MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

New member to the group. My second car in high school was a red 79. I have always considered buying another 79 and have just started the process of making that happen.

Figured this was a good place for leads and advice on repair and restoration once I find the right car.

Mat

Johnny Kommavongsa

iTrader: (13)

Welcome and yea this is a great place for leads and advice on repair and restoration and what not.

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

Here is the only picture I have of the car back in the day

Dlaw25

iTrader: (1)

Hope you find something good!

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

Thank you, I have hesitated in the past since memories can paint a rosier picture of things. So hopefully as I start looking I am not disappointed.

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

Very odd, I have tried twice to add a picture of the Rx7 I bought but each time it inserted the photo in a different thread.

Mat

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

OK that time it worked, I was looking for a stock 79 or 80 in red. This isn't red or stock. So now the decision is to keep it and finish the project or flip it / part it out?

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

I was able to track down the last owner and bought the rest of the body panels.

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

and the craziest part about the car.

its a 350 chevy conversion

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

Hi, and welcome. You should decide on a path, one that speak's to you inside. If you like idea of the Small Block, you may be tempted. Otherwise, keep looking for a nicer, more stock one. Whichever direction pulls you remember, unless you're very handy at mechanical and body / paint work, it's usually more economical in the long run to look for a car as nice and complete as possible. The first gen section is a good source of info and opinion on SA's and FB's.

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

Thank you for the input. The mechanical and even fabrication are no problem at all and truly are enjoyable. So rebuilding the car isn't the issue really, the time to do it is.

The longer I look at the car the more I am starting to like it, and the thought of a 350 conversion is appealing.

I started looking the car over more and it really is a clean car with very little rust. Under the car and under the carpet with the seats removed are surprisingly clean, no mice nests even. I will spend more time looking over the motor tomorrow and make sure there are no obvious surprises there and if not I think I am going to finish the car.

Mat

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

I personally would ditch the V8 as they have no place in a 7. In place would go the proper 13B TII engine or another rotary engine with a bit of power. I think the car is pretty neat and would be tempted to restore it myself. However, I prefer clean original unmolested 7's. Something about their simplicity and their appeal as a genuine sports car.

ryanjaymes

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

The red one is unfortunately long gone. I sold that to help pay for my first year of college.

I am not in Chicago or the burbs, I am on the other side of the state, closer to Iowa.

Mat

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

That was the original dilemma, I too thought about a simple unmolested 79 or 80. But this widebody and V8 are really speaking to me the more I look at it. So I am going to make this my next project and rebuild it, and not to offend a purists but V8 included

Mat

ryanjaymes

rnkwill

nice find! how much did you pay for it if you dont mind me asking?

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

It was hard to let the red car go, hopefully finishing this one will help. Once its done I am sure it will make a few show appearances.

Mat

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

It was a fair deal considering there were many unknowns and still are, although I don't want to give the exact price.

Sorry Mat

MACRacing

iTrader: (1)

I have started a build thread if anyone wants to follow the progress.

https://www.rx7club.com/build-thread...350-a-1125572/