Whizbang's Rx2

So I got wind of this car from my friend James a while back, but I finally decided to pick it up!

Its a 12/1971 Rx-2 coupe! Last time it ran, according to the owner, was about 79 or 80. I would be the third owner of the car. Now, it has been sitting outside for 34 years so the paint is beyond faded, some rust where water got in and sat (but nothing too major), and dent and dings. BUT the car is dead straight, never hit, and the doors shut perfect. Also got to sort some bits from the back half of an RX2 sitting on the site that was cut in half a long time ago. (good for a rear bumper and taillights!)

I dont recognize the wheels on the car at all either.

Game plan is to take it down, get it on a rotisserie and give it a good working over. Eyeing up some RE speed bits that can work with some left over FB stuff I have. Etc etc. We shall see. Lots of body to do in the meantime! Maybe a 3 year project.

Pics below!

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

Started swapping the FC subframe into the RX-2. all the old, worn out, garage of a suspension and steering. Made the front brackets are they are welded in. Took forever to get them right using the dial caliper so they should be as close as possible.

Need more cutting discs to clearance the rear. then i can box that and make the rear mounts.

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

Quote
Gravity Fed
some rust where water got in and sat (but nothing too major)

(that is to say, if you think that's not major rust, I'll have some of what you're smoking.)

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KF7RWG
http://www.utahrallygroup.com

Aaron may be right on this one...

Mazda was very thin tin to start with.

I wanna know what's up with the twin coils on these things...

Splain... Merci!

Matty

Quote
Mad Matt F
I wanna know what's up with the twin coils on these things...

Splain... Merci!

Matty

Two ignition systems to go along with the rotary engine that used 'Leading' and 'Trailing' ignition systems with two spark plugs per rotor.

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JohnLane

Overkill is consistently more fun

the twin coils was the early rotor design for 12a, 10a cars. basically just one ran the trailing ignition and one ran the leading ignition. later they merged it into one distributor design.

the rust is rather spotty. Underside is completely solid.

Plus, im from ohio! if you wanna talk rust!

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

Ah...

Je comprend. (I know nutting bout rotaries...)

Then I assume you could set leading independant of trailing?

Quote
Mad Matt F
Ah...

Je comprend. (I know nutting bout rotaries...)

Then I assume you could set leading independant of trailing?

correct!

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

WE3Rx7, worst case if i can fit what your using, then it would be of benefit!

the subframe is in place. Going to reinforce the mounts and strengthen the frame. Im actually quite pleased!!!

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

I had a 1971 R100 a few years ago, fun car that put the Iroc 5.7L's to shame street light to street light. It has a street ported 12A with a rejetted 4 barrel.

Now your RX2 if I owned that... here's a few words:

Peripheral Port 13B with Weber 50IDA

Edit... "a few years ago" was actually the late 80's, how time flies! :-)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/30/2013 01:07AM by RWD4ME.

actually i have an Rx8 13b-MSP engine lined for a great price. 230whp, with oem drivibility!

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

Love the car.

Come to think of it, I have never even been in a rotary powered car.... and a friend has an RX8. huh.

Typical backyard conversion...in the pics we see a ball peen hammer (must have lost the claw hammer already) , a pair of vice grips, 1/2 a shop vac and a wiring harness that is trying to escape the madness.

Cool swap. Those 2s were very light and that thing will be a menace with a new rotary in there.

Quote
MattWatson
Love the car.

Come to think of it, I have never even been in a rotary powered car.... and a friend has an RX8. huh.

Done right, power and gearing all in order---like 5.35 axle ratio, they are mind blowing AND hilarious.
They sound---and go like a big 500cc moto-cross bike and sound similar, too.

They were always let down by flimsy shells, primitive vague steering, nonexistent brakes, boxes with giant gaps----but so was almost everything else, at least these things WAILED!

Thankl you for the rides Steve Roberts where ever you are ya crazy loon!

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

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