280zx cable operated side windows

[niroshann]

Adding another thing into my car that I don’t really need and cannot justify. It’s another thing I have always wanted as an option in my car so I decided to just go for it.

This is of course the factory cable operated side window mechanism. I source the bits from across the Atlantic and have the bits ready to go into the car once the other pending projects are progressed.

photos are in no particular order but show the bits that I got and how they were placed in the donor car. I have to shave off the back face of the centre console so that it is identical to the one in the photos.

the holes for the cables are already in the car and so I don’t expect any issues with routing them through.

 

[niroshann]

The donor car looked really nice and it seemed a shame as the car was well spec’d and only had 37k miles on the speedo. Rust had got to it underneath and it was deemed not worthy of rescue by the people over there.

It even had the voice warning system! Going by what Huw had done (YouTube video of the thing working) I decided that it was not a gimmick I needed in the car plus a lot more wiring would have been needed to make that work.

 

[uk66fastback]

Go stuff. But when this is done you'll be after the voice warning system I betcha!

 

[Huw]

How cool is that! I didn’t even know that was an option. Everyday is a school day. Nice one

Go stuff. But when this is done you'll be after the voice warning system I betcha!

After getting one working, I wouldn’t have one in the car. It’s nick name ‘Bitchin Betty’ is spot on. It must have been responsible for several accidents back in the day, with frustrated drivers trying to shut the thing up.

 

[niroshann]

Go stuff. But when this is done you'll be after the voice warning system I betcha!

you never know! I just might want to do this once I get the other stuff done but as Huw mentions its more of a nuisance! Really cool tech though!

 

[Bazzateer]

A friend has fitted electrically controlled opening rear side windows to his Reliant Scimitar. Tempted to do the same with the 260.

 

[niroshann]

A friend has fitted electrically controlled opening rear side windows to his Reliant Scimitar. Tempted to do the same with the 260.

I actually have the bits from a BMW 3 series coupe for an electric setup but found that the attachment points to the glass were bigger than the existing hole through the glass. If the 280zx didn’t have the factory option I would have persisted with the electric option With some customisation.

 

[Bazzateer]

Yeah,
I wouldn't trust myself making the holes larger!

 

[niroshann]

How cool is that! I didn’t even know that was an option. Everyday is a school day. Nice one

Huw, this is a big deal! I am glad that there was something new for you here! Given you have a two seater I guess something like this had never crossed your mind! I’ve only ever liked and had 2+2s!

 

[Ped]

Agree with Huw, I never knew about the remote opening on the back windows either! You live and learn.

 

[Sylv1]

Here is Betty + ding/ding for opened door

voice system is in the right rear trim near suspension

Fuel level is low
Right/left door is opened
Lights are on
... she misses a bit of conversation

 

[Sylv1]

Nice addition

Is it US market option or was it available in UK?

Adding another thing into my car that I don’t really need and cannot justify. It’s another thing I have always wanted as an option in my car so I decided to just go for it.

This is of course the factory cable operated side window mechanism. I source the bits from across the Atlantic and have the bits ready to go into the car once the other pending projects are progressed.

photos are in no particular order but show the bits that I got and how they were placed in the donor car. I have to shave off the back face of the centre console so that it is identical to the one in the photos.

the holes for the cables are already in the car and so I don’t expect any issues with routing them through.

View attachment 42477

View attachment 42473 View attachment 42474 View attachment 42475 View attachment 42476 View attachment 42478 View attachment 42479

 

[niroshann]

Here is Betty + ding/ding for opened door

voice system is in the right rear trim near suspension

Fuel level is low
Right/left door is opened
Lights are on
... she misses a bit of conversation

Yea I can see this becoming a real nuisance! Love the feature though and to think this was in the 80s and it plays off a record in the little box! I assume you car has all the cool features I would love to put into mine!!

 

[niroshann]

Nice addition

Is it US market option or was it available in UK?

I’ve only ever seen this In the US in the GL models. Not seen in NZ or Australia. My car was sold new in NZ. I owned it there and brought it over to the UK. The UK had some unique options like non factory rear view mirrors, basic stereo, no AC and no cruise control (As far as I have seen). Also the bumpers in the UK were the more sought after type which were the shallower ones with no over riders. Generally the LHD cars seem to have got all the good options.

 

[Ped]

I’ve only ever seen this In the US in the GL models. Not seen in NZ or Australia. My car was sold new in NZ. I owned it there and brought it over to the UK. The UK had some unique options like non factory rear view mirrors, basic stereo, no AC and no cruise control (As far as I have seen). Also the bumpers in the UK were the more sought after type which were the shallower ones with no over riders. Generally the LHD cars seem to have got all the good options.

I guess it was down to what drivers in the US market expected, eg: Cruise control, AC and some annoying pinging sound when the door was opened. Here in the UK at the time you were delighted with a car that started every day and didn't leak oil all over the garage floor.

 

[niroshann]

Finally got this installed in the car! Really nice mechanism - they built stuff well back then. The levers pivot slightly and latch at the end so you cannot pry the windows open from outside.

The mounting holes were needing to be drilled through - there were punch marks where they needed to be drilled. Also has to cut the rear face of the centre console carefully to ensure a good non interfering fit.

Again, there is a lot to do on the car and this was not a priority, but the weather was good and I managed some spare time!

 

[Huw]

Like that a lot!

 

[jonbills]

Nice.

 

[Ped]

Met up with Niro recently and have tried out the window mechanism, it really is cool!