GunnerRob

I'm wondering if the carpets were shipped loose from Japan, then installed by the dealers? Since the microfiche doesn't illustrate the clips, it may be that the dealer prep people didn't know what they were for, and just tossed them out. I'm also wondering if the different year model FSM's show them, or is the microfiche different from the FSM. Ahh....the mystery continues.

Hi Carl, Could it be that the clips didn't appear until the first 280z model year, such as mine ('75)? I don't have the Parts Microfiche yet. I'm back working in Las Vegas again trying to catch up from experiencing the dismal California job situation. But when I do get the microfiche I look forward to checking out other parts and components unique to the '75-'76 280z's. Does the microfiche show the differences of the seat mechanism covers along the line?

You could be right, David. When I pulled mine out, they were very rough (no plating left?). So I assumed they were painted or coated.

Has anyone coated the inside of the removable panels with something like Por-15? I've thought of doing this to the inside of the fenders and such. I'm VERY aware that the rust monster attacks from the inside out and I'd think that taking this approach would improve the surviveability of these pieces (or any surface that is not painted).

Well actually, these retaining clips are painted flat black from the factory and blend in with the original carpet pretty well. Also, unless you're long legged the front of the seat bottoms cover the clips (at least in my '75 280z).

There must be a pro wrestling match going on during this thread that’s keeping the horn-dog, macho men pre-occupied. Otherwise we’d have the answer to Alfadog’s question by now. Here in the USA the Firebird/Camaro is the car of choice of guys that like to “steal a feel” of their date before getting to the Burger King. The handbrake is on the right side because that’s where the CHICKS SIT! BTW, I sold my ’73 Firebird in ’78.

Hi Jason, I noticed your steering wheel has a "K-Mart special" cover on it. If I recall correctly, you recently bought the car, and I'm assuming the cover was included. If you remove it (which I hope you intend to do) and find the original surface to be "chingered up" (old fart term), and can't afford a reconditioned steering wheel, I'd recommend installing a Wheelskin wheel cover. They are made of leather, come in a wide variety of colors and styles, and are fairly easy to install. They can be bought online. Installation takes about a half an hour and looks pretty good. It is laced onto the wheel using thick, waxed thread and lasts for years. I bought one about four years ago and it is holding up well. It also enlarges the thickness of the wheel a bit, which I like. Can I assume you're employed in the architectural/construction trade? I have been on and off for years and I find myself calling floor pans "floor plans" myself often. Have fun with your Z!

I have these in my '75 280z and they're original to the car! In 59GHIA's photo you'll notice that one "finger" is flat and the other is curved up. The curved finger is slid between the L shaped tab (that is attached to the floor pan) and the carpet, with the curve up like a bridge or hump and the lip of the straight edge facing up. The photo shows the orientation correctly. I believe this design is intended to hold down the carpet all around the underside of the clip while taking away some of the stress from the carpet hole and the L shaped tab. So, the curved "finger" would be positioned to the rear of the car. Hope that helps!

...are the "D" hubcaps supposed to have a "Z" in the center?

Hey Vicky. Don't forget about the trash can on the exhaust pipe! That adds at least 10 hp!!!

I'm currently working as a brain surgeon to pay for bartending school. In all seriousness, I'm a mechanical designer involved in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) as well as piping systems design and I love it. I got involved in electrical design by mistake (?) for a while. BORING!! Just not my cup of tea. So, no offense to any of you sparkies

Started out in SoCal 'till 11. On to Titusville, Fla. 'till 17. Hitchhiked back to Bellflower in SoCal in 1970 through the deep south with another longhaired hippie friend. Now THAT was an adventure! Then on to California. Whittier, Paramount, El Monte, Long Beach, Lynwood, San Diego, Lynwood again, San Fransisco, Vallejo, Long Beach again, Orange, Santa Ana, Orange again, Oxnard, Ventura, Renton, Wa., Ventura again, Garden Grove, Las Vegas (during the week for work), Ventura, and soon back in Las Vegas for work again. Whew! That was tiring.

[French moustache, from Italian dialectal mustaccio, from Medieval Greek moustakion, from Greek mustax, mustache, upper lip.]

Question: 1. Sherwin-Williams has a paint code list for Porsches dating back to 1964 and there is no "Anthrecite grey" listed. There are however about a half a dozen different colors of grey listed using "Porsche" and "grey" as search selections. Here's the web page to search: http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/formula/car_finder.cfm 2. Try the search feature here at the site.

Question: 1. Sherwin-Williams has a paint code list for Porsches dating back to 1964 and there is no "Anthrecite grey" listed. There are however about a half a dozen different colors of grey listed using "Porsche" and "grey" as search selections. Here's the web page to search: http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/formula/car_finder.cfm 2. Try the search feature here at the site.

Yes indeed CCC77, could you post where you're from? I am interested in some parts as well. What might you have in the way of door panels, seat mechanisms?

Are you sure about your '74 260z needing to be smogged? I believe and have been told by "California smog certified" auto mechanics here in Ventura, Ca. that cars 30 years old and older are exempt. It sure would be worth looking into at DMV. BTW, it appears from the pic you displayed that you have an early issue '74 so that may play favorably into making it exempt as well. Good luck with the sale! Rob

Try mailing tubes purchased at a blueprint reproduction shop. They are usually inexpensive, and are made of somewhat thick cardboard and include plastic end caps. You could secure them at the ends with wadded up newspaper so that they wouldn't slide or wabble inside. They shouldn't weight more than a half pound, so the cost of shipping should be reasonable.

My '78 280z had the weatherstripping on the window frame like your picture shows. My '75 280z doesn't. And the latest MSA catalog indicates that only the 75-78 models had the weatherstripping on the window frame. I know that my '75 Z's window frames are original to the car, so maybe my Z has leftover '74 frames? Ain't this FUN???

No offense taken. Clarification on things like this is one of the reasons I appreciate the members of this club. One can never be TOO informed. Now I know to be suspicious if someone tries to sell me a "wooden" window roller!

I agree with you Bambikiller. There's an old saying that still applies to this situation and that is "Dead men tell no tales." And they don't testify either!