Armrests or straps/handles

As I prepare to make a new set of door cards for my 90 Miata, I’m suddenly conflicted. Do I go with the original armrest style or switch to a simple handle/strap.

Long time and multiple Miata year owners, what are your experiences and thoughts?

You will have more room with door straps, or the 94-95 door pulls. The arm rests are very bulky.

I find myself always putting my arm on the window ledge. The armrest just makes the cabin narrower. If you ran a really low seat, maybe you'd want the armrest.

I had the factory 94-95 pulls in my R, and didn't really like the look of them, although they are slightly less intrusive.

Mx5parts.co.uk has some straps available, since Revlimiter's supplier dried up.

Personal preference, really.

-Matt

I prefer door straps for the added room - Ken at Retromodern have just released a new door strap that looks great.

Wish I could still offer mine. I've had no luck finding a new supplier.

I'll second the mention of Ken's new door pulls. They look gorgeous.

Are the Porsche style pulls as effective or easy to use as the nakamae style straps?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Infedora

Are the Porsche style pulls as effective or easy to use as the nakamae style straps?

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Yes. I screwed mine into the top door handle hole and it works fine. Their length is also adequate.

door straps all the way. the arm rest is too intrusive.

Thanks all. So good to have a place where I can get the opinions of people who are truly knowledgeable. I squeezed myself in the Miata and realized how much the armrest pushes against my knee. I’d just gotten used to it. So straps it is for this go around.

Door pulls every time. I love my DIY ones - I used an old Alternator belt, combined with some sexy dark washers and some bolts..

This is of me trying a Cam belt, but it was a bit to chonk - the Alternator belt makes a better one - but you get the idea with the nice bolts and washers..:

http://trull.org/alex/media/pics/car...003_184339.jpg

Best part is that if these belts can survive in an engine bay under tension, they'll last forever with you occasionally tugging on them. I've broken leather door pulls more than once...

I love my loop-style door pulls. They're about as minimalist as you can get, but still perfectly effective for closing the doors.
https://live.staticflickr.com/898/39...abc63c74_k.jpg

Take a look at RetoModern's new offerings... they are out of this world

straps or pulls, my Nakamae seats needed straps because the seats could not move all the way from the dumb armrests being in the way

Attachment 20219 I just had some made by a guy that made leather guitar straps and amp handle-straps, and I used Fender amp end caps. They work great for the look I wanted.

Here’s an interesting strap location. Has anyone tried something like this?

http://i.imgur.com/gZCQ8y0.jpg

That's the lower OEM door handle location in NB2s

I’m thinking that’s actually a better location to pull from. I’ll have to experiment on my current panel when my strap arrives.