I just purchased an '83 Rx-7 for my girlfriend. I have been doing reading about how rotary works etc. I know how normal internal combustion engines work. Anyhow that is not related to my question whatsoever....

My question is this. Does anyone have a picture of a similar style Rx-7 without the sidemoldings on the outside of the doors and the rest of the car?

The reason I ask is because we will be painting the car here soon, because the paint on it now is faded. I looked in Victoria British's catalog and they are very expensive to replace them all (1009.50 for them all ), seeing as we only paid 550 for the car.

So if someone can either show me a muuuuch cheaper place to purchase them, or show me some pics of what it will look like without them I would greatly appreciate it.

I also tried searching, but didn't come up with anything I was looking for.

Thanks
Jonathan

 

This thread has several pictures of RX-7s without side mouldings:

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/picture-request-silver-fb-no-trim-386152/

Rich

 

Welcome to the club.

A couple of these are forum member's cars, hope they don't mind me posting them.

 

Ok, and judging by looking at it there is no holes under the moldings correct? I can just peel them straight off?

Thanks
Jonathan

 

Yeah, they are just glued, or taped on in some cases. I'm guessing that yours aren't in good enough shape to reuse? You can always paint them and reinstall instead of buying new ones.

No holes are left behind though. They can be pretty tough to get off actually. Just be patient and try not to damage the car. If something gets damaged make sure its the rubber strips and not the car.

 

well they don't peel that easy more like chisel them off but they are just glued on.

 

Well I'm figuring they're glued on in the same way the side moldings on my Neon were. Had to get some goo gone to get the left over residue off. PITA, but not too bad once all said and done.

Jonathan

 

If you don't like the look of moldingless car. You can post a wanted ad in the For sale section.. Many people sell used parts on here. Someone is sure to have a set for ya. Later.

Dave

 

i, personally, love the look of an FB without side moldings...i plan on removing mine just before i paint it this summer.

 

since you'll be painting the car again ... get them off with pait thinner

 

Thanks for all the help so far guys.

Another thing I'm wondering is, as far as seats should I just look for something with universal slider brackets or are there some good Rx-7 specific seats out there?

Jonathan

 

Ive heard that FC seats bolt right in an FB...id say that if you can find a nice set of FC seats, put those in your FB.

 

FWIW...I got rid of a wide side stripe ( dealer installed ?) that was on my white '81 when I first got it. I also later removed the side mouldings (many years before the widebody went on).

In both cases they ( stripe first and later the moulding residue) were removed without damaging the original paint by first using about 5.00 in quarters at a car pressure wash, then using terry cloths (several) and fingernail polish remover ( the oily kind ) along with plenty of elbow grease. It did a great job in both cases !

 

Try finding a nice pair of Turbo II seats. They are a straight bolt in, usually matches the color of the interior because its a original Mazda part, and god darn it, they are really comfortable!

 

i removed my side moulding before primering my car, and my custom airdamn eliminated the front fender marker lights, ive got alot more body work to go on my car, but its gonna be saweet when im done