Hello,
I'm new to the first gen section (I frequent the 2nd gen section). Could you guys tell me if the first gen came with back seats as an option? maybe only in the jdm version or a dealer option??

 

I have heard of JDM and aftermarket. I do not know about Dealer or North America market.

hope that helps some

 

There were no proper "back seats" for first-generation RX-7s. The optional "back seats" for first-gens are actually only big enough for babies, so they should properly be called Baby Seats. They are quite rare.. you'll see them on eBay once in a while for $200 or so.

When we had our baby girl, we used one for a while.. they're okay for babies, but that's all.

 

That sounds like the non-US models

For what it's worth, '78-80 (SA22C) US-spec models cannot have rear seats from a non-US car installed. They have some rather large bracing behind the two front seats that were not used in non-US models. They're right in the way of where the '81-up rear storage bins are, so you can't retrofit the SA's to have storage bins either. For the '81-85 models (FB3S) Mazda determined that the extra bracing was not required to meet US safety regs, so they were deleted. Mazda never gave the US rear seats (tho I heard some Canadian models did get them) but the brackets for the seats and the belts are there buried under the bins, so it should be a bolt-in.

I think rear seats would be neat. Sort of like an upholstered package shelf, instead of having to flip the front seatbacks forward to get into the bins, or put things on the rear deck where they get tossed around and smack you in the back of the head when you drive "sportingly" and forget about the junk back there

- PJ (one time at the track my 1gal jerrycan dislodged from its storage place opposite the jack and thumped me in the head... that'll wake you up!)

 

This was a dealership option in California, in 1985. So it was available all along the western US, and probably all the US, at that time.

 

Hi.

My car is ex-Japan. Here are some pictures of the back seat in it. Notice that the seat is so close to the seats in front that it is either uncomfortable, or useless (depending on the size of the passenger). Personally, I would rather have the storage bins.

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/~jamesmcl/seat1.jpg

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/~jamesmcl/seat2.jpg

Bye,
ScruffyChimp

 

I got storage bins in my SA. It did have the bracing, but theres a lot of cutting to do on the storage bin, not the brace Never the brace

It was a pain in the ***, but I though man thats an aweful waste of space w/o something there...

 

In my 79 sa I put in backseats. Took out the panels and cut out the braces, then got 89/90 nissan 240sx seats and they slip right in Little to no foot room but its also like that in the 240sx. LATERZ,
Andrew

 

I didnt wanna go screwing with the structual intergity of the vehicle by cutting out braces for some mere storage compartments or backseat I couldn't use. But I noticed after that I got my 85, they didnt have it. Is this one of those things mazda determined they really didnt need later on, or is there additional bracing elsewhere in the chassis?

Ive had the entire rear of both cars apart and I dont see any difference... So I dont really know, maybe cutting them is ok anywaysz...

 

damn it damn it damn it,i threw mine away s.o.b.

 

Thanks for the answers boys. I believe that they were available in Canada too.

 

 

I don't know what Mazda was thinking with these rear seats! It they are not going to hold anyone other then 2-3years old, don't even have that seat there. Drive the station wagan if you haul more then one passanger! I have them on my '88SE and have to say its a total waste. I want to remove them and install the storage bins so I can keep my quart of oil, mini aircompressor, fire extengusher, and maybe a CD changer. I heard of people doing this conversion and works fine. However, it can be difficult to find a junkyard car with the blue interior mine has and isn't faded much and in good shape. The only thing I like about that rear seat is its good to place groseries back there or things you want to get while your driving.

 

Rear seats came as an option mainly for Japan and Europe,you could get them in North America special order. The main reason for it overseas was tax laws, a four seat car was a family car a two seat car was viewed as a luxury car and taxed at a higher rate.Nobody said that a person really had to fit in the back seats,they just had to be there.STRANGE STUFF,BUT TRUE!

 

Yeah I have heard that 2 seater sport cars are frowned upon in Japan. Since the island nation is bursting at the seams with people, 2 seaters supposedly are taxed higher for taking up more space than a 4 seater.

 

In Australia we had back seats. Yeah they are small but I get people in them (depending on how badly they want a lift!). I find that three people in the car (passenger seat futher forward) is O.K but four is way to crowded.

 

Damn peejay, maybe mike needs to learn to read. Sorry dude.... So I could have cut them out

 

I'll trade you for my perfect blue storage bins and hatch carpet out of my TII straight out.

 

Sup everybody.
I found a back seat oout of an 83 yesterday, shocked the hell out of me. i Never knew that first gens came with backseats. Well they are red and a little tore up. I think i will get them anyways. Unless someone else wants them. I am buying my first, first gen in a couple weeks, **** should be cool. anyways later Matt22

 

I kinda like the back seat idea,,if it were to be able to fold down, flat
and the idea of a cargo cover to would be rather different idea. i've
seen a 1st gen cargo cover somewhere ????

 

It does fold down flat. When the seat is down, the interior volume is pretty much the same as a storage bin equipped car (minus the bins of course).

 

Here in sweden all cars had the "rear seat" but as many had pointed out it's mainly for people under 5 years...
If you want a rear seat I'm sure that europe has a lot to offer!

We actuallt were FIVE adults in my car onte time, but it's not recomended! *s*
My car has the rear seat but is only registered for one passenger..

//Magnus

 

$200US for my backseat?! WHO WANTS IT???

All Australia delivered 1st gens came with a back seat...

 

Its handy for taking ppl to the pub or movies or wherever for quick trips, ive had 5 people in my car, its ok if you move the seats forward a bit They arent useless in my opinion.

 

has anyone got a photo of those 'storage bins' What do they look like?