So i recently got my first rx7, a 1981 with a 12a, 5 spd manual, removable sunroof, black leather interior and seats, and rear drum brakes. However, after searching high and low i can not figure out what trim package it is. the vin verifies it is a 1981 but other than that i know nothing. is there any tell tale signs of the different models?

 

Without the emblems on the back of the car (heh), it sounds like yours is a GS - as the GSL's were later models and had solid rear disk brakes (GSL-SE's had larger, vented disks on the rear and were 84/85 years, only). The leather, sunroof, and 5-speed are the tell-tale parts. Truthfully, here in the US, the G base model wasn't ordered very frequently, owing to their somewhat rarity and those cars are great for track cars, as they were a bit lighter with no sunroof, no A/C (unless dealer installed), and no power steering.

One of the early FB guys may be along shortly to confirm or deny this, but my guess is 'GS'.

 

There's a 1982 brochure you can download at foxed.ca to compare equipment.

My guess is also a GS.

The base S model also didn't a center arm rest compartment, or have interior lights for the trunk, ignition key, and glove box.

 

That is kind of what I was looking at but I wasn't sure because of the leather because it seemed like it was mainly in the gsl models

 

I have an 81 gsl and it has all the exact same trim as you described but came with 4 wheel disc so it's safe to say it's a gs model

 

My GS has manual windows,and both of my gsl's have power windows. I'm not sure if gs came with power windows

 

Mine does have power mirrors but no power windows

 

That makes it a GS. The GSL had a rear wiper, which had a hole for the washer on the roof, so you can tell even a bare shell

 

It seems as though perhaps a previous owner just added leather seats to a GS. The GSL came standard with aluminum wheels, sunroof, power windows, rear wiper, and rear disc brakes. Leather was an option on the GSL in 1981. A/C was also an option as was an automatic transmission.

 

The seats are covered but they are black leather. As well as the door panels and headliner. Is that normal in the gs. I read that drum brakes were an option on the gsl

 

Drum brakes were never an option on the GSL. The GSL came standard with disc brakes, power windows, limited slip differential, alloy wheels, removable sunroof, rear wiper, Clarion ETR stereo, digital clock, and sport seats. in 84 and 85 power steering was an option on the GSL and GSL-SE. A/C was optional as well but made its way to over 95% of the GSL models.

Leather seating was an option which included a leather covered steering wheel, and door panels. Automatic transmission was optional on the GS and GSL, but not available on the S model.

 

It's a GS model that someone changed the seats to leather.