RX-Snake: Acquiring the Car

[Vettezuki]

I'm excited. :D

Me too. Can you do a little searching for an RX-7 that's a bit closer to Fullerton. There's that one in Tujunga, but I just let some borrow my truck til Monday. I also don't want to drive out quite that far and discover it's rusted to nothing on closer inspection. Though at $650, that's the way to go.

[Leedom]

$900 (Torrance)
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/961200190.html

$1200 (Laguna Hills) - I think this one is a little on the high side. Might be able to talk them down.
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/972146025.html

$950 (LA County)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/972759119.html

[Vettezuki]

Any of you local fellers got a trailer? This car is going to have to make at least two separate trips on a trailer (pick up, cage). Or might you have a line on a decent cheap trailer. Otherwise we can just rent as needed.

[big2bird]

Any of you local fellers got a trailer? This car is going to have to make at least two separate trips on a trailer (pick up, cage). Or might you have a line on a decent cheap trailer. Otherwise we can just rent as needed.

U-haul is $65 a day.

[Leedom]

Found another one...

$750, LA
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/975792196.html

[big2bird]

Found another one...

$750, LA
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/975792196.html

Best offer accepted too. Good looking car. Might be enough goodies to strip, throw on the bay and get the $$ back.:thumbs_up:

[Vettezuki]

Best offer accepted too. Good looking car. Might be enough goodies to strip, throw on the bay and get the $$ back.:thumbs_up:

That looks darn nice! I'll call tomorrow when he has a hangover. :thumbs_up:

[enkeivette]

Nice find Bird.

But keep in mind guys, it will PITA to swap out the auto pedals to manual pedals. And prob an additional $100 if you can find them on E-Bay.

[Vettezuki]

Nice find Bird.

But keep in mind guys, it will PITA to swap out the auto pedals to manual pedals. And prob an additional $100 if you can find them on E-Bay.

Thanks for the reminder. When I swapped 700R4 -> T56 it was definitely a lot of extra time and effort to locate the correct pedals and fabricate the necessary MC.

[big2bird]

Nice find Bird.

But keep in mind guys, it will PITA to swap out the auto pedals to manual pedals. And prob an additional $100 if you can find them on E-Bay.

Leedom found it, not me.

Pedals. Didn't notice. How about a used Willwood dual hydraulic.?:D

[enkeivette]

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/961200190.html

[Vettezuki]

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/961200190.html

That's the one I keep coming back to as well. Gotta look into it. Today's my wife's last day off, but I think I can at least manage a phone call and set up a time to check it out.

[big2bird]

That's the one I keep coming back to as well. Gotta look into it. Today's my wife's last day off, but I think I can at least manage a phone call and set up a time to check it out.

Too much for a car that doesn't run. You should be able to get one for $500.All you need is a straight "shell." First thing I would do is strip it down to it's underwear. Rolling chasis with ZERO interior. ZERO under hood. Hood off, hatch off, just the chasis.:bigthumbsup:

[Vettezuki]

Too much for a car that doesn't run. You should be able to get one for $500.All you need is a straight "shell." First thing I would do is strip it down to it's underwear. Rolling chasis with ZERO interior. ZERO under hood. Hood off, hatch off, just the chasis.:bigthumbsup:

I'm just thinking of possibly recouping some money with useful bits. The FCs had the 13B, which for some is a desirable engine. That engine and trans might be worth a couple hundred bucks to somone. But hells ya, if I can find a good straight roller with manual pedals for $500, I'm all over it.

[Leedom]

Leedom found it, not me.

Pedals. Didn't notice. How about a used Willwood dual hydraulic.?:D

Thanks for passing on the credit Bird. :thumbs_up::drink:

We just switched my dad's Mach to a menual and the new peda assembly was not that bad to swap in, but it would be nice to not have to do it.

[Vettezuki]

BTW, can Bud Jr. pull a trailer or is it too high up (do you have the drop hitch). I naturally loaned out the one buck truck til Monday, but would like to get a shell by Monday if possible.

[big2bird]

BTW, can Bud Jr. pull a trailer or is it too high up (do you have the drop hitch). I naturally loaned out the one buck truck til Monday, but would like to get a shell by Monday if possible.

If you get in a bind, call me. I have all that crap except a trailer.

[SeanPlunk]

Good to know. :)

I talked to Mike today, but his trailer can't handle a car. I'm going to ask my friend Jeff to see if he knows anyone.

[Vettezuki]

I talked to Mike today, but his trailer can't handle a car. I'm going to ask my friend Jeff to see if he knows anyone.

Thanks. I'm going to talk to the guy in Torrance tomorrow and see what he might be willing to go for. I have the Gucci Auto Club membership; will they tow a non-op registered car that is newly purchased? That might be best.

[Leedom]

Bud Jr. is available, yes I have a drop hitch, yes he can tow a trailer and of course you can borrow him. He is getting new front brakes on sunday unless you need him this weekend. I can do the brakes tomorrow (technically today)if need be. The fronts probably have no pad left.

