete for years while they continue to be available for LHD. Examples include combination switches - RHD versions have been NLA for a good 10 years at least while I can buy all the LHD combo switches on eBay.
That said, I prefer the early style dash and instrument cluster compared the FC style one in the LHD series 3s.
