There's a fairly clean '79 GLC on CL right now... What can you guys tell me about these things? Looks to be rwd, with a 1.4l engine... What's the suspension like? I assume leaf rear, mcp's up front? Any good parts interchange?Are these like a mazda version of a starlet, or do these have zero performance potential?
I saw one with a rotary swap a few years back. This isn't it, but it's still a cool photo:
Not a leaf spring rear; I think it's a four link solid axle, just like the early RX-7.
If any car were begging for a Miata swap, this is it.
Yeah, it's a 4 link/coils setup in the rear. Mazda built GLC's off of a modified 808 platform which was derived from the RX2 etc so a lot of stuff interchanges. 808 coupe:
I used an RX2 rear axle housing for the Jensenator to make it simpler to build a rear axle, but some research showed a GLC axle would have worked as well. The biggest difference between 1st gen RX7 and GLC etc is the RX7 had a roughly 4" wider track.
It also makes rotaries an easy swap, along with being able to use a lot of 1st gen RX7 hopup goodies (clutch type limited slip, faster steering box from a GSL-SE, stuff like that).
They are a Great Little Car.
A GLC was my first car. I beat the snot out of it. Haven't seen one in the flesh in decades.
Woody wrote: I saw one with a rotary swap a few years back. This isn't it, but it's still a cool photo:
berkeley! 
I must have that!
Same here. In HS I had a '78 GLC. it was a 1.3 not a 1.4. Not very exciting by a long shot, but it was pretty durable. I did...um...terrible things to that car...including getting it airborne Duke's of Hazard Style! My dad was not pleased! And of course it was bright yellow, getting the nickname "Lemon" at school.
I really don't miss it at all. I sold it to a friend of mine, and the last I saw of it (early '90's) it had over 400k miles on it and was still going strong.
racerdave600 wrote: I did...um...terrible things to that car...including getting it airborne Duke's of Hazard Style! My dad was not pleased! And of course it was bright yellow, getting the nickname "Lemon" at school.
I too played a little duke boys with mine. I used to like to play rally driver on gravel roads.
Mine was a faded black color. It was known as the Mazda-rati. (cue Joe Walsh: "My Mazda-rati goes 85, I lost my license and now I don't drive")
The GLC is the first car I remember riding in. My mom bought it new in 79 or 80. It's now buried in a junk hole with a bunch of farm junk. Sad. I've looked for one every once in a while but never find one locally.
mmmmmm, three speed auto.
pinchvalve wrote: mmmmmm, three speed auto.
One I'm looking at is not only stick-shift, but has the optional 5-speed.
What's the lug pattern on these things? Will Miata wheels work?
It's only $600... but I know me. $600 turns into $2k real quick as I start getting into it and replacing all the little things wrong with it... and $2k could do some interesting things in my foxbody or Bronco.
I guess I'm just jonesing for some old Japanese tin since letting go of my RA29.
I am 99.9% sure the bolt pattern on the GLC is the lame 4X110mm used on the RX-7(except GSL-SE in 84-85).
Woody wrote:
It's efficient, AND it's efficient!
Way back in the day, there was a GLC in the GRM family.
Hrm... looks more like I won't be getting this, so here's the link in case this thread has piqued anyone's interest (not mine): CL - '79 GLC
In reply to Jensenman:
What you pictured there was an RX-3, not an RX-2. This is an RX-2; in fact, my former ITA car:
fixed
In reply to Jensenman:
Is it me or does anyone else become aroused by early RX cars?
A 60° 2.8L GM V6 did not really fit well, no matter how much I cut.
Moparman wrote: In reply to Jensenman: Is it me or does anyone else become aroused by early RX cars?
Yes. Highly.
I heart RX2's and 3's. 
I made a goof; 808's and RX3's were real close. They shared a lot of sheet metal but the drive train was completely different (duh).
808 from 'The Price is Right'. 
RX3 nose shot, best I could find:
The main difference is the grille emblem.
The RX2's nose was different, but everything behind it looked very similar to the RX3 and 808.
RX2:
RX3, and man do I like this one:
There was also the Mizer, which was an 808 coupe tweaked for better gas mileage. GLC's were everywhere back in the early '80's but they were kinda 'throwaway' cars, they were cheap to buy and run so after the snot was beat out of them they generally went to the boneyard pretty quickly. That's why they are so rare now.
Someone mentioned a Miata swap, oh yes. 
I heart RX-3's as well. Too bad I didn't get to enjoy mine.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/4487/
You are not alone in your lust for early RX cars.
I'd love an early (RX2/3/4) rotorcar.
As far as taking the original 323 on track, replace the balljoints. Especially if it's your buddy's "homebuilt".
Part failure running through 3B at Charlotte. At least it failed down in the infield instead of up on the banking..I walked away.
It was known as the Mazda-rati. (cue Joe Walsh: "My Mazda-rati goes 85, I lost my license and now I don't drive")
groan
Now I'm never gonna hear that song again without thinking of this.
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