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Have owned 1980 RX-7 GS for 41 years. Car has over 103,000 miles but is in good shape. Everything is operational except for the speedometer (don't have a clue how that happened). My goal is to restore as much as possible. Currently, the seats need to be redone, drivers seat needs a new cushion and clips for interior door handle. Would appreciate advice/guidance from members. .
Currently, the seats need to be redone, drivers seat needs a new cushion and clips for interior door handle.
You'll need to find an auto upholstery shop to replace the foam. They should be able to fix or make new covers too. Racing Beat sells a nice replacement cover made by Seatz out of CA. Are the clips you refer to, the small chrome covers at the top of the arm rests? These are a 1980 year only part and are notorious for breaking. Unfortunately, they are very hard to find. Some do pop up from time to time, but its rare. Might be better off finding a pair of nice 79 arm rests which don't have those trim caps. Agree, some pics of your car would be nice.
It was the first black on black RX7 that I had seen.
80 was the first year they offered black (i.e. Brilliant Black) Is yours a LS (Leather Sport) edition car or the normal S or GS model? All the 1980 black cars are kinda rare.
In 79 they used Beat Black on the 79 Limited model. In certain conditions it can appear black, but normally it was really more of a grey color.
80 was the first year they offered black (i.e. Brilliant Black) Is yours a LS (Leather Sport) edition car or the normal S or GS model? All the 1980 black cars are kinda rare.
In 79 they used Beat Black on the 79 Limited model. In certain conditions it can appear black, but normally it was really more of a grey color.
My RX7 is a GS.
I'm not sure if the LS was sold here in Canada .. or just made available to the U.S. market.
As far as I'm aware, the LS and the 1980 10th Anniversary RX-7 were U.S. only special models. I know that there were some 1988 10th Anniversary RX-7's that were sold new in Canada so its possible that other special models drifted up there as well. I will say that I have never seen a Canadian spec Leather Sport.
Thanks for the information. Unfortunately, the clips that I was referring to are the small chrome covers at the top of the arm rests. Hope to post pictures of the car soon.
P/N 8341-69-375. 1980 year only part and known to sometimes break if you look at them sideways. Un-obtainium from Mazda. Once in a while you'll find good ones w/the whole armrest for sale. Finding them alone is rare but has happened. 79 arm rest bolts up to same locations and doesn't require them.
Thats fine but you can also post your pics to this thread. You car is very similar to Dave's. His is an actual LS (leather sport) that came standard with the gold waffles and brown leather interior. Your GS should have come from the factory with the standard aluminum waffle wheels. Pretty sure there are still places that calibrate speedo's, or you can find a used cluster and swap in another. It's been popular to use one from a 79 which still had the 120 MPH version. In 1980, they went to the 85 MPH speedo. Your antenna can be fixed or replaced also.
Definitely very similar cars. Banzai is correct about your car being a GS. No doubt though that you have the LS wheels or ones that were painted to match. I need to repaint the ceiling get caps on my 80. They are supposed to be black with the Mazda logo the only chrome part, but the paint is all but gone.
Also, I noticed your A/C compressor is different. Was it ever replaced? Perhaps there were different versions in 1980 as there were in subsequent years. I know for certain that mine is original:
You are absolutely correct. I did have the wheels painted when I purchased the car. Will have to search to find calibration shop or cluster and antenna. Thanks
The compressor has not been replaced. There must have been two different versions in 1980 or perhaps one for GS and a different one for LS. Your LS is absolutely outstanding - wanna trade??
I would agree that there were likely two different early compressors. Mazda always had different variations of compressors over the years and some trim levels received only a certain brand of compressor.
The LS is built around a GS trim level with factory sunroof but it has the brown leather seats, brown leather steering wheel, special radio and tape player, the Solar Gold painted wheels with tires that had raised white lettering, and the LS badging. The LS was available in three colors, Solar Gold, Brilliant Black, and Aurora White. All colors came with the Solar Gold wheels. Oddly enough, I've never seen an LS with an automatic transmission. Its possible they were only available with a manual transmission. Its not published that way, just an observation.
A/C was installed on these cars after they arrived in North America. Either at the port of entry or the dealership, with a "kit". Entirely possible that multiple vendors were sourced for components like the compressor.
New Guy
