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Sad story with an ongoing Happy Ending!!!
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Hi guys!!!
Here's the extremely sad horror story not for people wearing pacemakers or with heart problems!!! I know it's sad and hard to see a car deteriorating (I'm a car lover) and some would like to kick me in my rear, but I promise you, it will have a happy ending. It's not done yet, but it will have one. It all started back in 2001 I got my first well paid job and needed a car to move around. At the same time I started my aviation school and flying hours are not cheap. A couple of friends from work had were selling their cars. A Honda Civic 86 and a Mazda Rx7 82. Well, I guess that the choice for a 19 year old boy was obvious. I went for the FB. Attachment 630043 Turns out that the car had a funny history. It was a donation from the US government to some institution in Costa Rica and at the same time they auction the car. Apparently the engine was damaged and someone replace it for a 1.2 Datsun engine. Now here's where all starts to fall. At the time the guy I bought the car from tried to register the car in the Government Property department but he was having problems since the Datsun engine was still registered in another car. That's where I picked up. Did a lot of research and found out the owner of this already scrapped Datsun car. I asked him to please hand me a bill of sale of the engine, that's all I needed. And he said no.... At that point nothing legal could be done. I was using the car still but since I was driving with an ilegal car I could not go anywhere and I had a big chance of getting the car confiscated by the Traffic Police Department. So, I left the car in a garage and after a while I bought another car. One day this guy shows in my doorstep asking me if I would sell the FB. I said yes... And told him all the story in detail and that the car could not be registered legal. He said it was ok, it was his dream car and he wanted it. And so I sold the car. We agreed in instalments however he only paid a few ones and like after a year I went back and picked the car back. I then parked the car in a friends shop. One day I went to back and this guy with a neat SA parked outside the bank and so I asked him who was his mechanic. He pointed me to this Rx7 guru and so I went to see him... I told him the whole story about the car and that if there was anything he could do to help me out. At that moment he told me that precisely he was going to take apart one 82 FB in a few weeks, so he could sell me the car "papers". I was aware that this is completely illegal, however I knew that I bought the car honestly and the government was giving no other choice than do it this way. Believe me I tried all possible ways to register the car legally. Anyways, a few moths later I had my car legally registered but now I had no engine since I removed and sold the one in the car. I was still going under my aviation hours and money was not enough. Later I bought a Toyota 2.2l 3S-FE engine and a AWD gearbox thinking about the idea of installing it in the car. Of course I couldn't continue with my project because of the money. At that time I was traveling to Argentina to finish my aviation hours so I left Costa Rica for a couple of months. Time went by, I had finished my aviation training, still working in the call center and looking for an aviation job. A while after I was able to start my first job as a pilot with a very low income and of course my FB was left forgotten. It was left out in the shop, no roof, no protection whatsoever. A huge mango fall into the windshield, passenger window broken, plants growing inside the car and rust at it's best. Attachment 630044 http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps8cfc0e9a.jpg Attachment 630045 Attachment 630046 At that moment my economic situation started to improve so I took the car back home and started to clean it out. My beloved RIP mother help me out and she look happy! I then took it to a friends workshop and they took all the rust out of the car, and re did the floor. Attachment 630047 Attachment 630048 Attachment 630049 Attachment 630050 Attachment 630051 Attachment 630052 Attachment 630053 |
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Attachment 630032 Attachment 630033 Attachment 630034 Attachment 630035 When I asked them how much would they charge me to bring back the car to life the guy told me around $15K USD. So I say no... I honestly think he told me that incredibly stupid amount just because he didn't wanted to work on it. It would've taken a lot time for the workshop to fix so it was not a profitable deal for them. So again I took the car to another place and kinda forget about the idea of restoring the car.... One day a very good friend of mine called me and told me that there was an another FB for sale so we went to see it and it was in descent shape. Same story, problems with papers so all I got was a bill of sale. Anyway the other car already had a pedigree. My idea then was to restore the first FB with parts from this other FB. Time went by, things coming and going, no time, no money, changing jobs, high income, then changed jobs for better but with a low income, anyway, left both cars on standby. Then I always wanted a Jeep CJ5 and bought a 56 one and since it was an easy job, I