Budget research - how much to pay?

[7T1240]

Hello Gents,

My car is a '71 240Z. I am wondering how much I should budget for the following serviceable interior parts in good condition (assuming I can find them):

1. Dash, complete with no cracks

2. Door panels, complete with good chrome trim, armrests, window cranks, etc.

3. Steering wheel

4. Center console, including ashtray and fusebox cover.

Thanks,

Gary S.

[zhead240]

there was a 70- 71 dash for $1500 in our classifies

also a 72 dash for$1000 by the same person( plus shipping)

oh yea, no cracks.

the rest of the stuff can be had on ebay for reasonable $ if your patient.

[7T1240]

Hi Pat,

Yes, I saw those dashes in the classifieds (and a similarly priced one on ebay). I guess my question regarding those dashes is, are those prices pretty typical?

Gary S.

[Arne]

Gary, I also have a '71, and for a factory original dash that is uncracked I'd say that those prices might be a touch high, but still in the ball park. Assuming you don't want to pay that much, there are three options:

1. Live with what you have - Mine, for example, has only one small crack. I will live with that until it gets significantly worse.
   
2. Install an ABS cap - These are available for the top only (about $50) or to cover the entire dash pad down to the console (about $95). They can look OK at a glance, but are obviously just covers when you look closely.
   
3. Have your dash pad restored - Probably the best option is to have your existing pad restored. I've heard that prices for this range from $500-700, and the results (while not totally concours original) are very good. Do a search for 'dash restoration' and you should find some links.
   

[7T1240]

Hello Arne,

Good suggestions, all of them, and options 1 and 2 are certainly less costly than the used, uncracked dash route. I read the threads in the Vendor section for Dashboard Restoration in Australia. The thought of using them is intriguing. I wonder if they have worked the international logistics / shipping issues?

Gary S.

[Ed]

I wonder if they have worked the international logistics / shipping issues?

Gary S.

Keep searching, they have a store in your neck of the woods.

[zhead240]

here are some items on ebay now

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/datsun-240z-71-73-steering-wheel-pad_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34206QQitemZ4578360356QQrdZ1

also

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-240Z-NOS-center-console-complete-SEE-PICS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ10076QQitemZ4578352631QQrdZ1

console might be high $ but it's new and has everything u want- i see an ash tray lid on ebay starting at $50(it's new still in wrapper)of course the $ of the steering wheel can only be known near the end.

[Arne]

Keep searching, they have a store in your neck of the woods.

The US division is located in Brush Prairie, WA - where ever that is.

http://www.dashboardrestorations.com/index.htm

[7T1240]

Pat,

Thanks for the heads up on those ebay parts. Unfortunately, all of those parts are for '72/'73, while my car is a '71. I think I should stay with the original setup, although that '72 console sure was nice!

Ed and Arne,

The dashboard restoration company on the vendor part of the forum, as near as I can tell, is the Australian company Dashboard Restorations. Almost the first sentence on their homepage states "This company is in no way associated with the business trading as Dashboard Restorations USA - Brush Prairie, WA". Is there an affiliation I am not aware of? Or testimonials from folks who have traded with the USA entity?

Gary S.

[26th-Z]

Gary,

There are a couple of uncracked dashes on eBay right now and $1,000 to $1,500 is about the going price. For that kind of money, make sure you buy the correct one for your car. There IS a difference. I shipped my dash to Australia for Dashboard Restorations and it was about a grand door to door from Florida. Nice workmanship. I would recommend them. One word of advise, for the size of the box you will need to ship the dash, weight is not a factor in the shipping cost. Let them fit your gauges and vents.

A nice console that you will need to restore is about $120. The ash tray is about $150. Fuse box cover is $25. Door panels as you describe are $200 each if you can find them - good luck. Arm rests are around $50 each and window cranks are pretty easy to find. A new grab handle is around $50 Steering wheels with the holes in the spokes are a dime a dozen for unrestored.

[Arne]

Early '71s will have had the same steering wheel (without holes) as a '70 does. Mine is one of them. If your car has the vents in the hatch, your steering wheel probably had no holes.

[7T1240]

Thanks Chris, those are the kind of specifics I was hoping for, regarding both parts prices and Australian Dashboard Restoration.

And Arne, you nailed it. Just like your car, mine has the hatch vents and no holes in the steering wheel.