Phase 1: The project begins

Hi there, People. My name is Trudy and I am a 20 year old girl who just got her first car for Christmas - a 1983 12A Rotary Mazda RX-7. This car has been in our family for several years, and recently (about a year ago) decided to stop running. So, I took it upon myself to help little "Wendy O." (named for famed punk queen Wendy O. Williams)

A multitude of things need to be fixed on this car, most importantly, the fuel system needs to be replaced. After a failure in Colorado, I helped my dad to install a new fuel system that ran paralell to the factory one, out of copper tubing, held on with zip-ties and run through some elements that are bolted to the 'frame'.

After minimal tugging and wrenching, I discovered that the fuel tank was FULL of rust. So, my dad is going to weld me a new fuel cell out of stainless steel (Yay!!). For the time being, I am pulling off the old stuff (I just finished that today) and working on bending some new line out of brakeline from Checker, cleaning the origonal Nikki carb out with some carb cleaner, and firing up that 12A for the first time in a year!

Here are some pictures of a few other projects that need to be dealt with, including:

1. Fix headlight cover

2. Clean and undercoat car (Differential first...)

3. Interior carpet and upholstery

4. New fuel gauge and tach

5. Various dents/ trim / paint / marks where my dog ate my trim around the wheel well / other exterior details

6. Spark plugs

7. Wheels: sanded and clear coated

8. New rear brake drums

9. Driver's side locking/handle mechanism

10. etc.

"Wendy O."

Looks pretty good from this angle.

Interior Damage / Ripped out carpet

Engine Looks Great - That long hose was utilized in draining the fuel tank.

No fuel tank - also, one filthy differential and metal rod running behind it (no clue what that does)

One relatively clean differential, ready to be rubbed with a towel soaked in solvent and primed, then undercoated.

The 'Baking Pan" as I like to call it, more commonly known as the skid plate which houses the fuel pump and protects it from speed bumps and misc. flying road debris.

The screws / nuts that hold said baking pan and fuel pump assembly together and onto the bottom of the car. they all go through bushings and such that are part of the skid plate. There are four screws and one wierd nut and metal tube that fit over a threaded rod that protrudes from the bottom of the car. They are all 10mm, you need a box wrench.

The connector I labeled inside the car which supplies the fuel pump with power. I didn't show the hole it goes through, which is normally covered by a small access panel. Mine has become an access hole for mice.

Headlight cover damage, caused by myself around age 10.

As we can all see, there is some major stuff that needs to be taken care of. But right now, I just want wheels.

Well, hopefully I'll update sooner rather than later!