1985 Mazda RX7 GSL-SE 5 Speed

Description for Mazda RX7 GSL-SE 1985

For sale is my 1985 Mazda RX7 GSL-SE 5 speed. The bad news: the engine is blown (around two months ago) and needs a rebuild or an engine swap if you are so inclined. I have owned and driven it daily and maintained it since2012. It’s been my favorite of all the cars I’ve owned through the decades. Compression had been low for a few months (around 70-75 in both rotors) but it still ran great, pulled very strong in all 5 gears all the way to the redline(including way fast in 5th gear. Then around two months ago its started right up in the morning. Then about 30 minutes later it wouldn’t start, period. The starter turned but absolutely it wouldn’t, and won’t start. I took it to a local shop that couldn’t get it started, then to the last rotary expert’s shop here in Tucson and he couldn’t get it going either. I am told it has low compression in one chamber and close to no compression in the other one.

The not good: I have also found that the newly cleaned and flow tested fuel injectors are now not getting their signals from the ECU which I’ve had tested and is good, so there’s apparently a wiring issue from the ECU to the injectors that will need to be solved, It apparently happened at the same time the engine failed. No idea why. The switch panel on the left of the gauge pod with the emergency lights flasher contacts probably need to be cleaned as the flasher works intermittently, so I wouldn’t use that until it's fixed. The lower button there that flips the headlights up and down without turning them on still works perfectly. The metal panel behind the driver’s side rear wheel has some very slight non-structural bubbling but it's not visible unless you look closely.

The good: All the outside and inside lighting works, headlights pop up and down, power windows work, cruise control, turn signals,brake lights, glovebox lighting, storage box lights behind the seats, wipers front and back, windshield washer jets, etc. all work as do the rear hatch and fuel filler cover dash release buttons. It has an awesome Kenwood stereo with upgraded front speakers. The original rear 6x9 speakers are still excellent. All weather seals in excellent shape with no cracking and no leaks even in heavy rain or washing. Gauge lighting also works well. The original dash pad is in great shape. I fixed the driver’s door keyhole illumination so with the door locked and you pull the handle, it lights up along with the driver’s side foot wellillumination. (The rear windshield washer jet is not working, the wiper does work). I replaced the rear hatch carpet and it’s still in near new shape. The A/C works great (even in 100+ degree heat) along with the dash controls. I had the A/C compressor rebuilt a couple of years ago, replaced the AC dryer and a couple of the hoses. I still use R12 in it and it blows icy cold unless you’re stopped at idle. As soon as you start moving it gets very cold again. I have read this is typical for FB Rx7s. The heater core went bad and I had that replaced last year. A brand new battery was installed a few months ago. A new aftermarket catalytic converter was installed earlier this year and the car passed its Arizona emissions test perfectly. New Goodyear 215/60/14 Radial TA tires installed about 4,000 miles and two years ago, and they still have almost new tread left. Six years ago I installed a brand new OEM steering gear box and column I got from the factory in Japan. New front struts and rear shocks were replaced about 10,000 miles ago. New plug wires, distributor cap and rotor and NGK spark plugs replaced a few months ago. Brake pads and rotors are good with no shuddering and it stops great. Replaced clutch and brake hydraulics about four years ago. The adjustable, removable steel sunroof works well. All glass(windows) is in good shape. A new fuel pressure regulator and water pump was installed last year and a 130 amp alternator three years ago.

This is a good looking car that I got frequent compliments about, has a good looking interior (I think better in person than I could get with the pictures), and good, not showroom quality, exterior. The original paint still shines. There are four or five small dings that are not very noticeable.

There are nice looking floor mats but the driver’s foot well carpet under its mat is shot. Passenger side carpet is in good shape. Original grey cloth material seat condition: Passenger side still good but the driver’s seat has a small seam separation on the seating area along with a defect in the vinyl on the door side of the seat about halfway up facing the door. I installed the seat covers you see in the pictures which I like as they tie into the red car color. The seat adjusters work well, Factory mini spare, tire jack and original wheel chocks are under the rear deck carpeting panel. Included is a custom sun shield I made that velcros on to the outside rear hatch glass for when you park in hot weather, and a cupholder you can reinstall on the passenger side of the trans tunnel if you want. Also included is an original factory owner’s handbook.

Also included in the sale are probably a few hundred dollars worth of new OEM suspension rubber and fittings, a complete used extra full turn signal/lighting and cruise control assembly, extra TPS (throttle position sensor),an extra HVAC dash control unit, a replacement ignition switch with keys, numerous engine sensors, and many other used parts, fan belts, a new headlamp, rear turn signal/brake light assembly, a polished RE-EGI intake chamber, used fuel rail (unknown quality), and a lot of other miscellaneous used parts of unknown quality. Most of the parts are shown in the pictures here.

Finally, included and shown in the pictures is my RX7 GSL-SE literature collection including a complete original 1985 factory shop manual, rare1985 factory service bulletin book, rare factory body shop manual, Haynes 1985repair manual, an original RX7 GSL-SE Owner’s Manual, and my literature collection of 1. 1985 Mazda dealer RX7 showroom sales brochure (including the GSL-SE model), 2. Motor Magazine with its RX7 GSL-SE cover story, 3. Brookland Books Mazda RX7 collection book, 1984 Car and Driver issue with the cover story on the new 1984 RX7 GSL-SE, and 1984 Auto Week magazine and its RX7 GSL-SE cover story.

If you will be having the car shipped I will put all of the extras (Parts, magazines and books) in the lockable storage bins behind the seats and the back hatch area but you will need to verify that your shipper will accept that. Some shippers will not allow, or take responsibility for, extra parts, etc. going along with a car so make sure to arrange that ahead of time. The parts and literature weigh a lot so would cost a lot to ship separately, so that would be up to you if you do ship them separately.

Of course as this is a used non-running car, it is being sold as is, payment to be made by Paypal, cash on pickup or Paypal (your choice, if picked up within three days), buyer to make pick up/shipping arrangements (paid by the buyer), and please make sure the shipper allows the extra parts and literature included with the sale to be carried inside the car. My clear, signed off Arizona title will go with the car or sent to you by Fedex, your choice, after full payment.

I’ve tried to be as complete as I can, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[Ma1]