26th-Z

I typed the e-mail address for MidwestZ incorrectly. It is zcarparts@cox.net - oops!

Great photos I like the second one - did you say haircell? - as my pic to the closest original look. The first one looks like my dash cover. I would love to do the interior in leather. Leather dash would be rich.

Forgot to mention the clock! Z clocks are notoriously broken. I am going to try http://members.aol.com/zclock4u/cof.html but Motorsport Auto sells rebuilds. Their catalog shows $80 to rebuild your clock.

I have had pretty good luck on E-bay but agree its a mixed bag. I have met some really nice parts sellers on E-bay and they usually have their own websites. Engine lamps are real common and I have a couple. One is brand new for a 72 and later, e-mail me. Luggage straps can be expensive and they are always used meaning re-plate the hardware and sew new strap material. Try zparts@cox.net (MidwestZ) and Banzai Motorworks. My list of part sources includes fourteen different businesses so far.

Oh my, what did I start? H20-Z tells it all - the Aussie texture IS inverted and appears to have more of a "leather" grain than the original stipple. I'm going for it, though. I hope all you "original" buffs will forgive me. Incidently, I notice the defroster vents seem to be unique to the series one dash. So... should I leave the "mystery indent" alone, or should I install a driving lamp switch in that location? I have a toggle identical to the hazard toggle for the application. The console has a driving lamp switch location next to the hatch glass defroster switch. Would love to hear comments - as I have thoroughly enjoyed all the rest of the remarks on this site!

Fantastic work Biker! You get the A+ for the day. THe close-up of the grain is most interesting. The facia shot has me right with you - "Spending too much again" indeed! What fun for us kiddies.

Sounds like this is what you want to do, Mike. I am restoring HLS30-00026 and I am convinced. Yea, its going to cost plenty, but all I hear is; "if I had a series 1 dash, I'ld want well over a grand for it". What do you have, #215? Its worth it. Biker might shed some new light, but me thinks this story will add lots of value to my car. I phoned the guy in Washington and he told me not to worry about sending all the fittings. He says they have done so many Z dashes that they know what to do. I want some holes left closed so I am going to tape notes to the dash. Sounds like our dashes might go together. Good luck and let me know how this turns out.

My you're full of questions! Go to the website, my man. They ship as often as they get a full cargo container. Their price includes shipping to and from down under, but I will have to pick up the tab from Washington to Florida and back. For all that trouble, hot pink sounds like the ticket! I just talked to Carl Beck of www.Zhome.com and he advises the surface texture is not the same and that he notices, but that was an $800 "Just Dashes" restoration and not the Aussie connection we are discussing. Either way, its all better than a dash cap or a cracked dash in my opinion. I'm probably going to spend as much as I would for a new series 1 dash, if I could find one, and if this works, I think I will send out my spare cracked dash for future E-bay gouging. Oh, I don't think they will assemble the wiring harness and such. Just check for fit.

Check out the website. What they do is vacu-form a new skin and they have to cut out the holes for the gauges and vents and stuff. They want the accessories for the fit. For the particular restoration - like mine - the dash is original and not generic. I think the only thing someone might nit-pick is the texture of the finish.

Thanks everyone for the discussion about the dash restoration company in Australia. I just contacted them ( www.dashboardrestorations.com.au ) about my dash and they said: send the dash with fittings, gauges, vents, etc. to the Vancouver, Washington bulk shipper and they would send it to Austrailia - six weeks - $582 US. Check out their website and fill out the form - they contacted me the next day. They also said they were shipping first week of July.

I understand there is an intake mainfold balance or cross-over tube that does not have the standard emissions mounting stuff in the casting. This is for an early 1970 setup and the brake vacuum fitting comes out the back end of the tube. I understand it comes from Australia. Would like one. I am using a mechanical advance dual point distributor.

I am going to try Just Dashes in California (www.justdashes.com 800.247.3274) for my dash. Found them in Hemmings. They vacu-form new plastic over the old foam. Not cheap ($800 +/-), but good recommendations.

Looking for wire type hose clamps in all sizes especially radiator.