Hey sorry I probably sound completely ignorant but is there a way to tell what model my rx-7 is? I just got it as a daily driver 6 months ago but now am starting to see it as more then that.

There aren't any tags or symbols on the car to say if it's a GSl or whatever, it's a 1st gen and the previous owner tinkered with it a bit so I really can't tell, or rather I don't know what to look for

Are there any specific ways to tell?

 

Decipher your Vin #. Somewhere on here, probably the 1st gen section, you should be able to find a "How to read your Vin#" thread to help you out.

 

ok found my vin which is JM1FB331XCO631868

Decoded it to this from what I found on the forums, can't find out what the "1" is though, anyone know?

J=japan
M=mazda
1=??? the vin # site says it's the vehicle type but I don't know what "1" is
FB= 1st gen
33= coupe
1= 114cc 12a
X
C=1982
O=hiroshima
then the serial number

 

For 1982 there were three trim options: S, GS, and GSL.

First test: Disc or drum rear brakes? If disc, it's a GSL rear end. Chances are you have a GSL, though it could have just had the rear end swapped. Either way, it's a good thing to have. If it's drum, go to the next test.

Second test: Do you have power windows? If yes, it's a GSL. If no, it's an S or GS. (I'm pretty sure this is the case; if not, someone correct me.)

Third test: Do you have a sunroof? If no, it's an S. If yes, it's either factory or dealer installed. Post a pic so I can tell you. If it's factory, it's a GS or GSL. If it's dealer installed, it's an S.

 

drum brakes, no power windows but yes to the sunroof, my profile has my best pic of the car

so far it seems to be a GS then?

 

That's a non-factory sunroof. You're looking at an S with a hole chopped in it. Hardtop S models are starting to go up in value for racers as they are the lightest of all RX-7's.

 

so I have the basic model with an extra. it has cruise control too was that standard?

ok so my identity crisis is over! thanks for helping me out

 

Hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like Mike is right. One more test, though: does the steering wheel have two or four spokes?

Edit: After looking at it again, I'm not sure anymore. The steering wheel style should answer it, though. Two spokes means S, four spokes means GS. Unless, of course, it's been swapped. Also, a GS should have a rear wiper.

And to answer your question, I believe cruise control was optional on S and GS, and standard on GSL.

 

If it doesn't have a badge on the trunk its most likely a S model. My was an S with options like sun roof cruise, and ac, but no power windows, or rear wiper. At the end of the day its still and RX7 and thats what matters.

 

According to my 82 RX-7 Brochure:

The S had the following standard (so all models did): remote fuel door, rear window defroster, power antenna, front and rear swaybars, 5-Speed, full instrumentation.

GS got what the S had standard and: Tinted windshield with sunshade strip, power amplifier and fader controls, 4-spoke steering wheel, dual electric mirrors, dead pedal, illuminated ignition key cylinder.

There are more standard features and options of course, but those should be pretty easy "tells" as to what the car is. The factory sunroof uses a rotary **** and is nearly the size of the entire roof. It is also upholstered on the underside to match the headliner and is made of painted steel. All sunroof-equipped SA/FB's came with the metal roof standard. The glass roof is an option on top of the steel one. It is a difficult to make double compound curve and is tinted. It will also have red latches on the back that engage the rotary ****.

Hope that helps.

 

As I said before, there is no shame in an "S" model. They are by far the lightest ones and I am actively looking for a hardtop one.

 

It has a 4 spoke steering wheel and I know it wasn't switched out by the previous owner (he was the original owner) and here's pic of the sunroof closer up

http://picasaweb.google.com/Kiara.Ho...93347985769426

I don't know anything about how the dealer installs stuff but it sure looks like the frame was made for a sunroof

it does have the sunshade strip, and the illuminated key cylinder, but no electric mirrors. I have no idea what a power amplifier, fader control and dead pedel is though

 

You know, another odd thing I found out is that I have a a/c button on my dash but there isn't a unit in the car! The first time I pushed it my whole air system shorted out because of that

 

Ah, yeah, that's a stock sunroof. You have a GS, my friend.

 

No A/C, no power mirrors. It's definitely an S. Sunroofs were optional in S models, as were the 4-spoke wheels (according to my brochure anyways).

Dead pedal is the pedal to the left of the clutch pedal that's solid mounted to the floor. It's to rest your foot on on long trips.

The amp and fader controls are all audio stuff that would be in the center stack under the radio.

 

it has the a/c button though, you think the previous owner took it out? and it does have a dead pedal, I put more pictures in my album, here take a look

http://picasaweb.google.com/Kiara.Howe/CarPics

there's a couple pics of the dash and engine

 

You do have power mirrors. No Amp/Fader though which is weird. It's either a really well-optioned S or a GS with the factory S stereo setup. I'm going to go with the GS theory though as it's far more plausible.

Your sunroof is indeed factory, thank you for the additional photos. Clean car!

 

The amp/fader is optional on GS. Standard on GSL.

 

I have power mirrors? Where's the control for it?

sheesh leave it to me to pick a car with an identity issue so it appears to be a GS ok I'm going with that because of all the options. It would make more sense for the guy to buy a GS instead of max out the options on a S

 

Found the mirror controls, it was like christmas morning

 

Not according to my 1982 RX-7 sales brochure. It says the Amp/Fader is standard on GS and GSL and optional on the S.

 

that is an S model, it doesn't have the trim designation above the rear drives tailight meaning it is an S. Also it looks almost exactly equipped as mine if it were stock, and I own the S trim too.

 

So it really is an S, with a bunch of extras? First it is, then not then is again, I have a very confusing car