26th-Z

It can pretty much be said that all cars with the round pillar emblems have vent holes as ya'll are discussing. The exception applies to 432s and prototype models. The hole is for venting purposes and was originally back painted black.

Try this place. I have been using this stuff to make molds and repros. I can buy it in Orlando in smaller quantities. http://www.rubbermoldcompounds.com/

It took me forever to get this part off the car and clean the undercoating off to see if there was anything remaining of the original. Here you go, Kats! Original 1969 direct from Her Majesty the 26th.

As promised, inspection lid clip pictures. This is 63209-E4101, the plastic clip and the inspection lid (thank you Princess 27 for lifting your lid). The original clips were painted along with the body. Notice the slotted bracket welded to the lid and how the clip slips on. The parts book lists these up to July '73, but I think they were replaced earlier.

Speaking of not having a car to show....I could enter Princess 27 in the "gross-out pig" category. Perhaps someone could loan me their car hauler boxed trailer so that everyone would know how serious I am when I unload the babe. Maybe I better not. The poor thing just drips rust flakes and would make a big mess.

Thanks! Now with 27 to look after, I have a bunch of cracks to fix on the interior panels. Always looking for the help and advice. Many thanks

Yes!!!! !!!! !!!! Pm

I paid $175 for a pristine AM radio well over a year ago. I had to be "introduced" to the seller and the deal took a couple of months while I was "qualified" to buy such a treasure. I moaned about paying that much for a radio I had no intention of ever turning on, but it is original and correctest for Her Majesty. The bottom line here Unkle is that if you are going the show quality original route, its going to be pricey. There are several people in this group who take great pride with their accomplishments of correctness and originality. I know I will. Tough crowd to keep up with, frankly. I did notice at the national convention last June how many people gathered around the original cars. There is serious pride to be had for all the effort and money. See you this weekend, Vicky? Bring rum!

I am caught in a real dilemma. Should I change my screen name, or do you all know what I am talking about?

Thanks! I have been looking for that site for quite some time. Allan, you are welcome to use any of the pictures I post. I know we have discussed this in the past. Great collection. Keep adding to it.

I can't believe I don't have a nice picture of good Hitachi AM. It had automatic signal seek and would be correct for a 1970 car. In shape like the second picture, expect to pay around $175. The second picture is the Hitachi AM/FM with the antenna switch on the top of the face plate. I see these go for a little less, but every now and then they reach $200 on eBay.

Thanks, I have been using "Superglue" for the harder plastics like interior panels, ash trays, face plates. They don't seem to be styrene and I have yet to find anything that will soften the material. I'm going to try this.

Thanks for the Plas-T-Pair reference. What is your experience with it, John? Does it bond to the hard plastics like an ash tray or radio face plate?

I'll probably be there. Swap meet? Cool! I have a ton of stuff.

Unkle, Got a bit of sticker shock? An 'A' quality Hitachi AM radio with the face plate and antenna switch is worth far more than $128. I was surprised to see the owner's manual go so high, but I know who bought it and there were three other guys moaning about loosing that auction. That was a 1969 published manual - seriously rare. I'll bet I have talked to four or five people who were interested in the clips. Those headlight assemblies came with brand new cans, wiring, and the gaskets. Try to find just the gasket!!! There seems to be quite the demand for the very early stuff in 'A' condition. Prices are beginning to approach what it would cost to restore an old original piece. As I write this, I just got out sniped by a fellow member on an item I haven't seen in a long time and need. (Congratulations, you dog!!! :classic: ) The demand is out there and as much as I hate to say it, parts just aren't appearing like they used to.

The going rate for new OEM headlight covers from a private sale was around $500 a year ago. I have seen them recently for $600. They seem to be still available in Japan for 55,000 yen plus shipping. If you really want them, put out you feelers, ask around, and have your check book ready.

Whoa...! Guys... The steering wheel is compsite resin. Matsuo (actually Chiba) wanted a wooden wheel, but because of crash safety standards they were made of the composite resin. The wood graining is a stain. Check Humbles; "How to Restore...". All of your suggestions are great and I see no reason why any of them wouldn't work. Mine are lightly sanded and coated in polyurethane. 27's wheel is quite bad and I will probably use the stain - prefering the light mahogany (yellow) to the dark auburn colored ones. EDIT: In your pictures, Carl, notice how the "wood" is not splintering. What the photos show is the graining in the composite. Notice how the "wood" is molded around the metal spoke. Not cut and fit as a piece of wood.

I was told by Chloe many moons ago that everyone is selling the TABCO panels. They are all the same. I have TABCO panels to replace and they seem first rate to me.

I avoid the fumes by not driving the cars! But seriously, the back end has to be sealed. If you are smelling fumes, its not sealed. Fuel line vents, tail light gaskets, deck vents and deck lid gaskets are all suspect. This is a common problem and takes quite the effort to resolve.

Welcome Mr. Lowvin! Always good to see an early car!

Hey there Unkle!

When the whole inspection lid clip thing started, I wondered how many cars remained that would use such an obscure part. Evidently a bunch. Stay tuned, Dave. I'm gonna dog this because I have some other "obscure" parts in mind, as you know. I think some of what we are seeing is a realization that the obsure stuff is getting harder and harder to find. One of the things no one has discussed with respect to the hub caps is WHAT hub caps they were. Sure, they were 'D' caps, but WHICH 'D' caps? Anyone pick that up? When was the last time you saw such a nice set of those? In the scheme of things $1,200 might not have been so bad. Would love to hear a clip report from you, Gavin!

I wondered about them being made by Datsun / Nissan myself. I don't think so, but you know how it goes. As soon as I stick my foot in my mouth someone comes along and laughs at me.

The very early cars have inspection lids with slotted brackets for these clips to fasten the lid to the fender. They break because they are made of plastic. Later models have a metal spring clip that screws to the inspection lid bracket. E-mail Carl and encourage him to make the repros. He has a pretty good plan going. Edit: Edit: Burp: I'll take a picture!