240z rego / license plate covers. Who needs one?

[nat0_240_chevZ]

Hi Guys,

I've been starting to put my own car back together, and found that all 4 assy's I have (or can currently find) are heat damaged, warped or otherwise slightly butchered.

So I've done the look around to see what I can buy from US or overseas, and not too much has presented itself, except some repros which are not exactly well priced.

Unless someone here is sitting on a NOS item they would gladly part with?? (worth a try). Im just at ends as even some of the nicest cars have wonky, distorted and curved units.

I've looked at making them (the covers) by fabricating from aluminium sheet, metal finished and then can either be painted or powdercoated in a either a fine texture black or Grey per the factory tail-light surround/finisher panels (colours discussed in another thread (link HERE).

These will screw on to the STD bulb holder/backing.

Some points some may ask,

-the lenses and cutouts to be covered with clear acrylic.

-The metal light diffusers/shades can be just cut into the cover blank, retaining the 'minimalist' light they output anyhow.

-The open corners will be welded and metal finished. Will look nice and rounded just like the folds.

-the rib plates, (shown in red in last pic) although not required in aluminium can/will be put in, 

-Last pic with bodgy paint'o'shop, complements to image owners.

 

Gauging interest at this stage, for additional quantities, but I am making these for myself, first and foremost. I'm still yet to proto-type them but will update with taste'bud wetter pics as it progresses.

as these items are small, (compared to rails etc) there may be a big batch done, and only partially finished, awaiting final fab & finishing.

My reasons for not deleting and trying to obtain something better than a repro plastic one or 3d plastic printed which will have the same issues, or may already be wonky-donkey from new, as I have seen some NOS units looking pre-warped and curved, which leads me to believe they never really fit that well out of the box.

Reply in this post with any comments or feedback.

cheers Nat0

 

 

Edited January 3, 2020 by nat0_240_chevZ

[nat0_240_chevZ]

Reserved for follow-up pics & detail-#1

[nat0_240_chevZ]

Reserved for follow-up pics &-#2

[lightmaster240z]

I up for one mate

Bruce

[CBR Jeff]

Nat0 are you making the short original one or the longer later one? I’m in for a short one as I only have the bulb carrier section. 
thanks

Jeff

[nat0_240_chevZ]

Jeff,

the one pictured abd looking to produce is ~270mm long.

Check your dimensions and advise. 

[gav240z]

I managed to find a few second hand ones in good shape and snapped them up a couple of years ago. As you have noted reproductions are blood money.

Interested to see how this turns out. Do you have any idea of what price would be when finished? Or said another way are you aiming to make them at a certain price point?

[gav240z]

Only person to have them as NOS these days in Australia would be Warren at All Z Parts.

[CBR Jeff]

13 hours ago, nat0_240_chevZ said:

Jeff,

the one pictured abd looking to produce is ~270mm long.

Check your dimensions and advise. 

Thanks NatO. I don’t have the entire item but what I have (the white section) is ~215 long

[nat0_240_chevZ]

That's the one jeff. Cheers for posting pic to confirm. 

Ill also look at remaking the gasket to the correct size, as the Nissan ones are >2mm out of size, causing them to crack when stretched over time. 

Gav, not sure on price at the moment, ill cost it up once prototype is proven. Id hope they would be no more than say 140 at a glance, but need to cost up the finishing too, along with a cheaper 'Raw/un-coated' option. 

Problem is the volume, for powder coating or paint will be where main cost efficiency lies, As experience tells me. 

Ill keep this updated, already the origami version looks good!, also need to sort the lenses out, ie fit-in, set-in or on etc. 

The light slits to fullfill the metal inserts will be a result of 'the mobs' request, or i make 2? styles. This will be confirmed. (any input welcomed) 

I'm not going for concourse correct look, but i want it to be an option for those that even where a good/new unit is used, they will look cleaner and have no distortion. 

Nat0