Question regarding parts for an 83

[punkncat]

No good deed goes unpunished, lol.

Buddy of mine has an 83 280ZX coupe that he has owned one version or another of since high school, and they were new...yup, that old. Anywho, I decided to be nice and wash his poor nasty Z car in an attempt to knock off some of the protective dirt layer he has let build up. While doing so I brushed by the central pillar finisher, knocked it off, and watched as it exploded on the ground in a million little pieces and unrepairable. I can do some neat tricks with epoxy, but this Humpty is done.

So, as many of you experienced older Z car enthusiasts will know, finding that part is marginally less difficult than sourcing a windshield for a vert Z32...but to get back on track...I found a place in Arizona that has some of the earlier finisher for the 81 covered with a bit of steel plate. I don't expect that bit won't be brittle as all get out as well on the plastic underneath, and for $90 used it ain't no bargain, but such is the way with classics, right? Lol. Since I am the bonehead that touched the part and whether early or not caused it's eventual demise, I figured I could be a good guy and do my best to repair it. His car is, aside from the dirt, in very good every day driven condition.

Will the 81 part fit in place of the all plastic 83 part? Is there a better place, or aftermarket/forum solution to this issue? I know his can't be the only 83 with some seriously brittle plastic parts.

[evildky]

The trim piece is interchangeable between years but 2 seater trim is different form 2+2 trim. and of course if you change one side you should change the other sides so they match.

[punkncat]

Thanks for the info.