Rammo

Interior on the S3s was classic 80s velour (sp?) - grey in my case but also in Wine Red - which is pretty marmite. Dunno about bringing the Sev over - I did consider it but It's got S5 crossmember/rack and power steering and would have to get all that certed which doesn't need to happen here, so dunno how that would all pan out - hence me just thinking it's easier to shift here and concentrate in the 2.

Note the wheels are the same. Sadly the 17s are too big on turns - could trim the front valance - or just fit smaller wheels Btw - project not really going fast, this is kinda time lapse... Wish it did go this quick though! I like working on cars, but I enjoy driving them, sharing them and talking about them whilst drinking better!

You are spotting this bucket of bolts. It's getting the flick before I split...

Finding extractors to fit RX2s here is near impossible - strange that FB headers are everywhere but annoyingly don't fit! Popped the stock header back on to save the hassle and will deal with once back in NZ. Rebuilt the carb, stripped all the crap off it and added new gasket for manifold. Mocked up rad and flung a few things in the bay - including the scummy air filter housing off the toasted S3. Gave it a quick clean but still looks shit.

Gear shift worked ok out of the car though I'm going to have a fight getting the gear stick in around the rubber boot. Gearbox mount was simply a bolt in operation - no mods required Shifter comes out bang on in the right position Fwiw, I thought I'd chuck on the 14s for those small rim fans. Votes? I managed to take the photo first then hurl... I also pulled out a sneaky nos door handle - old v new: nice and shiny...

Oh - Glen - I got burnt today as it was friggen hot and sunny all day! I'm not the biggest fan of the weather here in general, but NI is prob 300 miles north of where I am so I'm pretty certain it's a whole lot better down here than up there! We get weeks, not days

If I fancy more power I'll dump my bro in laws bridge in it - but dump the weber and go FI or back to a Nikki - peak bhp isn't what I'm after and I'm kinda not confident in pulling 12a's to bits as they're unlikely to yield any housings worth putting back together. Gearbox mount lined up perfectly - no slotting of holes or anything. Well pleased with his that turned out. That means stock driveshaft went in as well. Shifter pops out the hole and everything like it was designed for it!

Car is coming back to hit NZ shores for def.. Just want to get it going so I can enjoy it here over summer -

In terms of propulsion - an RX7 12a seems the best bet - least hassle and basically the same as what came out. I got all the twin diz stuff to build it back up but that will be phase 2 - plan for now is to get running. So with that in mind I scored a series 3 that had parked a but too close to a building that caught fire. Engine was ok, but body wise was terminal. Only 50k miles or 80kms on the clock but no coming back from this. A friendly fella called Aussie Matt came over to help extract the drive train - while at it, I'm adding a gear - twin diz 4 speed don't bolt up as bolt pattern is different. While Matty was on top, I took it easy underneath Once freed from the bay, its was clear to see it was a right old mess from sitting about for so long. To reveal what we were dealing with, facilitate easier cleaning, and minimise any opportunity for scratches we stripped her back. Looked like it was from a submarine.. Matty got stuck in with the wire wheel while I made the tea And did a sterling job I must say To fit the engine I needed to change 2 main things, the breast plate to suit the RX3 crossmember and the sump as it has a rear bump, instead of the front bump. Sump was previously powder coated so the underside of the engine was looking good to make up for the top. Upon taking the sump off I could see that it had been off before, I can only presume it was to fix a sump leak as the engine didn't look rebuilt - but it was very clean internally with no varnish. Splitting the engine and box revealed... A brand new clutch.. Result! Short shift fitted So, all together here she is, ready to plonk the donk The waiting engine bay Open up and say... Now comfortably nestled in the bay.

Viola, the door panel behind the manky plastic..... Whilst in the grove of cleaning door panels, I the rest and cleaned off the accumulated crap, here is a sampe of the rear doors - they are in good nick and come up pretty clean. Thought I would return the area under the vents to black, then realised I didn't know if they should be black or not...anyone? Then I cleaned and painted the vents, which after cleaning the crap off I actually realised they were a neat grey from the factory but I don't have any grey paint and I think they go well with the grill no anyways. Lastly, an engine bay shot to show the painted the original crossmember to match the RX3 one.

