NoPistons -Mazda Rx7 & Rx8 Rotary Forum - Finally... Body and Paint!

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- 2nd Generation Specific (https://www.nopistons.com/2nd-generation-specific-17/)

- - Finally... Body and Paint! (https://www.nopistons.com/2nd-generation-specific-17/finally-body-paint-74168/)

I purchased this FC almost 7 years ago, she was my first. Project car hindsight being 20/20, I would have started with a much cleaner body. I have some emotional attachment to this one, which is why out of the 12+ FC's I have owned she is the one I have put so much work into.

In the past 5 years I got married, bought a new house, had a baby boy... The car sat for a couple of years neglected, no track days, no hill country runs, pretty sad.

Fast forward to present day. Best friend has also been building a car for 5-6 years, his has been is small pieces this entire time. His body guy was looking for some interesting cars to put in the upcoming car show. I was willing to give him some creative license, he was willing to discount rates. Excellent combination!

It's going really well so far. We have removed and replaced the original roof on the car, the factory sunroof is gone and has been replaced with a slick (non-sunroof) factory Mazda panel. The spoiler has been removed, along with the rear hatch key, Mazda emblems, and antenna. He hand build custom rear fender flairs from sectioned pieces of sheet metal to add about 25mm to the width of the rear fenders while still retaining a stock and stealth look.

I always seem to be surpised by how much the stock spoiler weights every time I remove one... Between the sunroof removal and the spoiler I would put the unofficial weight reduction at 50lbs. The real benefit for me is the additional 1" of head room (helmet room) without the sunroof mechanism in place.

Current pictures are here. http://picasaweb.google.com/10512343...eat=directlink

Work to still be completed...

*Standard body work on doors, bumpers, and hood.

*Door handles to be shaved

*20mm wide body fenders ordered from Shine

*Carpet removed and floor boards rhino lined

*Roll cage painted

*Engine bay cleaned, repaired and painted

*Car to be painted hot rod black w/ pearl ghost effects

*Clean up wiring

*Fix overheating issue

*Tune car

The red bumper in the last picture was shipped to me from a board member in Michigan, C13. Thanks bro! It fits perfectly.

I will continue to post pictures as the car progresses. The car used to look like someone beat it with a ball peen hammer. I'm pretty excited to finally have the bodywork completed and the car painted.

The new fenders from Shine have arrived and have been rough installed on the car. I am very impressed with the construction and quality of these fenders. Having purchased aftermarket fenders with varying degrees of success in the past, I was a bit concerned at what might show up at my door step. They are well constructed, fitment is excellent, and they look factory. I'm really happy with the purchase.

I purchased the paint and related materials for the car today. The SEM "Hot Rod" Black paint we're using on the car is inexpensive. The total material cost for paint, primer, hardeners, etc was $294. I'm pretty stoked about that...

I've uploaded more pictures to the photo album. We should be making some quick progress from here on out.

Attached are a couple of quick pictures of the fenders.

[attachment=46981:IMGP3897.JPG][attachment=46982:IMGP3893.JPG]

Stopped by the body shop this morning. The underside of the hood was painted and the front bumper has been refinished. The front bumper turned out excellent. It was in really rough condition when I dropped it off. They stripped it down, refinished, and primed it. I also had them remove the grill and smooth the area from the removal. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

https://lh5.ggpht.com/_wH8AFTh1ZbQ/S...00519-0922.jpg

https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...default/v2.gif that's freakin sexy man, and it's also the same color i want to do my FD in so it's good to see it on another 7 to get a basic idea of what she'll look like

****** nice dude, thanks for sharing!

Thanks guys. There's still some work to be done. I'm ordering some new window and body moldings today and I need to track down an electrical gremlin.

Seat replacement is next on the list!