74RX4

iTrader: (10)

March 1983 Volume 5, #1
Ultima I

June 1983 Volume 5, #2
Ultima II

September 1983 Volume 5, #3
Ultima Stereo Installation Guide

June 1985 Volume 7, #2
Ultima Security System Install

ultima 1

thanks. Very cool. cliff

rxdash7

First, thanks to 74RX4 for the fantastic scanned articles!

I found a '79 SA convertible in East Oakland a few years ago. It was a lien sale (left at a garage with a bad radiator and clutch) and even at night I could see the work done to reinforce the modified chassis (see pics). This included a welded steel trunk as well as heavy steel tubing welded under the seats and underneath the car. I paid $600 plus $150 for a new radiator, installed. The repair took a few weeks, but I eventually drove the car back to San Bruno (just south of SF).

The fellow who sold it assured me he'd help with the smog check, but never came through. Its running a stripped 12A (no air pump, relief solenoid valve, charcoal canister, thermal reactor, vacuum control valve and the idle compensator and various other valves are not connected to the air box). While the exhaust smells even cleaner than that from my '86, but I'm afraid of the "gross polluter" tag.

The car actually runs quite well after I changed the oil, plugs, wires and air filter. I haven't changed the distributor, mostly because the clutch is slipping badly in the higher gears. It was my daily driver for a few months while my '86 Sport was down with a bad differential. The starter eventually died and I had it towed home where it sat for a long while.

After over 18 months, I finally replaced the starter a few weeks ago. To make sure the mill rotated smoothly, I turned the fan by hand and it looked good. After pouring some SeaFoam into the crankcase and gas tank and spraying the carb with starter spray/cleaner I started cranking it. After a few tries, it fired up with a cough of white smoke and smoothed out once it warmed up. I was worried about the old gas in the carb, water in the line, etc, but it runs perfectly. I drove it around for a while and despite the bad clutch, mis-matched tires that rub the fenders and a suspension that bottoms-out constantly, its still fun to drive. These cars never cease to amaze me...

This coming week I am having a clutch purchased about a year ago dropped into it (don't have the space or tools). After that, I'll change the oil, tune it up, start installing the emissions systems and try to make the suspension more livable. Then its on to replacing the top, repairing the body (including the front lip damaged when it was towed with a bad starter) and painting the beast.

I have no idea who or where this car was converted, but it was originally purchased in El Paso, Texas (my hometown, strangely enough). Its not a Pacific Avatar or a Mariah, but as I mentioned and the pics illustrate, it was done quite well. The attached pics include one of a plaque on the trunk lid with "R/R RX7 C1" stamped into it. If anyone knows anything about the history of this car, I'd appreciate it.

I'll try to post some pics of the project and appreciate any tips you folks out there might have regarding passing emissions.

rxdash7

Here are the photos omitted from my previous post.

ultima 1

Nice post. Looks like a mariah widebody. Top orientation looks great. Post some more pics. Only one I have with a spoiler. now THAT is a re-enforced trunk. cliff

rxdash7

Thanks, Cliff. I should've joined this forum a long time ago (loved RX-7's since I rode in a GSL-SE in '88 and driven them for over 15 years). With a lot more time on my hands these days, (between jobs) I finally did it and am enjoying the hell out of it.

Yes, this was a very well-done conversion with lots of high-quality welds. I'm a little worried about the rust inside the passenger compartment, though and will need to address it before restoring the car. (The third picture is of the inside floor, including extra bracing and the lap belt I installed after purchase - didn't want me or my passengers flying out of the car.)

The top is well-positioned, but not as well-sealed as I'd like (hence, the rust). I keep it covered in the rain because I can't garage it.

As requested, attached are a couple more pics. I have many high-resolution photos, which exceed the file size limits here.

rxdash7

Here ya go, Cliff. Enjoy.

rx-freak

Does anyone still have an actuall Targa first gen. Not just a targo band; but, a real targa top. If so lets see some pics.

ultima 1

Hi guys, trying to get back to things.
I have been building the ultima, first gen avatar convertible for the past two years.
cheers, cliff

slimwhitman

This has been an interesting discussion and fun to follow. Besides the Pacific Avatar convertibles, were there any other companies converting the RX-7 into a convertible when it was new?

I do know of one other... Global Coach. They were converting many other cars into funky "opera coupes" and convertibles like the Seville, Eldorado, Cordoba, Mirada, Lincoln and Datsun 280ZX.

Have any of you ever seen the Global Coach RX-7? Are there any others??

alienteabagger

'Vert FBs > ****!!!!

WOTandSDWYS

wow, did not know they were all custom. I see a mint condition red FB vert on the highway every day.

cool to know.

ultima 1

Pics pics pics

... and that said, I will find something decent to post.....
We have taken a bunch along the restoration process.
It looks terrible though as we sanded the body - which now looks like crap and left it that way until the mechanical was done
.....and I will figure out how to post the pics here....