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Another RX2 project
4 Attachment(s)
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!
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3 Attachment(s)
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.
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What body shop did you take to?
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Where did you find such a clean quarter panel?
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Originally Posted by banzaitoyota
(Post 11136957)
Where did you find such a clean quarter panel?
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It did look like that when I bought it, the guys at the body shop cleaned it up.
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Originally Posted by turbo_dave
(Post 11136815)
What body shop did you take to?
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Great work!!! glad your gonna continue with the restore.... I agree with you, stock just isnt my thing... lol
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Originally Posted by RX2-Mazda-Fan
(Post 11140020)
Took it to Ranz Dave
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Originally Posted by turbo_dave
(Post 11140214)
In El monte?lol that's where my bro's rx2 is at now.
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2 Attachment(s)
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. |
Originally Posted by 73rx313b
(Post 11140147)
Great work!!! glad your gonna continue with the restore.... I agree with you, stock just isnt my thing... lol
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Originally Posted by RX2-Mazda-Fan
(Post 11140243)
...Changed the color to Mazda - Galac Silver Metallic (B5)
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. |
Originally Posted by RX2-Mazda-Fan
(Post 11140243)
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. The car is coming out great..... U r build is inspiring me to push my build along.... |
Originally Posted by riverseine
(Post 11141470)
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. 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! |
Originally Posted by surem03
(Post 11141554)
The car is coming out great..... U r build is inspiring me to push my build along....
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! |
Originally Posted by RX2-Mazda-Fan
(Post 11141763)
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! |
So thats B5 I could have sworn that it was B8 if you hadn't said anything
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Originally Posted by 1973rx3
(Post 11141778)
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.
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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.
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6 Attachment(s)
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.
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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.
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I got some epsilon lips if you want to trade. lmk
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Thanks Siraniko, for now I'm keeping them.
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2 Attachment(s)
Before I completely took the car apart, I made some templets for the position of the badges on the c pilar and fender. Just to keep the look stock and period correct. Test fit the badge with regular duck tape, bought some 3m heavy duty double sided tape, which is rated to something like 120lbs. so that should do the trick.
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Dropped off my brake booster to get rebuilt, and to my surprise it was done the same day! I wish all businesses operated like this.
https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...ster-49979.jpg All I need is the Bendix sticker that goes on top. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...ster-49980.jpg |
How much and where did u get the brake booster rebuilt from???????
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A forum member "riverseine" posted this place on another thread. They have two facilities, Northern California and in the L.A. area.
Power Brake Exchange Cost was $140, all new everything and powder coated. |
power booster looks killer .I wish I would have made templates for my 2 , that is a good ides .
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All the trailing arms and pan hard needed to be cleaned up, for new bushing and powder. I took them down to my local shop the deals with classics. This guy handled my ball joints, and was pretty fair, charged $40 to remove old ones and reinstall new joints. He quoted me $150 just to press them out. So I decided to handle them myself.
Drilled out the old bushing and then pried them out with screw drivers and 5lbs mallet, then once removed ran a 2" wire wheel on my drill to clean all the glue residue. A messy job! https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...hing-49989.jpg All cleaned up. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...-out-49990.jpg looks like new. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...ered-49991.jpg |
looking really......
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Wow you even have the under engine cover! This whole thread is great! totally using the tape idea, thanks for posting it!
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Began to fit the RE fender badges, I made a templet using a spare badge to trace over the chip board. Then once I cut out the shape, place it over the badge, before removing it from the car. Use body lines as reference points.
