Datsun-240z Vs Fairlady-z432

[kats]

Here is a very interesting dashboard, an original one which has been taken off from a Z432-R . Takeuchi san got new one from local Nissan decades ago ( Nissan had PZR dashboards in their parts center until early year 2000 ) .

Takeuchi san said he doesn’t need it , so I have got it .I will repair the two cracks . Or remain as it is for historical exhibitions?
Maybe I want to have it clean. Because I will put some Z432-R parts into my Z432 just for fun . I am not aiming ‘wannabe’ car . I would like to have an ultimate both worlds . Luxury GT and Sunday racing . I respect Z432-R , and my Z432 too . 
 

Maybe this is for the first time to show the details for everyone here , please enjoy.

Kats

 

[kats]

I can see ‘ 45  1  16 ‘ in the stamp which is shown back of between the speed meter and the tachometer.

It is 16th January 1970 . Takeuchi san’s Z432-R would have left the factory around March or April 1970 . Wiring harnesses have February and March stamp . So my two US 240Z (HLS30-02146/02156)  were almost brothers ! Or Takeuchi san’s car would have left a lot later because of special limited production, might be taken care of a lot more than regular production cars . 

Kats

[kats]

 

 

I can’t see any markings nor signs which indicate PZR under/inside the dashboard. No drawing on the bracket of the steering post. 

Probably, PZR was only few at the assembly line , so no need to distinguish from other cars ? 
 

Takeuchi san took of the glove box , and put it on the new dashboard. I checked it but I can’t find any white chalk markings.

I have been sourcing sports option parts for my Z432. Pistons and other engine parts as well as tachometer, seats , steering wheel , etc. Some of them were hand crafted to replicate using a genuine parts as a donor. Put the parts for track , remove them for daily use . 

 

 

Kats

[kats]

On 9/10/2022 at 11:28 PM, RIP260Z said:

As the subject of tool boxes has been touched on, this is on its way from Japan as we speak... a Nissan tool bag, and the seller put some tools in for free.

 

Nice bag Ian , 80’s feelings !

Kats

[bartsscooterservice]

On 9/9/2022 at 3:06 AM, zed2 said:

Kats,

My 1969 Patrol L60 has a 3.956 L pushrod motor.  (The L Series is a "modern" engine, never envisioned by the Patrol designers.) 

Keith

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_P_engine

That's not related to the L series Nissan engine.  The third generation has the 2.8 L series though as an option. Nice Patrol you have there! 

 

[bartsscooterservice]

@katshttps://www.justdashes.com/

These guys restore dashes, i came across it when Jay Leno featured it. Some must have known before, the owner started out with Datsun z dash...

If you can do it yourself offcourse that will save a lot of money 

[kats]

20 hours ago, bartsscooterservice said:

@katshttps://www.justdashes.com/

These guys restore dashes, i came across it when Jay Leno featured it. Some must have known before, the owner started out with Datsun z dash...

If you can do it yourself offcourse that will save a lot of money 

Hi Bart , yes justdashes is my top list . I have heard recently price $2000 , need to wait a half year . Plus shipping from Japan returning from California will surely be painful. 
 

Someone wants a PZR look dash , send it to them and ask them not to cut out the side vents and the clock , glove box key cylinder. 
 

I want to have it fixed by my hand , it will be fun and yes a lot of money saving . And I want to remain its details as much as possible , every old originals are one and only! 
 

Kats

[Gav240z]

On 9/19/2022 at 1:02 PM, kats said:

Hi Bart , yes justdashes is my top list . I have heard recently price $2000 , need to wait a half year . Plus shipping from Japan returning from California will surely be painful. 

Hi @kats,

A place in Australia does the same kind of work and for half the price. 

https://www.dashboarddoctor.com.au/reskinning-and-restoration

For LHD dashboards Hung Vu offers completely new remanufactured dash pads. @theguppies

https://www.instagram.com/vintagedashes/?hl=en

[xs10shl]

That dash is a nice piece,Kats, to compliment your other nice pieces.  I personally think you are on the right track by doing it by hand. The parts that make that dash special are still intact, from what I can tell, and fixing the cracks by hand is imho the primary way you’ll guarantee they stay intact.

Edited September 21, 2022 by xs10shl

[Namerow]

On 9/18/2022 at 11:02 PM, kats said:

I want to have it fixed by my hand , it will be fun and yes a lot of money saving . And I want to remain its details as much as possible , every old originals are one and only! 

Both options (professional repair vs do-it-yourself) have their good and bad considerations.

The do-it-yourself option requires much attention to detail in order to create a good and lasting result.  There are two or three good threads available on CZCC that will provide you with a list of recommended tools, materials, and procedures.  Based on my own experience, the main limitation is that the final exterior finish -- typically accomplished using texturized 'bed liner' paint -- has 'look' and 'feel' that is different from the original textured vinyl.  Although a casual observer would not notice the difference, a knowledgeable person will see it very quickly.

I found some upholstery vinyl (long sheet with 1m width) that had a texture very close to the original material used by Nissan.  Unfortunately, it was only available with a bonded fabric backing.  Despite the use of a heat gun, it would not stretch enough to follow the contours of the S30 dash surface (those contours become quite extreme around the openings for the instrument pods.  If you can find a suitable vinyl that does not have a fabric backing, you might be able to achieve a successful result.

I look forward to reading about your dash restoration.  There may be materials available to you in Japan that we in North America have not discovered.

[kats]

Thanks Gavin, xs10shl, Namerow, I will think and think before starting the repair job .

A good thing is I have a very bad 240Z dashboard to start with , I can do anything and no worries if I do stupid things. 
 

Here is an example which was repaired recently by Tasaka san . He is offering to teach me how to. But as Tasaka san said , he is still learning and seeking what is better and this example is just a test bed. We have to wait until we see something happens on the surface . Or hopefully don’t see any defects after passing one year, two years, and more , that will be wonderful.

 

Kats

Edited October 13, 2022 by kats

[70 Fairlady Z]

Nice!