bathurst edition

[s.g]

hi people just looking for some info,
 i am looking at buying my first rx7 soon and seen one i am interested in which the seller says its a bathhurst edition.I was just wondering is there any way of telling if it is i.e vin plate codes or certain spec.
any help would be grateful
thanks
s.g

[msc125]

mmmmm..... bathurst:p

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.mv?file=car.mv&num=1070

http://www.j-garage.com/6110.htm

vin deciphering:
//www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/VIN.html

[s.g]

thanks very much for the links i will have a look now
cheers
s.g

[FDDreamer]

Hi s.g. :wave

Good question! The problem is there are many different Bathurst editions, and it\'s difficult to tell them all apart. In fact, i was counting the other night, and i figured there are 21 different  model NAMES for the FD3S, and some of those (for example, RZ) have multiple examples that are different!

Now, the first Bathurst was released in 1994 (therefore a version 2 model) and was apparently the \'budget\' version. This initially came as a shock to me, as i thought the Bathurst, being a special edition, would be \'better\'. That said, perhaps the reason it was cheaper was because it had less equipement (and therefore less weight?). Not too sure. Anyway, it\'s full title was the RX-7 Type R2 Bathurst.

Next one was the Bathurst released in 1995 (version 3) which was followed later in the year by the Bathurst X. The latter is intersting, as it has a full \'touring\' interior pack - luxury seats etc. Not certain but i think they might be red leather.

Then we have the 1996 models. These are nice, all 265bhp (up 10bhp from old models) with lots of little, but important extras. Round tail-lights, new computer, green dash illumination (instead of amber) and a few more bits i can\'t remember! Anyway, there was a Type RB Bathurst, and a RB Bathurst X. No idea what the difference was, but again, they were the least expensive variation to buy new...but also only available in limited numbers.

Finally, there was a Type R Bathurst R (!) released in 2001. This one was great - special colour, mazdaspeed carbon-effect dash, height adjustable dampers.

Think that\'s the lot of \'em. Seems like they were intended as a \'budget\' line of the rex, although they are rare as not a great deal were produced. Prob best to ask one of the more knowledgeable peeps here though!

Having said that, all versions of the FD are awesome, and with a few mods become very similar in function and looks. Spent a long time looking at various models and specs, but i think now that mileage and condition probably take precedent over special model designation! Anyway, hope some of that was useful to you, and best of luck with the search mate!

[scooby_si]

ooh that\'s interesting didn\'t know all that but figured the bathurst was the relatively lesser equiped ones, although as you say there\'s a mass of options so are there any 2 exactly the same......
I had just presumed my lights had been changed thou what year did the other models get round rear lights?
Will check my dashboard thou didn\'t realise i had a different colour as a 96 "4th Revision Type R Bathurst" model although mine didnt even have the relative basics like the strut braces so i\'ll c if i wana bulk it back up again with them http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008\' target=\'_blank\'>http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_8_3.gif\' border=0> lol
Si

[scooby_si]

doh my ignorance was catching up with me again http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008\' target=\'_blank\'>http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_5_130.gif\' border=0> 95/96 got the much better looking rear lights i believe.......
Si

[s.g]

well what can i say lots of info,thanks people for the help, the only problem is i am not going for this car now. the reason is, it was supposed to have slight damage and damaged suspension but he didn\'t mention the car needed a big jig as well.so back to looking
cheers again
s.g:3gears-rh

[moakesr]

Excellent information FDDreamer.

I had my VIN checked, it came back as a Bathurst edition, and the fact that it is a 1994 car means it must be an R2 Bathurst.

Equipment wise, it came without rear seats, had strut braces front and rear, Bilstein shocks and twin oil coolers.

Those are amongst the most desirable factory performance options, so I was pretty pleased.

It\'s nice to know which version I have, it\'s cleared up a small mystery.

Richard

[Shark]

Excellent info indeed.

Then we have the 1996 models. These are nice, all 265bhp (up 10bhp from old models) with lots of little, but important extras. Round tail-lights, new computer, green dash illumination (instead of amber) and a few more bits i can\'t remember!

Iwas told when I bought the car it\'s a Type RB, but I presumed the green illumination was the same on all FD\'s.

Moakesr,
How do I check the VIN number to see exactly what I\'ve got?

[rxangus]

Mine\'s a 96 with chassis no 400xxx so one of the first 16 bit ECUs. I believe it\'s a type R-B (R-Bathurst).

It\'s got the round tail lights, green dash illumination and revised standard spoiler.

265BHP due to the 16 bit ECU and no rat\'s nest!!!

Cheers

Angus

[FDDreamer]

Well it\'s just stuff I\'ve learned here...didn\'t know an FC from an FD before finding the forums! Can\'t really take any credit for the info - it\'s guys like Brian who deserve it! Just happy it was of help!

Yeah, it was \'96 that the FD got the now-trademark circular clusters. Think it was at the very start of the year (jan/feb) which is why sometimes there\'s some confusion as to whether it was \'95 or \'96. What year is your beastie Si? How is it coming along by the way?

s.g...sorry to hear that. But it\'s all part of the fun! Think it\'s a bit like building a lego model, some of the fun is getting to what you want in the first place! :p But seriously, i\'ve heard many many times that it really pays to be patient and hold out for the right one. And the same for buying a rex!

Sounds like you either lucked out or you knew exactly what you were after, Richard! That\'s a whole lot of v desireable gear you have there. Even some of the \'99 spec models are without twin oil coolers, and Bilstein suspension is the cream of the crop! Congrats bud!

As far as the dash goes, i\'m pretty sure that versions 1-3 (december \'91-december \'95) had a amber backlit display...a little like an M3 nowadays. Would like to see some pics, but green sounds nicer!

Angus...you may well be right. The only complication is that the Version 4\'s had a lot of models - including the Type RB AND the Type RB Bathurst!! Very confusing. Interestingly, the Bathurst variant was actually more expensive on it\'s release than the RB! :confused:

Check this link out guys, has a nice interior piccy of the Type R Bathurst R. Looks luurvely!

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.mv?file=car.mv&num=1070

[moakesr]

Try http://www.usaveauto.co.uk/ and click the vehicle check button, they don\'t give you a lot of into, but it is free.

I think that I was very lucky, the car was in pristine condition with no modifications at all. The previous owner in Japan had really looked after it.

I can confirm that on a 1994 Bathurst R2, the dash illumination is red/amber.

Richard

[scooby_si]

mines apparently a type R Bathurst which i could never work out if that was sam as RB or wotever it\'s all good & tiz a late, Oct i think \'96 & is coming along nicely now (he says dont quote me on that if i start getting the crying smilies out o just b4 Thoresby this weekend) being painted tomorrow so should get polished Thursday & then have Fri & Sat to get the other bits put on all in theory i aint holding my breathe any more till i actually get the keys.....
Si

[MillSpeed]

rxangus, how come your car\'s got no rats nest? Are the later 16-bit cars non-sequetial?

[rxangus]

No they are still sequential but all solenoids are in one assembly under the intake manifold to simplify things. Still complicated but no rat\'s nest....

Unfortunately if one solenoid goes, they all need to be changed as I have just discovered to my cost.

Angus