decided to start restoring this one first. It took me a while to bring it back to the state I wanted it, and still I'm short by 30% to finish the car, but now I'm in no rush. At some point I thought about the idea of restoring this second FB however it was not my first car and it didn't have a special place in my heart. Attachment 630036 Attachment 630037 Now, 14 years later, I'm working for an airline in the middle east and pay is good. After a year in the ME, I went back to Costa Rica and finally took care of my FB. Unfortunately many many parts are lost and I have to start from scratch. I will not take any parts from the other FB for the moment since I have a couple of ideas for it. That will have to wait anyhow, but I'll keep it for the time being. Attachment 630038 Attachment 630039 For some years now, I know a guy who works in one of the most prestigious bodyshops in Costa Rica and he help me with my CJ5, so I told him about the FB and he agreed on helping me with this project. Since he has a full time job, he woks during the weekends on the car. Process is going slow but it's headed the right direction. Attachment 630040 Attachment 630041 Attachment 630042 |
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Attachment 630016 Attachment 630017 Attachment 630018 I'm extremely happy and thrilled about restoring my first car. Extremely happy about this huge community. There are more FB lovers other there than I thought. Now, present day. I'm fully restoring the exterior of the car, getting mostly new parts so it will look mint!!!! After a long thinking regarding the color, I narrowed the options to Black as it originally was or Red. I chose red color just because the car has so many black details like the mirrors, handles, surrounding body and windshield trim that makes it look nicer than going for back, all these details will be lost. After that, I will go for the interior. I have already bought a brand new discontinued console, ash tray, panel centre pocket switches and knobs. I have already been giving an unexpected gift from a member. A beautiful analog clock in excellent condition. Can't wait to have it in my hands. I'm also planning on getting a newer (not new) Mazda rotary engine, but that will take a while now. I still need to do a lot of research and need some time to finish the exterior and interior. |
Great story, it seems like you're getting a lot done
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I just spoke with the guy who's working the car and he sent me a couple of new pictures... These are fresh from today!
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Originally Posted by erick31876
(Post 11874237)
Great story, it seems like you're getting a lot done
I'm really excited about bringing it back to life!!! |
Wow, great story! Glad to see it's coming back. Can't wait to watch and read the updates.
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Subscribed since we're going back and forth on Facebook :lol:
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My first gift of new things to my car!!!!
-Panel Center Pocket -Ashtray -Door lock trim Attachment 629773 |
Bodywork is coming along nicely
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that's dedication!!!
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Thanks for your support guys!!! I'm putting my best effort in here.
This is what I'm aiming.... Attachment 629746 Just got a gift from a friend in UK!!!! Thanks so much pal!!!!!! Attachment 629747 |
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Surprise Surprise..... but not a good one.
Sunroof exterior condition is bad...... V(o Attachment 628220 Attachment 628221 Attachment 628222 Attachment 628223 Well..... Nothing to worry about. Exterior metal has been replaced entirely.... Attachment 628224 Attachment 628225 Attachment 628226 Attachment 628227 |
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Quick update!!!
Car has been sprayed with a base primer, then it will be paper sanded back again to eliminate any possible defect and then new primer and the paint!!!! Attachment 626911 |
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Getting a lot more parts for it. Here are some more pictures of the progress.
This is me on the blue shirt doing some paper sanding.... Attachment 625069 Those parts are a pain in the ......, but the prize to see them in metal with no rust is priceless. Attachment 625070 Attachment 625071 Attachment 625072 |
cool story. i like where this seems to be headed.
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Great job! Talk about bringing it back from the dead. Can hardly wait to see this beauty come back to life.
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After some extensive detailing body work, the whole body is running the last primer before the paint, I just can't believe how good she's looking!!!! h[b[ h[b[ h[b[
Still a long way to go, but definitely less than before, one step at a time!!!! Attachment 622936 Attachment 622937 Attachment 622938 Attachment 622939 Attachment 622940 Attachment 622941 Attachment 622942 |
That's an amazing amount of work and it looks great, keep going!!
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Great job, it looks like a totally different car:icon_tup:
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You guys are right, looks like a different car...
