frankadelic

I'm curious to see if anyone has been ****/crazy/rich enough to have done a full restoration on their RX. I mean a full rotisserie down to the nuts and bolts, everything (harnesses included) out of the car etc. If you have pics and cost info would be cool.

JM1FD

iTrader: (1)

I too have wondered what would be involved in a full restoration, or even if it would be possible considering how many plastic parts these cars have which are NLA from Mazda.

JM1FD

iTrader: (1)

Are you saying they can be had from Mazda, or would I have to go down to my friendly injection molder, and have them make up custom molds to make new parts, etc?

I'm afraid it is going to be impossible to get parts in years to come. These cars contain innumerable, complex parts which are difficult if not impossible to refinish and bring back to new condition.

BillM

iTrader: (4)

I'd say any interior bits that are common to both left and right hand dirve will be available for awhile since the rhd cars were still sold until '02. Any lhd specific parts will be either impossible (door panels) or very expensive (driver door storage bin). Not enough of a demand for the aftermarket.

MR_Rick

iTrader: (7)

I forgot the user name of the guy, but there was one guy here that would do it on a regular basis. Meaning taking the car to bare skeleton and replacing what needed replaced. Then he would ut it all back to OEM.

frankadelic

guys, thanks for the input. Gordon, what I mean by a resto is pretty much as you describe: taking the body down to metal for full body repair and repaint aligning panels to as good or better than factory, refurbishing the interior either with new or repaired surfaces, full engine, mechanical, and performance (i.e: suspension, electrical, brakes...everything) rebuilds. Essentially a restoration is a re-building of a car to new and a partial restoration or sympathetic restoration is one where the car is left in it's original patina but put in running order.
Yes, the interior parts are expensive I'm sitting on at least 12K worth of new plastic interior pieces still in their boxes and that probably wasn't everything (but close to it!).
I'm looking to repaint and am contemplating taking the car down to every nut and bolt, cleaning everything, replacing everything broken and putting together the car "as new". My other option is slapping a respray on it putting in the new interior and driving the wheels off of it. THis would be cheaper and certainly makes more sense but as my dad always said I like doing things the hard way!

rxseven93

iTrader: (1)

I'm in the process rebuilding my car, I guess you could call it a restore with modification. The only thing that has not been taken apart on the car is the interior. It has been a very expensive 2 year long project and can't imagine how much it would cost if I did the interior as well. I'm ready for it to be done so I can drive it again

CosmoRx

I am about 90% full restoration on my car. Only stuff not changed is seats, tail lights, carpet and bins and headlamp covers. All harness's have been changed, etc.

HOZZMANRX7

iTrader: (43)

I did a reasonably complete restoration of an '87 TII. Just sold it over the weekend.

CWestFD3S

iTrader: (49)

I know Aristo on the forums here did a damn close full restoration. He replace most of the bolts in the engine bay, interior, etc. The car is mint and unfortunately (or fortunately for whoever gets it) he is selling it soon. If you search his name you should come up with some pics of it. I've never seen a cleaner fd then his in all seriousness.

YaNi

iTrader: (2)

I am half way through a nut and bolt restoration on my 1990 GTU. I've been working on it for about a year and a half. I'm in a 'race' with my friend who is restoring his '73 914, but his old man is helping him...

I've replaced the floorpan, rockers, frame rails, and rear wheel wells. With a Mazdaspeed Motorsports account and 100% of the labor being mine, I've spent less then 2 grand so far. I still need to buy paint, stainless tubing for exhaust, and new tires. Since I'm on a college budget, I will hopefully have it done by next May.

Would I do it again? Not a ******* chance. Last year I found a "rust free" "rolling chassis" in Chicago. I bought the car, rented a truck and dolley, paid for gas, food and tolls. We got out there to find the same POS that was in my garage on the rotisserie, and it didn't have any lateral links so I couldn't tow it home anyways.. Since I wasted a few hundred more of my precious dollars on a bust, I decided it wouldn't be so bad to do it myself. .
I've spent atleast 200 hours getting it to a point where I can't see the ground from inside the car.

Honda Eater

wow this could be the best post ever, would love to see some of these cars. And after college i will post up my complete rebuild, 693 days until that day comes

KaiFD3S

iTrader: (37)

Only one person that I know that did it, strippedn it down to the frame and restored it from there. "TurboJeff"

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/cym-project-so-close-being-finished-387903/

BASTARD

iTrader: (4)

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/91-vert-painting-progress-crystal-white-lots-pictures-427958/