slblay

Hi! - My name's Steve ...
... And I bought a new 1983 Mazda RX-7 Limited Edition in June 1983 (one of 5,000 produced).
I immediately joined 'The RX-7 Club of America', and remained a member for several years - I still have the magazines!
Well, since I live in Upstate New York, it spends more than half the year under-cover in the third garage.
I didn't drive it much, mainly on pleasure trips when the weather was good, and when I knew the parking would be safe.
It is referred to as "The Garage Car". Even now, after 35 years, it is in mint condition, and has only been driven 14,910 miles - that's about 426 miles a year.
For one reason or another, it has been off the road for the last two seasons (not car problems, driver problems).
Now I want to check it over, and put it back on the road. It isn't doing anyone any good sitting in the garage.
Being cautious, I am looking around for knowledge and parts to proceed carefully, The local Mazda dealer is unable to help, so after some research, I found rx7club.com, registered, and now will explore the forums for advice from other enthusiasts as to how best to proceed.
I would like to find someone in the Syracuse NY area (I live south of there) who I can trust to service it.

WJM ROTARIES

Welcome to forum

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

Welcome!! Sounds like an amazing example!!! Would really love to see pictures of the car!! Even if they are pics form when you bought the car! That would be great as well!!

slblay

Thank you! (If I figured right this should be a simple reply, my first!).
Are you 'down-under - in Australia? - Long way for me to go for a tune-up ;-)

slblay

Thank you for the encouraging words. I will have to learn how to post pictures, and also find the pictures over the years scattered around several old computers and cameras (actually, the first ones will be film-roll prints!).
I fear the ones with me in them will show how the car is pretty much unchanged. Whereas, the owner ... Not so much!
I should have some nice ones I took when I placed the insurance was placed with Haggerty many years ago.
Appreciate your interest

Molotovman

iTrader: (49)

That sounds like a beautiful car! IR Performance is a vendor on here who is located in Northern New Jersey, they do a lot of work on RX-7's and are rotary specialists who will take good care of your car. They do not have indoor storage so be sure to provide a car cover and ask for it to be kept covered while it is waiting in queue.

IR Performance LLC | 155 Carr Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734 Tel. (732) 662-1794

slblay

Thank you! Since I am in Upstate NY (Cortland), that's a bit of a drive, and I'd have to find a place to stay while they worked on it. Will put them on the list. There was a good Mazda mechanic at the dealer in Ithaca, I will have to see if he is still around.
​​​​​​( I think I saw 'newbies" can only make 5 posts a day or all will be deleted - have to keep count!)

slblay

Thanks for the feedback and suggestion. Since I live in Upstate NY (Cortland), NJ would be quite a drive, and maybe overnight stay - I will add them to the list.
Our Mazda dealer used to be in Ithaca NY (long since closed). Some years ago, I heard the mechanic who used to work on my RX-7 there had opened up shop in Ithaca. Found him! - AJ Foreign Auto, so will look him up.

WJM ROTARIES

Yes from down under

slblay

Here are two pictures from when I drove it out of the garage this morning (yes, it is running!)

Sorry about the shadow

The interior is in great shape

black_raven

I am always amazed when I see someone who bought a new car and then managed to hold onto it for decades!

It's very nice, looks completely original. I am guessing you've never had to rebuild the engine, considering the low mileage?

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

I am completely in love with that car!!!! I've have 42 RX-7's and one I've never managed to own was an 83 LE, I think its time I sell something and start looking for one. This car is gorgeous!! Did you hang onto the original purchase paperwork and window sticker?

slblay

Thanks! - Yes, it is completely original, and at under 15,000 miles no engine rebuild! Any parts I replaced, I kept the originals (including tires and battery!).
I have all the original paperwork, window sticker, advertising brochures, etc. Even a magazine page ad for the LE specifically.

slblay

Better picture yesterday 9/7/18

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

That is one stunning LE!!! I appreciate these cars in their original and unmodified condition. Your car is a true gem. I have a car that was passed down to me from the original owner, though with many more miles. The man was like you in that he kept all of the original parts. Those other than the original tires and battery unfortunately. And much like your car, mine is a limited production car with only 500 being produced. Wish my 80 Leather Sport was as clean and original as your 83 LE

slblay

Thanks! - Your 80 LS looks super-clean - Wish my garage looked that organized. Quite a stable of cars you got there.

matt350zed

beauty old classic!

Djdiaz

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

Thank you! I received the LS as a gift from the original owner. He maintained the car himself until about 10 years ago when I offered to maintain it for him at no charge. He gave me teh car last summer as he knew I loved it very much. It was an amazing gesture. The garage can get very messy very quickly unfortunately and is currently haha. Seems when I work on my 88 10th Anniversary restoration the mess seems to grow until I'm tired of moving things to find what I need. I own 16 cars....and my wife reminds me of it every day.. But I have such a deep love for these cars that I couldn't see it any other way.