BoostedRex

This is just a thread that I wanted to start to keep track of the restoration process on my Pacific Avatar. That's right, an actual PA. And with only 17,XXX original miles. This car is in pretty decent shape considering it spent the last decade sitting in a field.



And to all the guys from NorCal 7's. Sorry that it took me so long to get these pictures up, but I didn't have internet at home until today.



And the plans for this car are as follows. I'm going to restore it to how it would've looked from the factory. I'm not going to try and make it any faster than it was in stock trim. I am going to change the color scheme on the car, as well as the seat material. But that's it. These cars are incredibly rare and I just don't see the point in modifying it.



Well, here are a few pictures from the first couple of days after delivery. Let me know what you guys think.



Zach

ExplicitRotary

Wow, and only 17,xxx thats nice. Definatly needs a good bath. Hurry up and clean it

BoostedRex

More pics

j9fd3s

i likey! i think you should just restore it to "stock"

1988RedT2

Nice find!

BoostedRex

I am restoring it back to stock. But I just can't keep that same color. I think it will look good arctic silver with a black top. And the only mods I'm going to do are:

aluminum radiator

ditch the bee hive for a good oil cooler (just for reliability's sake)

a new exhaust (not bigger, but new)

inanimate_object

Cool, I like the wheels a lot

12arotaryboy23

I LIKE THE WHEELS A LOT??? COME ON MAN!!!! I just creamed in my pants! Any idea how rare those are??? Nice find! and how much can I buy it for??? Seriously. I call first dibs on anything you take off that car. Which I'm assuming will be only the things you mentioned...



Those things used to be able to outrun Porsche 911s... I have an old article on them somewhere on my computer...



I hope for your sake that motor is still good... should be after only 17xxx Miles.



WHat I don't get is how can sombody beat the **** out of a car that badly in only 17xxx miles??? they should be shot....

jdm12a

????i dont think theres enough smiley faces in the world right now to express my disbelief. . . . i mean, wtf is that?! ive never even heard of let alone seen something like that?? some kind of convertible turbo first gen? i searched and cant even find anything on one of those, can someone fill me in on what ive been missing here? btw, that looks pretty damn kickass and i think your pretty damn lucky, how much did u pay for that?

BoostedRex

Quoted from www.stevemullin.com



"The Topless California



From 1979 to 1985, an obvious question was answered by Al Dooley when, as Pacific Avatar, he converted the first generation of RX-7 into convertibles. He had been working as a sales manager at a Mazda dealership, and one look at the new RX-7 in 1978 told him that a convertible would be a natural for the RX-7's clean shape and simple lines. Alter jigging and strengthening the body with framing under the floor pan, inside, and in the windshield posts, custom convertible tops were installed, Interestingly, the trunk lid of the 626 was found to be an almost ideal fit and had to be modified only slightly to be used on the conversions. Although a few convertibles were sold with standard mechanical equipment, most also had turbocharged engines, modified suspensions and brakes, and custom wheels and wider tires.



A series of wide-body convertibles, with front fenders and rear quarter panels flared, were constructed following the appearance of a special for a magazine, including one Twin Turbocharged RX-7 that was reportedly, and undoubtedly, a Porsche Carrera eater. The conversion also got extra publicity when one appeared in the low budget film, "Smokey Bites the Dust."



Several prototype convertibles on the 2nd generation RX-7 were built, though the project terminated when Dooley learned of Mazda's plan to produce a convertible of its own. First-generation cars were converted as late as 1988 with the last going to a doctor in Baltimore, Maryland. Although many were sold in California, Florida was the biggest market for Pacific Avatar's convertible RX-7s. In all, Dooley reports that 126 conversions were performed. The cars were numbered sequentially with a data plate installed under the hood."

That's the only info I've been able to find on the net for this car so far. The previous owner is supposed to be sending up the original sales brochure along with several pics of the car when it was new along with the title. So we'll see how that goes.



As for what I payed for it, well that's a whole different story... The car cost me $450. And that was what it cost to ship it up here from Arizona. The last owner is a friend of the family and he just wanted the car gone. So he gave it to me. I really can't complain.



I'm planning on making some really good progress on the interior this weekend so hopefully I'll have more pictures on Monday of what I got accomplished.



Zach