Series 3 stereo/EQ/joystick and fascia

[ian65]

Ps i guess that nevertheless makes my prospects of finding one in the UK or mainland Europe even more remote, so thank you again

Have you tried Tim at RXMotors in the UK? He's probably got the largest stock of used spares in the UK accumulated over many years... maybe he's got one lying about.... worth asking.

[myatt1972]

Ian, I had a gold S2 in the 90s with a Joystick that controlled the speakers, a graphic equallizer & a R/C Head Unit, I think it was Clarion

So did I, it also had a four channel amplifier underneath the dash which I still have

[KYPREO]

Really interesting info guys. I appreciate the input. I went back over my pic collection and couldn't find the brochure i was thinking of, but i had seen that UK one before so i probably got confused with Japanese brochures. The "ETR" headunit,EQ and fader combo is pictured in 2 JDM brochures, see below:

FB_IMG_1483523702908.jpg (51.73 KiB) Viewed 1842 times

FB_IMG_1483523751869.jpg (59.5 KiB) Viewed 1842 times

This was the top of the line stereo option in Japan for series 3 turbo and 6 port flagship SE Limited models. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it as inferior to single DIN headunits. It was really capable and delivered excellent sound. 4x25 W delivered via twin amps mounted near the taillights. The source was delivered to amps via the EQ and fader using DIN cables. Pretty sure it is superior to the E950 in terms of power output. This would also be consistent with how European cars were equipped generally.

In Australia we got all the "luxury" features of the SE Limited standard (other than the 12A turbo and LSD): cruise control, leather wrapped steering wheel, adjustable lumbar support, headlight washers (UK got that too though, everywhere else didn't), illuminated drivers lock and the premium sound system.

[MelloYello]

Nice bit of info there.

[Hobbawobba]

That is quite interesting aye. Mazda had such a mashup of parts/options for different markets with these cars aye

[KYPREO]

Absolutely. There are lots of small and in some cases inexplicable differences between the various RHD versions. Australia actually had 3 models for the series 3: Sport (basic, no electric windows etc, steel wheels), Deluxe & Limited. But almost all Australian series 3s were Limiteds. There was also a limited edition "Finale", which was basically a Limited with special decals and a numbered badge.

The UK ones got the JDM square mirrors where AUS got the US style.
UK got the smaller round indicators on the front guards (or wings as you guys call them ) next to the RX-7 badge which actually look very similar FC ones (could be the same in fact), whereas Australia got rectangular indicator lenses embedded into the side moulding in front of the front wheels.
UK got rear fog lamp just like Japan did - Australia didn't. I suppose this makes sense from a climate perspective.
UK and Australia both got the licence plate between the taillights with a straight rear bumper, whereas Japan and the rest of the RHD world got the black garnish with number plate embedded in the rear bumper.
Every UK series 3 I've seen has the "off black" cloth interior (which is what Mazda calls the grey/charcoal colour scheme). Australia got red and brown as well (same as the US). But inexplicably, UK inner door handles are black, whereas Australia and US are chrome plated. Weird!
UK and Australia (in the "Limited" model) got front headlight washers, as did the top spec SE-Limited in Japan, but the Japanese GT etc as well as North America didn't get them.
Australia - cruise standard, UK, no cruise
UK has aerial switch in the centre console. In that spot, Aus-spec has the cruise control switch and the aerial was automatically powered by the radio.
UK model is 10kg lighter too, which is probably due to no aircon which was standard in Australia (again, makes sense due to climate)?

Also, UK did get lumbar support in the driver's seat like Australia.

I realise I'm way off topic, but it's my wanted thread and I thought you might find it interesting. One day I'll get round to scanning my Australian brochure collection.

[ian65]

it is interesting, keep posting
UK series 3's also had the brown interiors ( only on green cars I think) and the wine red colour ( which only came in white & silver cars). Neither of those colours have aged well, they both look very dated now... Mazda did some weird colour combinations even by 70's / 80's standards.
I changed the interior in my silver S3 from wine red to black/grey which gave the car a more contemporary look.

[KYPREO]

Ah, great, I'm learning something! I agree the grey is best. It's most sought after colour here. I personally don't mind the brown now. The wine colour when new was fantastic in combination with silver and 2-tone silver/charcoal cars, but there must have been something wrong with the dyes Mazda used because over time some sections stayed red, others faded to brown and others the red just rubs off. A lot of US cars came with the wine colour and they look bizarre.

[ian65]

when I bought my white series 3 back in the 80's I really liked the wine coloured velour interior... then again I also liked Espadrilles, linen trousers and a wedge haircut

[JPowrie]

Great info guys, a lot of it I knew and some I didn't.
So is the uk series 2 rx7 have the same stereo you are after KYPREO?
I am after one for my Aus series 3 also, I have the joystick and equaliser but not the stereo