1988 Mazda RX-7

Turbo II Convertible

-

Manual

JM1FC3511J0108746

Gasoline

**RELISTED DUE TO A DISINGENUOUS BIDDER!** Before you & up for bid is an example of the MAZDA Rx7 Convertible that Mazda built, but did not make available for the United States market. The performance Turbo II version. Make no mistake, this is NOT the same anemic & underpowered convertible that was available from 1988-1992, here in the states. Those were fun cars, just not enthusiast cars. This is a very rare & unique automobile. It is NOT merely a backyard tuner car. The history of this car and what differentiates it from "average" Rx7 convertible's is the following: During the 80's & 90's, my family was in the automotive business as co-owners of a Mazda franchise in S. Fla. Upon learning of Mazda's plan to build an entirely new convertible on the 2nd generation Rx7 platform, we purchased an inaugural example for ourselves. It is a U.S. spec car, not a gray market car. It is believed that Mazda imported approx., 5000 convertible Rx7's for the first model year. This cannot be substantiated, for Mazda did not keep records of individual models imported, only total export numbers for their entire product line. Mazda North America, utilized actor James Garner to promote the Rx7 convertible in its television ads. He appeared with a bright red convertible that looked slightly different than the cars in the brochure, it had the look of a Turbo II coupe. This piqued our interest at the dealership...was it show or did it also go? Some investigating was conducted and we found that indeed, Mazda did produce, Rx7 Turbo II convertibles. The problem was that they were not being offered to the American market. For the next 2 years, my Rx7 was utilized strictly for "sunny days". It had barely been driven 9K miles. At that time, seeing the potential for collectibility, I conferred with my uncle to see if he would permit us to do a full Turbo II conversion at the dealership, for we could purchase everything required at cost. We also had in our employ, our shop foreman, who happened to be one of the best rotary technicians in the state of Florida. The conversion would be an easy accomplishment for him. Everything from the radiator back is built to 1990 Turbo II specs. This includes the ECM and the entire wiring harness. We opted for the 1990 spec Turbo II engine, for it had refinements and produced more power than the earlier '88 & '89 models. Everything was ordered directly from Mazda. The engine conversion alone exceeded $10K with ALL the necessary components, hardware, labor and miscellaneous. The wheels are 1990 Rx7 GTUs, these are 16". These are ultra rare and were selected to set the car apart from the stock Turbo II wheels of the earlier coupes. The original factory convertible wheels were a 15" alloy wheel with a honeycomb pattern, supplied by BBS. The hood is the lightweight 31 lb., aluminum Turbo II hood. These retailed for almost $2K. (try to find one now) The exhaust was swapped out in favor of a performance dual exhaust system made specifically for the 13B turbo. This was sourced & supplied by Racing Beat. It sold for $1600. Other than the exhaust and a K&N filter, the engine is completely stock. These are all factory Mazda components, not aftermarket. To enhance the luxury aspect of the car, power windows, mirrors, locks & a factory alarm system were installed on the car. The car is equipped with factory cruise control as well as factory AC. It is original (12A), it has not been retrofitted. It blows ice cold. The car has always been a Florida car. A one family owned, garaged & pampered, non-smoker car. It has NEVER been in an accident. It is completely rust free & still retains 95% of its original paint. The interior is in excellent condition. No dash cracks or warps. The door panels, console and all trim are in very good condition. The conversion was completed with exemplary quality when the car had only approx. 10K miles. Understand that the dash cluster was entirely swapped out for a Turbo II cluster @ approx. 10K miles when the conversion was completed. The car has been driven approx. 28K-29K additional miles in the last 20 years. Obviously, the new odometer wasn't reset to where the non-turbo cluster left off. It presently shows under 29K miles. With the approx. 10K on the car at the time of the conversion, the car presently has very low documented mileage of approx. 38K actual. The title reflects true actual miles, not exempted. In 2005, a friend who is also a Mazda franchise owner, serviced at his dealership & stored the Rx indoors for me that winter while construction on my home was completed. The service tech inadvertantly entered the wrong miles into the dealer service network. It is a clerical error, not an odometer discrepancy. In addition, upon completion of the rebuild in October of this year, on 11/03, I was test driving the car and putting some easy miles on the break in of the rebuilt engine in New Port Richey, Fla. A driver in an adjacent lane swerved and lost control of their vehicle. Subsequently, they hit the median with their vehicle. Given my proximity to their accident and my statement of fact to the Fla. Hwy. Patrol, Carfax now shows the Rx having been in an accident on 11/03. This is patently false. The Rx7 had no involvement in this accident whatsoever. Again...I assure that the car has NEVER been in an accident. The car always had great drivability with a great profile & stance. It's a real "sleeper". It is deceptively quick and handles like a slot car. Top down on a Summer evening just adds to the fun factor. The convertible design configuration that Mazda developed allows for one to enjoy a full top down experience...top up...or top up with the rigid center portion removed in a "targa" configuration. The automotive world had not seen a convertible like this prior. Also offered for the first time was a wind buffeting deflector, aft of the seats. Other manufacturers including MB, would soon copy it. I am now 51 years of age and scaling back on some of my vehicles. It is time for someone else to take over the care of my Rx7 Turbo II convertible. In anticipation of selling it, over the last 2 months, I have had the car comprehensively gone through from "bumper to bumper". The car did NOT necessitate restoring, however, to make it as close to how it was when the conversion was completed in 1990, I have fully refurbished it. Firstly, the engine was pulled, taken apart and completely rebuilt by the same gentleman that installed it. He's 64 now and retirement for him is in sight. He's still the rotary cracker jack he always was. The engine bay was detailed while the engine was out. The engine rebuild was done to factory specs & encompassed the following: All new gaskets, oil o rings, 2 mm apex seals, springs, bearings. 