small dash hole for 1969-1970

[kats]

Hello friends,

I want to show you my dash.

2 years ago my 240Z's restoration was completed,at that time my dash was new from the factory but it was 1972-1973 style as you know.

I liked this new dash,but I was not satisfied very much.Because the hole avobe hazard switch was SO big and there was a cross marking dent for decal for hazard switch.I want my dash to look as earliest style for 1969-1970.

I asked Mr.NISHI (Mr.Alan Thomas knows him well and sometimes Alan mentioned about him here).

I want to call Mr.NISHI "DOCTOR of cosmetic surgery".Does it make sense?(MY english is bad so I am wondering)

Any way he did a great job for my dash as looked exactly 1969-1970 style.I am satisfied.

[Mike]

Hi Kats,

That dent in your dash is normal. It was intended for a switch that was never installed. My 1971 240z has the same problem.

[HS30-H]

Er, Mike

I think the point that Kats is making is that with the help of Nishi san he was able to convert his NOS 72-73 dash to look just like a 1970 version that his car should have ( with the undrilled / unused recess for the Hazard Lamp switch ). I'm sure that he knows what the original dash was supposed to look like ( and that's why he was trying to replicate it ).

As you can see from his photos, Nishi san did a great job. This is no mean feat, as it involves some serious filling and blending to make it look correct. Nishi san and his small workforce have these skills.

I'm hoping that Kats will keep Nishi san as "our" little secret..........

Regards,

Alan T.

[kats]

Hi Mike and Alan,

I am sorry I made you confuse.I was trying to show Mr.NISHI's skil.Yes,Alan you are right.

I am showing my dash before surgery.

He stocks 4-5 used 1970 RHD dashes in his shop.He chose one dash as a donor for my LHD dash.He cut out and take out around hazard switch including a small hole which I want.Then he trimmed it completely to suite with my LHD dash.He also cut and digged in my dash for "docking"with pieces from RHD dash.

He used special urethan adhesive to attach them together.And this is unbelivable,he even draw patterns on the dash surface.

I can not tell the differnce between a original portion and a new portion which come from RHD dash.

I know you can repair much lower cost in the U.S.A....

kats

[Mike]

Hi Alan/Kats,

Ok, I see the problem from the original picture. You are right, he did an excellent job fixing the hole! I can't even tell there was a problem.

Kats, are parts and services expensive in Japan for early Z cars?

[kats]

Hello Mike,

I am happy that now you are clear.

I think the genuine parts in japan,it is expensive.

For example,I purchased a turnsiginal switch-lever assy and a light-wiper switch assy from the local NISSAN dealer last year.

I was surprised that I could buy them because both of them are for LHD, and 1970 model!!

The price is approximately $80 U.S. for both of them.(I forgot exactly price anyway I can check later)

And Mr. NISHI stocks lots of genuine NISSAN parts,most of them are for RHD model but some part can be used for LHD Z.

Best regards.

kats