86 GXL Restoration Project
 

Hey all,

My name is Alex. I had been on the market for a long time since parting ways with my S2000. Was kind of looking for an uncommon car that you don't see that often. After months of searching, a 86 GXL popped on on Craigslist, which I acquired. I am starting this thread as a journal to track all the work I'm putting into it. Also to get to know people in the RX-7 community. It is definitely a restoration project. I have almost 0 experience with rotarys, I hope to learn a lot through the process. Please share your thoughts.

About RX7:

THe original owner used it as a weekend car up until 2007, when he no longer had time to drive it. He did not want to part with it, so he held onto it looking to restore it in the future. However, his life plans changed, so he kept it in his garage not starting it, or moving it for a decade. He's decided to retire in europe and did not want to bring the car with him, thus why I took it off his hands.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...018de04fff.jpg
Original Owner Saying Good Bye.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a6278bb1b5.jpg
Towed Home.

Some reasons that pushed me towards the purchase (and some reasons why I thought it was a bad idea):

Pros:
1. Kept in a very clean garage, in a very wealthy town
2. One Owner
3. Massive stack of service records, a whole binders worth
4. Low miles.
5. Seller was very an older gent, very knowledgeable about rotarys
6. Body is in great shape for a 30 year old car. Minimal surface rust, no rust on quarter panels, clean interior
7. Great price, $1000 bucks as is
8. What better way to learn about rotarys than to get my hands dirty and fix one up?

Cons:
1. Could not test drive, or start. As is purchase
2. Hadn't been driven since 2007
3. Did not seem to be properly stored
4. Seller mentioned a few minor issues, sunroof needs repair, driver side window sometimes doesn't work, shifter bushings worn



Task List (in order):
Get car running. Tune up
Get car running properly. Replacing worn parts
Detail
Respray
Enjoy
After market modification (maybe)

Status: As of today, the car still has not been started.