This eBay ad is for a "forged metal reproduction" faceplate for a 240Z radio. I've seen this item and one for a '70 radio faceplate a couple of times recently on eBay.

Anyone know who is manufacturing these? Looks very good in the pictures.

--Bob

Can you post a link or photo, or both?

Argggggg! meant to post the eBay link and forgot! Here it is...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DATSUN-240Z-1970-1971-1972-RADIO-FINISHER-FOR-OE-RADIO_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6763QQihZ016QQitemZ260158040448QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

--Bob

From what I can see in the photo it looks good. Now if we can get someone to reproduce the heater control panel (at a nice price that is). Oh yeah, that and Series I ashtrays, throttle levers, the list goes on.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260153567023

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260153567475

Two prior auctions, anyone know the previous buyer of both: Tutor103?

He might be a better source of the info.

http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZtutor103

Interestingly, he's also a major seller of Datsun/Roadster/Z and other marque literature.

He's out of Oakland, CA

E

It is also interesting that Tutor103 then painted the trim on the 1972 faceplate with silver paint and added it to a radio he has for sale on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/datsun-240z-am-fm-radio-oem-excellent-71-73_W0QQitemZ110168993205QQihZ001QQcategoryZ80741QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

After 50.00 I figured I did not need that 70 radio face plate. May kick myself later but, so be it.

This looks very similiar to the faceplate that came with the Vintage Z's that don't have factory radios. They are nice, but don't really look like the plastic piece. Much thicker and not quite the same appearance. If you looked through the driver's window at the radio, you would notice it's not quite right. Again, not bad, but not the same.

Bob

Interesting that whomever made it did not paint the trim edges like the original radios, since they did the lettering and antenna switch trim and arrows correctly. And if it is thicker than the originals, i don't know why that could not be done either (but since I don't know much about forging maybe there is good reason). But the value of a complete radio is really in the faceplate and a complete set of knobs. The faceplates are prone to cracking at the corners and so they are the rare component of these radios.

Which still raises the question of who is making these. I think I'll send an email to the seller to see if they can or will shed any light on that.

--Bob

Jayhawk,

G'Day Bob,

Are you talking about the radio faceplate that has the arial switch at the top right hand corner????

If so,

I sourced mine from ;

All Z Parts in Sydney, Australia. Details are;

Web address= www.allzparts.com.au

Phone= 02 9476 0966 or 02 9476 0111

Fax= 02 9476 0711

Unfortunately, I can't tell you the cost as he gave it to me at no cost, just added it as a freebee to a heap of other parts, bits and pieces I'd ordered. By the way, It's PLASTIC, not metal.

Hope that's of some help.

Rick.

:devious::devious:

Actually the trim edges on the dial and button surround edges are chromed (like the chrome on the door panels).

The only painted areas were the letters and arrows.

It IS possible to repair and refresh a cracked / broken faceplate, it just takes a bit of patience.

As far as the metal repro's, could it be that the edges are blunt and not tapered off as the real pieces are? That alone would make the repro's appear thicker.

Has anyone bought one of these? If so, can you post more details?

FWIW

E

Just saw an oem faceplate on ebay Item number: 260158040448 ends in 2hours.