I have a '71 240Z that spent the first 40 years of its life in the Arizona desert. Generally a good thing, but in this case when I removed the rear hatch, the rubber spacers/gaskets on the hinges had all the maleable texture of peanut brittle, and of course broke off in bits and pieces. Replacements aren't available at Black Dragon or through the Nissan dealer. I could use new rubber gasket material, but there appears to be more to these pieces than just flat gaskets. The formerly-rubber material formed a cover over the hinges. Was that standard? If I simply use gasket material, will water not get into the roof cavity?

Any of your thoughts would be appreciated.

Try this - http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?37608-Hatch-Hinge-Seal-Covers&highlight=Rear+hatch+rubber+seals

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?37608-Hatch-Hinge-Seal-Covers&highlight=hatch+hinge+seals