GunnerRob

Thanks for your request. Talk about timing! I just got off the phone with my Z mechanic. I asked him if the '76z had the exact same seats as my '75 (my dad bought the '75 brand new from the dealer, so I know my seats are original). He confirmed they are the same. Could it be you have later model seats? Do you have side by side pics of the two? I'd be interested in finding out for sure about this. Thanks again 280z

FWI. I found out that the first covers I'll be producing will fit all Z's from the '72 240z to the '76 280z. The '77 & '78 280z's are different. I don't know right now if I'll be supplying covers for these later year models.

Thanks Mike. Would you happen to know the screw style (straight thread, tapered, self tapping) & size (Metric length, diameter, threads per inch/cm)? I've used McMaster-Carr many times and I know having this info would help immensly. I want to get this right the first time and save the hassell and embaressment of sending the wrong part. I know from past experiences, as a customer, how disappointing that can be. Any help is appreciated.

That's great Kurt! I'll put you down on the list. I want to let everyone know that I'll try to include the little screws for the covers if I can find them. If I can't, I'll let you all know before I get ready to send the covers out. So, hold onto or find your old screws if you can, just in case. And if anyone out there knows for sure of a supplier for these screws, please share that info with us here!

Also, on my '78 that had the camel interior, the A pillar plastic covers and the vinyl trim around the headliner were camel colored as well as the interior door release plastic inserts and door lock pulls.

Thanks everyone for your replies of confidence and for your, can I say, commitment? Tomorrow I'll be meeting with the guy who's going to make these covers and try to firm up the cost. To recap, they'll be made from steel and, by consensus, painted black. And they'll initailly be for the 240z seats. I'll know today if I can adapt these to the 260-280z seats (I want a set too!). Will (hls30.com), I may need to take you up on your offer to borrow your drivers side cover. It appears the driver side covers are much more scarce than the passenger side units. I'm going to talk to another friend of mine who may have one I can use. I should know something on that tonight.

Thanks Carl. That's another reason I want to go with steel. Aluminum would have to be considerably thicker than steel to have the same strength. I want these to be the best possible replacement I can provide. It's looking more like black is the correct color for all interiors. Cool.

That's very encouraging. Does everyone else, that has responded so far, agree with the club CD? If so, then I can go in that direction, and if someone wants to change the color of theirs then they can do that themselves. Sound good?

I doubt anyone is going to break these due to overtightening. If I get feedback confirming they were only available in black then I'll sell them painted black.

I'll know a ballpark price after I see how many people want them. The more to sell, the less expensive. The cost of materials is miniscule compared to the cost of set-up. The match will be very good and the grain very close. The total weight shouldn't be more than a pound, I imagine. Aluminum would definitely be lighter but steel would be stronger and I feel it's best to match materials when possible (the seat mechanism is steel).

Hey, thanks Mike. Ya, I know that the tabs breaking off is the weak point. That's why I'm going to make them out of metal. I talked to an auto customizer friend of mine about whether to go with steel or aluminum, from a coating standpoint. I think I'm going to go with steel. I also think it would be best to offer them with primer instead of trying to match all the different colors for each individual car. I don't want to get into trying to match faded interiors and such. What do you all think about this?

Thanks Zup. I appreciate your interest and support. Your request makes 5 sets that are wanted, including mine (if it turns out I can adapt the 240z covers to fit my 280z)! Man, at this pace, I should have enough people ready to buy them (20 or so) to start the process by Friday. This is GREAT! BTW, what is a noob?

I think I'll stick with "Gage"

I agree. They seemed to be the first thing to go on these cars.

Thanks for your interest guys. dogma420 They will definately be metal and be very close to what came with the car originally. I still don't know the selling price. It'll depend on the styles and total quantities requested overall. hls30.com Thanks for your offer to loan out your OEM set. I would however surely return them. But let's wait and see how many people are sincerely interested in buying them before we go that far. I think a good target quantity is somewhere around 20 sets for each style. Unless of course you'd like to pay an exorbitant price for a couple of sets! Like I said before, I need to find out which year model requires which style of cover. So far I"ve found out that Zeddfindings lists 72-73 and 74-76 covers. Here again, good quality pics would help out a lot.

Mine is a '75 280Z, but if there is enough interest in covers for 240Z's to warrant the costs, then I'll look into making covers for them as well, providing I can get an original set from a 240Z. I need to find out what style each model requires. I'm hoping to get help on that from you members. Pics would help alot!

Hello fellow Zophites I’m looking into having reclining seat mechanism covers made for my Z and was wondering how much of a demand there is for them aside from my own. If they turn out nice and if there is enough interest, I’ll see what it’ll cost to have more made. I’ll also look into having covers made for the early non-reclining seats if I get enough interest for those and can get a hold of a used set of covers to work from. I can have them made out of steel or aluminum and they should have the same texture as the original plastic covers. They would be within 2% accurate to the original and they can be painted matt black or possibly have a crinkle finish. Let me know what you think. I don’t know if the other interior colors had matching covers or not, so if you know, please fill me in on that. Any and all input is appreciated. I’d like to know what you guys/gals think of this effort and whether you’d be interested in them. I don’t know exactly how much they will cost to make yet, but I’d like to know what you all think would be a fair price (in US dollars). I wouldn’t think the shipping would be much since they won’t weigh much (I’ve not shipped UPS before). I’d also like to know if you’d prefer them as a set (both sides) or available individually (left or right side). I'll be looking into this sometime this week, so if you have any input, suggestions, or any feedback, please let me know. Thanks in advance for your feedback and input! Rob

That's funny.

Geez Will!!! NO MERCY AT ALL. But I love it! :devious:

Hummmm...I need seat mechanism covers, black door panels with the backboards in good condition, door pulls, the chrome trim pieces that go on the tops of the pull handles, the outer door trim with the squeegee in good condition, an interior mirror that doesn't have the flacking on the back (the plastic body that faces forward) due to UV damage, black front and rear carpets, antenna, fusible link bases, a rust free body, and a job to buy ALL THIS STUFF. Actually, I probably could afford to buy some things.

Ah! You're right Carl. Mr. Camo did indeed mention horns first. I have GOTTA get my eyes checked! :knockedou

Carl, I believe you're right! And, I believe they're straight out of a roach coach/lunch wagon, 5 horns and all! Can you say La Coocaracha?

Thanks for the response Zdreamer. The arm rests would have to be taken off first in order to take the panels off, so that's understandable. That's entirely understandable! Actually, I assumed you bought both cars to pull parts off of. I was just interested in a few parts. MAN, I wished I lived closer to you right now! I live in California. :disappoin

Talk about a DEAL!!! Congradulations on a truly great deal. By any chance is the '74 Z a late model Z with the big bumpers? I have a '75 280z that could use some small parts from it if it is.

Hi Matt, The first thing I would do is to find out if the old radio is a factory original, especially if it's working. If you're not interested in being able to restore your Z back into original condition in the future, I would think there are some people here that would be interested in your old unit. When I switched out mine I kept the radio that came in the car when bought new (it was a dealer installed option - with an 8 track tape player!). As far as what or where to find a new unit to install, I can't help you there. I did this same thing as you are trying to do, but that was 13 years ago. BTW, my new unit then was made by Pioneer, round knobs and all! Good luck in your endevour!