When I first saw my future Z on the dealer’s showroom floor, it was well loaded with dealer installed options. Among them was a BRE spook and spoiler. While the spoiler design survives today, this spook design was apparently soon replaced on race cars by improved versions.

One look at my spook shows an emphasis on air-dam features, with probably deficient downforce qualities. Some 30 years ago I badly damaged the spook when I drove into an intersection flooded with about 6” inches of water. The spook was snapped into two pieces and a large part was ripped from the car. The short left end section was still attached to the car, as was a 2” reinforced mounting tab from the large part. As soon as the water cleared, I returned to search for pieces and located the main section. The right side brake duct was missing and never located. The photo below shows what I recovered. All the parts went into the attic for a deferred decision on repairs or replacement.



Flash forward 30 years to my re-furb project. While getting the car ready for the painter, I looked over the spook and decided to try and rehab it before surrendering and buying a new one. A large part of the decision was caught up in the unique styling of my ancient piece, but most important was that it was original to the car.

In addition to the broken left side, the right side had a badly crushed corner at the brake duct inlet (one of the valance mounting points) and the broken outboard mounting tab. And, let’s not forget the missing duct. Oh well, anyone who has experienced the two greatest days in a boat-owner’s life has likely picked up some basic fiberglass skills.





I removed the left duct to use it as a mold for the right side replacement. Using a grocery bag liner and some spray foam, I eventually had a form to use for fiberglass lay-up. The neat thing about spray foam is if you mess up a form or mold, you can always add new foam and reshape. I wrapped the form with cling wrap before adding the layers of glass cloth and resin epoxy.









Here is the replacement brake duct after final trimming.



A bunch of layers of glass cloth and resin epoxy went into repairs for the spook body. A couple of short stringers were added to reinforce the weak points. Here is work-in-progress on the sheared off left end, with a stringer placed directly across the break.



Here the original brake duct is back in place and all repairs for broken left side are complete.



And here is the replacement duct now in place along with the mounting tab at the end.



Finally, repairs are complete with a quick coat of primer. The renovated spook is ready for the paint shop.



All in all, I think this small restoration project will pay a nice dividend in the overall effect of the finished car. Now, I can’t wait to see it finished out in 920 gold – just as it looked 39 years ago!!!

Jim

_________________
Jim Arnett
Richardson, Texas
HLS30-15320 12/1970 (original owner)
ZCON 2015 Gold Cup - Street Modified class

What a fabulous achievement! Is there anything you CAN'T do?

I love Great Stuff, and you've just given me one more reason to.

Really nice work.
Frank

(OK, I'll bite ~ what are the two greatest days of a boat owner's life? I know I'll be sorry for asking that).

You beat me to it again, Frank!!! Uh, I don't own a boat, but my two
greatest days would be the ones on which I didn't get seasick..............

Nice job of resto, Jimbo!!! Now let's see, where is that old nonducted
spook for my '70?... Hmmm, postage to Richardson Tx is how much?

All Z Best,...................................Kathy & Rick

_________________
All Z Best,.......Kathy & Rick

1969 Z.CAR (#00013 10/69) 8/30/76
1969 ITSA.Z (#00171 11/69) 8/24/73
1970 OLD.Z (#06289 6/70) original owner
1971 510 2dr since 12/31/75
1969 1600 rdstr (our 160-Z)
1971 (#19851 1/71) sold
1975 75.Z (#01343 1/75)

Let me guess Frank, the day he buys the boat and the day he sells the boat.....

_________________
Phil
1981 280zxt - Now in the care my son!
2014 370Z Sports Touring Roadster

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.

Nice job Jim!

It's nice to see the lengths you went to to keep this original piece. Kudos!

_________________
John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Phil - you nailed it on the "two greatest days..." comment.

Frank - the stuff I'm doing is trivial when compared to others on this forum. Anyone could do this stuff!

The real talent and skill is with the people doing engine rebuilds and swaps, tranny swaps, carb upgrades to Webers, those who understand rear-end ratios, the stuff Bryan Little writes about, ...etc. All of this is waaaay beyond my capabilities and comprehension. I'm just glad there are a lot of people out there that DO understand the technical details and can provide practical advice on how best to deal with them.

Jim

_________________
Jim Arnett
Richardson, Texas
HLS30-15320 12/1970 (original owner)
ZCON 2015 Gold Cup - Street Modified class

Boat: A hole in the water that you pour money into....

I'll save my money for the Z's, thankZ!!!!!
(Al, I need a cutesy quip for the statement I just made!! HELP!!)
~Rick~

_________________
All Z Best,.......Kathy & Rick

1969 Z.CAR (#00013 10/69) 8/30/76
1969 ITSA.Z (#00171 11/69) 8/24/73
1970 OLD.Z (#06289 6/70) original owner
1971 510 2dr since 12/31/75
1969 1600 rdstr (our 160-Z)
1971 (#19851 1/71) sold
1975 75.Z (#01343 1/75)

Hi Jim:
Great story and wonderful restoration of an original BRE Spook.

Thanks,
Carl B.