Differences between 240z and 260z dashboards

[w3wilkes]

One other tidbit on the 240Z dash. The cigar lighter in the above 240Z is the way it was on my 73 240Z. My current 12/70 car has the cigar lighter under the heater controls on the right side of the fusebox cover plate. The cigar lighter spot is not cut out but the indent is there as a blank spot where I guess you could install like a driving light switch or maybe a beer tap?

[Jeff Berk]

I had the vendor delete the cut out for the cigarette lighter  but instead send a little extra leather so I could make a cone after cutting out a hole for it. Now I'm considering deleting the cigarette lighter and possibly the dimmer and trip odometer controls.

This is going to be a very frustrating project. I have the leather partially installed now and the holes for the speedometer and tachometer are going to be a problem as will the hole for the driver-side vent. I've tried using water with a little neat's foot oil mixed in for the initial soaking and rubbing alcohol and water for subsequent soakings so the leather will stretch. Then water and a hair dryer to shrink the leather in other areas. 

The 3M brand Fastbond 30-NF contact cement is fantastic. It is a water based, low odor, water cleanup contact cement with great hold properties. I was able to find a gallon on facebook/marketplace not too far from me at a reasonable price.

I had asked the vendor to use black thread on the remake but he did it in red like the first one. I might keep it red as it is not bad looking after all.

 

[Patcon]

That's quite the project! I'm not sure I'm that adventurous...

[Jeff Berk]

Well this as well as can be expected...

https://streamable.com/ts3evp

I might be tabling this for a few months while I learn how to do leather work with my dash back in my car.

[HusseinHolland]

They don't provide any guide for install? It would seem to make sense to start from the speedo & tach openings to makes sure those are properly located, then stretch the leather out from there?

[Jeff Berk]

No instructions are provided and the supplier warns you that this is the case.

Going with what I saw on line and from documentation of an install of the same supplier on a 240z dash, I started in the middle with the 3 gages and worked outward. That's when I realized the problem with the vent holes. I don't think they are unsurmountable; but, I'm not not very good at sewing leather yet. Its going to be a learning process as is most tasks on my 260z. 

I just installed my first attempt at a new driver's side lower panel. I need to still flatten out the seams and add the saddle stitching in red. After test driving a few cars that had contrasting stitching, I think it's growing on me.