Chris_Hamilton

I could make them but to be honest I don't know if it would be economically feasible for you. I would have to make hammer forms and that would take a considerable amount of time (anywhere from 20 to 40+ hours for a pair). Then there is the issue of trying to make them using only the cover and not having the actual headlight bucket to fit the form to. And with the Ferrari replicas buckets being integrated with the fender it would mean I would have to have the car in order to make something that would fit nicely. If there's any way you could get one of the cars to my shop and let me have it for a week or so (I'm aprox 6 hours away from you) then I could come up with something. Whether or not you want to invest the time and money is up to you. Wish I could be more help. Let me know.

Here are a few paint pics of a 66 Barracuda I recently did for a customer. I don't have any pics of the XKE covers and rings that I did. Also did a set for a 250 Ferrari many years ago, that was well before smart phones. I'll post plenty of pics and video of the covers on both of my Z's and send out a couple of sets to forum members for evaluation. I am confident the quality will shine through.

Got some info from someone on the ClassicZcars forum so now I can finish my hammer forms up and get started working out any bugs with production. I've also decided to switch to a coated (UV protection) acrylic for the lens so that should help bring the cost down some as well as being easier to work with. Stay tuned.

Thanks for the kind words. Whether I get the info I'm looking for or not I will still be making them. Like I said before the molds for the lenses are done. The hammerforms for making the trim rings are done with the exception of trimming to final width and making a fixture for them so I can work the material over them securely. Mainly I wanted to try and duplicate the originals holes and width of the trim rings to possibly save someone who has a set from drilling additional holes. If I can't get the info I'll simply make the rings a width that is approximate and locate the holes in approximate positions relative to the photos I have.

Still looking fora couple of volunteers for measurements and a templates. Molds for Lenses are done. Working on the left and right hammerforms. Not really my concern if someone else is doing them. I plan on offering a very high quality, ready to install set, selling them through Ebay.

Just to stay on topic if you can help me out with measurements and/or a tracing please let me know. Thanks for any help.

Hello all, I'm looking for some input from some of you who may own original JDM headlight covers. I have decided to reproduce them as I think there would be a fair amount of interest in a set of quality reproductions that are similar to the originals. What I need from you, I don't have a set of originals but I have many pictures and along with some dimensions etc. that will be all I need to get started. First I would like to know if there are at least 2 members who are willing to make a paper trace/template of their rings and covers and then mail them to me so that I will be able to locate the mounting holes in the correct locations. Ideally I'd like what I'm making to be interchangeable with the originals in case those of you who have them need lenses or simply want to save their originals from any wear and tear. It would require making a trace or outline of your ring and your lens on a couple of pieces of paper. An easy way to do this is with charcoal or even a dirty finger although I would prefer it as neat as possible. A crayon would also work. Main thing I need is the location of the mounting holes. I also need someone to give me a couple of measurements. 1. Width of the rings. 2 Depth of the lip on the rings. 3. Thickness of original lenses. With the template and these measurement I can make a fairly accurate reproduction. I plan on using Polycarbonate (Lexan) for the lenses for their toughness and better resistance to weathering. The rings I will make in stainless steel and fully polish. I realize that there has been more than a few attempts at this over the years but please be assured that I will complete these. I restore vehicles for a living and have fabricated several different types of covers and rings over the years. The molds for the lenses are done (and yes they are the rounded shape not the more angular shape of the non ring lenses) and I'm in the process of building a hammerform for forming the rings. Depending on material costs and exactly how much time it takes for me to make each ring I plan on trying to price them for around $350 to $400 with high quality stainless hardware and high quality gaskets. If there is enough interest I would also be willing to give a group discount, but I do not intend to take deposits. I only want to accept payment for sets that are ready to ship. Also when I do complete a few sets I would be willing to send a set to a trusted member for their evaluation. Not looking to make a fast buck but rather would like to build some trust within the community. Thanks, Chris Hamilton Please either post here or PM me if you are willing to help with my requests. Thanks again.

