DatsunZGuy

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Debbie seemed like a wonderful partner to spend your life with. Although cars are only objects, they do hold a special place as a touchstone of great memories of happier times. May the restoration bring you purpose, peace and solace in a cathartic way.

Why don't you reach out to the Triangle Z Club based in North Carolina? I'm pretty sure that a club member nearby could recommend a body shop that performed good work on their Z. https://trianglezclub.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/TriangleZClub/

I concur. As a joke, I told my wife that $75,000 was my budget on this auction. She didn't find the humor in it.

The seller explained the shade variance my have been attributed to the filters used during photo session. The walk around video of the car seems show more of a uniform paint finish.

Trying to resist, but the force is strong on this one... https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-datsun-240z-311/

Did a minor hood adjustment along with adding some Sta-Bil ethanol treatment for a 15 minute idle in preparation for warmer weather ahead.

Sympathies and prayers to all his family and friends.

I agree. This is becoming about as interesting as a diatribe on who invented the potato peeler 🙄

Your cap looks close in color to the 310K BaT 240Z pictured below https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-datsun-240z-124/

Just putting a bow on this thread. $47,300

I always used blinker switch assembly. I've always like this write-up: https://woodworkerb.com/home/datsun-240z-rebuild/blinker-detail/

I also went the mid-engine route as well. Albeit a little older than your son's Lotus.

Just use two-sided Gorilla tape.

I got clown shoes 😒

https://www.thezstore.com/category/1008/splash-guards

Here are some photos of the rear bumper area from BaT of the 355 original miles 280Z that sold for $140,000. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-datsun-280z-39/

The rear hatch on my 12/71 build had jute in the rear hatch floor that covered the whole area and stopped just short of the jack storage compartment doors. The replacement carpet from Interior Innovations installed now has padding attached to it, so the original jute is rolled up and in storage.

Also, take some time to look into Cerakote. It's been used on firearms for years and is very durable. https://www.cerakote.com/project-gallery?htids=Rims

No mention gold wheels on the zhome.com page article. http://zhome.com/History/BlackP.htm Also interesting the marketing slick photo below shows a Black Pearl with the stock wheel covers with no mention other wheel options available.

I do not recall seeing these early 280Z four-spoke coming from the factory with a gold tint. My guess is plating the wheels in gold was dealership add-on to help fatten-up the profit margin.

Older Panasport wheels (like pictured in the link below) did not have their name embossed and just had a sticker on them, which could be easliy be removed or worn over time. https://www.alfabb.com/threads/single-14-x-6-panasport-wheel-for-105-115-alfa.726118/

They look like Panasport wheels to me.

The collector market has softened as of late. Hagerty's value estimate seems anchored to reality with a nearly 16% YTY value drop for an example in #2 condition, which I believe this one falls under.

You are pretty much on your own in determining the correct size. Aftermarket louvers were offered by a many companies and the installation hardware varied. Some like Shadow did not require any drilling and could be lifted for cleaning with a set of small keys. Best bet is to dig around your fastener stash for a few sheet metal screws an apply the trial and error method.

Trico Classic appears to have a similar locking mechanism as the OEM Datsuns. You might be able to chuck the arms and use the blade if you are a stickler for originality .