This isn't exactly "Other Rotary," but I couldn't think of where else to post something like this. I've got a few questions for the old school Mazda experts out there.

Last night, I picked up a really nice 1971 Mazda 1200 coupe (piston version of the R-100). Yes, I know it's not a rotary but the car was in such nice shape for it's age I could not pass it up. It was also an insane deal (in my opinion), so I HAD to have it.

Anyone have a feel for what these are worth? I have scoured the net but there is just not much info on 1200s. I have some basic history, but oddly enough there seems to be way more info out there on R-100s even though they are basically the same shell. There is currently a '72 1200 sedan on eBay, not running, straight body and it's at $1500 with 3 days remaining on the auction.

Also, I might as well ask while I'm here, anyone have any spare parts they'd like to sell? I'm going to clean it up a bit today, will post pics later if anyone is interested.

Mike

 

i have some round r100 lights

 

Indeed, but they're not exactly a straight swap. I thought it was until I saw a 1200 in person. There is only 1 hole on each side for lights, and it is odd shaped. What they do is cut the back panel from a R-100 or RX-2 and weld it in to the 1200 back end so that the round tail lights can be used.

Personally I don't really mind the 1200 tail lights, they're not that bad so it's not a real high priority for me. I guess if I run across a smashed up RX-2 in the future or something I can try to grab the back end.

I will probably just keep the 1200 stock so it retains its value.

I'll have pics soon, I spent a couple hrs. today scraping off like 15 stickers a previous owner had put on. Annoying.

Mike

 

Wow, that is a unique find. I'd leave it bone stock if you can make it run with what it has on board.

 

that is what i was saying. i have an entire back pannel. i was going to use it for my 74 rx2. (did not have round lights)

 

Ah, I see.

Yeah, I agree on leaving it stock. It runs fine, could probably use a minor tune-up and carb rebuild (idles @ 1400RPM). Paint is in really good shape considering it's original and 30+ years old.

I even considered driving it out to SevenStock 5, but it's not rotary so I'd be shunned.

Mike

 

hey that would b sweet to see one at sevenstock..im still trying to get out there...im at UCLA..n u know its hard to find mazda fiends..matter a fact its hard to find car lovers in general here..so i cant find a ride...but we'll see....jus cuz it aint rotary doesnt matter....its a very unique ride..that most of us wont ever see in our life time

 

so yah BRING IT! hehe

 

Sorry, didn't bring it. I went to SS5 but rode with some friends. I would have loved to drive the 1200 out there but I just bought it recently and would need to replace hoses, belts, etc. before driving it that far. No $ for that right now.

So yeah, I didn't want to risk driving it. It would have been the only 1200 there though. I asked the Mazda guys auctioning books if they had anything on 1200s and they really had no idea. Odd that they had a few factory R100 manuals but no 1200 manuals. They had something on a 1300 but I think that's a completely different car.

Mike

 

i think i may have a book on them. i believe it is a repair manual. i will have to check out my "library" collection. i have some **** i forget i even had. i will have to look for you Mike.

 

A friend of mine drives a 71 1800 wagon. That think looks like it would be more at home prowling the streets of Tokyo than roaming around rural Ga.

 

rxrotary2_7: Thanks, that would be great if you had something. Let me know if you find it and perhaps we can work out a deal.

So what's a 1800 wagon look like?

Mike

 

I took a few pics of the 1200 today, finally got all the stickers removed so it doesn't look so goofy.

Let me know what you guys think. Oh, and if anyone has a stock rear view mirrow, side view mirrors, front bumper (center section), keylock cylinder set, or a drivers side window regulator let me know.







Mike

 

one thing you will notice is that the 1200 coupe comes with a tacho, unlike the other 1200 and 1300's (incl my 1300 2 door sedan )

I saw one in even better original condition the other day, being driven by the proverbial little old lady - it had original hubcaps and bullet style mirrors on the back of the front guards - not at the front like the Jap delivered cars.

 

Yeah, but you're in Australia right? They seem much more common over there. The guy I got my coupe from said it was the only one in California. I'm not exactly sure how he would know that, and maybe he was exaggerating but I know I've never seen another one.

Mike

 

looks sweet!!!

bad news Mike, i did not find any books/repair manuals for ya. not for the 1200. i did refresh my memory of my collection of books though damn i must be some kind of rotary freak...

 

Thanks for checking. Yeah, I've got quite a collection of rotary books myself. The 1200 is only mentioned briefly in a few of them though.

 

Early seventies Mazdas are not common here, and goodies are rare but they do occasionaly crop up. Most have been bought by rotor heads and converted to REAL power though ... and then promptly destroyed

I have a service/repair manual for the 1967-73 1000 and 1300 sedans and coupes but there is no mention of the 1200. sorry....

ummm I just looked at the pics again. What is the go with the rear shackle for the leaf springs? Its an adjustable one... (see the series of bolt holes?) It's real handy for tuning a rear end for drag racing

 

Looks like a neat car. I have a book called Holllander Foreign Interchange and they list the 1200 with a 1272cc engine and a 4.11 diff. ratio. The book is used by auto junkyards and just about all stuff on the car is listed and crossed over to other mazda cars. In regard to the items your looking for, the only thing I see in the book is the center bumper and there is no cross for it.

 

Yes the car came with that adjustable rear end for the leaf springs. 70's drag racing technology I suppose. I might remove it to see what the car looks like in stock form. I actually prefer a lower back end anyhow, I'm just worried the back tires won't fit inside the fenders.

Thanks everyone for trying to locate printed materials, I'll find something eventually. The previous owner did give me some photocopied pages from a repair manual so I know something exists.

Mike

 

Daddy likes

Of course, I would instantly ruin the car by putting a bridgey 12A in it. Glad to see it fell into caring hands

edit: Didn't even notice it has my favorite tire on it - Goodyear Eagle ST! Woohoo! They haven't made those for YEARS.

 

a bridgeport in that chassis.... here is one I prepared earlier:


13b bp in 1976 1300 2 door sedan. The fuel supply is bodgy - I just used what I needed to get it running - hence the small line and dead head off the carb. I have also deleted the water based heater set up (hence the wheel nut under the oil filter ).

The engine is sitting on an slightly modified rx4 crossmember and the rx5/Cosmo gearbox is on the stock 1300 crossmember!

 

Did you guys get this body style in the US? It is the 1300 sedan body, but only with 2 doors. (yeah, mine is rough and ugly, but it was mostly rust free - these suffer rust in the front rails as the battery is in a really bad place.)

Smeagol - make sure all the drain holes in the rails are clear of debris / grot.

 

Yes, that looks exactly like the '72 1200 sedan that recently sold on eBay. Here's a link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1860548292

My 1200 actually has 2 different sized tires on the rear, I'm going to have to fix that.

buzz: By rails you mean the chassis rails, correct? I'll check that out, thanks. There is a small hole on the inside wheel well where my battery goes, looks like a battery had leaked everywhere some time in the past and rotted through.

Mike

 

Yeah, chassis rails. I found one that was rusted through the metal but only up over the sway bar mount - the rest looked real good... Leaking Battery acid can drip into the inside of the rail and rust it out from the inside.