1976 Cosmo restoration....finally
 

I bought this Cosmo a few years ago from a guy east of Knoxville, TN. It had been in his garage since 1998. He was going to restore it, but lost interest. It was listed on Vintage Rotaries (RIP) for over a year when I found the ad. Went and picked it up having never seen an RX-5/Cosmo in person.

Fast forward a year (or so), and I sold it to a collector who wanted it, mainly for the paperwork that it came with (original window sticker, dealer guide, etc). He had it about a year, then sold it back to me.

Since it came back, now I HAVE to build it.

It is complete, with a 4 port 13B rebuilt sometime in the late 80's (I believe 1988). It only needs some minor work, except for one spot. The owner left the battery in it for years before taking it out to use as a core. Well, it was leaking and rotted the frame rail, right where the engine crossmember/sway bar mount attaches. Once this is repaired, I can move forward.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-T...o/IMAG0096.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...o/IMAG0099.jpg

And, here's the 'money' shot....

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6...126_134907.jpg

good luck, super rare. should be fun to drive one day.

Should be on the road by April. Rear end has already been rebuilt with new bearings, seals, shocks, etc. The interior is already put back together (for now). And the engine bay is stripped down to just the engine keg.

very cool, cant believe this has been in TN for so long

No doubt. The paper trail started in Tampa where is was bought new by a pilot. He then moved to Knoxville and drove it until the early 90's. He sold it to the guy I bought it from. Still has the airport parking permits on the windows, and I intend on keeping them!

cool, i would definitely keep those old stickers on there, you know the cosmo Jay Leno got was also from a pilot who had stickers on it that Leno left on there

Minor update: (already)

Car is going to a friends house for the frame rail repair. He is an FD and RX-8 owner, who is probably one of the best welders around, on top of being an SCCA Champion......

Should have it back in short time, then it is time to really hustle on it.

Check out aaroncake youtube videos ...I'm sure he will chime in....lucky find good luck! keep us posted!


Edit: Sorry did not see your post count, I'm sure you are aware of Aaroncake... lol.

Haha! Yeah I've been around a while. Couple of FC's, FB's as well as RX-8's.

We have a good old school community where I live.

Funny story: Aaron gave me an infraction once :-)

Haha that funny

Nice to see another Cosmo around, shoot some pics up of the repair when it's done

Are you sure that's the only rust? ;)

Lol. The only worrisome rust.

Just curious but have you checked all the areas I've had to replace? They're pretty standard rust-out areas. I guess though in a much dryer climate without snow things area little different.

Our wrecking yards are full of 10 year old vehicles rusting away. It's getting rare to see many vehicles from the mid '90s as this point, let alone '80s and I can't remember the last time I saw something from the '70s.

Yes sir. I've pulled up the carpets, emptied out the trunk, and pulled the fenders. The only other issue is similar to what you repaired in your last vid. The passenger side inner fender has a little perforation, but the driver side is perfect. That is being fixed as well.

Aaron- Any chance you can help with choosing replacement weather strip? I was going to just match it up as best as I can and order from Fairchild Industries. The outside strip (for the window) at the top of the doors is pretty dried up and cracked.

good find, bring it back to life. and m rx3 has somebad rust issues in the inner fender area, I guess the design was kinda poor for rust issues

Best match is basically what I'm going for. The local fastener store sells the stuff in several patterns by the foot. Now the door weather stripping is a Cosmo only part. I have a set but they aren't great. Often one can find replacements on eBay from Oz.

I'm going to be gluing in the rear windows which eliminates having to source that gasket.

If you're looking for an OE-spec adhesive to attach glass to the body, you might consider something from Marcy Adhesives. They make windshield mouldings and other glass-related products. Might be better alternative than a regular, commercially-available product.

When it comes to body products like sand paper, adhesives, sealants, tape and such, I typically use 3M. As the plant is just at the other side of London, I can walk in and say "What would you recommend for this?", walk out with a part number, then head to the auto body store a block away.

My main concern are the exterior door seals and window 'wiper' seals for the side glass.

GSL-SE spindles acquired
RE-Speed FC brake conversion acquired
FC hubs, calipers, pads, rotors acquired
Various other little bits have been either found, or acquired.

Next step- engine build

After that, fitting a new rear axle. Stayed tuned for that one...

Engine is out. While its being built, the chassis is going to a friends for some rust repair. Luckily, it is very minor, but in an important spot!

I just picked one up in Nevada, will be here around dec 15 1976, I just posted pictures on this page. Nos Mantenemos en contacto....stay in contact....JC

Nice! I take it you bought the one on eBay? It was tempting, but the distance from me made it a no sale (I'm cheap).

I have the rear axle I'm going to use as well. It should be going to a friends shop this coming weekend for some work. He has given me full use of his shop, plus he is going to do the fab work to make the rear fit. Awesome. Crossing my fingers things move along from here.

In the meantime, I have also picked up an S4 NA for silly cheap. Not sure what I'm going to do with it just yet.

Waiting for it to arrive, shipping was 825 to Ksissimmee, fl so it all come to about 2300 for the car, I got a sidedraft carb, electronic ignition for it, might go with the same radiator as the RX3SP, according to the seller engine was rebuild some long time ago, ebay has the flooring for it for about 150 plus shipping. Once I get the engine bay looking good and clean the Interior I will have it painted peal white, might change the exhaust system to a header. nos mantenemos informados.