Question on front bumper rubber/moulding

[Dadsun]

What am I missing here? Is it a piece of rubber moulding? Is the bumper I have too short? I bought this Z (1973 240z with 10/72 build date) from original owner a year ago and have worked my way out to the front and rear cosmetics. I see some Z's with bumpers that extend neatly into that cavity. Mine doesn't. 

[AK260]

Hello!

Nice car !! Any more photos?

To me, that looks like the wrong bumper. Being a European car, mine goes all the way to the end of the “cavity” you mention. But the one the PO had put on mine was like yours and was from another market where they had a rubber insert behind the bumper.

A few more photos of your bumper would help us better identify the issue for you.

[dutchzcarguy]

Maybe a "specialist" on USA type 240z's can chip in, could it be that you are missing these?  (The Euro version don't have these..)

(I got a set of these, they came from a garage here in the Netherlands and are about 35 years old but new old stock. A technician ordered the wrong part...it happens!)

I've seen these go for 200 dollar a piece! and were in worse state..  If this is what you need you can make me a offer, but remember the shippingcosts are also high, if interested i could get you a estimate on shipping costs.

Edited April 18, 2021 by dutchzcarguy

[S30Driver]

Yes, the 73 model year was the start of changes to the front bumper to meet new US crash protection laws.  The bumper is different from the earlier ones and had filler pieces on the ends and the center section due to being moved out further from the body.

[dutchzcarguy]

3 minutes ago, S30Driver said:

The bumper is different from the earlier ones and had filler pieces on the ends

So those are the filler pieces i got.. Nice, Thanks!  If @Dadsun don't want them for the right price (PM me.) these NOS parts are for sale.

[Dadsun]

Wow, interesting. Let me dig into this more for a day or so. I'll talk to the original owner and also see about pulling off the bumper. Will post more pics.  

See, here is a recent BAT post and this 1973 Z shows the bumpers coming all the way around to fill up the recess. So, this was either a Euro, or at some point Euro bumpers replaced originals?

[S30Driver]

It's a modified car.  Has earlier front bumper, 280 vented hood, air dam etc. 

[Dadsun]

Ah, is this more what I should be aiming for as original? (The other 1973 z on BAT right now):

 

 

[Zup]

Yes.

If you don't take Mart ( @dutchzcarguy ) up on his offer I probably will. 🍀

NOS examples of the rubber filler are very difficult to find. Relatively good condition used filler pieces can be restored, but even those are not plentiful.

[Dadsun]

I have PM'd @dutchzcarguy. Just want to finish going through the boxes of old parts the original owner gave me to see if I have the originals. No luck so far,.so I plan to try to work something out with Mart.

 

[dutchzcarguy]

21 hours ago, Dadsun said:

Let me dig into this more for a day or so.

Hihi... take your time, these parts are in stock for over 30 years hahaha.. a few days more can't hurt.

 

18 hours ago, Zup said:

NOS examples of the rubber filler are very difficult to find. Relatively good condition used filler pieces can be restored, but even those are not plentiful.

@Zup Hi Jim!  Your next on the list 😉

Question,

These fillers are used only on 240z? or also on 260z?  

As you might expect.. these are rare pieces (very long in stock) and have theire price.

[Dadsun]

Well, turns out the pieces are there but pretty much disintegrated. Lol.