I just purchased a 1991 convertible rx7. It is mechanically sound and runs great. However the previous owner side swiped a telephone pole and wrecked the passenger door and caved in a section of the rear panel, just above the tire and stops before the gas tank. I bought another door and I need to pull the latch(inn the body) out about two and a half inches. Could somebody give some suggestions on how to get it bang it out or just get the latch to connect so the door will close. It doesn't have to be perfect, just functional.

 

first things first. is the frame ok?

 

The frame is fine the damage was entirely cosmetic. I just don't know how to duo some of the reshaping

 

That needs a complete rear quarter with door jamb and part of the door rocker.

 

There is no frame, it's a unibody car. But it's a convertible, so it's not entirely cosmetic.
KansasCityREPU is right. It needs a replacement door, quarter, rocker, maybe a wheel-well and in all likelihood a latch pillar. All will have to be sourced used. And since you're posting this, it's not likely you have the experience, tools or equipment to do it properly yourself.

 

Alright. Well it did need a new door. I replaced the top and the door. Since it has a uni-body, the steel is reinforced. The car's structural integrity was not compromised and it drives and handles as good or even better than you would expect a 25 year old car to. The wheel, and everything mechanical is fine. Anyways. I just want to drop the top and drive it a few summers and I only have about $850 dollars in it as of now. That includes car, top, and door. I'm going to invest in new tieres soon. So idc if it is back to perfect. Rubbing is racing after all. so i drilled holes in the metal and put hardened bolts with washers to attach a chain and used a winch and pulled out the the steel. The door didn't latch back. About an 1/8 inch difference so I shimmed the latch with a piece of steel to make up the difference. But it works and i can enjoy it without breaking the bank. I'm still open for suggestions on how to reshape the steel. ..

 

I hear three different things here.

1. You don't, or can't, spend a lot of money.
2. Since you say "Rubbing is racing after" does that mean you don't necessarily care about the looks?
3. You want to reshape the metal. This one conflicts with 1 and 2.

In my option, if this isn't done right with a new (or used) rear quarter, then it will look like a hack job. Keeping it the way it is would be much better then putting a bunch of bondo on it. You might be surprised that a rear quarter may not cost a lot. If you don't have the skills, that's another issue as far as the cost goes.

 

It looks like the top of the doorjamb is sitting past the quarter panel,if you pulled it and the door wouldn't latch that probably means the frame/uni body is bent somewhere,I work at a body shop as a heavy wreck/frame tech and I would replace the quarterpanel,you might be able to get away with pulling it out ,but it would probably have to be pulled on a free machine to get all of the gaps straight and panels lined up,it all depends how how much labor and or money you want to spend