Hi, I'm new to this board. I don't own a rotary powered vehicle right now but I've owned several Mazdas and have always wanted an RX-something.

I was on one of my frequent junk yard runs, looking for MX6/626 turbo parts, and to my great suprise, I found an RX-4! I'd never even seen one before, but I immediately knew what it was, forgot all about what I'd been lookng for, and started looking it over.

It turned out to be very solid! It's not rusty! No perforations! NO DENTS! (except one small shallow one over the driver's front fender). It was all in primer! Somebody had started to restore this car, had done the bodywork to it, and then it got sent to the yard for some reason!?!?!?!?!? I imagined a scenario where the owner died, and then his wife sent it off to the junk yard or something like that.

Anyways, I was totally pissed to see it there, and depressed, because you know what happens to cars at the junk yard....People leave doors open, they get rained in, they get crushed....eventually.

And this one is almost totally complete! All the stainless trim is there and undented. Only things I saw that were missing were the bottom of the rear seat, 2 headlight trim rings, and an RX-4 emblem from the rear fender. The interior was not horrible..mostly it was nice aside from some rips and holes in the front seats. It appeared to have it's original 12A single distro motor and tranny.

When I stumbled upon this car, it was 15minutes until the yard was going to close (4:15), and they were announcing that fact over the loudspeaker. I started freaking out and running around taking everything off the car that I could. I totally over-filled a wheelbarrow full of RX-4 parts and started towards the check out.

I got the grille, front emblem, sill trim, trim in front of rear wheels, roof console, center console, inside a-pilar trim, door pull/arm rest thingys, front fender eyebrow trim, all 4 corner lamps, glove box assm., and more I cant remember for about $80. I asked if they will sell the whole car to me and they said they want $500.

I'm almost positive I'm going to buy it. I'm just hoping no one knows what it is and everyone leaves it alone until I can collect it. It's a perfect restoration project, a solid, straight, RX-4, w/ all it's trim. I am so psyched! I'm hoping they'll lower the price on it to $400 or so since I already got $80 worth of stuff from it.

I found this thing Sunday and couldn't sleep last because I was thinking about it.

Now my question is does anyone have one of these things and can I get some hints about it? I'm aware of the rarity of parts...that's what makes this one so desireable; it's completeness. Seems simple to work on, after mentally and physically torturing myself over more modern and complicated machinery. I figure I would put a 13b in just because of the availability and the undoubted deadness of the original motor. (Car had x16,xxx miles).

 

Actually, I thought the RX-4 originally had a 4 port 13b. on repuguru's web site he has an old Road& Track article with the road test of the REPU and they said something about it shares its drivetrain with the rx-4. I could be wrong though, been awhile since I read that. Either way, get it. That sounds like a deal even if the motor turns out to be bad.

 

my RX4 has a 12a twin dizzie with a top mount starter motor. dont know wheather its original or if someones put it in. original parts here in new zealand are almost impossible to find, especially trim and panels. sounds like a real good deal though, id grab it real quick if i was you.

 

it did come with a 4port like tom said.
if you buy it or if you dont get complete car and just end up taking parts. I NEED THE BELLHOUSING for an r100 project!!!!!!!
not to down your great find....but the rx4 would be the last of my choices in oldschool mazdas. they are not light weights... but great find man!!
you will do well with parting it out or restoring it. either way you decide.

 

rxrotary2_7: I'm not really interested in building a race car, so lightness isn't a super huge priority w/ me. Anyways, beggars can't be choosers....This is the ONLY pre-RX-7 rotary powered vehicle I've EVER seen! I live in a small town, not in a city. And I'm also in an area where I guess most of them rusted away. So this is a big deal for me.
I'm just so afraid that something's going to happen to it before I can get it. I have the money, but it's barracaded in the yard behind many cars, and they said I'd have to wait until they can get to it or something.

Does anyone know what an RX-4 does weigh? I'm sure it's way less than my 1st gen. MX-6 GT (2750).

