North Wales

[Phranque]

Are there any Series 1 enthusiasts or owners in North Wales, I wonder? As an RX-7 owner it can get pretty lonely up here with all these sheep and Landrovers.

[MikeLMR]

Theres not that many 1st gens knocking about in general ... I've only ever seen 1 or 2 others driving about in Lincolnshire

[Phranque]

Yours is very excellent, Mike. I had an 'A' reg from brand new which was exactly like the one you have. I kept it until it had done about 75,000 miles and it was a truly great car. I got a new 'D' reg new shape after that but I thought it was a great load of junk compared with the Series 1.
I last saw my old A88TMA re-sprayed black round here in N. Wales a couple of years ago.
You've done a great job with the one you have, really fine. I tried to post this on the other forum but it would not let me in. I'd better change my after-shave, I guess.
Frank

[MikeLMR]

I think you have to be a club member to post in certain sections

Thanks about the car ... I've not really done a great deal with it yet ... well nothing visable on the exterior anyway.
Any praise for the paint Job has to go to Nigel Breeze at Wellingore who did a top job of repairing and painting it and the previous owners who did a good job of looking after it over the years

Currently working on fitting some bucket seats (because I'm too tall for the standard ones :rolleyes: ) and on the lookout for some panasport/minilight type wheels to top it off

what are you driving at the moment ?

[Phranque]

It makes all the difference in the world if the previous owners were careful. Those photos, and especially the colour, really took me back a few years.

Now? After a year or six without one I bought my sixth RX7 last week. It's an unmodified Limited Edition Savanna , privately imported from Japan in 1982 and in really good condition with a leather interior. The wheels go away this week for refurbishment and I've had it WaxOyled (it had been dry-stored for 6 years) but apart from that all that it needs is some cleaner, polish and a load of dusters. It's a good job really because I'm no car mechanic.

I'm retired now, so plenty of time to play!

[MikeLMR]

was that the one for sale on Ebay a few months ago ? The one with rotor wheels and the mirrors on the front wings ?

I think I must be in the minority of 1st gen owners in the UK ... I'm only 3 1/2 years older than my car !

Sounds like you picked up an interesting car ... what else is different on the Japan spec 1st gens ?

[Phranque]

You got it! That's the one. I watched it go thru ebay and kept telling myself I didn't want yet another Rx - I let the auction run out but even so I saved the page to disk. Every week or so I took a peep at the dead page...............
Then my wife said something like 'If there was just one thing I could do for you I'd buy you another RX-7' . Well - a nod's as good as awink......off I went!
The differences? Well, there's the usual differences that there are between your model and the early Mk 1 versions, but also the interior is very plush, all done out in leather bucket seats, leather door linings, the lot. It has a cruise control. The rearview mirrors are, as you say, on pods way out on the wings. It is 'Savanna RX-7 Limited Edition' badged on the side and there's another badge which is similar on the back. The rear number plate is slung below the car because the space which takes your number plate is blanked off with an attractive trim. I'm pretty sure those are all the major differences. The paint job is much better than any I have had previously. In fact I would rate the car as in at least as good a condition (better?) than a couple I had from brand new! I had a good look under it a couple of days ago with a mechanic. We agreed it was in 'as new' condition underneath - it's truly remarkable.

The wheels, as you say, incorporate a 'rotor' design in the centre.
I have drawn up new hub cap designs in CorelDraw and simply stuck them on a piece of cut acrylic which 'blu-tacks' into place. The originals have gone into cold storage! My copies look identical even if they are flimsier.

Has your rear hatch stay gone yet? They usually do and they're not cheap, also the hatch door locks fail quite often. I wouldn't change those wheels you have there, but I guess it's a matter of personal taste.

Well, I'm a bit more prehistoric than you, I'm just 52 years older than my RX, well into my second childhood!

[clive]

Originally posted by Phranque
Are there any Series 1 enthusiasts or owners in North Wales, I wonder? As an RX-7 owner it can get pretty lonely up here with all these sheep and Landrovers.

Hi ,

Don't know if all this helps much we have one full member in Glamorgan with a Gen 2 cabriolet and one with a Gen 3 in Swansea, 2 years ago l brought a list from the DLVA and it showed there were about 800 Gen 1s left on the road then in Britain . There may be some Mazdarotaryclub forum members from your area though ?, anyone ?
Hope this helps

All the Best Clive

[Phranque]

Thanks Clive - that's way down in South Wales though, which always seems really far away from up here.

That's interesting about the Series 1 list - an astonishing number! I wonder if a list like this is freely available or is it restricted?

[MikeLMR]

800 left ....... thats quite a few but how many are actually running ?

Sounds like you've picked up an interesting 1st gen there

yep the hatch struts have gone on mine ... might have to get a set sent over from the USA as they are only about $25 for pattern parts. The hatch locks fine on my car but the lock has siezed on the parts car (through underuse I suppose as most people use the button on the dash)

On the subject of wheels, they've been bugging me since I found out they were only 5.5" wide ... in my mind thats too narrow for the standard fitment 205/60R14 tyres + they are in need of refurbishment (they look OK in the photos but they aren't good up close) so rather than fork out refurbishing them I'm looking out for some replacements that should suit the car well (In my opinion anyway)

[Phranque]

Ok about the wheels, Mike. I know what you mean, mine went rough looking after about a year from new.

If I need any bits I will have to ask you about the USA parts source. I'll leave it for now but will remember if/when the time comes.

I'll put a photo up when mine comes together.

Frank