Ok, for years I had louvers on my rear glass hatch, but now I am considering leaving them off. I had the flush kind, and they did look nice, but I am since considering leaving them off to give it a more clean look. I don't have any pics with the louvers on, but was wondering what your opinion is? Put them back on, or leave them off?

 

My personal opinion: the louvers give the 1st gens a "dated" look; for some reason they make me think 80's, mullets and moustaches (no offense if these apply to you).

They undoubtedly help keep the car cooler on hot days; but I say leave 'em off.

 

My opinion on louvers....since my car had them back when it was new, and i am rstoring it to what it was like when I had it in the 80's i am going to put mine back on. I like the look both ways, but after 30 years, they are part of this car of mine...they have always been on it, so they will stay....and as statyed above, it does date the car, but it is an 80's car, so I have zero probs with it looking its age....

 

Not a fan but to each his own.

 

I feel louvers are like disco music, either you love it or you hate it. They are similar in a few ways as well. Disco didn't last all that long through the 70's, louvers were the same in the 80's.

 

They do have their place, associated with the history of the cars themselves. Like the clothes of the period, they were / are a styling accessory that helps define the car and the era. Luckily, they are not permenant, plus the car looks good both ways. To me, it's what ever spins the owners rotors. On for nostaliga, off for a cleaner, look.

Sometimes you change your taste over time too. I ran an air dam on my car for like 26 years. A few years ago, I decided it was time to put the original front bumper and shocks back on. Although I feel the dam is a part of the cars DNA, I doubt I'll ever put it back on. Maybe I just outgrew my boy-racer taste, but it also felt like I had a new lover.

 

I've been looking for louvers lately actually, to protect from the sun damage in the rear hatch. But I'm going to tint my car to 15% all around to keep my slick look. Up to you, it's a personal preference.

 

Dude... that's not what 'autoerotica' means...!

 

Louvers are ugly and don't belong on an rx7. It ruins the look and nice lines of the car.

Just my opinion though.

 

IMO

the first gen is a smooth almost sultry little car with her curves and lines,
anything distracting from that I personally don't favor.

but ultimately she's your car/mistress dress her up as makes "you" happy


disclaimer:
this was from a guy that has a vinyl top on his SA lol

 

If you think back to the 70s and 80s, the only cars I remember having louvers were the not so quality-built camaros, some rx-7s, and crappy Datsuns like the b210. They didn't make the car go fast. They may have kept the rear area cool, but only to a degree, no pun intended. I think they were mostly put on our cars to differentiate them from other similar-looking cars. In my humble opinion, they should come off. The weight loss is good, the ability to more easily wash the car is good, the greater visibility and therefore safety is good, less wear on rear hatch dampers is good, etc., etc., etc. I guess the only advantage is that they were "original". But how original were they? Did the dealer add them or the factory? Mine came off the minute I got the car home from where I bought it. Of course, I put a little dent/scratch in the hood trying to pry off the brackets on top of the glass. I also think about how I don't see louvers on real sports cars like most Porsches, etc. I will not hold it against you if you keep them.

 

Oh yeah, don't forget Fieros had louvers.

 

true I did have them on my 70 1/2 Camaro ... but but but it was the 80's lol

 

Don't forget, the DeLorean had Louvers.

 

works for me

 

I say keep them off. They rattle and add weight.

 

louvers do a good job of keeping the inside temperature down in the summer.....

 

2 of my 3 have louvers, the vert would too if they would fit haha.

I'd say keep em!

 

They look good on Camaro's ans Mustang's. But not 7's

 

My car came with a nice set. Traded them for a parts car. No regrets, nothing but dead weight in my opinion...




.

 

I kinda like 'em...but then again...I'm old...lol

 

My method is I dont really care what everyone else thinks. I'd stick em on there, If I like em Id leave them on, if I didnt Id take em off.

But I'm just a grumpy old man.....

 

I never was a big fan of the black louvers from back in the day.

BUT, I've always loved the Mariah Motorsports rear hatch with their side louver style, that also follows the natural curve of the roof down towards the back of the car.

So much so, that I have the only one in Australia!

Best of both worlds if ya ask me...

Before Paint:



How it is on the car:





Cam...

 

Mine used to have them, and I wish it still did...

 

I may be putting mine on this summer before show season. We'll see how I like them after actually owning some for a while.