Managed to piece the bumper together - ass is looking good now.. Add some badges: Then my attention turned to the stanky stocky ridgy steelies. First off, I needed to modify the stud pattern so something reasonably common, start with wheel off: Add a 25mm spacer adapter - but used the original wheel bolts, they are very low profile and sit happily within the adaptor. Behold: Whilst on a roll - I chucked on the grill and mocked her up - no chrome but.. This is the original bumper with the indicators just sitting in place: Shazaam

RX3 member is bolted in - this means she is officially ready to receive a front mounted engine. It brings the engine forward, but it's easy compared to mounting back further - handling any suffer but I don't give a monkeys - it's no track car that's for sure. Tail lights in Bit of garnish And got out the NOS bumper and gave it a quick polish New and old

Btw: all the items mentioned are things that will never be attached to the car. I'm allowing myself artistic licence to re interpret the colour, wheels, improving motive power by going later model running gear and of course reducing ride height but as Elmer says "that's all folks" New pics up btw.

And a little while (long time!) later I picked her up from the painters. Interior still dirty - and the door plastic got loaded with paint dust so with no way to clean it - I took it of...

I applied for the registration documents and found out a couple things - its a 1 owner car from new - which is sweet. Second, that it was first registered in 1975, but manufactured in 1972. So this car was hanging around for 3 years on the dealer floor (maybe as a demo?) Then sold, driven 19k miles and dropped its nuts in 1981 - after only 6 road years..

Assessing the general condition, it was clear that the suspension and brakes were rooted, the paint and bodywork needed doing and trim like bumpers needed changing or rechroming. So - I sourced a set of Superpro bushes from Aus, secondhand calipers, new discs and pads, new brake hoses and some custom lowered springs allround as there is nothing off the shelf here. Through some contacts managed to get NOS bumper and door handles to go on once the rest was sorted. Once mechanicals were done, bodywork started. Paint off and low spots being filled - 99% rust free with only minor repairs required - result! Bonnet suffering from common problem of separating from bracing but being fixed here Still wearing the most recent tax disc with pride Right hand side and rear already in etch primer . Also getting the engine bay and door shuts done. New springs have given it a sweet ride height - this is with 165/80-13's though.

Few more pics: Close up of front showing factory option fogs, with covers Side profile - very straight Other side - also straight - but you can see surface rust on the bonnet and a pillar - looks really good in the gaps though so this must be from moisture hanging around on the surface. More surface on the bootlid - all trim present and correct though

FRP front guards and bonnet Alloy fuel cell 1/2' braided lines 10 inch momo Coil overs and big brake set up 11k RPM monsta tacho Staggered 18 and 20 inch billet rims

13b Big J with IDA 75 shot FC turbo 5 speed and brass button Shortened Hilux 15x10 Convo pros with Mickey T's Mini tubs Half cage, back seats removed. Racepro's and 5 points Lightweight ally dash and cards

//oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/43983-rammos-1972-series-1-rx2/ Started a discussion thread if you want to ask me anything! Cheers.

First instalment here: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/43982-rammos-72-series-1-rx2/#entry1340302

So anyways, I'm coming home. Headed to Aus in 1998, took a detour to the UK in 2003 and now it seems I'll be back where I started towards the end of the year.. Anyways - I was lucky enough to stumble across a poorly Mazda about 4 years ago. 1 not so careful owner had seen the engine give up the ghost at 19,800 miles upon where said owner lost interest and parked it up. In 1981. Roll ahead 40 years and it falls into my hands looking a bit sad as you'd expects, but otherwise very complete and unusually, for a UK car with salted roads every winter, relatively rust free. This is how she sat: I'll get up to present day over the next couple days as it's getting late here..