Hello!  I am Nearing completion of a restoration (final phase is interior renewal/replacement of original finishing panels) for my 1977 280.  I need help identifying missing part for space "cut out" .  This empty space is above drivers side lower finishing panel (above hood release and vent Knob) and below dash.  There is a threaded attaching spot in the middle of this open area on the metal behind dash/panel .  My car has factory A/C if that matters?  I will try to send picture attachment to clarify mystery space?  If it would be better to post this question in another forum, please let me know...I'm trying to access a 280Z (1977?) "resident guru" ?     Any help...please e-mail me directly at:

dbparker54@yahoo.com.   This is the final step in a long (Very Long) restoration so I'd like o solve this mystery and call it done?

Thank you for any mystery solution!   Doug Parker.  PackerZ

I will send photo from my I phone in separate post...damn technology ?

Edited October 12, 20177 yr by Packerz
Add photo

Mine has the same open space as your's. Looks like you need a dash bolt is all.

Early '77 with factory air. everything is stock but the radio. Oh yeah, now I see the alarm that's not stock.

@Packerz

The only thing missing is one of your dash retaining bolts.

There was never anything installed in that "empty spot", It's simply a recessed area for one of the mounting bolts that holds the dash in place. There is supposed to be a bolt in the threaded hole that helps hold the dash. Yours is missing.

If I had to guess, they may have used that location on earlier years to attach the hood release and vent control. But then they put in the lower valence panel and I think they changed how the vent and hood release are attached.

Anyway, the only thing you are missing is a bolt.

Thank you for your reply to my posting.  I truthfully do not remember this open space originally but I cannot figure out what could have gone there it was over a year before I started this project.  I should have taken pictures to refer back to...I never dreamed I wouldn't put this all back together SO much sooner and just put all the nuts, screws and panels/parts in a box marked "interior"?  It just seems so odd that this space would have been left open from the factory...but then again, I don't have anything in my "interior box" left over.  Still a mystery if it was (what) or never was to begin with and try to ignore...  so many mysteries were found , and had to be solved, during this "project".  Thank you again for responding!!!     Doug

I can tell for sure in the morning but mine has the same hole. Most fog light switches were in one of the blanks next to the seat belt and rear defog light on the console under the radio. I'm not positive but will be in the morning.

Quick walk downstairs to snap some pics. Same hole as the OP has and I can say for sure there's never been any switch there. It may be a good spot for a toggle switch but is more suited for a anti theft kill switch, it's a difficult location.

And the blanks on the console in second picture.

Edited October 28, 20177 yr by siteunseen

  On 10/28/2017 at 4:12 AM, tzagi1 said:

Guess I'm wrong..just never seen that hole on a z before..

One can wonder what it was intended for then...?

My guess would be a line up hole for the dash. Maybe stick a rod in there to move it into position? 

Another Z mystery. 

  On 10/28/2017 at 4:12 AM, tzagi1 said:

Guess I'm wrong..just never seen that hole on a z before..

One can wonder what it was intended for then...?

I'm glad you brought that back up. That would be a great spot for a push button starter.

Thank you! That's on my list of things to do.

These cars are so easy to steal, I've heard.

Edited October 28, 20177 yr by siteunseen

I always pulled the coil wire when I left one overnight but those days are over, no more one nighters at my age. 

I wish all cars were manual shift. That would cut out the smartphone/ unlimited minutes drivers that scare me. They're the reason I don't ride motors anymore. Probably for the best, I crashed a lot.

 

I don't know what that hole is for either, but my theory is the same as site's. A tooling hole for a locating pin to aid in dash alignment and installation.

  On 10/28/2017 at 2:03 PM, siteunseen said:

They're the reason I don't ride motors anymore.

I may have mentioned this already, but I think I'm going to sell mine. The lack of focus from other drivers is so scary. The constant worrying takes some of the joy out of it.

  On 10/28/2017 at 2:10 PM, Captain Obvious said:

The constant worrying takes some of the joy out of it.

100%!

All the joy for me. 

Now I AM thinking of a dirt bike to trailer to the woods?  KX125 would be perfect but I'd have a couple of beers and start showing off, then hit a tree.