That car is repairable, try to buy it back from the Insurance company then search out a good competent Body Shop. You'd be surprised at what can be done on a frame machine. I would never think of junking that car.

Yeah, it's tubbed and has a pretty stout (actually very stout...lol) Sonny Leonard BBC in it. 600+ cubic inches. I'm not sure of the exact size. I do know it sounds very nasty. Another shop built it and now the owner is gonna have me do the paint and finish bodywork on it. Gonna be quite a bit of work as he wants double layered ghost flames in shades of pearl orange.

I will be happy to provide the mounting locations wherever the customer wants. Should be fairly simple to provide a template and you mark the locations where your holes are. If everything goes as planned for me I plan to have 5 sets for sale by summer.

I'm planning on making some this year. I have a lot of sheetmetal fabrication experience and the tools to make the trim with. My problem is time. I'm currently trying to finish a 66 Barracuda and a 66 Chevy PU for customers and after those I have a 74 C-10 that I have to paint for another shop. So hopefully this summer I'll be making a announcement as to their availability. Also planning on making a few Fairlady style grilles, and something I haven't seen anyone else offer, an aluminum hood for the S30. Just gotta find the time, but it will happen as I plan to use these items for my own restorations on the 2 240's that I own.

This is an excellent source for info on bodywork. Many top Pros are on this forum. http://www.spiuserforum.com/

Edit: No longer searching. Found something locally on Craigslist.

Funny how times change, when I was a very little boy in the late '70's I can remember playing around with bars of lead solder that my Dad used on cars. He leaded a LOT of cars and I remember him telling me that it was most dangerous when it was sanded. Using a body file was relatively safe and if you applied it right you didn't have any real fumes. The fumes come from overheating it and it starting to vaporize. He would tell me stories of when he was a child many toys were made of lead. (he was 63 when I was born ) The real danger from lead is ingesting it and it's accumulative effect.

That really sucks Redzee. I hope it works out but I have a feeling it won't. Hopefully you'll find someone to build your motor the way you want it. I've kinda given up on finding a Datsun specialist on the East Coast. Yes I've know of Datsun Spirit/Elji but I've shot him a couple of emails and have never heard anything back so that's it for me. I've decided to go the route of buying my own torque plate (expensive but I want it done with one) and getting a local company to do the machine work. Don't give up on your dream. Good Luck.

Thanks for the reply.

Just a thought.......Seeing how you only get one set of eyes in this life do you really want to trust them to a cheapo Chinese helmet? Perhaps you'll never have an issue but there is always a chance. Your eyes are worth it, spend a little more for something quality made, at the very least something that has a Safety Rating that you can trust. Anything that has a safety rating such as UL Listed or ANSI etc from Harbor Freight stuff should be looked upon very dubiously.....Chinese manufacturers (especially low end have no issues faking stuff like that) Google Chinese Fakes. Personally I use a Jackson Halo X I2 with the Nexgen lens , Miller and Speedglas are also good choices. And yes some of that stuff is made in China (unfortunate but it is what it is these days) Plenty of decent helmets in the $150 dollar range. Your eyes are worth it.

Hey Swede does Elji do all machining in house? Also in your discussions with him did he mention whether he uses a torque plate?

Or you can get it here:http://www.rhdjapan.com/kameari-bead-type-metal-head-gasket-l6-2-0mm.html As of Friday's exchange rates it is roughly $218.50.

$2.37 here , South of Lynchburg VA

A company called Caswell Plating offers DIY yellow-zinc plating kits. The stuff looks identical to cadmium plating. Only real way to tell the difference is under a microscope.....doubt any judges at car shows are gonna do that. I've used Caswell's products in the past and plan ti use them again in the restoration of my '73. Many if not most prominent restorers are using yellow zinc plating to substitute for cadmium these days due to the chemicals involved in Cad-Plating and the many restrictions imposed on those companies that do it by the EPA. Here's a link to Caswell's site: http://www.caswellplating.com/electroplating-anodizing/zinc-plating-kits.html