Alright, so here I come with new updates. -All exterior has been covered with the final primer. -Door hinges set where they have to be and painted red. Not the official red, but just to set them in the proper place. -Interior floor, fenders on the inside coated in black. They are working on the undercarriage now... Hopefully will have some updates soon. Attachment 621241 Attachment 621242 Attachment 621243 Attachment 621244 Attachment 621245 Attachment 621246 Attachment 621247 Attachment 621248 Attachment 621249 Attachment 621250 Attachment 621252 Attachment 621253 |
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Next steps: -Install sound and heat proof material covering all interior. For that I will be using SecondSkin Automotive insulation. They sell a Corvette Kit that will perfectly work on the FB. Corvette Package - Second Skin Audio -Final Paint -Install all weather seals, window regulators and window and quarter rear glass. |
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I'll be traveling to Costa Rica soon, so you'll see a big update.
So far, engine bay is ready and I have bought a new set of wheels. As one of these coincidences in life, I found this guy selling an almost brand new set of S2 wheels, so, even though the price was quite high, I figured I would end up paying more if I ship my wheels to the USA, have them refinish and ship them back to CR. Attachment 619738 Attachment 619739 Attachment 619740 https://i496.photobucket.com/albums/...psmneamqzz.jpg Attachment 619741 Attachment 619742 Attachment 619743 |
Those wheels look nice! It's coming along. I'm at a similar stage of reconstruction.
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Originally Posted by woodmv
(Post 11979273)
Those wheels look nice! It's coming along. I'm at a similar stage of reconstruction.
By the end of Nov hopefully you'll see a BIG change!!!! :egrin::egrin::egrin: |
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Ok, coming back after a while of inactivity.
Damn fuel tank is dead!!!!! Lucky me I was able to find one in perfect shape back home which is quite impossible. Attachment 606531 Installing some of the second skin film. Attachment 606532 Attachment 606533 And more and more and more and more and more and more bodywork.... Attachment 606534 Attachment 606535 http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/r...psmz5cq5iu.jpg Attachment 606536 Attachment 606537 Attachment 606538 Attachment 606539 I'll let the pictures talk for themselves.... Attachment 606540 https://i496.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1y0fbpwz.jpg |
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So, the so long expected day came!!!!
November 1st!!!!!! Enjoyed this day!!! So, applied a white coat so to make sure that there will be absolutely no small color difference. Attachment 606510 Attachment 606511 Attachment 606512 Attachment 606513 NOW THE COLOR!!!! Attachment 606514 Attachment 606515 Attachment 606516 Attachment 606517 https://i496.photobucket.com/albums/...psudge3epk.jpg Attachment 606518 https://i496.photobucket.com/albums/...psoaamke6t.jpg Attachment 606519 |
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Attachment 606500 Attachment 606501 Attachment 606502 Attachment 606503 Attachment 606504 Attachment 606505 Total of three coats of red applied. Pictures show them to be a little orange, however it's a bit darker than what it looks like. This is how it looks after one white, three red and three transparent coating... Attachment 606506 Attachment 606507 Attachment 606508 https://i496.photobucket.com/albums/...psxtgn6r2k.jpg Attachment 606509 |
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A couple of days after, new seals and rubbers installed!!!! Attachment 606488 Attachment 606489 Attachment 606490 Attachment 606491 Attachment 606492 AAAAAANNNNDDDDD!!!!!! VOILA!!!!!! Attachment 606493 Attachment 606494 Attachment 606495 Attachment 606496 And some more with the insulation and sunroof liner. Attachment 606497 Attachment 606498 Could this sunroof look any newer?????? |
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Wind deflector installed
Attachment 606485 Finally all the floor sound proof and heat insulator installed. Attachment 606486 So far this is it.... I'll be sending the car shortly to the electrics guy.... Will be using the original harness and rebuild whatever that needs to. After this will be working on the both front and rear shocks and springs. Maybe coilovers..... still thinking....... I want to lower it just a bit and still make the ride comfortable. |
That looks familiar! :lol:
Great job. It really looks nice. |
looks nice its coming along great
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Phenomenal work! VERY similar to how I had planned my interior build to be. No MLV though, huh?
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Nice progress!
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Amazing.
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That's really coming along nicely! I'm very impressed!!!
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Man, Oh, Man! That's amazing work!
