I searched but didn't find an answer.

I have a question for you if have both a 1979-80 and a 1981-85 RX-7 to look at.

We removed the side molding on our 83 and like the clean look. But I don't like the formed "dent" that runs the entire length of the car that's just above the molding. I see in pictures that the 79-80 side molding "seems" to be right where the "dent" is in the 83.

So the question is: Is the 79-80 also "dented" or is a smooth surface, and if it's "dented" will the side molding from a 79-80 perfectly fit in the "dent" of an 83 (thereby filling in the dent, resulting in a clean line, and providing at least minimal ding protection)???

Has anyone done this and willing to post pix?

Thanks,

DD

 

I have a 79 coming into the shop today, I'll look.

 

the 79 is dented just like the fb.
heres a pic with no moulding.

 

Ya, Im prety sure the SA's moulding is in the indent.

Ive seen the indent filled in before, and it just didnt look right.. I think your idea would leave it looking clean, and at least have the original line left in the car.

I say go for it!

 

the 79-80 mouldings go right in the dent/crease/body line.

have fun scraping tape! just did the drivers door on my 79 yesterday, 28 year old tape sucks!

 

OK, thanks everyone for the responses (and Midwest 7's for the pic)!

So it sounds like if I can get new/used molding from a 79-80 it should perfectly fill my 83 "dent".

I can't believe no one has tried this yet (or I just can't find anyone to admit it)????

Anyway, I guess I need to head over to the WTB section and see if I can spend some more money

Thanks again,

DD

 

Don't get in a hurry yet. I'll post pics later tonight, the SA showed up finally. I'll take some close ups for you.

 

Thanks a lot trochoid,

It just "seems" like a good idea to me. I won't rush. Knowledge and experience will be even more beneficial than pictures, so an educated guess or actual application will be most appreciated.

Or tell me why it's a dumb idea...(even though I may do it anyway )

Thanks,

DD

 

i personnaly liked the earlier molding,doesn't sound like a bad idea. although, it might be a little hard to find a full molding set for an SA

 

Can still buy a new set thru Mazda or at least Blackdragon.com. Looking at $500 tho. Gotta brand new complete NOS set of SA mouldings for half that if your interested-
PM me
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

i have the full set. all of it is currently on my SA except one piece thats in the passenger floor board. i havent decided if i want to keep it on or not, but more than likely itll be coming off.

 

DD, of course, when I get ready to take pics, the camera is dead, haven't forgotten you.. I'm going to try and find one of those profile transfer gauges and see if I can get profiles of the SA molding and the SA/FB indent. Patience.

 

7aull,

Thanks for the offer but that's more than I want to spend on an "experiment".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
aws140,

Let me know the condition and price.
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trochoid,

A "profile transfer gauge", huh? That's not like a charcoal stick and a piece of paper, is it? Ha ha!

Thanks,

DD

 

As near as I can tell, the 'groove' in both the SAs and FBs are the same. What I neglected to do was compare the 2 grooves with the profile gauge while I still had the SA in the shop.

When I first read your post, I thought this idea was a little 'off'. What I didn't know was that the SA moulding fits in the groove, instead of sitting below it like the FBs do.

The pic shows the profile of the SA moulding held over an FB door that has had the moulding removed. Your idea would work fine it appears.

 

if you dont like the *dent* do what i am doing

http://i12.tinypic.com/47uzpk6.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/2zfmz5h.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/4fxgsk2.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/2eauuq1.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/4gt400g.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/34ja9np.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/34ngls5.jpg

 

trochoid,

Thanks,

I'm going to give it a shot (and so I just posted in the WTB section). I appreciate you taking the time to take some measurements and pix for me!



openshot,

Thanks for the pix. I don't have the time or skill to fill in the dents. So I'm looking for an alternate solution.

DD