I have been wondering lately, our cars, well most of the older ones anyway, are very much mixed and match for various reasons from rear ends to cross members to entire chassis modifications. What gives a car the right to be called what it is?! That bin on the fire wall / inner area of door, bin tags? Why can't my 1st Gen be a rx2 ?

 

vin*. Auto correct on phone lol

 

When people ask what year my car is, I say "The body's an '84..."

When people ask if it's modified I say "The doors are stock..."

Let's see... '84 GSL shell, some sort of Series 3 rearend housing with GSL-SE axles and Kia Sportage pumpkin, Series 5 N/A trans, the engine is a whole bunch of mix and match GSL-SE/12A/S4 N/A bits and pieces, the front suspension is mostly S4 with some ZX2 parts, WRX rear struts, and QA1 and Allstar circle track bits added in, the rear suspension is 3-linked and actually uses Tokico Gold shocks made for an FB but the rear springs are final-gen Escort wagon... the wheels are either Lancer OZ, or S13, or S4 4-lug, or Motegi MR7... the skidplate is for a K1500, the fans are from a 300M and the handbrake is part WIlwood, part Honda Accord, and part Buick LeSabre...

So it's an '84!

Before you ask about the front suspension...

 

I usually just say the year of the body if asked. But then tend to add in that the body may be an '82 GS, the rearend and driveshaft is from an 83' GSL, the shift **** and speedo are from a '79, engine is from an 86 but has a lightweight flywheel/clutch from my original 82's 12A ... I dont usually go into what non-mazda parts are on it ... lol

 

I'd say the production info is what the car is, regardless of the mods that have been performed You can put a supra front end on it and a station wagon hatch but to the insurance company it is still an 19xx RX# .. just modified.. terribly lol.

 

My point is, when can my rx7 not be an rx7? I live in a beautiful state with very strict emissions. Get me?

If I buy pre 74, when can my 85 become that 74 vehicle? Like, does it have to be built around that chassis for it to be called what ever car that 74 is? smogs a bit of a headache and has JUST got worse this year with the new gold star (I think that's what they are called) station. I don't simply want to do a vin swap of course, I want to feel some what not so guilty and this thought came across. Of course it sounds way out there, but just for thought (for now).

 

yes. all emissions standards are based on the production date of the chassis and the original class of vehicle. no matter what you do to your 85, you will always have to meet the emissions standards of 85 or newer. If you want to go by 74 standards, the base car will have to be a 74