70 - 73 240Z Tail Light Chrome Bezels

[JLPurcell]

I checked past threads and could not find one specific to my question. Does anyone make or currently sale NOS or reproduction chrome bezels for the tail lights for the 70 – 73 240Z? If not, does anyone know who the original manufacturer was?

[MikeW]

Are you asking about the horizontal chrome-plated plastic piece that is part of each tail light or the thin edging that's part of the metal tail-light surround?

[AZ-240z]

Jerry,

There is a guy, web site is www.zeddsaver.com, who, the last time I talked with him, said he was refurbishing tail lights. He has a fairly extensive ability to acquire NOS parts, and may be a good contact for you. His name is Norm Murphy, located in Canada and is very knowledgeable.

Also, it is rare, but some platers can do actual chrome on plastic, not vaccum plating.

Hope this helps.

Dan

[BD240Z]

Also, it is rare, but some platers can do actual chrome on plastic, not vaccum plating.

Dan

There's a Plater here in Phoenix who can apply chrome to plastic, the cost is VERY expensive, I didn't ask why.

I've decided to use chrome spray can paint covered with a clear coat. I'll use a small brush to paint the black stripe down the center.

I haven't seen these pieces offered for sale by anyone that has reworked them.

Bruce

[JLPurcell]

I have a company doing a re-chrome for me on 3 sets as we speak. I would rather have a set of NOS if possible. The company is located out east and charges $25.00 per bezel. It is hard to come up with good lefts for re-chrome. I have friends with ties to injection molding if we could find who made the originals. The original molds would be nice to have. Maybe Carl has some idea on that.

[hls30.com]

I was working on rolled stainless steel covers for them, but finishing the ends are a great deal more problematic than I expected.

A couple of years ago I made a set of molds for the pieces and actually cast four sets, but with the properties of the castable materials I could find in five gallon containers or less, none of them survived the plating proccess.

Will

[26th-Z]

I second the recommendation for Norm Murphy.

[JLPurcell]

I have sent Norm an email, we will see what he has to say.

[lonetreesteve]

Jerry,

You're right about finding left side tail lights with good chrome. I had a heck of a time finding a left one that didn't have cracks in the chrome or peeling off for our '71. I'm still looking for another left one with good chrome for our '72. I have an extra right one with good chrome if anyone has a good left one to trade....(Yeah, right! )

[Fun_in_my_z]

A left one? Go buy this for me and we might have a deal....

Going to get link.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/7AD1/50-1521

Or even thease

I have atleast oe good one, maybe two.

[JLPurcell]

Below is a link to the company where I have been having some plastic parts re-chromed. There are two different processes, Bob at American Classic Restoration will explain the process they use and the limitations. Do remember the quality of the job is directly related to the condition of the plastic part you send. Let Bob know that I referred you, then he can look up some of the parts he has done and estimated for me. That will help him give you a price without seeing your part. They can fully restore the part or just chrome it. They have on file an estimate for restoring the radio/heater bezel for 70 – 72 Z cars as well as 73+, the dash round side vents and the center vent as well as the tail light bezels. Good Luck

Reference him to:

Jerry Purcell

Richmond, Indiana

JMP Z Restoration

http://www.american-classic.com/begin.html

[HS30-H]

I have friends with ties to injection molding if we could find who made the originals. The original molds would be nice to have. Maybe Carl has some idea on that.

Why would Koito sell their original tooling, or even consider lending it to somebody in the USA? I don't understand this line of thinking. They don't owe anything to anybody.

Koito will have made them for Nissan under a contractual agreement. The tooling and design probably *belongs* to Nissan under that agreement, and I very much doubt that approaching Koito direct will do any good. You'd probably have to approach Nissan ( in Japan ) about the subject before short-circuiting the process and talking to Koito first.

People have tried to lobby for certain things to be put back into even limited production before now ( there's a small but relatively powerful old car following in Japan. let's not forget ) but the regime at Nissan doesn't behave very receptively to such lobbying.............