Restoration of HLS30-12070

[SteveE]

I would be in for one of those

[CW240Z72]

First print complete. A little tweaking on the hole spacing and it should be good. I need to double check that the overall height isn’t an issue for the console. 

[Dens240]

Looks great!

[CW240Z72]

Second print complete with a few minor tweaks. I’m very happy with the fit. Just need to make sure it’ll clear the ash tray

[CW240Z72]

The original console was structurally in good shape, but sun baked causing the textured finished to crack. Since there aren’t many of these floating around I decided to restore it. 

I first sanded down the textured finish where it was damaged and used body filler to fill in the deeper hairline cracks. 

This was then top coated with a quality high build primer, and then sanded down to perfect the surface. 

 

SEM sells a great interior/exterior textured coating. Very lightly applying it, a thin texture was sprayed where the original had been removed. 

Finally it was top coated with a trim paint from SEM. 

Very happy with the results. If you look at the closeup finished photo, the flat area of the console behind the shifter opening received no textured finish and was left untouched apart from the primer and top coat. It now blends seamlessly with the new texture on the sidewalls of the console. 

Last photo is of the SEM products used to do this. Give it a go before buying a repop!

[CW240Z72]

Remaining body work and paint completed over the long weekend. 

[CW240Z72]

Couple details updated on the Z. Working on the exhaust system now, should have that wrapped up soon. 
 

For now, much of the body has been reassembled. New/replated hardware used throughout, and picked up an excellently restored set of side marker lights and license plate light from @jfa.series1. 

 

Original turn signal housings received a deep cleaning, lens polished, and new hardware sourced. 

 

[CW240Z72]

Few updates over the weekend.
 

Cleaned up the ash tray on the Z. Was very fortunate this wasn’t broken in a million pieces. 

test fitted the muffler and mounting brackets. Fit looks great. 

Got the air cleaner finished up and installed. Few more routings jobs left and the engine bay will be buttoned up. 

 

I also pulled the steering rack out and swapped out the U-joints. Didn’t realize the slop there was in them until after the column was reinstalled. Now it’s as tight as a drum. 

 

[DC871F]

No expenses spared on this one. One question, is this going to be a driver?

YOu have set the bar here.

[grannyknot]

Beautiful as usual, could you share the details on the steering rod Ujoints?

[CW240Z72]

13 minutes ago, DC871F said:

No expenses spared on this one. One question, is this going to be a driver?

YOu have set the bar here.

I would hope that me and whoever owns this car next apprentices it and drives it. Hate to see them sit. 

[CW240Z72]

14 minutes ago, grannyknot said:

Beautiful as usual, could you share the details on the steering rod Ujoints?

Here’s some more info on them:

 

ATV700 is the PN. You can pick them up on Amazon, eBay, etc today. They’re an affordable and direct swap into the Z!