https://www.applecs.net/cgi-bin/list/collection.cgi?act=popup&id=t0074&skin=TYPE3
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You’re probably basing your view on this:
Won’t have aircon as well, according to that.
I have a horrible feeling that I’ve bought an RS ’touring’
(apologise for the 73 RS reference, I am two gins down after a bloody long week!)
My car had the typical (read cruddy) stereo fitted (non-OEM), which the previous owner removed. It is currently tune-less, which given the exhaust note, I actually don’t mind; however, that doesn’t shed light on the original spec.
With that said, the door tops are tweeterless; therefore, unless someone has swapped them out, mine would seem to be an RS Lightweight out of the factory.
(tongue firmly in cheek regarding the last sentence)
Mate, I think the eBay link is just a mock up in order to put a picture up on the forum. I don’t think the seller is expecting to get a grand for them.
I know Saz is the forum expert, butI’m pretty sure that these are off a S-Special type one. They had a sensory sound system fitted, hence the tweeters. I’ve got an S-Special type two, and it has the tweeters too, but not the pockets.
If you have an RS and want the exact same door cards, then I’m not sure if any other models had the same cards.
Tweeters were fitted to cars with the MSSS, OR any Eunos Roadster not fitted with headrest speakers (eg. J-Limited 2, G-Limited, RS-Limited).
Easy way to check if the car originally had Tweeters; take off the door card, and check for the small connecting block or snipped wires.
If its a 94/95, with power mirrors, and paint code M8, its a RS. Same door cars on 94 S-Specials, J-Limited 2s, G-Limiteds
However, out there, there is lurking a dodgy RS. It came over from Japan, with standard seats, in M8, with some aftermarket Enkei wheels. What was dodgy was the firewall screwed on VIN plate indicated a silver car, and the stamped chassis number behind the engine had been overstamped with a new number, not of the Mazda format. Sold by an extremely suspect looking car yard (couldn’t call it a dealership) in Birmingham.
I’ve since been told the overstamping would have been done in Japan, to signify a written off car that should have gone for recycling…
The “S-Special I” and “S-Special II” signify a later model, introduced in late 1995, as part of the so-called Phase 2 NA8C. S-Special I had 14" BBS, and Type II had 15" BBS, that’s the only difference (later 1997 Type Is didn’t even have 14" BBS). These cars dropped the pocket, reverted back to the long door grip, had manual mirrors, thin carpet. Mechanically, they has the lightened flywheel out of the RS, same 4.300 final gearing as the RS, but has a Torsen T2 not the T1. Engine had slightly higher compression, and a little more power, but nothing noticeable. No Nardi kit, featured a modern looking Momo wheel of a similar type fitted to some Imprezas. Mazda didn’t bother with the polished pedal covers.
A fair few cars imported needed some, er, trim repairs. A certain Midlands MX5 dealer kept Mazda happy with the number of replacement trim parts he was ordering to upgrade scruffy looking fresh imports. RS-Limited always sold more retail in Japan than other models. So, there are reasons why top spec cars slipped through the net onto some Gaijin.
RS-Limited brochure at:
Definitely paint code M8 and the rest of the VIN dates it correctly.
I’m not concerned about the provenance and it is very tidy.
Thank you for the brochure link - that is great to see. Based on that, I now assume the door tops are original and I shouldn’t have tweeters; however, I will take off the panels, just to confirm!