Been driving my father-in-law's '85 here and there for the last 20 years. He's thinking of selling, she's running rough and he can't get in after neck surgery. Not sure if I want to take it on. Been working on Nissans for 15 years now, but I do like this little RX-7. Other than no airbags and a face killer of a steering wheel.

 

Don't let the lack of airbag(s) dissuade you. RX-7's are surprisingly tough in accidents and their restraints work quite well. I've seen some nasty accidents where the driver walked away with a knock on the head after their FC (86-91 RX-7) rolled down a hill.

This is just my OPINION, but I'm a believer in that if a car NEEDS front airbags, it means the manufacturer went cheap on the seat belts and possibly the rest of the car. Not even the best front airbags can save you from a seat belt or vehicle structure that doesn't work properly in an accident. Probably why airbags are called Supplemental Restraint Systems

More info on the one you're looking at? Two engines were offered for 1984 and 1985, a carburator'ed 12A in all models (baby blue "Mazda Rotary Engine" air filter) except the GSL-SE, while the GSL-SE received a 13B with fuel injection (says "RE-EGI" on top). Depending on what's under the hood, that will determine how we can get her running better.

 

We are close enough to help you get the car back in excellent running condition. Would love to see pictures of the car for sure!

 

Solid logic on the airbags. It's been 3 yers now since an Infiniti G20t I rebuilt was totaled by a motorcyclist hitting me head on in a blind corner doing an excess of 90MPH. Just down the street from where I live. I was gonna buy a tank after that but had to settle for an '08 Altima SEL. This RX-7 is so fun to drive. Need a break from understeer once in awhile.

Has, carb'd 12A. Feels, fairly smooth until warm-up routine is done. Needs, serious alignment, probably new release bearing for the clutch or prop shaft bearing. Not sure, have limited experience with RWD cars. Or carb'd systems, especially carb'd systems of this complexity.

 

My father-in-law and I have been tossing the idea of keeping or selling. We both want to keep but it needs work. Looks nice and glossy red. My son and I both do auto work as a hobby but neither of us has a lot of time. Especially to spend chasing gremlins with no past experience of the platform to speed up the process. My son's a Toyota truck guy, 80/90's 4x4 and 4Runner stuff and I'm a Nissan guy, sr20de/sr20ve N/A in Sentras and Infiniti G20s. We've both rebuilt manual transmissions, engines, vehicles. I can also handle electrical.

Again, all hobbyist but I am an excellent fixer by nature and upbringing. I really do like this RX-7, the rotary engine is something else. I hear we are lucky it hasn't seized up during winter storage. Any truth to that?

 

Some pics, no glamor lighting











Something removed?

 

Pretty car, definitely needs some sun to brighten up that red
I've need 5 year old gtr's with interior that looked worse that that! (Read it looks great)

Airbags have their place, rumor I've heard is somewhere around 40mph a seatbelt can cut a person in half. Something to keep you from testing that is probably a good thing. That being said 2 of my 3 cars do not have airbags lol.

Either way, I'd rock the car!

 

Still on the ropes about driving the car, even though it's now making good power and is quite fun. Around my place the insane motorcyclists rule the road. The picture shows a Honda bike with as much stock horsepower as my car it totaled. That was before the racing chip and racing muffler the uninsured, dead, biker added. My car was also a bit above stock HP.

I was going 40MPH around the blind curve when he hit me. He was going 80+MPH, racing his friend. Crossed the center line to pass some other friends on a bike and hit me dead center. His bike landed 10 feet in the opposite direction he was traveling and he flew 50 feet through dense woods. Ejected like a champaign cork.

My head didn't come off. Airbags deployed, but didn't need to for my sake. Mass vs. no brain mass. Not sure if the RX7 has the same crash bar as the '99 Infiniti G20t had in the front.

 

Yikes. I love bikes but they lose every time against a car. Good to see you are OK. Just be glad he didn't go through the windshield or this thread would have a different starter. Your 7 looks great, good luck with it.

 

Thanks. Looks like my father-in-law is going to sell it, oh well.

 

sounds like u can't buy it?

 

After driving an hour in it, my back hurts a bit so I can't really justify it right now. If I had the extra space and cash, perhaps.

 

I think its a beautiful car! It looks to be in excellent shape and is sporting the 79-80 RX-7 wheels. I think its a really nice car!