Refitting Original Badges or Staying Uncluttered?

[stevo_gj]

Hey guys,

 

So the car has been recently repainted and I'm at a crossroads. I currently have none of the original badges on the car except for the pillar Z ones. I was thinking it would be good to get a few opinions on whether adding all the original badges (Hatch, Bonnet and Fenders) would improve the look of the car. Currently it is looking pretty original except for the wheels and perhaps the badges would add to that? I know that NOS or good reproduction badges probably won't be cheap but with what I've spent so far I'm not terribly concerned about cost.

 

What do you guys think?

 

Here are some recent pics:

[Stivva]

I have always liked the J-Spec Z badge on the bonnet, but not a great fan of the datsun badge on the aus delivered models.

[GV260]

Do you have a photo of the J-spec bonnet badge - I didn't know they were different.

 

Given you have already filled the holes, I would leave it clean. It looks great as is. If you were to badge it, I would only go for the bonnet - JDM spec or otherwise.

 

I've actually filled in my pillar badge holes as I prefered the clean look on the pillar and I previuosly had the badges stolen......

[stevo_gj]

Poll added

[Zedman240®]

I'm trying to find all the badges for mine... People have a hard time identifying the car as it is!

[Stivva]

 

As featured on the poster of the Wangan movie. I bought one onew from nissan. They are still available.

[MaygZ]

I'm a big fan of de-badged cars.  In my opinion, it allows the sexy lines of the car to be more visible.

 

Your Zed looks the goods as it is.

[NZeder]

This talk of badges and Dimitri stating people have issues ID'ing the car reminds me of youtube clip I spotted once (might have been from a show like Car Crazy) were these 2 older American's were talking about a 240z that was fitted with a RB25DET. The car was fitted with 432 and Fairlady Z badges and one of these old guys asked "432 that's the cubic inches" and they other guy said yes.

 

Should try and find that clip it was so funny.

 

Steve love the look of the car + looks like you have rego plate that ID's the car anyway so why have 260z badges on it then.

 

I have one of the JDM bonnet badges + and a new one = 280zx unit is the replacement following the partnumber succession list. But I like the look of this one too

[.]

Put Porsche badges on ..... just to keep em guessing

[mossy]

Mike, this is the clip your after

 

You've got to have the side pillar badges but I'm still not sure about the other badges myself, maybe just one on the BRE spoiler would look good.

[Stivva]

This talk of badges and Dimitri stating people have issues ID'ing the car reminds me of youtube clip I spotted once (might have been from a show like Car Crazy) were these 2 older American's were talking about a 240z that was fitted with a RB25DET. The car was fitted with 432 and Fairlady Z badges and one of these old guys asked "432 that's the cubic inches" and they other guy said yes.

 

Should try and find that clip it was so funny.

 

Steve love the look of the car + looks like you have rego plate that ID's the car anyway so why have 260z badges on it then.

 

I have one of the JDM bonnet badges + and a new one = 280zx unit is the replacement following the partnumber succession list. But I like the look of this one too

 

Thats badge on the left is a 350z badge yeah?

[garvice]

If you don't have nice badges then I would leave them off.

I do like all the badges (especially the quarter panel ones), but unless you can get smick ones I think they will detract from your paint job.

 

If you do find smick ones then go for it, it will look great.

[Mr Camouflage]

Leave them off, unless your badges are in excellent condition. Sad old badges on an brand new paint job will always let it down.

 

Brand new badges are available. I bought a set for mine for if I ever get around to finishing it.

 

I got them from here http://www.datsunrestore.com/photo3.html

[NZeder]

Thats badge on the left is a 350z badge yeah?

no that is a custom badge that MSA sell - and you see them from the manufacture in Thailand sell them on ebay every now and then too.

[NZeder]

Mike, this is the clip your after

 

thats the one - thank for the link

[RB30X]

I ordered some of those bonnet badges in the Wangan Midnight add. I have a couple of spareys if anyone wants one. I know the real 240Z ones are the Datsun one as above but I prefered the Z ones even though they are from the 280zx era.

[Stivva]

think the z badge is so much nicer and simple when compared to the datsun badge. It also does not require holes in the bonnet to mount it. It's a sticky back only.

[NZeder]

Ok here is the Z bonnet badge that MSA sell for $24USD on ebay for $5USD

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Car-Chrome-Badge-Emblem-Z-Nissan-Fairlady-350Z-Z33-3D-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19bc1949b1QQitemZ110529956273QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

Also this guys a number zed badges - 240z ones metal new and the 280zx type front bonnet badge also see

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/ukstar76/m.html?_nkw=badge&_sacat=&_odkw=&_osacat=0&bkBtn=&_trksid=p3911.m270.l1313

[GV260]

So the JDM spec is really just the pillar badge but for the bonnet. Stivva - did you get from Nissan Australia? Do you have the part number as I would like to get one espically as it is a stick on.

[NZeder]

The ones you get from Nissan will cost $$ as it is in a Nissan packet the ones listed for $14 USD on ebay are stick - infact the new ones from Nissan are also sick on these days too - might be from the same supplier just not in a Nissan part numbered bag.

 

That is these ones

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-240z-260z-280z-280ZX-300ZX-Hood-emblem-Badge-NEW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem43977d88e4QQitemZ290304395492QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[chris240]

Ive always liked the original 240z badge thats mounted 45degrees on the hatch...

The others im not so fussed about..

my 5 cents.

[Stivva]

So the JDM spec is really just the pillar badge but for the bonnet. Stivva - did you get from Nissan Australia? Do you have the part number as I would like to get one espically as it is a stick on.

 

I can get the part number again. I threw away the packet. But it was about $40.

[stevo_gj]

Well the majority seems to say keep it clean. Can I ask how many people would have changed their vote if I said I would be buying all new high quality badges? Thanks for the feedback guys.

[NZeder]

Mine would not change

[Mr Camouflage]

I voted for badges on the assumption that you'd use new ones. But its your car, so its up to you.

 

One advantage to not re-fitting the badges is its something less a******s  to steal off your car.