hey all

[djmarcopolo]

Hi, my name is keith im an admin at uk-mx3.com and a bit of a mazda nut.
currently have a 1995 mx-3 that I have spent 4 years modifying and is now one of the best in the uk and is nearing the end of the project and is now kept garaged,
I have a 1990 mx-5 with 199,000 miles on it that I use as a daily driver and tour europe at every opportunity in it next tour is belgium over christmas holidays

Jason in dublin sent me this way as I bought a 1985 RX7 yesterday as it seems to have had a lot of money spent on it in the past and im hopefully going to be bringing it back to life over the winter

It seems to have had a full custom bodykit fitted and unfortunately the engine is no more and currently runs a ford 2.3 V6 with an awful auto gearbox. Possibly thinking of removing it and swapping in a 3.0l V6 with 5 speed manual or the capri 2.8 injection and stick the exhausts out the sides, sort any mechanicals out then get it repainted completely in a classic race design

heres some pics for your enjoyment / abuse

[rip7]

no

[Lucky]

Wow

....checks calendar... Nope, months yet till April the first Jeez, you really did buy that Welcome to the forum! Watching with interest to see how this one develops

[ian65]

Hi Keith,
welcome to the forum..... you've certainly jumped in at the deep end there, lots to do but a good opportunity to put your own stamp on it. Check out the bodywork, chassis rails and floor very carefully.... 1st gens hide there rust very well and that bodykit will obscure your view of typical rust spots.
That engine is dire but there are better alternatives now than the Ford Essex or Cologne V6.... many of the Capri guys are now fitting these 24v Cosworth engines...

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/24valve.htm

Old Scorpios fitted with these engines are dirt cheap and they are a straight swap into a Capri so if you were thinking of using a 2.8i engine, you might as well go with one of these in your RX7... bear in mind though that the rx7 was designed around the rotary engine which is very small and light compared to a heavy V6 so the balance and handling of the car may be affected.

[ian65]

no

care to elaborate?

[spirit r]

no

= no piston

[djmarcopolo]

I thought this might be a purists forum when i joined, the reason i bought it is, its different the cost to make those modifications are significant and looking at the style of it its totally in keeping and very 80's by design, mechanically things can be fixed relatively easily even with a popular engine swap in place and not many people will expect it to have a V6 under the bonnet making it unique.
If the interior is totally missing I may just build a roll cage and stick 2 buckets in there unless i can get a nice original one relatively cheap. The body looks good and it seems whoever painted it didnt prep the primer properly as its clearly peeling off the primer. the floor pan looks good and im sure the chassis if it needs it will get some attention from my mig welder
The reason I bought it was because I could buy a bulk standard one for around £500 on the internet and make it look normal or buy the one that creates an interest in something, I wanted an old jap car with chrome, didnt find it but found something that ticked one box that someone obviously dedicated a lot of love and money too and I will finish the unknown persons legacy in my own style

its a 100% susan boyle car - not what you will expect by looking at it but with some professional work it will be the full package, plus it may create some interest in this site because I spend most of my year travelling to jap car and modified car shows and run rallies around europe, I have some magazine contacts that would love this car finished so lets see what the future holds with it

[ian65]

probably 60% of the cars on this forum have been modified to some extent so don't worry about it. Post up build thread in the 'rides and projects' section so we can follow your progress. I'll be interested to see where you go with the car.

[djmarcopolo]

Thanks ian, looking forward to it being delivered soon and then crack into it

[myatt1972]

Welcome Keith,
I love your attitude to this car, seems like a good opportunity to do something very different.
Im looking forward to a build thread.