Regarding After Market Rear Quarters

[EhlersRS]

Hello Guys,

I have recently been contacted with an opportunity to purchase a set of after market rear quarter panels, that extend from the door to the taillights. I am restoring a '71 240Z and already have a pair of Tabco repair panels for the outer wheel arches. However, after much deliberation I've decided it would be easier to repair all of the rust with a full quarter panel. There is rust damage in the taillight area and the back corners, along with some rust damage in the side bumper mounting area (bumper indent). According to the owner, the quarter panels came from a body shop in Omaha and after being tucked away, they were forgotten about for 20 years until they started to pack up to move. Currently I don't have any other information about the panels, except for some initial photos from the owner (see below). In the photos there is a pair (driver/passenger) of panels for a 240Z/Early 260Z and 2 passenger side panels for a late 260Z/280Z. Of course I'm interested in the pair for my 240Z project.

I would like to know if anyone has seen these after market rear quarters before and who manufactured them 20 years ago? I am also interested to know how well these after market quarters match the original OEM panels? The owner lives a few hours from me, so I have not been able to see them in person yet. Also, I did a quick search on after market rear quarters here looking for any previous discussions that might shed some light on these panels. This discussion (http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/body-paint-s30/32819-body-panels-msa-vs-black-dragon.html) provided several links of companies that manufacture panels, but I don't think the ones in question were produced by Wolf Steel in Canada: Datsun S30, 280Z Panels.

Thanks for any input you can provide!

Robert S.

[EhlersRS]

Hello Again,

A few days ago the owner sent more photos of the rear quarter panels. There are several labels from the manufacture on the panels, but nothing that indicates which company produced them. Oddly enough, both the 240Z/Early 260Z and late 260Z/280Z panels are marked with the same information from the manufacture. One label states "Made in Taiwan R.O.C." and another states the part number and description:

"16-63-562 RFP 260F, 260Z Rear Quarter Panel 74-78 RH"

However, the guys at the body shop were smart enough to know the labels were wrong for the early style panels, so in one photo of the driver's side panel, you can see they crossed out 280Z and wrote what must be the correct part number for the 240Z panel: "16-67-563 LH".

I plan to visit the owner sometime next month and purchase the panels. I'll have to buy all 4 panels in a package deal which is fine, but that also means I'll have 2 passenger side 280Z panels that I won't need. From the photos the 280Z panels look good, except one is missing the dog leg. So, if anyone is looking for a passenger quarter panel just let me know!

Below are more photos of the 240Z/260Z panels. If anyone has experience with this particular style of after market panels, I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks,

Robert S.

[John Coffey]

It doesn't matter who built them or what S30 they fit. They are no longer available anywhere for any model S30. Buy them now before someone else does. Don't even wait a month.

[cbuczesk]

I had 30 sets or so of those and sold all but a few. They're easier to replace than the tabco arches.

Chuck

[dzc922]

I used an aftermarket panel just like the one that you are looking to purchase on my 72 240. It worked really well and the only modification i had to make was the area where the panel meets the rear body panel. Everything else was perfect.

[Jarvo2]

Chuck do you have any sets of panels that are still available for sale? I'm going to be in the market for a driver's & passenger's side rear quarters.

[cbuczesk]

I'll have to look in my other garage to see how many I have left. I might have an extra set of 280Z quarters. Might not. How soon do you need them? I'm in the middle of renovating my kitchen and we just got a bunch of snow. I'm not sure if I can get into my other garage.

Chuck

[Jarvo2]

I'm in absolutely no rush (1-2 years out), but if I'm able to procure the correct pieces along the way, I'm always keeping my eyes open. Enjoy your kitchen renovations!

[240tom]

I may be interested in a passenger side rear quarter panel. Don't want to seem like a pest, but the sooner the better. My body guy is ready to go. Thanks!

[EhlersRS]

I had 30 sets or so of those and sold all but a few. They're easier to replace than the tabco arches.

Chuck

Chuck, thanks for the advice on the rear quarters. After getting the Tabco wheel arches, it became evident my car would need more work on the rear end than the Tabco panels could cover. It sounds like these new quarter panels will be perfect!

Robert S.

[EhlersRS]

I used an aftermarket panel just like the one that you are looking to purchase on my 72 240. It worked really well and the only modification i had to make was the area where the panel meets the rear body panel. Everything else was perfect.

Richard,

After you mentioned your restoration on the '72, I went back and looked at the photos you posted. I remembered seeing your original post about the restoration and really admire your work! The new rear quarters I'll be buying appear to be for the early 260Z and not necessarily the 240Z, because of the cut out for the bumper shocks. As you stated, these will work great for my car after modifying the rear panel area. Also, since I won't be using the Tabco wheel arches, this will give me better access to replace the inner wheel arch, which I also have from Tabco. Thanks for your input!

Robert S.

[dzc922]

No problem, I think that you will get the best results when using the half quarters as to be sure to get all the rust out. Also, I was able to find a NOS full right hand quarter panel, which was great. Hope your project goes well.

Richard