How Many 1st Gens Still Running?

[ossie747]

Hi and welcome Don, sounds like it could be a good buy. Where abouts in Kent are you only there seems to be a shortage of fb owners in the south east.
 
Paul

[don wyatt]

Hi Ian, thats really kind of you, ta very much. I will try a download, and if any probs I will get in touch, as I would love to see your ebook resto stuff on the 1st gen. brilliant mate. thanks.

Paul, hi and thanks for the welcome.
Im buzzing mate about seeing this rx7 again on Tuesday week. the only thing I wasnt quite so struck on was that Mazda blue colour job, (hey will that tell you guys what series it might be). I would love to give it a new colour and a full restoration up to Condition 1, but am also not wanting to ruin an original car ? ?

(answers on a postcard pls)

I live nr Tonbridge Kent, so if this all goes to plan and I buy this little baby, I would most likely get involved in the local club scene.

Ive had so many classics, Usually older cars, Ive forgotten what Ive had. (240z,s . TVRs, TR7s, P6 V8s, and a whole host of 60s Rootes stuff).
 
Unspoilt/untampered cars do not come up that often, especially pre 1970 cars, so if this RX7 is what I think, then I will most likely keep her a bit longer than I usually do, and get involved. Ive always like the shape, since it was first introduced, and when I spotted this one in a local car park, I hastily popped a note on the window, and to my surprise a call came back a month or two later, it then went cold, until now, and the LADY, has now bought a brand new motor. Luckily it didnt go to scrappage a year or so ago, eh lads.
Don.

[don wyatt]

WOW Ian your site is the nuts, just opened it up, and im off..............................................................................see ya later

Don.

[Ian65]

$h*t hot replies guys thanks everyone.
I reckon I have a 1st gen series 2 then.
I was hoping for a series 1, but I think I would have remember that rear end, its quite different. (shame)
I guess the series 1 is more sought after ? ?

Don.

I don\'t think they are more sought after particularly, it\'s just that there are hardly any left.
As the replies above, the 1st generation was broken down into 3 models, the series 1, 2 & 3.
In view of it\'s scarity, you can discount the S1 really, plus they weren\'t as well equiped.
The S2 model was from 1981 to 1983 and the S3 from 1983 to 1986 when the 2nd gen was introduced, this being a completely different car.
There is little to choose between the S2 & S3 and I\'d buy either model based purely on it\'s condition. They both drive exactly the same.
I\'ve only got S3 car as they were available for sale when I wanted to buy but I could just as easily bought a nice S2.

The one you\'re looking at Don sounds like an S2 and will probably look like this...









Back in the 70\'s and 80\'s Mazda did some garish colours but I quite like the blue, it suits the car I think.

[David Nock (RIP)]

Hi Don and welcome. It\'s all been said very accurately by everyone above.

 I can\'t add any more to what series 1st Gen you\'re looking at except that \'Y\' is just about certain to be Series 2 and \'A\' could be Series 2 or Series 3 since the change - over date was around March of 1984.

I keep a register of all known 1st Generation Cars and if you could add the Reg up here (or email me on dgnock at btopenworld dot com if you want privacy), then I can tell you if it\'s on the Register or not.

It\'s Blue is it?...the S2 was available with the bright metallic blue above and the S3 with a more darker metallic called Tender Blue.

The price sounds quite good for low miles with a good bodyshell but for heaven\'s sake read the buying guides that appear in Ian\'s ebook article. I can email some separate articles to you if Ian\'s book is a long download.

Cheers Dave

[don wyatt]

Hi Dave,
 
BTW, Thanks again everyone for being so helpful, i really do appreciate the chat with those who know.

Yes please can you email some of the scary stuff on buying. Like I said Ive had so many cars its untrue, but I still manage to buy the odd heap of ....e now and then.

This is changing by the minute, I think mine, (hark at me I havnt bought it yet lol). is a darker blue (boring) not the turqioisey colour in the pics shown, which is bloody gorgeous, (me want, me want).
So maybe I am looking at a S3 then.

Ah speculation eh guys. I am waiting for the reg to be emailed to me, and then all will be revealed possibly. As said Dave, its a one owner, looked a minter (at first sight) I remember looking for club window stickers but saw nout ? cant remember much else, grey interior I think, dont recall alloys ??

Don.  donaldwyatt@msn.com

[captainbizzaro]

One thing you will learn is that 1st gens are masters at hiding bad rot so look carefully!

[David Nock (RIP)]

And AGU above was for sale in the South East this April. I have it noted as originally £1999, dropping down to £1495 on ebay \'Buy it Now\', but possibly not sold even at that lower price.

Some scarey stuff on buying sent Don.

Dave

[don wyatt]

And AGU above was for sale in the South East this April. I have it noted as originally £1999, dropping down to £1495 on ebay \'Buy it Now\', but possibly not sold even at that lower price.


Dave

MAD, :Hammer

Well if the car Im looking at is a rot bucket, I think I will look check this site out before I go any further !500 quid for a lovely motor like AGU, sounds crazy.
paid that recently for a plie of dead trees in the shape of some new fencing.

Don.

[myatt1972]

Hi Don,
Welcome to the madhouse.
A grey interior shouts S3 to me and in the best colour to by the sounds of it.

 
But then I would say that !
 
Keith...

[don wyatt]

Mmm, not sure mate, kinda hoping its an earlier car, but they all look cool anyway.

Hoping shes a good un, and my £850 buys the car.

Don.

[syebba]

 
on ebay

[David Nock (RIP)]

 
on ebay

Yeh, guy\'s going back to NZ by the sound of things, wants shut....looks like it\'s been his pride and joy. Full set of original wheels as well for the purist.

[David Nock (RIP)]

Mmm, not sure mate, kinda hoping its an earlier car, but they all look cool anyway.

Hoping shes a good un, and my £850 buys the car.

Don.

The series 2 has 13" wheels Don and the S3 has 14". The axle fixings are different. There were a good few \'hidden\' upgrades on the S3 and I like \'em better but for sure the S2 is somewhat rarer and has a loyal following. The S1 is extremely rare and you can count the actual roadgoing/rally S1\'s (as distinct from projects laid up somewhere) on the fingers of one hand.

Dave

[Ian65]

1st gen RX7\'s are unusual in that they didn\'t lose the original feel or look as they went through the various revisions.
Looking at Datsun Z cars, the 240z was the original ( and probably the purest and best) and then lost a bit of that with the 260z. By the time the 280 came out it was a world away and so it\'s the 240\'s that command the top money.
Same with E-types, s1 cars fetch mad money whereas the later V12 2+2 can be picked up reasonably cheaply by comparison.
This isn\'t the case with 1st gen RX7\'s and I don\'t believe there\'s any merit in seeking out an older car.
As Dave says, there are subtle revisions / improvements to the S3 but nothing to make a world of difference and I\'d happily buy any of the 3 variants  if the condition and price was right.
It\'s all about condition with these cars, not age.