Hello All, my name is Juan, live in Miami and I'm new to the group. Pleased to be a part of this amazing community. I recently bought a 1974 RX4. The car was in Philly, and I'm sure some of you saw it when it was for sale. I've had it for 2 weeks now. The car is all original, seller states it has 25K original miles, seems accurate by the condition of the interior, door jambs, and paint. Car was stored for about 20 yrs. after the apex seals failed in 1990. The original 13B engine had the seals replaced but its still leaking oil and not idling right. RF calliper is sticking, several dings on the hood and headlights dont turn on, shocks are pretty much shot.

It has a white vinyl top and door ding protectors along both sides of the car. I really dont like either but these are original, thus my dilemma.

I would like to get feedback from the community on what I should do.

Plan A: Restore the car to exact original, leaving the ugly top and side protectors. I really dont like this, but as its a survivor example, I would hate to stray from its original state.
Plan B: Yank the vinyl top and side protectors out, thus may face having to re-paint, also, put some 15" Panasports and drop it 1" to make it look more with what I like, but it does loose in originality .

What do you guys think? Merry Christmas to all from warm Miami! Juan

 

I know the car and its a nice 4 , seen a bunch of pics and wish it was in my collection . I think you should do a little of both (plan a and b ). Keep the vinyl top PLEASE, I personally like all the vinyl top rx models because it looks classy and its a little different than the rx norm . Lower it 1" maybe 2, no big deal . It can be reversed if you want a stocker later . The only thing I don't like is the panasport idea , it's a mazda not a 510 . There are plenty of vintage eclectic wheels on the web . Hell I even have a extra set of revolutions for sale , if that is a style you like . I personally like the mesh wheels ,kind of a mazda thing .Good luck on your project , most of the hard work looks like it's already done on that car ,interior , trim ,dash and body and its og mazda . You can't ask for much more than that.

 

Keep the vintage look, panasports are good, so are enkis. Please don't get all "Aussie" with the hot wheels big rim look

 

Thats such a nice car, congrats on the purchase! My only suggestion is that whatever you do make sure its reversable

 

pics not working?????

 

KIDNEY, ANYONE? 25,000-mile 1974 Mazda RX-4 | Japanese Nostalgic Car

Heres the car

 

yeah, being an Aussie, i'm over the massive rim look. though 15's now look small to me.

my opinion...

keep the vinyl roof, though be mindful that they can promote rust.

i'd lose the side ding protectors.

maybe even those massive bump stops things. only US models have those, i think. blecch.

i'd assume if you remove the side ding thingies it will then require a paint job. keep it the same colour and don't bother with engine bay & other nooks'n'crannies. unless you're doing it yourself, then time is the only expense.

lowering is (cheaply) reversible and if you do it right you'll have the stock springs and dampeners to put back in.

on the other hand, you probably don't need to do anything to the exterior. just replace suspension (springs, dampeners, nolathane, tie rods etc) and drive train and you'll have a car that drives like new.

congrats on a nice buy. stockers are super rare and great to hear you are well aware of the 'responsibility' of owning one.

 

Papa look in ebay you will find all the parts you need, fine a nice RX7 13B or rebuild the one you have.... install headers and a nice racingbeat muffler and you will be set...I would remove the the top and have it painted all the same color....remember back then that was an option.

 

Congrats and welcome.

Its YOUR car- do whatever you want. Given the choices offered, lose the vinyl for the rust factor, and put on whatever wheels you think look right-Wheels are a very individual decision. You won't appease everyone, but so what. You're building/restoring it for yourself.

Get it running and stopping well, and drive it.

 

100%

Nuff said

 

Hello everyone, thanks for the excellent commentary! My apologies for not having any updated photos yet, will post some updated ones when the car comes out of the warehouse where its stored. Im going to flatbed the car over my my buddy's shop in the next few days and we will address the oil leak and RF caliper. Will comment on the ongoing work once it starts.

I agree, any mods that get done should be reversible.

I liked the comment tinytyrant made "stockers are super rare and great to hear you are well aware of the 'responsibility' of owning one." I agree and will always be mindful of this.

Thanks again everybody! Juan

 

If it's complete like stock DO NOT MOD.

 

Great pick up. I agree. If it's stock, keep it retro.

 

congratulations, bro. this is a true gem! enjoy it as you see fit. you appear to know what you have and that makes me think you're not a fool.

 

Thats way too mint not to restore to exactly as it rolled off the dealership lot