Has anyone ever heard of a near mint rx7 just cracking in half at the door jam? My friends dad had one, and said that when he put 2 kids in the back part of the car, the frame snapped in half... I took a look at my car today and noticed that the paint is starting to crack on the rocker panel from top to bottom at the back part of the door jam.

Should I worry about my car breaking in half? Its otherwise 100% mint. No winters, original paint, ect.... Is there any specific spot I shoud wield a reinforcment beam in? The car is almost stock, but I drive it pretty hard sometimes. (Autocross events and club meetings ect.)

 

Don't worry. The RX-7 chassis is pretty beefy. I regularly load 600+ pounds of "stuff" entirely in the rear hatch, and people make Big Power with slicks at the dragstrip without chassis troubles.

 

im not sure...but maybe its rust killing it? i have a sweet california car and i just on the rear bumper plenty of times to settle the suspensions and im near 200 lbs.

 

No rust whatsoever... I had it up on a hoist and its perfect.

 

Where you see that crack, is a seam and the body putty is old and failing. Not unusual to see, keep any eye out for rust in the rockers. Once these openings start, moisture can get in and have it's way.