Hi all!

I am very new to Mazda ownership and on Saturday bought my first rotory; a Gen 1 SA. I have always loved these models, perfect weight distribution and classic fastback looks, but never owned one. She's a bit rotten at the moment as was stored for ages as part of a collection and the tin worm has got hold but I can't stand to see cars scrapped for lack of "value" or time. So I bought her and will post the project progress on here.
There was a 13B conversion done and I am assured it does run but that will be coming out for a rebuild and check over, possibly a little tuning involved of course I will be looking for a fast road set-up as she will be my second "sunday" car.

So step one is get cash together, the engine, cutting wheels and welder out and that other all important item ..... patience!
Hopefully et to post some pics soon
Thanks
Jonsie

 

Welcome aboard especially getting a first gen! The best gen of course /biased . But yea, post up pics as soon as you can and if you need any help just post up in the first gen forum and we'll try to help ya out as best as possible.

 

Welcome. I think the first generation cars were the best iteration of what the RX7 was meant to be, as well. Getting it back on the road is half the fun of it. You certainly won't have to put up with every second car going by being the same as yours.

 

pics?

 

You are so right, it is so nice to drive something so different and cool which people look to see what it is. I am looking forward to getting her back on the road and the pics may show that there is a lot to do. The more I look the more I feel its a complete strip down, engine out, bolts up resto but hey ho, its worth it. The first gen RX7 has been on my "realistic most wanted wishlist" for a long time.

Haha Darren be as bisaed as you like because I agree thanks for the support I have had a look and this forum is one of the best I think.

 

It looks like it has a little rust. A real pain in the neck to fix, but not impossible. Would it be possible to find a better body in the U.K.? It might be cheaper/easier. I would guess rust would be pretty prevalent there. Yours has most of the parts, so all you would need is a rolling chassis. If not don't give up on it, but I hope you've got a better welder than my MIG. It has variable feed speed. It varies the feed speed to whatever it feels like giving me at the moment.

 

I have just bought my welder so hoping the feed rate will remain constant for the foreseeable, bad news about yours tho, that is less then helpful!
Yeah there seems quite a bit of rust to get through and a new body would probably be the "sensible choice" but I really don't want to see this car go to scrapper for want of a lot of work haha. Call me a sucker for punishment but according to the VIN number this is one of only 3 SA in the country and I want to save her, gotta love the exclusivity .
I have been quoted prices for some of the welding that is a really copmplex for me before I bought the car and its reasonable so I went for it. Local specialist has the car at the mo and looking over it for me and helping me source bits whilst I finish my Jetta and get cash and time to spend on her

 

Mnmm rust... lol Welcome

 

Welcome.

 

Probably not, sadly. The weather and winter road salt ate most of the First Gens here long ago. The ones in good nick tend to hold silly money (or more to the point, stay with their current owner till they grow old and die) and most of the ones that come up cheap are being scrapped or sold as seen because they've failed an MOT... due to rust

With that said, that one you've bought does look pretty gnarly. Not often you see one that even the firewall has started to grow red fur Wish you the best of luck with it, much respect for trying to resurrect rather than break for profit. Sadly, that's the way most of them seem to be going ATM

Worth checking the UK forums for parts and spares if you haven't already. Mazda Rotary Club and Exile have loads of knowledgeable (and helpful) experts. Not more so than here, but nearer lol. Also, get in touch with David Nock on MRC because he has a register of all (most) of the first gens in the UK and may be able to help you with some history on it. Or you him if it's one he's missed...

 

Thanks for the advice and luck mate I think I am going to need it and have joined MRC now also. As you said, good advice and support like this club, just nearer
Yeah there is some epic rust and due to a lot of it being painted over it may be a lot worse but have been under her and poked around with screwdriver and had a good luck, fingers crossed she is as salvagable as I think (hope). I just didn't want to see another going the usual way and yeah, these cars are seriously exclusive in the UK due to most rotting away and being scrapped after canabalising for parts.