Boy from Oz

Why not label it a '570Z' ?

Ian is retiring and closing up shop at Classic Revival, The moulds have been for sale for some time but no takers. 240Z and 260Z 2-seaters are becoming very rare in this country and fetching high prices for good body shells so a GTO is no longer a cheap build - was it ever? I agree with Speedracer that you are better off first searching for an incomplete or finished kit you can customise to suit yourself. Let me tell you there is plenty of work in just doing that. The trick is to ensure it has minimal rust. Failing that, then consider a scratch build. Rust elimination was the main reason I wanted to built one from scratch but it has been a long, long, long road... Too long. Finally got some paint on it.

The first sentence has a double negative but I think I know what you mean. From what I have read even using flat head bolts and large spreader washer has resulted in cracking - as the fibreglass needs to move - so I should imagine that a small surface pop rivet would probably crack the fibreglass on installation let alone during use. I know it is a hard concept to get one's head around (it worries me) but it appears from all experience that the glue is all you need and in fact is the only way to go. The glues, bondo and paints used today are extremely flexible - apparently. I'm going with Sikaflex 252. After 8 bloody years I expect to glue my rear panel on in the next two weeks! BfO.

You will have to change the GTO alternator for an F-body one and the mounting arm as well.

I'd be interested to see some photo of how you are going about it as I intend to do the same shortly.

Rosso Cina I have researched this (on the web) until I can research no more. None of the following should be taken as absolute fact. - In 1962 Ferraris were most likely painted with a product supplied by Italver, Duco (DuPont), Max Meyer or Salchi - Cars bodied by Pininfarina used Italver or Max Meyer - Cars bodies by Scaglietti (incl. 250 GTO) used Salchi - Ferrari ‘Rosso Cina’ code is 20.456 S – ‘S’ for Salchi? - PPG (Du Pont) bought Italver and Glidden bought Salchi - later PPG bought Glidden and Salchi - FIAT/Lancia offered products in a colour titled ‘Rosso Cina’ in the 1960s - Alfa Romeo had a ‘Rosso Cina’ (AF 521) in 1968-73 AF521 is the colour I have chosen for my car and I had a sample sprayed on a spare panel.

There is still one under construction!

Tuffy lock and pull fitted - trunk only at this stage - see post #1000 http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/50042-250-gto-owners-thread/page-50

I also have the seat trims. I didn't like the colour all that much when I first saw them in the GTOs (see photo #1) but the more I thought about it the more I got used to it. Unfortunate, as they will be the last item to be done on the project, I won't be in a position to fit them for some time.

Finally got around to fitting the Tuffy lock and finger pull to the boot (trunk) lid. Very straightforward. I had to trim down the finger pulls as can be seen in the photos and I ordered only side-mounted finger pulls so I had the file new notches into one pull to have it positioned pointing rearward. I can't see there will be any problems with the doors.

That's why Speedracer is a 'Legend' when it comes to these kits.. You are very lucky, I had none of those with my secondhand kit...

For me it is Sikaflex 252, but others may prefer a different product.

Photo #1. - The two flat pieces are probably to fill the gap where the taillights are removed, - The large curved is probably to fill the gap between the rear wheel arch and the fibreglass kit - note the allowance for the rear air duct. - The lower item is probably to fill the gap between the lower edge of the rear panel and the valance on the rear 240Z. Photo #2 - No idea really but may be something that fits under the front wheel arch.

Wes - You've frightened the daylights out of me with those quotes, not so much about the cost but the realization that there is so much work to be done. I dragged the 'Puckett' front section out from under the house today and rather than look at it I ran my hand over it... You're right, there are a lot of surface irregularities that are going to need bog and sanding. Oh well, what's another couple of years to completion.

Great start. Are you going to leave the quarter windows or is there another panel to cover them over?

Don't call me "Boy"! Thanks for the tip on fitting a stop. I used the Holden (GTO to you) donor foot pads as well, to match the accelerator.. I just needed to weld an extenion piece on so they wouldn't flex during any heel and toe action.

This was my first attempt but I hope to later make a new mount out of 3/8" aluminium plate and countersink the bolt holes where it mounts to the car. That way I can position the accelerator directly over the existing car bracket instead of offset as you see in the photos.

This is covered on a number of threads - you need to do a 'search' like I did, they were most helpful. Example: http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/82026-jci-ac-mount-alignment-issues/?hl=compressor

Why not use these http://www.tuffyproducts.com/p-159-replacement-pushbutton-lock.aspx and these and trim them to shape? http://www.tuffyproducts.com/p-149-side-finger-pull-lever-for-pushbutton-lock.aspx I can't see why there is a price difference between the vertical and horizontal pulls

Has anyone made up or purchased a cross-brace for the rear shock towers on a 240Z fitted with Arizona Z Car shocks? If so, could you provide a photo of the brace and fitting. Thanks.

Eric I think we should move away from the Honda locks and I've been looking around for an alternative. There are plenty of lockable push button style locks used on glove boxes and some earlier ones even have a tab - search eBay. You can always make your own tab which is how the GTO s are made anyway. Try these; http://ruttsautotools.com/push-locks-truck-tool-box-ka2-big-sale/. (edit)- These might be even better. http://www.4x4partshop.com/p/qYGGg7N/Tuffy_Double_Pushbutton_Lock_Key_Alike_Service

No I haven't. I did consider extending the plates (which attaches to the transmission tunnel) up about 50 mm and fitting a third securing bolt through to the interior but I didn't follow up that thought. I'll use the Loctite, thanks for the suggestion..

It was manufactured by ZF for Holden (GM in Australia) and was part of the wrecked donor car I used in my LS1 installation. ZF is a German component manufacturer operating in many parts of the world including down here. I believe that in situations like this a vehicle manufacturer will own the design copyright and have the component supply outsourced. Dana have also been used by Holden to supply diffs. About the only way to obtain this particular diff is from the vehicle manufacturer here in OZ as a spare part or from a salvage (eBay, etc) or off a GTO in the US,This particular model has been superseded by an all aluminium casing model fitted to Holdens down here and to the Pontiac G8 in the US. IRS are standand on most cars in this country whereas I understand beam axles are still popular in the US. My design has a fairly universal application so it really doesn't matter which diff you use and I would suggest you investigate if there is a popular IRS in use in the US and utilise that.diff. Also, I had clearance issues with one bolt on the transmission tunnel and had to make my own countersink bolts. It is a fine pitch thread and no bolt manufacturer makes them as countersinks. I bought longer bolts with a section of plain shank and turned a fine pitch thread and then cut off the excess length.

As I've stated on here previously, I obtained my Nardi Anni 60 off the Italian eBay for $250US a few years ago but I think I was very very lucky. You might keep an eye out for one on there. They were standard equipment on Lancias in the 60s so check under 'Lancia' as well..

I got my Nardi hub off eBay a couple of years ago but I couldn't see any on there today. This might help http://community.ratsun.net/topic/41221-steering-wheel-hub-compatibility/ If you have no luck I can get one of these and forward it to you. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Steering-wheel-boss-adaptor-datsun-MQ-Patrol-240Z-260Z-280Z-180B-200B-/150742659472?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2318f67190#ht_2965wt_966