New Guy with '78 323 1300 3dr needs some advice

Dave · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:04 pm

Hi Guys,

I very recently bought my '78 323 and realised that there certainly aren't many in the UK - after some frantic googling I found this forum!

I thought I'd post some pics and also ask for a few words of advice -

Even though the car is completely Standard (inside and out!) I'm tempted to try out some tasteful alloys - but of course wheels with a PCD of 4x110 with an offset of +20 are quite hard to come by in the UK

So I was wondering if anybody had any good suggestions for rounding this problem . . .

Thanks in advance if anybodys got any suggestions!

Dave

Dave · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:05 pm

Here are the pics -

pertano · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:40 pm

No suggestions. Just a comment. Very nice car!! Love that interior.

RestoreMaz · **Posted:** Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:48 am

That looks to be in great condition....wish i could find one like that.

The engine bay has been painted black for some reason, it should be body colour.

Dave · **Posted:** Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:30 am

I was told the original owner of the car had it fully rust-proofed from birth, and whoever did it seems to have completely done the engine bay, underside of the car and all of the inside of the bodywork skins, then plugged up any possible rust traps with rubber grommits (!!)

I guess thats why I havn't found any rot ..... (yet)

B1500boy · **Posted:** Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:23 pm

Dave,

That is damn cool mate, looks like a great example, ah tartan inserts is there any cooler Mazda seats from the 70's?

We've probably got a bigger selection of wheels over here but posting alloys from Australia would knock a big hole in the budget for you!

Timbo

Dave · **Posted:** Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:13 pm

importing a set of wheels might not be such a bad idea . . .

I'll have to weigh up the costs between that and getting some custom ones made by compomotive or axis (apparantly they're making some tasty 70's Japanese Style rims nowadays)

Another thing I was going to ask was about lowering - is it really straight forward to find lowering springs in Australia?
Or do you have to substitute springs in from another car?

Sorry about all the questions - I'm pretty new to the Retro Scene and as you can guess im pretty keen! :mrgreen:

Stealth · **Posted:** Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:04 pm

you could always get hub adapters made, not really the best choice but if you got an adapter to 114.3 of even 100 you would have more wheel choices.

My plan if I had that car. Built N/A B6 motor, slammage, sick wheels, everything else how it is.

Dave · **Posted:** Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:39 pm

Stealth wrote:

you could always get hub adapters made, not really the best choice but if you got an adapter to 114.3 of even 100 you would have more wheel choices.

My plan if I had that car. Built N/A B6 motor, slammage, sick wheels, everything else how it is.

The adapters might well be an option!

To be honest, at the minute I'm hoping somethings gonna just fall into my lap and make it easy for me :mrgreen:

ben · **Posted:** Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:09 pm

Sorry, I don't know about getting wheels in the UK but that car is amazing. I echo the love for the interior. Welcome to JNC!

magnusrx7 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 19, 2009 12:16 pm

Nice car!

About the wheels.
I talked to several companies when I looked at this for my Rx7.
Most big companies said that they would customdrill a set for me, no problem.
So give them a call and ask....

// magnus

Dave · **Posted:** Sun Jul 19, 2009 2:52 pm

wow if all it takes is a phone call - I think I know what I'm going to spend tomorow doing!!

Dave · **Posted:** Sun Jul 19, 2009 3:36 pm

For those of you who love seeing a Spotless Underside . . .

mfroble · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:02 pm

dave that is sooo sweat, I wish my 77 was that clean.
these things rust like champions, very lucky to find one in that shape.

Interior is excelent, loving those seats!

As far as wheels are concerned, yeah its a bit of a drama.
You could try and find some s1/2 rx7 alloys, but they are a bit bland in my
opinion.

i would say that getting a set custom drilled would be the option.

otherwise yeah getting them from aus is an option but postage would be
a bit expensive.

what size where you looking for?

Bruce

Dave · **Posted:** Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:16 pm

I must admit the first time I had this over a pit and had a look underneath, I couldnt beleive my eyes at how lucky I have escaped the rust!

Size of wheels?

I guess Im either after some 14x6's (roughly) with a lower profile tyre
Or some 13x6s

Im wondering which will look best - Original diameter but wider wheel or just larger all-round....

Im still pondering how to successfully lower the car without making a pig's ear of it

mfroble · **Posted:** Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:29 am

Yeah I am astounded, especially the interior.

If you wanted to look for some in oz, here is probably the best place to
look: http://ausrotary.com/viewforum.php?f=48

new from performance in south australia: http://www.performancewheels.com.au/superlite.asp

otherwise rota: http://www.rotawheels.com/wheels.asp?wheelid=34
from the phillipines i think.

mine are old cheviot hotwires 13x7:
viewtopic.php?t=3560
the ones at the top of the post are cheviot turbos 13x 5.5 and they are for sale.

once again I love your 323

Dave · **Posted:** Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:53 pm

Ah they are for sale eh!?

I must admit they are exactly the kind of wheel im looking for!

Do they fit straight on?

If so what price are we talking for the set?

mfroble · **Posted:** Sun Aug 02, 2009 5:13 am

hey davo hows the 323 going?

yep wheels fit straight on i am looking for 200 aus for the set.

B

Dave · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:02 pm

Alright mate
Yer the cars going great!

Had to replace a rear wheel cylinder, but alls going excellent -

its amazing what a new set of spark plugs and a bottle of redex can do to get the mazda clearing its throat and zooming about like its 1978 again!

200aus is a good price actually -
How much do you reckon the postage is gonna be to the UK for the rims? (I'm assuming they are without tyres)

Cheers!

Dave

New Guy with '78 323 1300 3dr needs some advice

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