Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Rare Five Letter Car: 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE

If you’re going hunting for an FB-chassis Mazda RX7, there are a few key letters to consider when beginning your search. First of all, there’s the Series 3 versus the Series 2. There’s also the earliest version known as the SA22C, which is the iconic model that introduced the rotary engine to the masses. And perhaps the one to be most familiar with is the Series 3 GSL-SE, which is what our subject car here is today. This model featured a larger, more powerful fuel-injected 13B engine, limited-slip differential, larger disc brakes, and luxury appointments like leather seating surfaces. If you’re hunting for one, this is the FB model to get, and the seller’s car benefits from a recent engine and transmission rebuild. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace for $12,000.

The RX7 appears to be in excellent cosmetic condition, with nicely presented bodywork that could be wearing original paint given the badges and side moulding are accounted for. It rides on the correct OEM Wheels and aside from what looks like an aftermarket muffler (that could just be a stock unit with polished tips), this RX7 is in excellent condition. While every vintage Japanese car can rust away without too much effort, I feel like the RX7 has held up surprisingly well even when found in a neglected that, and that even includes some of the junkyard finds I’ve discovered up here in the northeast. That being said, buying one out of Nevada like this car is probably the safer bet.

With a gorgeous maroon leather interior and matching door panels and carpeting, the interior color scheme is one you’ll have to love to enjoy getting inside every day. That said, white over maroon is a handsome combination, and the leather seating and door panel inserts both look to be in great shape. The RX7 also retains all of its factory audio controls with an upgraded OEM headunit and equalizer as part of the GSL-SE package, I believe. This so-called five-letter car also benefits from firmer suspension components, so with some extra horsepower, upgraded suspension and brakes, and a limited-slip differential, you’re looking at a very tidy package indeed.

As much as I love older vehicles, I can officially admit I’d much rather own fuel-injected versions of those cars. The European-market BMW E21 3-Series was the last carbureted car I owned, and I don’t see myself going back any time soon, especially given most of what I drag home hasn’t been running in years and fuel injection just makes the revival process so much easier. Regardless, this RX7 shouldn’t have any issues firing up in the cold weather given its FI and benefits from a recent engine rebuild. Mileage is on the higher side at 182K but the body certainly doesn’t seem to look like that of a higher mileage car, and if the rebuild was done right, that alone should alleviate many of the concerns that come with owning a niche vehicle in the higher reaches of an odometer reading.

Comments

  1. Avatar alphasud Member

    Looks like a really nice car and given the strong market for the early RX-7 it will probably get snatched up pretty quick. With all those letters I’m sure the public was just as confused as I am. Great marketing. More letters make it more special.

    Like 11
  2. Avatar Carlos Cummins

    $12,000 is the actual price?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Poppy

      Yeah, seems like a deal. It does have 182K miles on it, though.

      Like 1
  3. Avatar Eric_13cars Member

    I have its sister…1984 GSL (leather interior, 2 roofs: hard and moon, chrome wheel well trim) with 186K miles. I did replace the engine at 158K (but later found that I didn’t need to do so). I’ve done some carburetor mods that opened up the 4 barrel based on some recs from knowledgeable guys on the RX7 forum and gives it real pop. I’ve always wanted the GSL-SE for the larger FI engine, and the 1985 would be the best choice given that it’s the last year for the Series 1 cars. There were 3 versions of the Series 1 as I understand it. 1979 stands alone. 80-83 and 84-85 (so you could call the instance car Series 1.3). Series 2 ran from 86-90 and Series 3 was 91-93 (I believe).

    Like 6
    • Avatar JMB#7

      I am not the ultimate authority, and part of this depends on which country. Series 1 SA22C is 78 to 80, series 2 FB is 81 to 83, series 3 FB is 84 & 85. The FC was 86 to 91. The FD was 92 to 2002 (depending on country).

      Like 1
  4. Avatar Duff

    Noting the propensity of rotary engines to have problems with the seals, and this car having 182k miles… you got to wonder… how many times has this engine been rebuilt? Or is this even the original engine?

    Like 1
    • Avatar JMB#7

      Please tell us what seals you are referring to? I do support “Save the Seals”. In 38 years and 130k miles, the only seal I have had an issue with is the coolant o-ring on the intake gasket. 150k miles is a typical life for apex seals. I have seen them exceed 300k miles.

      Like 6
  5. Avatar Raymond L Saunders

    And series 3 is when they all realized its all a dream and woke up

    Like 0
  6. Avatar JMB#7

    The ’85 is the one to have. Seems like a fair price if the rebuild was done right. My only concern is that sure looks like a repaint, yet they don’t mention that. If I lived closer I’d check it out. For now, I will stick with my ’82.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar jwaltb

    The interior color is ghastly, IMO.
    The wife had an ‘84 GSL-SE when we met. Cool car, except it didn’t like starting up in wet weather if it had been sitting. Never did figure that out-

    Like 1
    • Avatar Mike

      I have to agree. The maroon with chocolate brown accents is off putting to me. I’ll take a black interior.

      Like 2
  8. Avatar jwaltb

    The interior color is ghastly, IMO.
    The wife had an ‘84 GSL-SE when we met. Cool car, except it didn’t like starting up in wet weather if it had been sitting. Never did figure that out-

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Randy Farabee

    Everyone is leaving out the obvious…will not pass emissions..

    Like 1
    • Avatar Brad460 Member

      Got to love my state. As long as it will start and run it can be licensed. Come to think of it we dont even have to prove a car runs.

      And our air is still clean!

      Like 1
    • Avatar tiger66

      Why not? The FI cars don’t usually have a problem passing emissions if the factory smog gear is in place and nothing in the ad indicates it’s been removed. It’s the carbureted RX7s that have trouble passing emissions.

      Like 2
  10. Avatar Stan

    Would be a fun and rare contender at any autocross event, especially w the optional ltd slip. rearend. Cool car. Race it.

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Dave

    what do you mean about FB model?

    Like 0
    • Avatar JMB#7

      Google the details, but there are three main generations of RX7. FB is the first. FD is the second. FC is the third. The 1985 was the last of the FB

      Like 1
      • Avatar JMB#7

        Oops. FB, then FC, finally FD. I sure fat fingered that one

        Like 1
  12. Avatar Justin Pelletier

    I had a 78 and a 80 in High School and what great fun these cars were. My kid sister absolutely hated riding to school with me. There wasn’t a day that car wasn’t entering the school parking lot sideways with Pantera blaring in the speakers and smoke rolling out the windows. Before the key was in the off position my sister was escaping and telling me how much she loved me with one hand signal we called the Maine wave in Maine. Thought I was a coolest dude and my sister was the “preppy square” I recall one night after Football practice I was in the shower and I could see blue lights flashing in the Locker room so I grabbed a towel and poked my head out to investigate and there’s my Rx7 parked in front of the locker room where the local cop trapped him from escaping. My buddy got outta the showers prior to me and snatched my keys walked out to my car jumped in and decided to pull 5-6 donuts in the school parking lot oblivious to the cop sitting in his cruiser next to my car and if I recall he was waiting for the daily driver of that car……..Glory Days

    Like 1
    • Avatar JMB#7

      The FB RX7 invited this kind of behavior. Between the free reving rotary, low center of gravity, and 50/50 weight distribution. It was about as close to a moderately priced off the shelf race car as you could find at the time. Despite many of them being driven this way, they survived the abuse amazingly well.

      Like 2
  13. Avatar Paul

    Is this available

    Like 0

Leave A Comment

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.