Tommaso

I just purchased a 1980 Rx7 that is in perfect mechanical condition. The interior is almost mint and leather, and I got back seats! The only problem (and it's a big one!) is that it is severely rusted around the wheel wells, trunk floor, and under the doors. Really i'm not too worried about anything other than the rust under the doors and part way under the car. I was wondering if anyone knew if there were replacement panels that could be purchased for over the wheel wells and under the doors or will I have to make them myself?

When I say under the doors, I mean not the doors themselves but the underside of the car. It is so bad that the under side metal has come detatched from the sill under the door. Also, is this worth fixing this type of rusting? I have lots of time and I am willing to weld new metal in, so that isn't a problem. I am really just worried about the strength of the car as it has no frame and is unibody. So is it very commin for these cars to be so badly rusted that they cannot support their own weight safely?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm new to the rx-7 scene, but want to repair this one to keep and not to sell. I really love this little car. So any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. I will try to get under the car to take pictures tomorrow. It looks like everything is solid except for what I mentioned, but won't know untill I pull it apart. The two main metal braces that go along the bottom of the car seem solid - so that's a good thing I guess. I believe it's just sheet metal, but with unibody, who knows?

Thanks in advance!

Tommaso

1stGenerationGap

it would be smart to fix it asap cause rust is never good and to prevent it from further rusting, i havent herd of any of these collasing under their own load altho it is verry possible. and if ur able to do it why are u asking u should just be out there doing it

openshot

Hamilton eh maybe if I am ever in Hamilton maybe I can stop by and look at your car and chat. Oh I live in St. Cath. Hi my dad used to be a body man and he said time today that you should take care of rust right away. If you leave it. It will get worse. I own a 1983 rx7 and there was alot of rust and big holes where the back wheels are and the front and alot of other parts. But today me and my dad got all the welding done and put the some black tar that will save the metel from rusting. I will get pics tomarrow. I am only 15 so i cant drive my car yet. but on SEPT 14 I WILL BE (16) vary happy. But I have to go to school tomarrow ;( well back to what I am saying you should get to that rust right away when you have time and money. If you have that then right on. As you was saying that you love this little car. Well that brings me back a year ago when I saw my rx7 in real life. I fell in love lol my dad saw it in my eyes lol so you should take care of that rust right away befor it gets worse.

Openshot

SPERRYsan

iTrader: (1)

http://www.alfaparts.net/ has replacement rear quarter panels
under the doors would probably have to be made
or put on a body kit
inside the trunk would be quite a task but if u have metal and time anything is possible
I love my new junkyard car!

StealthGXL

iTrader: (1)

^^^ Hey that site says to let them know of any other sheet metal sections that we would want to see made. Maybe a possible panel for the storage bin and wheel well area that is usually rusted?

85rotarypower

Because the RX-7 is a unibody car, I would be worried about all the rust that you mentioned. All parts of the body are what make it stiff, and rust anywhere on it causes the body to loose stiffness. I've went though the same rust repair, and trust me, its tough. It will all have to be custom work as there are no repair panels available.

openshot

here are some pics of some work i did on my car.

Tommaso

Sperrysan, thanks for the link. I'll have to check it out.

85rotorypower, thanks for the heads up. I am familiar with unibody and space frame design as I did a total restoration on a badly rusted Fiero. It needed frame rails welded and trunk corners plus various holes throughout the space frame. Turned out well, but I know the RX7 is much different. I guess I'll have to see when I pull it all apart. Thanks!

Openshot, thanks a million for those pictures. It gave me a good idea of what I will find when I take out the interior and carpet. Mine is rusted in the same spots as well plus others. Was yours rusted under the door sills? If you have any pictures of work done there it would be greatly appreciated if you could post them. Looks like you did a great job, I just hope I can do as well a job on my RX. My welding with the MIG isn't the greatest, but i'm getting better. The difference is on the Fiero it was all hidden with the plastic panels. A lot of the welds on my RX are going to be seen, so I might have to practice up a bit.

Tommaso

sigma9r

These fender wells look like mine...less the welding. As I do not know how to weld, I'm using fiberglass patches by Bondo. I've read mixed reviews in some of these threads but I guess I can put beer cans between the patches of fiberglass.

MosesX605

Thanks for the link, I wasn't aware that anyone made replacement panels for the quarters on our cars.