I just got a new 1983 RX-7 a few days ago. The interior is pretty good but the door panels are messed up (ripped, cracked material, etc.). Where can I buy new ones? Has anybody had ripped/cracked material on their door panel and then fixed it? Please help. I love this car but thats the only problem. Hopefully my interior will kick *** when im done.

 

Try ebay, from time to time (used) doorpanels are for sale

 

You could go to an auto retrimmer and ask what they can do for you. You'll almost certainly get a better result from this than from what you'll find on Ebay (unless your lucky).

 

You could strip the panels and recover them, but it won't look original what with all the fru-fru on the originals being hard to duplicate. -WG

 

Either...

- make your own. (what i did)
- try locating them on ebay
- try locating them in a junkyard
- go to auto retrimmer
- buy misc. part from Mazdatrix http://www.mazdatrix.com/interior.htm

-Error402

 

Uhh... yeah, the "fru-fru". Could you describe for us who don't speak your language what "fru-fru" means?

 

All the elaborate little trimming details that Mazda placed in the interiors. Chrome rings, "fake" stitching, etc. Since those parts are Mazda OEM, they are hard to replicate or not cost effective to.

 

Thanks. I am much the wiser in the way of the fru-fru now.

 

Get some vinyl and cover them yourself.

 

I found a set through this forum, ask around, you should be able to find a set.

 

I reupholstered my '83 doors for under $25 by buying high-temp vinyl fabric with cotton backing from a fabric supplier...

 

Can someone tell me some sites to buy vinyl? I think I'll do the repairs by myself. It seems finding panels would be too much hassle and a little more expensive. Shifting gears... how do you guys clean/keep your interiors clean? Does anybody recommend a steam cleaning? I figure I'll just take my seats out, clean/vacuum under there, take the center console out and clean there (plus the pieces), clean my dash, then go to the trunk, cleaning back there. Anything else I should do? Give me some tips please!

 

Finding replacements might not be as bad as you think. I found a set of like new black ones for my 83 S and i think I only paid like $35 for them. As for cleaning, I just vaccun the use armor all on the dash etc.

 

That explains why the door panels on my GS are featurless. interesting..

 

Sounds like a job for..... Christopher Lowell!
Just don't let him use the rainbow trim.