Episode 121. A New Hope

[reddragon]

I have just rescued a 1988 Mazda 121 from a slow, lonely death south of Brisbane, Australia. As seen here on google Earth -

121da.jpg

Located the owner, had a chat and gave him a deposit this evening. Will organise for it to be towed to my place in the next day or two.

Body is very straight, the paint is a bit flaky in parts, but I couldn't find any rust on her. B3 Motor doesn't start, he thinks it's a blown head gasket. Otherwise it's meant to be pretty good mechanically.

Will post some more pics when I get her home. My plans are for a full rebuild over the next 12 months or so - strip her right back, remove as much paint as required for a solid base, panel work if/where needed, new paint. Then motor swap, upgrade brakes/suspension etc. Lots of options to choose from it seems

[TominMO]

Well done sir! :-)

[Eaglefreek]

Are you saying you located the car via Google Earth and then tracked down the owner? If so, that's epic.

[reddragon]

Yeah. It's a sort of semi rural area that has been slowly developed. Drove through there a few days ago and noticed a couple of areas where old/wrecked/abandoned cars seemed to be gathering. Too far from the road to see what anything is, and it's not really a good area to explore unless you are a local. Have been checking it out on google earth, and the amount of cars scattered through the area is ridiculous. You cant really identify much from above, so was cruising around using street view trying to spot things. Saw a car within range, centred it on screen zoom zoom zoom and a few seconds later the mazda was in focus.

Here's an example of what you catch glimpses of, but cant get close enough to. This is about 2km away from the Mazda
carssss.jpg

The owner of the Mazda lives in the closest house to where it was. There was some signage for a business outside of the house - basically advertising his phone number!

[Eaglefreek]

That's pretty awesome.

Too far from the road to see what anything is, and it's not really a good area to explore unless you are a local.

Sounds like some places in Tennessee, especially when you have a "Yankee" accent like me.

[nonamekid]

is that a 121 shades? It looks like it based on the sticker on the rear window.

[reddragon]

^ Correct. Those shades stickers will be removed asap

[dliverance]

Other than the sticker, what was different about the shades? Cool find btw.

[reddragon]

[reddragon]

After finding the shades, online search of comparable options threw me this curveball. Could have picked it up for $300 on Monday as no one had placed a bid. I watched the final seconds tick away, trying to decide. The problem is, it's about 1000km away. The best quote I could find for having it towed that distance was $531. Probably still could get it on this listing, as it's been advertised in the wrong section again (pocket bikes lol)

Half of me wishes I had bought it, the other half thinks I'll probably appreciate the Shades more.

I'm still kind of thinking.... "why cant we have both".

[reddragon]

Meet and greet



Has anyone done a lawnmowing mod yet?

[dliverance]

Very nice!

[moz]

Hahah wow!!! What a story!!!!

Found the car on google earth!

Hats off to you mate

[lenlen91]

Nice find, What are your plans for it? Engine swap?

[reddragon]

Purchased a Capri turbo as a donor car, drove it home this evening. Engine/gearbox removed from 121, engine bay has been stripped of everything except paint. Bonnet, guards, bumper etc have all been removed. Prepping engine bay for new paint over the weekend. Will try and remember to take some pics!