2 new rotors, 2 new rotor housings, 1 intermediate housing (the side housings were machined) The turbo and the intercooler were taken apart, inspected & cleaned. Any hardware that necessitated upgrading or replacing, received it. Every plastic line, fitting & clip was replaced. All new belts, hoses, filters & fluids. (differential, trans, coolant, oil, brake & p.s.) New oil cooler lines (2) New NGK plugs & Racing Beat wires. New clutch, pressure plate & throw out bearing. New synchros & shifter bushings. The flywheel was machine resurfaced. Factory Mazda remanufactured power steering rack. The steering in these cars is essentially of the full power variety for ease of parking. As ones speed increases, the system becomes neutral, that is where the acute handling comes into play. New brake pads and all 4 rotors were turned. Tokico struts were installed in 2006, they are fine w/no sign of leaks. No sagging in the springs. Toyo Proxes tires at all corners, they have approx. 10K miles on them. New battery. The AC was evacuated & dye tested. Fittings and o rings were replaced and the system was then recharged. It is ice cold. (12A) When production of the convertible ceased in 1991, (yes, there are 1992 models, they're simply '91 leftovers) I had the presence of mind to order a factory carpet set, new convertible top, headliner, as well as replacement seat covers before they would no longer be available. Climate stored for years, these were all replaced in the last 3 weeks. (see pics) New carpet pads & insulation, as well. The car was then fully detailed. The car should be driven moderately for another 500-1000 miles to properly seat the engine seals. Stock these engines generated 200 HP with 195 lb/ft torque. It is estimated that with the RB exhaust, K&N filter, hot wires & plugs that the car is in the low 230's. The Rx7 looks, runs, sounds & drives great! It is as tight as it was 20 years ago. Nothing delivers power as smoothly like a rotary. I have owned many Rx7's over the years as well as having utilized a 13B engine in an ultralight. They are legendary & reknown for their extreme reliability. All power equipment operates accordingly. Power windows, mirrors, locks, cruise control, power top, power antenna. The original Pioneer combo stereo CD unit comes with the car. These were known to be tempermental over time, mine was no exception. Presently, there is a Sony AM/FM/Cass player. All speakers including the factory option headrest speakers play well. The instrument cluster is of course, a Turbo II unit. All gauges are fully operable. There is a factory turbo boost gauge in the cluster. In addition, a Racing Beat boost gauge w/an adjustable boost control knob are located directly to the right of the steering column. (6-9 lbs) is optimal. Factory tilt leather wheel, no wear or scuffs. All safety features are fully operational. New Bosch wiper blades. All original glass & rubber gaskets. All are soft & pliable, not dry rotted. The factory tonneau convertible boot is included with the car. Surprisingly, these were a $600 option. It is in excellent condition. I also have the storage bag for when the center portion is to be stowed away. Likewise, it is in ex. condition. All factory books, keys & records. Factory jack, tire tool & the original spare tire, which has never been on the ground. A new set of floor mats are also provided. The Rx7 needs nothing other than a new owner to continue to drive, enjoy & provide the level of care it has always received. Given the age of the car, it is however, sold in "as is" condition with no expressed or implied warranties. Please have your funding in place prior to placing your bid. Thank you. Please consult with your spouse, therapist, pet or Magic 8 Ball, prior to placing your bid, as I am not running a clinic for the confused. Thank you. YOU ARE bidding to buy the Rx7, not to be the first to, "look at it". Thank you. A $1000.00 deposit is due & payable within 24 hours of auction close. The balance is then due & payable within 7 days thereafter, under condition & arrangement made between myself & the buyer. I do NOT accept PayPal for the full purchase amount unless you, the buyer, pay the PayPal fee(s). I prefer a legitimate bank to bank wire transfer. It provides a documented record of the transaction for both parties. I have accurately represented the Rx7. Bid with confidence. I am a collector/hobbyist, not a dealer or professional "ebayer". Clear Florida title in my name. The Rx7 and I are presently located in the Colorado Springs area. Delivery and/or shipping are the sole responsibility of the buyer. I am confident that the Mazda could be driven home to anywhere in the country with confidence. If you elect to fly in & drive home, I will gladly pick you up at the Colorado Springs airport. Trailered delivery is possible in the lower 48 states for $1000.00. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions. I answer my phone quicker than I respond to email. I have numerous additional pictures available. If you would like a specific area picture, let me know. I have set a reasonable reserve for the car. It is commensurate with the Rx7's condition, ownership factor, mileage and present collector market. Suffice to say that the Rx7 can be bought for less than the conversion alone would cost today. Where are you going to find this much fun wrapped up in a classic roadster with looks, performance and handling, at this price? Please do NOT ask what my reserve is, I will not disclose it. Bid what you are willing to pay...it's not as if there are a glut of these available. It is a tremendously fun car and not one that everyone else is driving. Thanks for looking & good luck when you bid! Jeff (719)-492-1234, c