Hey Fellas,

New to these boards and was recently thinking of getting back into the Rotary seen. Through the years I've had my share of rotary's but, only held on to 1. My 72' RX2 been parked since 1988.

Just went out the other week and lifted the cover only to find cancer




I didn't take the cover completely off but, I did see more rust!! mostly around the window seal front and rear. 1 hole on the passenger quarter, 1 on the driver's side.

I'll probably completely remove the cover this coming weekend and see how bad it really is.... I know IF I decide to fix her up I'm going to be doing a lot of welding and sheet metal work. Not really a problem but, it's a lot of time and work.

Main concern's are:

1. How hard is it to find these cars today?
2. Is N E one selling quarter panels for these? OEM? Aftermarket? Junkyards?
3. Window glass available? Aftermarket?

I'm going to be heading to Japan in a couple of weeks and going to be there for just over a month Gonna scout it out there to see if they've got N E thing laying around. Badges, Trims, Bumper stops, etc. pretty much anything they made for the car. Hit up the local salvage yards and dealerships to see if they've got stuff in the warehouse Maybe check out Japan's "Autotrader" see if N E 1 is selling a RX2. Wishful thinking! but, hey never hurts to ask....Maybe I'll hit the Lotto

Alright guys, look forward to your suggestions/input.

Thanks!

 

The car still looks very solid,rust is pretty common in those areas.u might find some donor cars out there just keep ur eyes open.u can get alot of reproduction stuff from australia thru ebay.

 

I have seen many more in worse shape. Def worth saving. If you find another one, its gonna be far worse off and cost more to fix, or all fixed up and the price will be too high to purchase. Take your time and fix that one...it seems like there is a lot of history there. Enjoy.

 

Its worth it, just keep your eyes open for a parts car

 

Thanks guys for the vote of confidence.... we'll see what you think if i'm able to get more photos up. Maybe you might change your minds but, your right I'd really like to have a RX2. Just haven't seen N E in soooo long lol.

I will definitely look into that eBay thing for part! Thanks for the tips!

 

I think you should just donate it to me!!!! lolol

that car is totally worth saving. what does the trunk pan look like?

 

I'm a pretty cool but, I ain't that cool lol

Well, again hope this weekend will allow me an opportunity to get some more detailed photo's up. Got to be honest, from what I've seen so far, can't say it's gonna get N E better.

Keeping my fingers crossed. Again, your input is much appreciated! I've been out of the scene for soooo long I don't know how hard it is to get parts these days. Got to learn everything all over again.

 

worth keeping, there are plenty of parts in South Cali that part out rx2's parts will not be that hart to find...

like somebody mentioned earlier, there have cars in worse condition. look at the guy from sweden in this section restoring his rx3, that bad boy need some work. but he is getting it done.

Just keep it, and work on it slowly. Hell you have kept parked since `1988

 

Keep it and fix it, looks pretty solid!

 

I've seen cars less than 7yrs old rotted worse than that here in WI.

IMO it shouldn't even be considered to not keep it

 

Dude keep ur deuce it still wroth saving.

 

Thanks fellas for the kind words. I'm starting to get the feeling she's worth it regardless but, I'm going to take the cover off this weekend and take some real photos of her. See if anyone else changes their minds

I'll try to load them up soon!

 

as long as the frame is still good along with floor pans everything else can be fabricated fairly easy. The window rust is extremely common these things did not have good rain drains in them. My 2 is the same way but the remainder of the car is solid.

 

Man I'm a baaaaad owner!!! Should have taken better care of it!!!! REGRETS!!!!!

Alright Guys!!!

Here is the DAMAGE!!! let me know what you guys think now.

















Now, this one here is a bummer. A long time ago some knuckleheads tried to break into my car and ripped the lock out. What they were looking for I have no idea but, as you can see they did a pretty good job of jacking up my trunk and ripping a hole into the lock area.

Anyone got advise on what to use for a new lock? I've seen ppl use Kryptonite keyed locks but, I have no idea where to get the part or which type to get in order to do repairs.

Yeah, my badge is busted but, I've got a Brand New one in the bag that I bought back in 88'. Did 1 thing right lol.


Found a tiny hole in the hood too!!! damn!


Got tired of running 13B's Carburetor / Nitrous for a minute and I was in transition of building a 13B Turbo for it so, I just built a factory 12A turbo from Japan Street Port Snapped Ringed / Locked Rotors, Grooved Rotor Bearing, Stationary Gear, E-shaft Bearing, All the extra oiling you can get, Fed by Haltech. Haltech was the shiznik back in 1988! and that 13B... Well this is when I ended up getting into FC's and built one with MoTec instead.





Lastly, if N E one has suggestions of what I should do to keep her from getting worse lmk.

I'm not a body man so, should I:

1. Remove all trm.
2. Sand it down.
3. Hit it with some Krylon primer.

Is that enough? Going to Japan for just over a month so, thinking I'll take care of it when I get back. Again, thanks for your input!!! Lmk.

P.S. Also, what's the best way to strip down paint? Aircraft paint remover from Autozone?

P.P.S. What's everyone doing for glass and rubber seal kits (trunk, window, door)??

 

first things first. If you only going to be gone for a month it wont get a whole lot worse than it is just cover it up good make sure no water gets to it. Air craft paint stripper works wonders on taking paint off you just have to make sure its not baking hot outside when you do it best thing is to find some shade. Make sure that stuff does not get on you or you will regret it. The metal repair you can do one of two things take the windows, dash, headliner and take it to a good restoration shop and have them fab some new metal to go in there. The cheaper way is to get some of the POR15 products. Treat the rust use their metal filler product and use it then put the rust paint over it and you should be ok. As far as gaskets go if you want OEM fit you need to go to australia they have them as whole kits they are not by any means cheap but it has all the rubber you need.

 

know one thing that will make it a whole lot easier on you. Just sell her to me and don't even worry about all the time, money, sweat, and effort that it would take to restore this baby!

 

I have still seen worse, and there is a guy here on the forum currently resto rebuilding a street/track car in far worse condition that what you got.

I still haven't changed my mind, keep, work the body, and take your time with it.

 

my thoughts exactly

 

Keep the car man. With some money, time u will bring back to life. look what i've been working on for over a year already.

https://www.rx7club.com/old-school-other-rotary-63/my-new-project-rx2-921405/

 

Sorry been away from the boards but, getting ready to leave for Japan. Super busy lately. Thanks for the encouragement... looks like I'm going to have a lot of fixing to do!

Biggest concern I have about how clean she'll be is... my boy's. He does Datsun's but, he's taught me a lot and I've got to roll with him.... and standards are very HIGH!

I'll put some photos up of his car once, I get some down time in Japan or IF I free up sooner!

Thanks!

 

fix her up..

 

Yep- keep it man. Just take the restoration step by step and treat it as a fun project not an ordeal. What you'll learn from it will be great plus you'll not only end up with a car to be proud of but also a car that you know isn't hiding any nasties!!!

Many cars here in NZ and Oz have been quickly covered in filler and a nice paint job for a quick sale! Buying them without a photographic record of the restoration you can easily end up with a lemon.

I'd love a Rx2 coupe!

 

You definitely should fix that car. It's really not bad at all. I wasn't expecting to see the 12a turbo under the hood!

 

My Rx3 is in worst conditions and im going to restore it, Looks good to me if it aint rusty it aint a classic,

 

Just got back from Japan and man the car is really in bad shape now. I'm stripping it down and gonna really take a good look at the condition.

I cracked the windshield when I was trying to take it out! I'm going to be leaving again shortly but, I think I will try to eliminate further damage to the car.