The screw would be chromed and the grommet would be either chromed of clear plastic. I would say the clear plastic grommet is correctest.

My car still has a couple of these clear plastic grommets, although they are not in very good shape.

I don't recall ever seeing screws in the door panels of any 240-Z. For that matter using screws in the door panels would not be a very good idea. The spring clips used, in their plastic lags - allow the door panel to flex a bit when the door is slammed. So they act somewhat like shock absorbers... letting the door panel flex out and then spring back. So over time the door panel stays pretty much in place as it should.

I suppose it is possible that if a door panel was damaged, or warped in some way - and it wouldn't comform to the door as it should - some Dealer might have installed the screws to correct some other problem.

I remembered this thread while stripping my parts car this weekend. You may recall that my Series 1 car (10/70, #12746) had the screws in the door panels. Turns out my parts car (4/71, #27602) does not.

Well, I have some of the panels off, and took the attached picture. The upper panel is the left panel from the Series 1 car, the lower is from the later car. Note that the Series 1 panel lacks the holes in the back-board for the metal clips. This seems to indicate that the screws WERE original to #12746.

Arne,

Thanks for the follow-up info from 12746. These screw and washer fasteners, I believe we can all agree with the research provided in these postings, were on a good number of series 1 cars. The exact number, if not inclusive to all, is purely hypothetical at this point.

I was fortunate enough to acquire two of these screws and clear washers in NOS condition on ebay, but those are reserved for the quarter window interior plastic trim. Finding more for the doors may be an imposibility.

Arne, does your HLS30-12746 have the original master vac decal in place?

If so, I would really like to see a picture of it.

Dan

HLS30-20419

Arne, does your HLS30-12746 have the original master vac decal in place?

If so, I would really like to see a picture of it.

Yup. The yellow car is #12746, blue car is #27602.

Dan,

I'm right there with you. So how do we resolve the ball joint issue regarding the smaller diameter ball joint replacement?

Thanks,

Keith

Keith, if you can live with something not exactly original, using later ball joints with the steering knuckles from a later car will bolt right in, and be visually indistinguishable from stock - unless they disassemble the car to check. The knuckles from my parts car went to a7dz for that exact reason.

Arne,

Thanks for the master vac decal pics. This confirms the correct format for all cars inclusive between your 10/70 and 4/71. I am probably pressing my luck, but can you make out the numbers stamped into the spaces on these decals. I can't quite make them out.

You've been a big help.

Dan

Arne,

Thanks for the master vac decal pics. This confirms the correct format for all cars inclusive between your 10/70 and 4/71. I am probably pressing my luck, but can you make out the numbers stamped into the spaces on these decals. I can't quite make them out.

You've been a big help.

Dan

The pictures aren't clear, even at full 7.2 mega-pixel resolution. I'll try to remember to look at them in the daylight some time soon. Prod me if you don't hear back in a few days.

Keith, if you can live with something not exactly original, using later ball joints with the steering knuckles from a later car will bolt right in, and be visually indistinguishable from stock - unless they disassemble the car to check. The knuckles from my parts car went to a7dz for that exact reason.

I would imagine an interiors thread is the wrong place to talk about ball joints, but I have received some new information (new to me) which sheds light on the issue. Technical Bulletin TS70-60 published December 16, 1970 indicates replacement of the original ball joint and steering knuckle from the 15mm shaft diameter to the 17mm shaft diameter. The begining serial number is noted as HLS30-07985. Part numbers are: ball joint assembly 40160-A8600 and knuckle arm 40052/53- E4102 sold in sets.

My personal car show judge opinion is not to worry about the difference in ball joint sizes; it will never be noticed. My personal opinion as a car guy is go with the larger (ie. safer) ball joint and knuckle size.

Well, we looked at ash trays... how about Lighters.

Which is the earliest pictured below? A, B or C (right to left)

Carl B.

Carl,

From all I have seen "A" would be my vote for the early lighter. Both my first 71 and the current 71 have that lighter. I'll have to check to see if the 1969 brochure I have shows a lighter.

Carl,

From all I have seen "A" would be my vote for the early lighter. Both my first 71 and the current 71 have that lighter. I'll have to check to see if the 1969 brochure I have shows a lighter.

I have to correct myself after reading your question again (right to left). The one on the left would be my best guess. I looked at the '69 brochure and it is hard to tell, but it looks very much like the left one.

I just checked a brochure (1970) I have for the Fairlady Z and the lighter is the one on the left.

FWIW -BJ-

Gang:

HLS30 00137 has the "A" lighter, round chrome coat hangers, and no screws holding the door panels around the handle. This car was oringally sold in western Canada.