1980 RX-7 -- to sell or not to sell...?

Well... here is my dilemma:

I wanted an RX-7 since they first came out... Finally, in 1991, I bought a 1980 RX-7 from one of those used-car lots on the street corner here in the SFV of CA. It was a totally emotional purchase and I didn't do any homework (like taking the car to a mechanic) before buying the car. I think I paid $1,800.

Two blocks out of the "dealer" I was pulled over by a police officer. He ran the plates and said there was a warrant out for the owner of that car... I showed him my new purchase paperwork and he let me go.

From the day I bought the car till about 1996 I think it ran no more than 30 days total. That's right in 5 years (1825 days) it ran about 30... just as soon as I'd get it out of the shop... it'd run for a few days and then something else would break down.

I never had enough money to keep taking it to the shop... (not much different on that front now).

Finally, I THINK the alternator went on it... I kept meaning to get it worked on and days turned to weeks to months to years.

(Wait -- I should throw this in: My father who was an excellent mechanic died in 1993, so I no longer have him to phone and ask for help... But I definitely have some of his mechanical inclination despite my feminine gender...)

Now... I'm a lot older, have a little more time on my hands, hopefully will have some money to throw into it from time to time... and here's what I'm thinking...

I've basically completely ignored the car sitting in the farthermost corner of my driveway -- rotting -- for all these years. I've listed it in the Recycler several weeks now for $300 and every call I get they only want to give me $100 or so really balking at $300...

So, the last couple of days I was raking out all the leaves from under the car, and looking under the hood... and I was thinking -- It's just a little car, I can reach everything inside... I'M GOING TO KEEP THE CAR AND REBUILD IT MYSELF!

I'm going to clear out my garage of all the crap in there, put the Mazda inside and take it apart piece by piece and completely restore it... Who cares how long it takes since I'm not depending on this car for transpo -- I have two other running vehicles. And, besides, even it I end up putting say $5 grand into it (I have no idea how much it'll cost this is just the figure that came to my mind...), you can't even touch a new car for twice that that has half the class as the RX-7.

I'll buy several shop manuals, I'm good with tools, I have no problems reading instructions, I'll take photos and video all the way... and there's THESE FORUMS to help!

HAVE I LOST MY MIND?

I'd love to hear your opinions, recommendations, warnings, encouragement.

Thanks!

Bam Bam

Alright! Sounds like a project. Now do your homewoork this time and as always, consult the rotary forums.

OH, almost forgot, dont forget about swapping to turbo!

sounds great, go for it. I just bought a 1982 in good shape for $300, but I think I might sell it for about $800. I was going to do what you are doing right now, but I have the other RX7 that needs love. Keep us updated on the project.

Oh, you might want to post on RX7club.com, there are much more educated people on that site.

sounds great, go for it. I just bought a 1982 in good shape for $300, but I think I might sell it for about $800. I was going to do what you are doing right now, but I have the other RX7 that needs love. Keep us updated on the project.

Oh, you might want to post on RX7club.com, there are much more educated people on that site.

nopistons.com>rx7club.com

there are educated people on both forums, but theres less assholes at nopistons. Trust me. :iceslolan