How Many 1st Gens Still Running?

[syebba]

I would tend to agree with you on this Stu.
I am probably wrong in my assumption that the majority of owners must know how scarce these cars are becoming and I don\'t understand why owners won\'t treat the rust before it gets too serious? Ignorance or simply stupidity perhaps in some cases?

Some of these cars could be saved,especially as mazda still sell sills,rear valences etc.
I suppose it comes down to economics,parts,labour,respray,etc outweighs the cars resale price?
As Ian says the rust probably started when the cars were 15 years old,another 10+ years of neglect & the cars are scrappers.
ta stu..

[syebba]

Cliff,
Owners on forums such as this obviously know fb\'s are becoming scarce,but joe public if they have an fb,maybe just sees them as rusty,fuel thirsty sheds?

[Ian65]

Some of these cars could be saved,especially as mazda still sell sills,rear valences etc.
I suppose it comes down to economics,parts,labour,respray,etc outweighs the cars resale price?

ta stu..

That\'s right Stu... anything can be done if enough money is thrown at it but with 1st gen prices very low in comparison to many other classic cars, it just isn\'t economically viable to carry out anything other than a very light restoration.
The only people restoring these cars are enthusiasts like ourselves who do it for the love of the cars and are prepared to take a bit of a financial hit.

The situation will continue for a few more years yet until there are hardly any cars left..... also there just isn\'t the demand for 1st gens in the UK

Very rare /or desirable cars such as E-types never get broken, even totally rusted out  basket cases fetch thousands and get restored and demand is high for them.
Sadly I don\'t think 1st gen RX7\'s will ever reach that level.... they were always a niche car back in the day and still are today.

[Ian65]

It\'s one of the colours you either hate or adore - I\'m the latter.

You adore green??!!!!!!!!!!  Oh dear!

[syebba]

Will 1st gens attain classic status & command higher prices in future?
 
There won\'t be many left,look at S1\'s now,less than 10 left,but still low prices.
 
Fuel will be extortianate in a few years,but most fb\'s are used as 2nd car toys,so i don\'t think that\'ll affect prices.

[Ian65]

the main factor that drives classic car prices is nostalgia.... people buying older cars that they owned or coveted in their younger days and reliving their youth... also passing on this enthusiasm to younger drivers and getting them interested in classic cars too.
This is shown by the demand and high prices for old Fords.... Escorts, Capris, Cortinas... hardly the most technological advanced cars ever produced but the prices they fetch are eye-watering.... they\'re the cars people had and fondly remember.

RX7\'s were never mass market cars over here.... plenty of people have no idea what they are so prices will be low for a good few years yet. Whether they rise in future is anybodys guess. Magazine / insurance valuations are just figures plucked out of the air...
it\'s all about what someone will pay for a particular car on a certain day.
we all watch 1st gens for sale on here and can see the low prices the cars are selling for.
I don\'t think they will ever make really big money.

[syebba]

Yes i agree,i bought mine for nostalgia reasons,loved them 20 years ago & wanted another.
I think part of the reason we enjoy driving & owning a Fb is because people don\'t know what it is,unlike an esort or capri,but that could also be it\'s downfall with reference to future prices,there\'s a small enthusiast base now,in future it\'ll probably get smaller,so fewer people interested in Fb\'s.
 
Mind you Datsun 240z prices have increased significantly,not many peeps know what they are either,but this could be due to their scarcity & their older than fb\'s.
 
So my final conclusion on future Fb prices,i don\'t know!
ta stu..

[CHC (RIP)]

You adore green??!!!!!!!!!! Oh dear!

I much prefer the lighter colours and they do say that \'northeners\' have a strange sense of humour but I don\'t care at all.

[CHC (RIP)]

Totally concur guys, so with declining numbers in mind, all we can do is try to sustain a minimum level of roadworthy units for nostalgia purposes and should prices rise in the distant future - well actually, what if they do rise, would you want to sell something like the fb which you have treasured and coverted for many a year?  I for one wouldn\'t.

[Ian65]

Totally concur guys, so with declining numbers in mind, all we can do is try to sustain a minimum level of roadworthy units for nostalgia purposes and should prices rise in the distant future - well actually, what if they do rise, would you want to sell something like the fb which you have treasured and coverted for many a year?  I for one wouldn\'t.

Neither would I!........ I\'m like most of us on here... not in it for the money. I\'m into them because I love the look of them, like working on them and like driving them, so values and other peoples views don\'t bother me at all.
Whilst values are low, we can all get cheap parts and as the cars don\'t owe us much, we can afford to have them stood around and not use them so often.
Also, imagine if they suddenly became worth 30 grand.... we\'d be less inclined to drive them so much or leave them anywhere plus younger enthusiasts wouldn\'t be able to afford one.
Nah.... I\'m happy with the way things are!

[David Nock (RIP)]

Went out in Gus one day this week. Driving through a local suberb. A guy in a highly polished black RX8 nearly crashed as I came into his view. He was shouting and waving...     :god     \'Respect Man\' (or perhaps something else). He should have shouted \'Respect Grandad\', to both car and driver.

Missus N was with me, we had a little chuckle and a thrill....oooer.....

Gus has been going just great lately.

[David Nock (RIP)]

It is a shame,how many Elfords left 10?Daaaaaaaaaavid!
ta stu..

As far as I can tell, about 8 S3, 9 S2, 2 S1. Plus this Y reg S2 in Truro but fear she\'ll be in bits soon.

[captainbizzaro]

That bloke is dreaming if he thinks he will recoup more money from a broken FB especially as it\'s pretty tidy. That\'ll be another case of £39.99 for a door handle etc etc.

[CHC (RIP)]

Well guys, I rang John this morning and had a great chat with him and he gave me the full tail of woe - remembering he is broad Scots.
He bought it for his wife and when he got home she said politely (I think) "what/who have you bought that for", "for you" he said. "Don\'t want it, it only has 2 seats"! They now have an RX8 and hence he wants his money back or there abouts.
Problems with it:-
1) Drivers window doesn\'t operate - John tried to clean the electric window switch but it fell to pieces in doing so. Therefore one switch and perhaps guides need cleaning and spraying or possibly an actuator.
2) Rear bumper n/s - paint has split and peeled (only minor) as per photo.
3) A little surface rust around wheel arches.

John was saying that he took it for a run and opened her up on the motorway - done 175000m but still does 130 mph with no problem.
It has a long MOT but not taxed. I forgot to ask him but I think it has a glass roof too (in photos).

As much as I want too I just can\'t take it on :Hammer I even asked him to keep it until next year & guaranteed I would have it - but he wants gone.
So with this in mind - he is looking for £650 - any takers?

[Marcrs]

Dare I ship another fb down from scotland... hmmm