Rivalrx - 1972 Mazda 618 Coupe

[rivalrx]

[rivalrx]

[rivalrx]

So I cracked into the parcel tray today, as the original one was dust. 

Mitre 10 fibre board that comes on pallets was the ideal substrate. 

I used spare seat vinyl and it’s almost done. 

3/4 door cards in place now  

 

[rivalrx]

[rivalrx]

[rivalrx]

[rivalrx]

I just need to tuck the leading edge of the tray flap behind the rear seat top. 

Overall, I’m happy with this as I generally suck working on cars so I am celebrating with a hein-grenade. 

Tuesday the new rear screen is getting put in  the hood lining is 97% right, with only a couple bits needing an extra bit of tension

Game on

 

 

[rivalrx]

[rivalrx]

The new rear glass is now in the hole - I’m so happy to gone with new screens over used ones  

 

[rivalrx]

Tonight was exhaust night. 

So the dumpy is tucked up nicely and the rear 3” section is complete. All that is needed is 2 more resonators added into the twin 2” section after the headers and the hanger mounts exhaust etc. 

the drive shaft loop is getting crafted now too. 

Gas pedal is now bolted to the floor of the car and the throttle actuates wide open when you stomp on it. 

Im painting the exhaust tomorrow and will need a wide band sensor now as there is a port already there. 

Cheers 

 

[rivalrx]

Exhaust yet to be painted black and tidied up. 

Will see how it sounds tomorrow less the 2 additional resonators - I’d say it will have some bark. 

 

[rivalrx]

Back seat is all in and sitting pretty.

 

i do have the carpets and underlay to go in next - just awaiting the d shaft loop mounting before I do. 

Zebra parts was my hunting ground for some good black seat belts and now these are in and looking not too modern in the old interior. 

I want to mitigate as many cert/VIN issues by using new and or mint parts to help the process. 

Window squirtes are in also and oil cooler is mounted. 

Mags getting tyres this Saturday so watch this space  

Cheers 

 

 

[rivalrx]

Today the exhaust is done  

2 x 2” with 4 Adrenalin R resonators collecting into a 3” rear section with an Adrenalin R old school dumpy tip  

i just painted the lot incl the headers and all it needs is the final button up.

The welder tip flogged out 1/4 way through the drive shaft loop fab - that’s getting finished this week another night. 

 

Currently it has one side tacked on and the other ready to weld/drill to the tunnel  

So there isn’t much point messing about getting the exhaust on for now u til that’s all buttoned up. 

The drivers seat is built and rearing to go in. 

Hope this week we can start spanner  checking everything before a cheeky drive up the road. 

Cheers 

[rivalrx]

The drive shaft loop is all done awaiting final placement.

Making it was a bit tricky due to the uneven floor pan and fuel/brake lines - nevertheless it came up really nice and it’s certainly solid as a rock  

Once the drive shaft loop is in place exhaust can be bolted together and put in place once and for all. 

 

 

 

 

 

[rivalrx]

[rivalrx]

[rivalrx]

[rivalrx]

So the drive shaft loop is in with all the correct bolts etc. 

 

and.... the exhaust is all on and let me tell you, it sounds great. 

My wife even said that’s not too bad....

I take that as a win 

 

now or to spanner check and maybe a cheeky drive. 

[rivalrx]

Patina 

 

mase-Rx is me if any of you are on Snapchat  

There are a few videos of it firing up with its new exhaust  

 

 

[rivalrx]

So....something awesome happened on Saturday. 

After more than 6yrs of ownership, I finally got to drive the coupe. I don’t think it’s moved under its own power since 1989...

It’s super super super low, therefore the fronts need winding up a tad.

a tune is needed too as it is clearly running rich. The clutch and brakes worked to plan and I can feel it has a load of grunt  

It’s nice to see it in the shed facing the other way for once and even nicer reversing it in like that. 

Now to button up the leaks and squeaks then I will look to book the cert inspection in at some stage. 

 

Cheers