Variation in Series 1 ashtray covers

[hls30.com]

I have just received a third Series 1 ashtray assembly, and noticed that this one is slightly different than the other two(the lid handle is different in appearance and attatchment). I have misplaced my camera, but I will post pictures as soon as I find the dern thing!

Anyone else noticed any variation?

Will

[26th-Z]

Sure, Will. The very first ashtrays were dark grey plastic painted black. Later variations are black plastic. I have two or three, perhaps, lid designs. The handles are hollow and solid and either glue on or are integral with the lid.

But they are like blue-eyed blondes, Will. Once to put them in the car, they all look the same! You have to take them out and turn them upside down to tell the difference!

[hls30.com]

Thanks Chris,

In looking at the assembly, neither looked "wrong" or fooled with, they just looked different.

Here are the two styles I have, if you have an example of yet another, please post it!

Thanks,

Will

P.s. the top example in both pictures has a hollow straight lined protrusion for the "handle, a larger glued in area, and has a "border around the grained area on the handle.

the Bottom example is both solid, has a much smaller glue area, and in curved-as well as grained all all over the viewable (when closed) portion.

[Fun_in_my_z]

Are treys like thease only on the first gen cars? Ive never seen a car with eather of them in it before

[hls30.com]

70-early 71 only unless you happen to find a "69"!

Will

[Carl Beck]

Hi Will:

The ashtray pictured on Top is from #00587 12/69

The ashtray picted on the Bottom is from #00020 11/69

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Arne]

Somewhere down the road I'm going to need to get one for my car. And while mine is a late series I, I will use any style I can find that's intact! (And affordable! )

[Zup]

I too am looking for a "better than the one that I have" Series 1 ashtray/fusecover.

I recently got notched on the one that "onuthin" had for sale on e-bay. It was perfect!

Mine is complete, but was cracked earlier and a poor repair done by the PO.

On a related note----the console has an opening for the parking lamp switch/s. My 7/70 build date doesn't have the parking switch.

Is there a blanking plate available that could /would go there? Or do I need to try and find the switch or switches?

Fortunately the rear window defrost switch is still there and in good condition.

Pictures of this console area would help me out---as well as any leads on parts of course!

Thanks!

Jim D.

"Zup"

[EScanlon]

Jim:

Here's a pic to my Series I console.

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2596&cat=500&ppuser=1490

I have a lighted switch where you want the blanking plate, which shouldn't be too hard to locate.

E

[hls30.com]

Carl,

Thanks for the picture of a third variation, looks like the one on the bottom is all one piece.

Zup,

I collected these to deal with just that situation, by making a mold for reproduction. I too am looking for a parking light switch, but I do have the filler plate for the switch-I'll see if I have a spare for you.

Enrique,

Didn't you replace the red switch in the picture with the switch you got from Kats? If not, I would like to borrow it....Or have a set of detailed pictures/measurements.

WIll

[Arne]

I bought a blanking plug from MSA for the parking light switch hole, it wasn't very expensive. It fits fine, but doesn't appear to mount correctly with the parts I have. I'm sure I can get it to work, I'll just have to get creative.

[26th-Z]

Yup... yup... yup; those are all early ash trays. Nice pictures! I never got that detailed, but a whole bunch of time ago, I wrote a thread on this site about early ash trays. Those pictures ended up on a wep page of picture collections. http://www.pape.ws/allan_and_rosanne/Z-Car_Stuff/ Surf to the ash tray directory and you will find some of mine. Will is getting much more involved!

When I started clowning around with my restoration several years ago, ash trays were around $15 to $25 and the hard part was finding one that didn't have any burns. Now they seem to go in the $75 to $100 range in any condition. Still, when you compare that price to what BMW wants for my four year-old 330, Datsuns still rule in cheapness and economy. I don't want to hear NO bitching about how expensive they are.

Repairs to this type of plastic work best with "super glue". Just about everything else won't stick. The plastic seems to brittle with age and that is probably why you can't sit on them any more.

Now, for plugs in the console...I need a plug for the hatch glass defroster switch. The twins have clear hatch glass and the console has a plug. I am willing to pay dearly.