Mazda RX7 1979 models
I had one of the first 79 RX 7's to hit Boston back then. It was a base model.
There was an upgrade model. Was it a GS. Was the base model an S model
or simply an RX7?? Met a typical genius at an event who said there were 3
or 4 models. NOT!! Not much of a difference I remember. i didn't have the
side body black molding. The upgrade model did. I simply bought the
molding from parts and stuck it on. Please advise
3 Answers
From the documents I found, for the first series of Generation 1 RX7's from 1979 to 1980 , the GS was the base model trim, and a limited edition trim was released for a short run called the LS in 1980. Series 2 in 1981 to 1983 saw the GSL, Series 3 in 1984 to 1985 there was a GSL SE. So he was right if you were talking about the first generation RX7, but you were right if you were talking what series in that generation.
For 1979 there were two models; the S and GS. The easiest way to tell them apart is the S model had a 4-speed manual, and the GS had a 5-speed. There are other differences such as alloy wheels (std. on GS, optional on S), and interior features, but the transmission is the dead giveaway. There was also a 10th Anniversary Edition in 1979 that had special interior features and paint. 1980 models were very similar with the S and GS versions; the dead giveaway for a 1980 vs. a 1979 is the addition of two rubber blocks below the black rear bumper strip. There was also a Leather Sport (LS) edition for 1980; these cars came in black, white, and Solar Gold, had Solar Gold colored alloy wheels, and had a leather-trimmed interior along with an LS badge on the B-pillar.
