Chocolate Wankel: 1983 Mazda RX7 GSL

, , , , , , , 7

Consider this next car as an apology for the grody brown Mercedes-Benz that I posted the other day — if that car was a wet half-breed three legged donkey, then this RX7 is a chocolate palomino thoroughbred that is racing up in class. It reminds us that brown can be a nice color on cars if done correctly and probably looks even better in person. Now, go find a matching Member’s Only jacket, Ray-Bans, and a Swatch watch. The 80s aren’t back, ’cause they never left. Find this 1983 Mazda RX7 GSL offered for $8,500 in Providence, RI via craigslist. Friend of the seller tip from Art C.

From the seller:

1983 Mazda rx-7
condition: good
cylinders: other
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 87300
paint color: brown
size: compact
title status: missing
transmission: manual
type: coupe
1983 Mazda RX7 GSL

5 speed, shifts great. Havana Brown exterior, with tan/brown interior. Both the exterior (no rust) and interior are original and in great shape for their age. Before me, this was a one owner car that lived its life in Maine. Judging by how nice the undercarriage is, it was a summer car that was garaged. I’ve owned it for 4 years and have been slowly doing maintenance since. I’ve got a folder of service records, and the car is all stock with 87,300 miles. Being a GSL model, it comes with leather interior, 4-wheel disc brakes, power windows, and a factory limited slip differential. Basically loaded (for 1983). I also replaced the speakers (Pioneer) but left the factory stereo/graphic equalizer/factory amplifier under the seat. The stereo doesn’t sound great by today’s standards, but I didn’t have the heart to cut up the dash for a new head unit or remove the old amplifier/rewire the system. I did take out the amplifier to give it a thorough clean with DeOxit though. It’s got the original floormats too.

Things I have done since purchasing:

-Clutch/slave cylinder
-2 front tires
-Passenger side brake hose
-Pitman arm
-Energy Suspension front swaybar endlinks and bushings
-Energy Suspension front control arm bushings
-Full tuneup (plugs/wires/cap/rotor)
-Full fluid changes (oil/coolant/transmission/rear differential)

I have detailed it extensively, and it lives in a garage full time. Since its been in my care, the car has only seen rain once. Almost everything works except for the A/C and the rear wiper. Even the cruise and power antenna work! This car is a real time capsule that drives great and gets tons of attention (seriously, every time I take it out, there’s at least one thumbs up or someone talking to me about it).

It’s a great ‘driver condition’ car that can be enjoyed on its own, or is a perfect platform for a restoration. The FB generation RX7 is just about to blow up in the collector world, so now’s a good time to buy a nice one before the prices skyrocket. Currently registered and inspected in RI.

Some extras going with the car:

-Energy Suspension Watts Link bushing kit
-Period correct front end bra that came with the car when I bought it
-Battery tender
-Bluetooth cassette adapter

Come take a look. $8500. Will consider reasonable offers.

NOTE: CL makes me put in a title status. The title was lost when I bought it, and RI doesn’t title vehicles older than 2001. I had to just prove chain of ownership to the DMV (jumped through hoops to get this done), but there’s no title. Like I said above, the car is registered, inspected and insured currently (Read: 100% legal). If you are from out of state, you should have no issue titling it. Don’t know why RI doesn’t title vehicles older than 2001.

See a better way drive something brown? tips@dailyturismo.com