[Vettezuki]

Bud Jr. is available, yes I have a drop hitch, yes he can tow a trailer and of course you can borrow him. He is getting new front brakes on sunday unless you need him this weekend. I can do the brakes tomorrow (technically today)if need be. The fronts probably have no pad left.

You off tomorrow? You don't want me driving your truck, especially if there's a trailer thingy behind it. Come to think of it, the state of California probably prefers it that way to. :smack:

[Leedom]

I am off today.

[SeanPlunk]

I am off today.

Lucky bastard. I'm stuck at work and it sucks.

[Leedom]

Lucky bastard. I'm stuck at work and it sucks.

Yeah, but I am also not getting paid.

[SeanPlunk]

Yeah, but I am also not getting paid.

Wow, that's weaksauce.......

[Vettezuki]

We may have a winner:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/977982296.html

enkei, leedom, yuse guys available tomorrow? If it it looks like it's going to go down, I don't feel like going to Crenshaw by myself . . .

Clear title, registered non-op. He's sending VIN and I'll run it.

[big2bird]

We may have a winner:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/977982296.html

enkei, leedom, yuse guys available tomorrow? If it it looks like it's going to go down, I don't feel like going to Crenshaw by myself . . .

Clear title, registered non-op. He's sending VIN and I'll run it.

$300. Now your talking. Tell him all you have is $250.:D

[Vettezuki]

$300. Now your talking. Tell him all you have is $250.:D


I was actually considering telling him what it's for and seeing if he would donate it in exchange for being able to take down the strip when its done; keeping in line with the theme of building and using a community project car.

[enkeivette]

I'm down to go if we leave semi-early. I have a date tomorrow afternoon. :D I wouldn't risk letting someone that you don't know drive a car that will likely be an 11 second car. The people who will be working on this car will necessarily know what they're doing and therefore will likely have experience driving a fast car. I don't want to see hours and hours of my work slide into a wall.

[Vettezuki]

I'm down to go if we leave semi-early. I have a date tomorrow afternoon. :D I wouldn't risk letting someone that you don't know drive a car that will likely be an 11 second car. The people who will be working on this car will necessarily know what they're doing and therefore will likely have experience driving a fast car. I don't want to see hours and hours of my work slide into a wall.

Good point. The guy hasn't replied with the VIN, which doesn't inspire confidence, but it was Friday night and he probably had more entertaining things to do. Let's see what leedom's schedule is. If it works out and only he can go, that's ok. I was hoping to have you go so you could inspect the body for straightness and rust, but I should be able to spot at least any major problems and we should be able to fix the minor ones.

[enkeivette]

What time will you be going? If you see any panels that don't line up perfectly, or a bigger gap, or one headlight tucked further in relation to the body... stick your head under there and look and look at the straightness of the bumpers/ mounts.

What time were you planning on taking off? Give me a call...

[Vettezuki]

What time will you be going? If you see any panels that don't line up perfectly, or a bigger gap, or one headlight tucked further in relation to the body... stick your head under there and look and look at the straightness of the bumpers/ mounts.

What time were you planning on taking off? Give me a call...

I'll give him a buzz when I wake up . . . :leaving:

[big2bird]

I'm down to go if we leave semi-early. I have a date tomorrow afternoon. :D I wouldn't risk letting someone that you don't know drive a car that will likely be an 11 second car. The people who will be working on this car will necessarily know what they're doing and therefore will likely have experience driving a fast car. I don't want to see hours and hours of my work slide into a wall.

I have to agree here. Just pay him $300 and be done with it.

[Vettezuki]

hey eveyone I've been out of town all week, I wanna see pics of this beast. I def. wanna get in on helping with this beast! Seems like an awesome idea, can't wait to see pics!

Brian

Pics and even a walk around video to come shortly. Happy to have your help.

[Vettezuki]

So enkeivette and I went out to see the owner in LA. He's asking $300 obo. It's heavily stripped already, clear coat is pealing away, and plenty of little dings, but for our purposes in pretty good shape we think. enkeivette noticed that the car had probably been jacked up improperly under the unibody and has some undesirable dents, but again, we thought between the cage and subframe connectors we'll be putting on, not an issue. The owner has the title and it all looked in order, but was unable to produce the current registration. This makes me a little nervous, but we figure what the heck, let's offer $200. He wanted to get rid of it and at $200 we can't go wrong.

Eric, if you read this, know this car is going to get very good attention from a lot of talented guys, and while I talked you down from your asking price, every penny saved will go into making this something special. :drink: Peace.

When I got it home tonight I spent a couple hours continuing to clean and strip. It didn't even have a key, so I had to crack the key. I can now steal an RX-7 in probably less than 30 seconds. :sm_up_there: Thankfully I use my power for good.

