Hey guys

Sorry if this has been covered...the search function's giving me issues. I have an 84 GSL, and I really liked how the middle tailight section on earlier FB's has "RX-7" written in the middle...vs. the blank one on my GSL. I was wondering if these middle tailight sections were swapable? I don't have the diff year FB's to look at the differences directly and see if it's doable...but I'm sure someone on here knows.

Thanks
~Ramy

 

They were all the same. You're describing an aftermarket part.

 

Really?? There was an aftermarket middle tailight section available that had the RX7 logo on it? Where? lol

 

It's rare but they come up on ebay every once in a while.

 

Gotcha. And you said it's universal (same part/fitment for all FBs), right? Last thing...you know what they call it (so I can search for it)? Dunno if "middle tailight section" would be the proper term. Thanks!

 

All 81-85 bodys have the same part. As for the name, I don't remember what they called it the last time I say it on ebay. You might have to be creative, or just spend time looking through all the Rx-7 parts.

 

Thanks Hopefully it'll be listed under the tailight section.

 

Make Note that the more common aftermarket middle section was for the SA cars, which were 79-80 cars. Those are longer, and don't fit FB's.

Make sure you get the correct one.

 

Hmmm....thanks for the head's up. Yea I thought I saw it on an older 1st gen. I'll keep an eye out. I'll also see if anyone on the forum has one for sale (ya never know )

Thanks
~Ramy

 

It's called "Rear center lens conversion" and was 80 to 89 bucks in the mid '90s. Same price whether or not you got the "Rx-7" on it. I have the blank one just because my widebody FB has plenty of badges between Mariah, Mazda, and Rx-7.

 

I found mine on eBay a couple of years ago. I don't remember how it was listed. I doubt if most people even know what to call it. I just wish I could back light the panel. That would would be fun, turn on the center panel that says RX-7 as I diasapper in the dark after smoking some poor ricer. My widebody has no badging at all anymore.


Below is a pic of the test fitting of the parts before I started on the widebody install.

 

Wish I could find one also! As you can see I have a collection of pics for them

 

I'm also on the list of guys who want one of those. It does look cool with the right paint. On others it just looks tacky and dirty.

Maybe someone'll get lucky at a junkyard someday, and then turn around and sell it to one of us.

 

I believe the correct name for this part is "tail light finisher". I have an '83 which came with the black finisher. I have thought about looking for one with the RX7 logo, and backlighting it, as previously described, however I am not sure how it would look on my bright red car. 'Specially after seeing the pics posted by Fire85GSLSE.
I think there are different ones for 79-80, & 81-85 due to the different tailights.

 

Guess I'm getting in on the game a bit late, huh? hehe Do you know who made it/was selling it?

Oh it's not backlit at all? Darn...I was hoping it was too. I'm sure it can't be THAT hard to get it backlit...

BTW, that widebody kit looks real sweet!

Fire85GSLSE, that's for the pics! I'm actually lookin to have my rear look a lot like this car's.... the "tail light finisher" and the circle lights, w/ a 3 peice factory spoiler. I think it'll look money



It seems there are quite a few of you who are interested in getting this peice. No promises, but one of the FB guys I know PMed me, and gave me the info of someone who may be able to get us some. I'll keep you guys posted. Oh and of course, thanks for everyone's help!

 

The center section of my ex-wifes 94 Topaz was not lighted when she bought it, but it was a few days later. For those not familiar with that car, it was a clear "grill" like a few other cars of the era had, but most others were lighted from the factory.
Putting lights behind the finish panel would not be too hard, depending on how it is made.
Hmmmmm, there is a plastics supplier here in town, maybe I could create a unit that is already set up for lights.........................
I'll check into it, and if it's doable, and enough interest, I might make a few.
As for the lights with the circles, I think that was just added to the tinted covers. Prolly painted on the backside of the covers.

 

I looked into back lighting my center piece. It is a 2 layer plastic part, with a red front lense and a white opaque back lense. The only way I could back light it would be too cut out most of the sheet metal behind it and use something like a white neon/flourecent (sp) bulb behind it. Still concidering that option.

Thanks for the compliment on the widebody. I finally got it in paint, just have a **** load of little things to do to finish it up. It's almost ready for the street. I'll post a thread one of these days on the build-up.

 

Sounds good. You guys think having the "RX-7" emblem itself light up is nicer, or having the background surrounding it light up and leaving the emblem dark is nicer? Either way, it'll show.

Tinted covers? Hmm...I didn't notice that. I know I read a thread from way back (https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/circle-taillights-installed-thanks-markperez-%2Apics%2A-346460/) that he tinted his tailights w/o getting the "dumbell effect." I'm still tryin to find someone willing to take a crack at it for me

trochoid, np I got a friend w/ a widebody FB painted primer black in NJ...whaletail and all. It's BADASS. Love the look

 

their damn hard to find...if you find one suggestion buy it then tell us where you got it otherwise you'll find out that it was recently sold while you were expressing how overjoyed you are on the forum...lol...oh ya good luck

 

I was looking at mine tonite, still haven't put it on the car yet. The construction of them is very simple. One layer of smooth red plastic, with the RX-7 painted on the back side of it. Second layer of opaque white plastic with t-bolts and stand off tabs cemented on. There is a hard rubber U-shaped one piece channel that is mitered around the outside edge.

If enough members are interested. I would concider making them, with the added option of your choice of logo or lettering. Just need to see if I can find the proper plastic for long term sun exposure.

With the logo painted on the back side of the outer lense, anything would be possible.

Brap Brap, 12a, 1146 cc, Turbo FB, Mazda, etc. you get the idea.


Those that may be interested, PM me. I won't make just one or two. Ten or more might be worth the time and trouble.

If this offer is breaking any forum rules, please let me know.

 

Do I need to PM you?

 

I was looking at one also, and they would be very simple to make. There are some similarities to a UK licence plate.

 

I agree they were really cool. I have a brochure from the early 80's that Pacifica put out. They show the center section for SA's. Me and Kettleman laughed pretty hard when we saw the one that said rich b*&ch" Jusst thought it was funny and thought I would share. I might be interested.

 

trochoid, any interest generated?

 

Haven't heard a peep from anyone. If anyone is serious, they should PM me, otherwise this will idea/mod will just die off like so many others.