I bought these reproduction badge from Australia. These actually are a nice pair and very close to the original badge I have. Well I say close to one of the badges, this car had one plastic and one metal. The plastic badges are slightly bigger than the metal. The templet I made was off a plastic badge, you can see the difference in size. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...plet-50049.jpghttps://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...ting-50047.jpg Just need to repeat this on the other side, after I flop the templet and reposition the badge shape. As it won't fit if I just flop it, since the badge shape will be in reverse. The C pillar badge templet did work when flopping it, since it's the same shape in reverse. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...done-50048.jpg |
Originally Posted by RX2fan
(Post 11317465)
Wow you even have the under engine cover!
https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...0820-50050.jpg |
Thats interesting, I have the plastic one from my car but it broke when I had it in the trunk of the car, that metal one seem much better.
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Trying to sort out the front brakes, I have a good set of stock rotors and calipers. So for now, it's staying stock. I'de like to use the stock RX2 hub and eventually find a bolt on rotor from another model, to upgrade to better and more accessible parts. If anyone has suggestions, or has done an economical conversion? Please... do tell.
For now, more pics Had the steering box rebuilt a few months ago. Came back silver and I hit it with several coats of satin black VHT. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...0756-50122.jpg I found this new out of Mazcare in Australia. For about half the price than the one on ebay. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...0758-50123.jpg |
A few months ago someone here made a thread of how they were adapting BMW E30 parts for the hub and brake parts or something like that, I don't remember too well
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Yes it was BUMBLEBEE I believe that's his user name.he was using turbo 4 pot calipers and custom made caliper mounts and BMW rotors.
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Thanks fellas! Found the thread, and I'll give it a go. In the mean time had the rotors resurfaced, and new pads. I need to reassemble the front so I can get it rolling stock, well until I get a stock rear end.
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nice work mate. Btw who rebuilt your steering box? how much was it? I thought there was a strange metric sized bearing in them that made a rebuild difficult. Maybe yours was still in good enough shape to reuse.
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Originally Posted by OZZYINCALI
(Post 11324467)
nice work mate. Btw who rebuilt your steering box? how much was it? I thought there was a strange metric sized bearing in them that made a rebuild difficult. Maybe yours was still in good enough shape to reuse.
I didn't get it done here, but these guys seemed like they have everything. And there's one up in Nor-Cal. Power Brake Exchange |
Your doing an outstanding job with that RX-2 !!! Looking forward to seen it the finish product.
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Not a whole lot of progress, been waiting on parts to come back from the platers. Even though my pics are blurry, the finish is pretty cool.
Now the assembly of the front suspension can begin. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...989x-52278.jpg https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...991x-52280.jpg https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...ated-52277.jpg Disassembled, cleaned, painted, greased the pedal assembly. I've had nos pieces for some time ready to go on the car, like the pedal rubbers! https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...mbly-52282.jpg |
Installed the coil overs, now the lower control arms, front sway, and strearing linkage can all be installed with all the freshly plated hardware.
https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...vers-52281.jpg |
About 15 years ago I met a gentleman that worked at a Mazda parts and service. I purchase a bunch of small rubber bits, that you just can't find anymore. Juan at J-Auto.net set me up with a full set of urethane bushings.
https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...ings-52383.jpg Using old dirty nuts and bolts didn't look good to me, so glad I had the little bits and pieces re-plated. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...91-o-52384.jpg Tried to save as much of the original rubber as possible. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...25-o-52385.jpg Couldn't resist putting some of the trim on... looks pretty clean! https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...57-o-52388.jpg Hood latch and hardware was supposed to be body color, but got tire of waiting on the painter to do it. So opted to cad plate it... came up nice. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...58-n-52386.jpg https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...49-n-52387.jpg |
More little bits I've been hoarding for years, so glad I just bought the stuff when I came across it. Not really knowing if I would use them, I figured... better get it now, who knows when I'll see this item again.
https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...tops-52584.jpg Waiting on the Moog Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeves to arrive, I gave up on sourcing the longer inner tie rods. To much hassle and expense, hopefully this will be the solution to complete the steering linkage. https://www.rx7club.com/members/rx2-...kage-52585.jpg |
WOW... Keep it up. looking good so far
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Wow this is an amazing build you are doing! The RX2 is my favorite.
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