"It's not a matter of using one or the other, both are used on the car.""

I think everyone is clear on that.

I also have a pair of kick plates that do not have DATSUN embossed on them.

Well, how about that then. This means one of three things.

1. Either my car has been fitted with new aluminium scuff plates at some stage.

or

2. Nissan shipped early cars (mine is HS30-00352) with aluminium scuff plates and chanded to vinyl covered steel at later date.

or

3. The car you have has had its aluminium scuff plates replaced with steel ones at some stage.

It makes sense that Nissan made them out of steel as they would get hit by the heel of shoes more often than traffic on the kick plates. Just seems strange that there are two types to me. Surely the vinyl steel versions would cost more to produce?

Is this another cost saving measure Nissan made druring the evolution of the zed? Time for a search.

240znz doesn't appear to be "clear on that"

OK, I'll start another thread as "it's clear" we have hijacked this one.

Astrohog, you're onto the right track there with making sure you do any repair right first time.

I also have a pair of kick plates that do not have DATSUN embossed on them.

Ron,

Those will be the Japanese home market versions. They didn't have any text on them ( not being 'Datsun' models they would not have 'Datsun' on them of course ) and the serrated stamping covers their whole length.

They were still available in Japan last time I checked.

Alan T.

The sill plates on my 280Z have the lengthwise serration pattern (no "Datsun"), and the kickplates are longer with a strange tongue on the front end.