For the wheels - how did you restore those? Or are the new, old stock? |
Originally Posted by jbherri2
(Post 12131016)
Man, Oh, Man! That's amazing work!
For the wheels - how did you restore those? Or are the new, old stock? Originally I wanted to restore them, however there is no one who does the kind of work required to take the wheels back to "like new" condition in Costa Rica. At some point thought about shipping them to the states but it was gonna be EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE to send the wheels, have them refinish and sent back to Costa Rica, so I gave up the idea and just a few days after I found this new old stock wheels for sale in Europe, so I didn't hesitate and bought them. Those guys do that kind of work. Kwicksilver Wheel Repair ? Rim Repair & Alloy Wheel Repair Franchise » CNC Machining |
Originally Posted by ROTARY_ADDICT-1
(Post 12130526)
looks nice its coming along great
Originally Posted by craaaazzy
(Post 12130586)
Nice progress!
Originally Posted by ray green
(Post 12130615)
Amazing.
Originally Posted by mazdaverx713b
(Post 12130657)
That's really coming along nicely! I'm very impressed!!!
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Originally Posted by SirLaughsALot
(Post 12130581)
Phenomenal work! VERY similar to how I had planned my interior build to be. No MLV though, huh?
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Originally Posted by woodmv
(Post 12130500)
That looks familiar! :lol:
Great job. It really looks nice. Thanks man, great silver color you chose!!!!! All the best and can't wait to see your car ready!!!! |
Originally Posted by knight_rx7
(Post 12131226)
CERTAINLY!!!!! We've been always in similar stages!!!!
Thanks man, great silver color you chose!!!!! All the best and can't wait to see your car ready!!!! |
Originally Posted by knight_rx7
(Post 12131215)
Thanks SirLaughsALot, what do you mean with MLV????
Luxury car quiet with our noise insulation products Luxury Liner? Luxury Liner Pro? | Second Skin Audio, Made in the USA. I'm not sure how much sound dampening I want on this car anymore... Gotta drive it first and see what kind of squeaks and rattles I end up with. Mazda definitely found an amazing balance of lightness and quality. This chassis on my car has 153k miles on it and is 34yrs old and has less flex than an e36 M3, and noticeably better in every way vs. my Tin Can 94 Acura Integra. |
Originally Posted by woodmv
(Post 12131652)
I can't wait either! You obviously know what you're doing. I love the color, and everythhing looks NEW. Are you using new seals? The rear glass hinges look new too, are they?
Originally Posted by SirLaughsALot
(Post 12131756)
MLV - Mass Loaded Vinyl
Luxury car quiet with our noise insulation products Luxury Liner? Luxury Liner Pro? | Second Skin Audio, Made in the USA. I'm not sure how much sound dampening I want on this car anymore... Gotta drive it first and see what kind of squeaks and rattles I end up with. Mazda definitely found an amazing balance of lightness and quality. This chassis on my car has 153k miles on it and is 34yrs old and has less flex than an e36 M3, and noticeably better in every way vs. my Tin Can 94 Acura Integra. I need to rewire all the car and then I will throw this Vinyl and then the carpet with all the interior. Let's see how it goes! Regarding the e36 M3, well, back in the good old days cars were meant to last. Nowdays...NADA!!!! BTW, I should change my Avatar picture right??? |
Originally Posted by knight_rx7
(Post 12132482)
Oh that, yes, it will come definitely!!!!! It's quite heavy and thick though. I need to rewire all the car and then I will throw this Vinyl and then the carpet with all the interior. Let's see how it goes! Regarding the e36 M3, well, back in the good old days cars were meant to last. Nowdays...NADA!!!! BTW, I should change my Avatar picture right??? I think my priorities on the car have matured a bit and it's going to be: 1) Get the thing running with 3-Stage Injection and make sure the motor can handle what I'm about to throw at it. 2) Get the thing driving with a finalized front suspension, new CF/7075 AL beefy driveshaft, etc 3) Worry about the crazy rewire/battery relocation/huge alternator and circuits. Install Alarm 4) Reinstall the amazing condition OEM interior and see how it all works out. From there I'll decide how much of everything is necessary. 5) Drive better. |
Looking Good Bro!
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