It's really starting to grow on me, thinking of all the good times ahead. We had an idea of what Motorgen would be about, and to see it expressed in some tangible ways like this is a great feeling. :drink:

Some pics; unfiltered as the car came home this afternoon. Let's see just how bad ass we can make this thing. :drive:

BTW, I've creaed a special user account for our project cars. Here's RX-Snake (http://www.motorgen.com/garage/showvehicle.php?vid=236)

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_1.JPG
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_4.JPG
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_5.JPG
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_8.JPG
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_2.JPG
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_9.JPG

[Vettezuki]

A little OT:

Yeah, that's my wife's MX-5 and my DD Protege 5 in the background of the first pic. I'm a fan of Mazda's spirit. The MX-5 is a truly fantastic and true sports car, affordable by almost anyone. I've put tons of time money and effort into my Vette, and it's great. Certainly it would would bitch slap the MX-5 in every objective performance category. But there is something to handling feel which is harder to define. In this sense the MX-5 is the best car I've personally driven. I remember overcooking a freeway exit to the tune of 70mph once (don't do that). Honestly, I thought I was in for a bad night; but decided to turn the wheel hard and stick it, that little car just gripped and turned in a remarkable way.

[big2bird]

The owner has the title and it all looked in order, but was unable to produce the current registration.

All you need is the title. Registration is unnecessary. Car looks good. I see zero issues. I might come by soon and clip the wiring the way I want it.:)
Get a box of ziplock sandwich bags, tape and pens. You never know what you might want later. (You'll also never remember WTF it is, either):rolling:

[Vettezuki]

All you need is the title. Registration is unnecessary. Car looks good. I see zero issues. I might come by soon and clip the wiring the way I want it.:)
Get a box of ziplock sandwich bags, tape and pens. You never know what you might want later. (You'll also never remember WTF it is, either):rolling:

Wow! You and I are a similar kind of pervert. I already have zip lock bags, masking tape and sharpies. Who wants to go looking for things. :smack: In a different life I might have made a decent F1 mechanic, assembling engines in a clean room.

I'm glad you posted this, I left the chassis harness in place because I wasn't quite sure how much we'd want to use.

[big2bird]

Wow! You and I are a similar kind of pervert. I already have zip lock bags, masking tape and sharpies. Who wants to go looking for things. :smack: In a different life I might have made a decent F1 mechanic, assembling engines in a clean room.

I'm glad you posted this, I left the chassis harness in place because I wasn't quite sure how much we'd want to use.

Basically, if we are building what I THINK we are building, just the connectors with a 6" tail. I may just tag it and pull it all. The rear harness might be reused. The engine compartment will be all new. Since the car will weigh almost the same when done, I'd leave the stock brakes for now. I vote trash the whole dash, and I'll fab an aluminum one. As a matter of fact, I would remove and tag it all. Interior to shell, hood, doors, underhood, then put it up on blocks nice and high. I'll see if I can get away tomarrow. I'm still getting more chores on this hillbilly shack. :bang:

[SeanPlunk]

So enkeivette and I went out to see the owner in LA. He's asking $300 obo. It's heavily stripped already, clear coat is pealing away, and plenty of little dings, but for our purposes in pretty good shape we think. enkeivette noticed that the car had probably been jacked up improperly under the unibody and has some undesirable dents, but again, we thought between the cage and subframe connectors we'll be putting on, not an issue. The owner has the title and it all looked in order, but was unable to produce the current registration. This makes me a little nervous, but we figure what the heck, let's offer $200. He wanted to get rid of it and at $200 we can't go wrong.

Eric, if you read this, know this car is going to get very good attention from a lot of talented guys, and while I talked you down from your asking price, every penny saved will go into making this something special. :drink: Peace.

When I got it home tonight I spent a couple hours continuing to clean and strip. It didn't even have a key, so I had to crack the key. I cank know steal an RX-7 in probably less than 30 seconds. :sm_up_there: Thankfully I use my power for good.

It's really starting to grow on me, thinking of all the good times ahead. We had an idea of what Motorgen would be about, and to see it expressed in some tangible ways like this is a great feeling. :drink:

Some pics; unfiltered as we the car came home this afternoon. Let's see just how bad ass we can make this thing. :drive:

BTW, I've creaed a special user account for our project cars. Here's RX-Snake (http://www.motorgen.com/garage/showvehicle.php?vid=236)

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_1.JPG
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_4.JPG
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_5.JPG
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_8.JPG
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_2.JPG
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/771/Day1_9.JPG

This looks awesome. Do we start next weekend?

[Vettezuki]

This looks awesome. Do we start next weekend?

It has already begun brother Plunkett. I'll give you a buzz tomorrow. I need to run a variant of our January 10 cruise tomorrow, which I'm pretty jazzed about too. But if I can slot a couple hours tomorrow I'd like to remove the hood, pull the engine and trans, clean and continue to prepare the work environment.