Are the parts really worth anything? I thought they were, but in looking at completed items on Ebay it seems like they don't go for much. For instance someone tried to sell a really nice complete RX-4 center console but nobody even bid on it. The bumpers on this car are totally straight so I thought I could sell them (but they are the '75 model kind w/ the 5-mph rubber thingies...blech)

 

parts are worth something.
but like i said...it isnt light. just because you are not building a race car or care about weight doesnt mean others dont. maybe thats why the rx4 isnt as popular, and no one bid on the item up for auction. hold on to the parts. someone will eventualy want them.

 

i am not downing your find. i am glad to hear it actualy!

 

Yeah the RX4's are heavier. Just put a stronger motor in it. Like a Jap-Spec Turbo. You'll never notice.

The 74-75 RX4 's are in my opinion the better looking of the 4 family by far.
Ditch the 75 bumpers. Although they work well if you like to pic-nic or tailgate party. The 74 bumpers are more attractive. But less protective.

Restoring one today is easier with the net than just 10 years ago.

Good luck if you get it.

 

I'm going there this weekend with money in hand. Hopefully it hasnt been defiled...It sat a week before I saw it and nobody touched it.

I'll take digi-pics and post them for you guys.

 

Hello: I am right now in the process of restoring my 76 RX4 Hardtop.
I too found my car at a auto wrecker. This car sat in someones front yard for years. I asked them about it, and they did not want to sell. Next thing you know, it is at the wrecker. I bought it for $200. Someone had taken the motor and transmission.
It then sat at the back of my shop for 4 years. In that time I picked up a 76 RX4 wagon.
Just yesterday I completely stripped the wagon and am now starting to rebuild the hardtop.
If you have any question let me know.
Good luck.

 

I am in great need of an RX-4 coupe front bumper. My RX-4 wagon has the big nasty bumper and I am looking for the smaller sleek coupe bumper with the brackets that hold it to the frame. Also looking for all the parts to do a auto to standard swap (pedal assemblys, cross members, console, wiring harness, etc). If anyone can help me, e-mail me at jbontke1@***.net

 

Sorry, but if/when I get this one, I plan on keeping it and restoring it to as close to stock as possible. Everyone makes racers out of these older cars, I think there should be at least a few stock ones around.

 

If you guys wanna see pics of my RX-4, check out this thread on the miataforum..

http://www.miataforum.com/ubb/ultima...;f=11;t=006011

 

Nice pics. I think I have some good front seats. Let me know.

 

LA23S did you get my PM?

 

Yes I did antiSUV.... Any question or thoughts just PM me... How is the engine situation?

 

As much as I'd like to restore it to stock, I don't think it's very realistic for somone on a budget. I feel like a fuel injected 13B from an FC is going to be easier to live with and last longer and be easier to find than the early 4-port version.
So that's where I'm headed with the engine unless something else comes up or someone convinces me otherwise. Nearly the whole car will have to be rewired regardless of what I do since it is a wiring disaster already.

 

I have a wire harness!!!

 

Paniless wiring harness kit are the best. I have used many in my resto kits. Well worth the money. I did my first one when I was 14 all by myself, real easy to use.

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...rchType%3DBoth

 

I really appreciate all your help guys! Tackling this project would be 10 times harder if it weren't for the internet. LA23S, I'd sure be interested in that wiring harness, among other things, once I get some money raked together again (paid more than I thought I would on the RX-4).

 

flydown to los angeles. there's a 74 complete with interior but w/o engine and tranny at the junk yard. wish i kept my 74 and 76. got rid of them after i bought my 2nd kid was born.

 

I wish I could do that....I used to live in L.A. actually. I wish I had the space to keep parts while I was there. But of course at that time I didn't know I was gonna get an RX-4 in the future. It was a total lucky fluke that I even found this one...like winning the lottery.
Hopefully somone will get it and save it or part it out before it gets crushed.

 

a carbed 13b will be even easier pm me if you need manifold and carb for a 6port. i have 2 styles to chose from.

 

Wow... all these ideas. Must...stop...head...spinning....