I've had this project for over ten years, getting married, kids, and then low funds completely stalled it for 9 years of that time. Within the past year I started working on it. Making great progress, never really stop looking for pieces to complete the project.
When I purchased the car from my buddy, I knew it had been in an accident, but after really taking the car apart I found more damage than I bargained for. Front right quarter had substantial damage. Then when I began to remove all the stainless trim…. holly crap!! found almost 1/2" of bondo below the rear driver window, and the door strikes had spacers to compensate for the the quarter not being aligned properly…. ouch!! Really debated whether to go with an other body all together.

 

Ouch!

 

Car led a sheltered and garaged life since I've owned it, and considering that this RX2 was cancer free, mainly surface rust and oxidation. Decided to keep the body and move forward. Completely disassembled it to do a proper color change, I know… some of you will balk at the thought of not keeping the original color. Never really cared for yellow or lime green cars, love metallic paint colors from Mazda, I went with that. Sourced both quarters, and off to the body shop it went. Opted in replacing the entire rear driver quarter, to ensure proper alignment.

 

What body shop did you take to?

 

Where did you find such a clean quarter panel?

 

I 2nd that?

 

It did look like that when I bought it, the guys at the body shop cleaned it up.

 

Took it to Ranz Dave

 

Great work!!! glad your gonna continue with the restore.... I agree with you, stock just isnt my thing... lol

 

In El monte?lol that's where my bro's rx2 is at now.

 

Yup, same one. I'll post some pics of their work. I'm pretty happy.

 

Car came back a few months ago, pretty happy over all. Really wanted to keep the body relatively stock, I did have some minor mods done, shaved all the wire harness tabs, and had the battery tray mount removed. Just to tidy up the engine bay.

I'm going with a "Resto-Mod", planning to update the entire drive train, but keeping the look completely stock. I've always love to see these cars with all their original badges, trim, and interior. Not focusing on horsepower, but really focusing on the aesthetics and lines of the car. Changed the color to Mazda - Galac Silver Metallic (B5) from Lime green, which was painted over the original Flare Yellow (YG). I really like metallic colors on RX2's, it suites them well. At least that's what I think. Again, keeping with the stock look, had flat black sprayed in all the original places.

 

Haha, don't get me wrong, I like it all, crazy custom to full stock resto. But for this car, it didn't have it's original motor or trans, and most of the interior was missing. Had I found a true survivor, I'd most likely be going the full stock restoration route.

 

What year and model was B5 Galac Silver on?
I'm working on a 76 RX3 that was originally silver and I'd like to use something with more metallic, something to make the car really pop. I need to settle on a paint code soon so I've been looking.

 

The car is coming out great..... U r build is inspiring me to push my build along....

 

My color chip book said 1970-1972 for the B5. Mine is actually built 12/72, but sold as a 73 model year. I would have painted it the same B5 regardless of the year… I like it that much!

For the 1976, I remember seeing lots of metallics that Mazda used. I don't remember them off hand, I can look them up, and report back. I have seen a RX3 in B5, and it looks awesome!

 

Thanks for the kind words. Really, I too have been inspired by soo many quality builds recently posted on various forums. I wish I had the patience and dedication to take my build to those levels. Keep up the good work… slow and steady finishes the race!

 

One of my rx3 is B5 code and it's called Gallactic Metalic Gray but actually looks like a Light Metalic Blue and it is a 73.

 

So thats B5 I could have sworn that it was B8 if you hadn't said anything

 

I have seen different variations on the name, that's the name and year on the paint chip I had, granted it wasn't an official Mazda paint chip. When I see it in natural light, it looks silver/grey with a tinge of blue. When I take pictures with flash, it appears bluer than in person. I'de love to see your Rx3.

 

I see. So it is essentially the original color of an early 70s RX. I was thinking of a newer paint code. Something 2010ish. But, hm, now you have me inspired to dig deeper into my original color. Mine says D6 and has looked like doo-doo for ages. I'd love to compare fresh B5 and D6 coats. Perhaps my body guy can whip something up for me.

 

Been a while since I've posted. Not a whole lot of progress, tail lights, front turn signal assemblies, diver mirror and bumpers are on, sorting out some little issues with fitting.

Started test fitting the weather stripping, and reconditioning all the little rubber washers.

Been looking for a cad/zinc plater that is willing to plate old parts, and not charge an arm and leg to do it. That's what's been holding back a lot of the reassembly.

If you guys have any leads locally for a plater, I would appreciate it!

I'll post more pics of soon.

 

Are the wheels mounted to the rear end.how you fit the fat lip eps on it.

 

I wish Dave… there's no rear end. With the stock rear end the eps stick out about 2". Eventually this is what I'll go with once I have a shortened rear end.

 

I got some epsilon lips if you want to trade. lmk