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Aluminum or ABS Rear Window Louvers?

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Old Feb 10, 2017 | 12:08 AM
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Question Aluminum or ABS Rear Window Louvers?

Anyone have experience with the Willpack brand louvers? It gets painfully hot in my RX-7 in the summer even with tinted windows and would like to get a set of louvers.

I'm looking at Willpack's Aluminum and ABS louvers. Both are the same price but looking for opinions - especially if you've used either.

I'm leaning toward the ABS because I think it looks better and might be smaller, I think it is less likely to rattle because it is plastic and attaches with tape and not clips, but I'm concerned it won't be as durable as the aluminum. Thoughts?

ABS
https://www.carid.com/willpak/abs-re...87&url=1211149

Aluminum
https://www.carid.com/1983-mazda-rx-...120088978.html
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Old Feb 10, 2017 | 04:42 AM
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My brain said "ABS" may be more durable (aluminum will deform if poorly handled), then I SAW them on your links. Juh-HEE-zuz-ah - the ABS is dawg-ugly!!! If you want the 'original old school' looks, then the ally is the way to go for sure...IMHO

Stu Aull
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Alaska
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Old Feb 10, 2017 | 03:45 PM
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I think they both go on with 3M tape. The Aluminum look best. The ABS looks kind of cheesy.

If you don't already, you need to come to the Charlotte Cars & Coffee. Theres a few of us there
with 1st gens. Plus 8s and FDs too.
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Old Feb 10, 2017 | 04:58 PM
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Aluminum. Without question.
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Old Feb 10, 2017 | 06:13 PM
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I agree, aluminum. ABS is looks like a cheap imitation to me. Back in the day they were all aluminum.
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Old Feb 10, 2017 | 09:01 PM
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those ABS ones are hideous
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Old Feb 11, 2017 | 07:52 PM
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Yeah I'm leaning towards the aluminum. I don't care much for the texture of the abs. Just concerned that neither photo is of the louvers on an RX-7, and some of the ebay aluminum ones I have seen have super wide fugly blades. I've yet to find another manufacturer and probably should have bought the smooth ones from Black dragon before they went out of business.
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Old Feb 11, 2017 | 08:36 PM
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Aluminum for sure
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Old Feb 16, 2017 | 11:39 PM
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The ABS looks like you'd find it in use for an aircraft toilet seat.
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Old Feb 17, 2017 | 08:49 AM
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You should buy what YOU like. Its your money after all. That being said, I have to agree with everyone else here that has disagreed with your first post. I like the aluminum. Looks much sharper, cleaner and hi speed compared to the lump of plastic.
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Old Feb 17, 2017 | 09:14 AM
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I'm going to be the contrarian because I prefer the ABS. I have both aluminum and ABS and the metal is very easy to deform and once one of the slats is slightly off your eye gravitates to it immediately and its unsightly. I really prefer the ABS and you do have to look at it on your car, not some cropped catalog image. Check out mine below.



Jim
Attached Thumbnails Aluminum or ABS Rear Window Louvers?-rx7garaffitirearsmall.jpg  
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Old Feb 17, 2017 | 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by jim_chung
I'm going to be the contrarian because I prefer the ABS. I have both aluminum and ABS and the metal is very easy to deform and once one of the slats is slightly off your eye gravitates to it immediately and its unsightly. I really prefer the ABS and you do have to look at it on your car, not some cropped catalog image. Check out mine below.



Jim
This does indeed look good but one thing to keep in mind is that you also have the targa band which makes the top half of the car "bulkier"...that's the only word I can think of currently, not in a bad way...I want a targa band myself. So it sort of down plays the size of the abs slats.
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Old Feb 17, 2017 | 09:41 PM
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Where did you get the middle tail light that say rx7?
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Old Feb 17, 2017 | 11:29 PM
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Wow, your car is sharp! I had basically removed the ABS from my wish list but that really looks good on your car.

I like the more rounded edges of the ABS, the potential for more durability, and that it should be less likely to rattle with the stereo. However, the only model available anymore in ABS is textured and needs to be painted even if you want it to stay black. In the end it will cost me more. Aluminum or ABS, my dogs expensive surgery and carburator problem has put this purchase on hold a little longer. I will be sure to share pictures once I choose and get one or the other..
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Old Feb 18, 2017 | 05:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Kdo58
Where did you get the middle tail light that say rx7?

I'm afraid the taillight center piece is rare as hen's teeth. They might turn up used from time to time. Near unobtanium.
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Old Feb 19, 2017 | 07:08 AM
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Plastidip the ABS to make it look sharp.
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Old Feb 24, 2017 | 06:55 AM
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I admit, it looks 1000% better in that pic than the advertisement.
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