Interior Fastener Questions

[Hank240]

Ladies and gents - I have questions regarding the 6" x 35.75 " vinyl covered panel that attaches to the interior of the back hatch on my 1971 240z's. I have seen two different methods of attaching the panel (10 holes) to the hatch - one method uses colour coordinated plastic rivets and the other method uses screws with cup washers (not too pretty IMHO). I have been told that depending on the time of production, both methods are correct.

 - if there is only one correct answer, which attachement method is correct ?

 - if both methods are indeed correct, when was the change made?

 

Any other information would be appreciated. 

 

thanks

[siteunseen]

My 02/'72 has the four screws and the plastic shanked rivets.  The very center 2 are rivets the next 4 going towards the outer edge are the screws and the outermost 4 are rivets.

 

FWIW I'm the 2nd or 3rd owner and it has been off when new to install the rear spoiler.

 

The small pieces of paper are where the screws and cup washers are.

[240260280z]

There was a mix of the two types of fasteners on the 01/71 that I restored. I can't recall the pattern.

[zKars]

siteunseen has the correct sequence in the picture. The sheet metal style screws with cup washers thread into spring clips that go over the holes in the hatch.

 

That dang panel has to be well sealed to the body or you get exhaust fumes into the cabin via the wide open hatch latch assembly in the back center of the hatch. I imagine the factory envisioned those panels saging with age (they were dead right!) and wanted those screws to help hold them flatter and tighter for longer...

[psdenno]

My 4/71 one owner Z has not had the panel removed since it was originally installed in Japan.  The fasteners are six plastic rivets same as used to hold interior plastic panels (one in each corner and two in the middle edges as in the picture in an earlier post) and four black Philips head screws in black cup washers in the positions shown in the earlier picture.  I wonder why they used screws and rivets instead of one or the other - preferably screws as I've had three or four rivets pop out over the last 44 years.

Dennis

[Hank240]

Excellent information guys - much appreciated.

[siteunseen]

I had to take mine off for the rear spoiler painting.  I found all new shanked rivets and the black phillips head screws as well as the cup washer with the clips too.  All at Lowes hardware in the automobile draws of the fastener section.  I think it all was $3.

 

I'm going to wash my car to see if the spoiler mounting I did leaks before reinstalling that panel.  I cracked the hard backing under the vinyl when I removed it.  My friendly upholstery shop sprayed glue on there then pressed a thin piece metel over the crack.  Brought it home and put some heavy weights off my weight bench/clothes hanger.  It is as flat as pancake now.