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Figured I would finally introduce myself after signing up all those years ago.(last login was 05-26-10) I use to be a member of the BCrotary forums when it was still up.
With that being said I have been out of the car scene for over a decade now.
My interest in RX7's started when my cousin one day picked me in in his 1986 gxl I fell in love with the shape of that body style the moment I saw it which I told myself one day I would own one.
It wasn't a year or so after that the same cousin gave me a base model 86 rx7 (was in rough shape when he bought it and then gave it to me) which ignited my interest in the car world even more, at the time I was out of high school working in a automotive shop in Kamloops as the shop b*tch (sweeping floors, detailing customer vehicles, washing them) and eventually started pulling wrenches a mechanic after my boss saw that I was naturally mechanically inclined while tinkering on my car on the slow afternoons
Skip ahead 5-6 years with a change of career path I eventually was making decent money and after an unfortunate event of a vehicle of mine was stolen (1989 Ford Ranger)for which I got a decent payout and with that cheque in hand I set out my search for an RX7 which took only a matter of hours I found a 1987 GXL 2+2 manual with 100kms on auto trader listed price of 2500 CAD and a 5 hour drive away. After messaging the seller and then calling the number I got a answer and gave a 2grand offer he accepted in excitement I had asked a buddy if he wanted to go on a road trip to get it then next morning we were off
This car was in mint shape with the exception of a little deformity on a corner of the back seat and a bubble rust spot beside the Mazda emblem.
To this day I still remember how excited I was to own that car, and the looks I got when cruising around Kamloops, Hope, Chilliwack it was the best feeling ever, I even got flagged down in Hope as I was making my way to Chilliwack for a solo cruise, it just so happened to be another other group of people that drove up from the Vancouver area that same day.
After driving it all summer and fall the worst happened engine failure. Was able to limp it home where it was parked. Then life happened and time passed on where now I want to have a fun sports car to go on some Sunday cruises it's now time to give that thing life again
here are some pictures of the car and yes I know it hurts me to see it like this as well..
Yeah I could have made a even bigger write up but wanted to give a little back ground.
I am hoping for the same, no other joy being able to drive such a beautiful car. It's going to take some time and money for sure, it does look like it will be a little more difficult to locate parts and other odds and ends since it seems the car scene has drastically changed over these years but it will all be worth the effort and time.
I know I'll have to bite the bullet and order some parts out of the US (mazdatrix, rock auto, pineapple racing, Atkins) for everything I cannot source out here in Canada
Honestly the car looks great still and could be restored. Rebuild or replace the engine, clean the fuel system, new tires, brakes, fluids, etc snd you'll be back on the road and cruising. Once you hear it run again and get behind the wheel, it will be as if you are taken back in time. That's why I keep coming back to these incredible cars! So many memories and great times. I learned to work on cars by rebuilding RX-7's and I've never looked back!
Oh absolutely that's the plan, there was so much joy in driving that car and still joy to come.
Yeah that's what I plan on doing I am really hoping that the irons and housings are still usable from the car and the spare engine I had bought is still usable which was a JDM S4 TII engine, I had plans to swap it.
I am slowly sourcing all the available parts right now(also located a '86 rolling shell with a locked up engine) then whenever I get a couple days off make the 10 hour trip(one way) to load it onto a trailer and bring her home.
Welcome, I have noticed while diligently searching the web for items for my 1985 GSL-SE lately that there are still a decent amount of 2nd gen parts out there, good luck.