1980 (SA)
By Manntis April 23, 2003
Known as an ‘SA’ type due to its VIN, the 1980 model, like the 1979 SA, had exposed steel bumpers and a high-mounted license plate located in an indented part of the rear of the car famously criticized by Werner Buhrer of Road & Track magazine as a “Baroque depression.” This model (P642) had a few changes that make it distinct from the 1979, including the Joan Claybrook Memorial 85mph speedometer, which was installed per federal regulation (replacing the original 130mph unit).
Electronic ignition was added in 1980 as well, eliminating once and for all the hassle of points, condensers, and dwell meters. Save the timing light, however, as the electronic distributor should have its advance checked (although once set is much less likely to change than the old contact point distributor).
The only external way to identify the 1980 RX-7 from the 1979 was the presence on the later cars of two rubber nubs on rear bumper’s rub strip. Strangely, Mazda designers eliminated these in the 1981 restyle. On the inside, the 1980 RX-7 is distinguished from the 1979 by only the 85mph speedometer.
The LS model began in 1980 as the “Leather Sport” (and became the GSL in 1981). The “LS” featured a leather wrapped interior, including “competition style” seats as used on the Anniversary RX-7, the steering wheel, and gearshift knob. Leather Sport RX-7s also included a sunroof, “gold” aluminum alloy wheels, a four-speaker AM/FM multiplex radio, the remote control mirrors, raised white letter 185/70HR-13 steel-belted radials, and a special “LS” medallion. Only three colors were available: Solar Gold, Brilliant Black, and Aurora White. In Canada, this was known as the GX.
Mazda celebrated its 10 years on the US market with special anniversary editions of the RX-7, as well as the 626 and GLC. Availability was to be limited to 8,000 cars nationwide (though exact mix among models was not specified), and all three models were outfitted in the same livery: a new color, Mazda Renaissance Red (for Mazda’s “rebirth” in the US, thanks to the GLC, 626, and RX-7), pinstriping, and a medallion with the Roman numeral “X”. The Anniversary RX-7 was based on the “GS sunroof” model and included specific upholstery on new “competition style” seats, a 4-speaker AM/EM sound system, inside remote controls for the dual outside rearview mirrors, and the otherwise optional aluminum alloy wheels.
- upgraded interior materials
- full vinyl upholstery option
- lengthened the radio antenna by 8 inches
- an improved sunroof mechanism
- 85mph speedometer
- electrical ignition system
- rubber below rear bumperstrip
In Japan and Australia the RX-7 was available as a 2+2, but in North America where rear-impact protection standards were higher the rear seats were deleted to make room for additional body bracing. North American markets received a lean-burning version of the 12A, whereas European and Japanese RX-7 owners have a slightly different engine.
| General Data | |
| 1980 Production: Cumulative: |
56,317 (-21.4%) 200,626 |
| Models: | S GS LS |
| Engine: | 12A (1146 CC displacement) rotary 2 stage 4 barrel carburetor normally aspirated 100 bhp SAE net @ 6000 rpm 105 lb-ft torque @ 4000 rpm 9.4:1 compression ratio 17 mpg city/28 mpg highway (5 speed) |
| Transmission: | 1st 3.674:1 2nd 2.217:1 3rd 1.432:1 4th 1.000:1 5th (GS) 0.825:1 Reverse 3.542:1 Final Drive 3.909:1 |
| Brakes: | 226mm (8.9 in) Disc front 200 x 33mm (7.9 x 1.3 in) Drum rear Vacuum assist front-rear hydraulic split |
| Suspension: | Macpherson strut front w. 23 mm (0.91 in) anti-roll bar Watt linkage live axle rear w. 18 mm (0.71 in) anti-roll bar (GS only) |
| Steering: | Recirculating ball type 38mm (1.5 in) offset 33mm shaft diameter 15 degree distortion @ 7.2 lbs-ft torque variable overall ratio 17-20:1 3.7 turns (lock to lock) 31.5 ft turning circle |
| Wheelbase: | 2420mm (95.3 in) |
| Wheels: | 13″ alloy 110 mm bolt pattern |
| Track: | 1420/1400 mm (55.9/55.1 in) front/rear |
| Body: | Unibody (monocoque) 6780 lb-ft torsional rigidity .36 Cd 4285mm (168.7 in)long 1650mm (65.0 in) wide |
| Vehicle Weight: | S (4 speed) 1065kg (2348 lbs) GS (5 speed) 1080kg (2381 lbs) GS (auto) 1097kg (2420 lbs) GS (auto) 1093 kg (2410 lbs) (Calif) |
| Acceleration | 0-30 mph 2.8 sec 0-40 mph 4.3 sec 0-50 mph 6.3 sec 0-60 mph 8.7 sec 0-80 mph 16 sec |
Submitted on April 23, 2003 in Tech & Specs.
D'Arcy (aka 'manntis') has owned several RX-7s over the years, including a 1985 GSL-SE that had once been the daily driver of Pamela Anderson. Named 'Pam' after its former owner, that car met an untimely death outside of Roger's Pass in the Canadian Rockies when the highway turned and, thanks to rain, the car didn't. D'Arcy started Rotorhead as a labour of love in 2002, tired of trying to find information on 1st gen RX-7s scattered throughout the internet.
Manntis has contributed 31 articles to Rotorhead.
