The Topless California

From 1979 to 1985, an obvious question was answered by Al Dooley when, as Pacific Avatar, he converted the first generation of RX-7 into convertibles. He had been working as a sales manager at a Mazda dealership, and one look at the new RX-7 in 1978 told him that a convertible would be a natural for the RX-7's clean shape and simple lines. Alter jigging and strengthening the body with framing under the floor pan, inside, and in the windshield posts, custom convertible tops were installed, Interestingly, the trunk lid of the 626 was found to be an almost ideal fit and had to be modified only slightly to be used on the conversions. Although a few convertibles were sold with standard mechanical equipment, most also had turbocharged engines, modified suspensions and brakes, and custom wheels and wider tires.

A series of wide-body convertibles, with front tenders and rear quarter panels flared, were constructed following the appearance of a special for a magazine, including one Twin Turbocharged RX-7 that was reportedly, and undoubtedly, a Porsche Carrera eater. The conversion also got extra publicity when one appeared in the low budget film, "Smokey Bites the Dust."

Several prototype convertibles on the 2nd generation RX-7 were built, though the project terminated when Dooley learned of Mazda's plan to produce a convertible of its own. First-generation cars were converted as late as 1988 with the last going to a doctor in Baltimore, Maryland. Although many were sold in California, Florida was the biggest market for Pacific Avatar's convertible RX-7s. In all, Dooley reports that 126 conversions were performed. The cars were numbered sequentially with a data plate installed under the hood.

1982 MAZDA RX-7 PACIFIC ADVATAR WIDEBODY CONVERTIBLE . LIMITED PRODUCTION CAR . THIS CAR IS FULLY LOADED MINES A FEW OPIONS BECAUSE OF ITS NOW A CONVERTIBLE . IT HAS 7800 ORIGANAL MILES ON IT . IM TAKEN OFFERS ON THIS CAR . THE CAR NEEDS A FEW THINGS TO BE MINT BUT IS A AWSOME CAR TO HAVE . NEEDS A NEW TOP DO TO FADE AND DRY ROTTED WINDOWS . IM GOING TO FIX EVERYTHING BUT THEN THE VALUE WILL GO UP . SO GET IT BEFORE I FIX IT AND HAVE A NICE SUMMER RIDE  . BE RESONABLE CAUSE THIS CAR IS WORTH SOME MONEY !