So I found a Zbox. What's next?

WolfeMacleod · 04-21-2023, 01:36 PM

And I bought it from LA Auto Dismantlers.
Actually, I found two, and I'm going to buy the second one as well. Mostly because LAAD didn't know whether the one they had was for a Targa or not...

You know, one of these. (picture is not the one I bought)

But not one of these, which is the one I was actually looking for.

Anyone have one of the lower seat type they'd like to sell?

And would there be any interest in having these reproduced?

It could happen...

PeteKz · PeteKz's Garage

Interesting option. I haven't seen those before. DO you know if the upper type fits into a coupe?

WolfeMacleod · 04-21-2023, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteKz

Interesting option. I haven't seen those before. DO you know if the upper type fits into a coupe?

The second one I found is definitely for a coupe, which is part of why I decided to buy it as well, in case the LAAD one was for a Targa like the one pictured.

onboost · 04-22-2023, 05:11 AM

Hey again Wokfe..

For whatever reason you don't see the Targa version of these often... after some thought however, maybe its universal fit between the two? I've had a couple of these but never tried fitting one into a Targa.

The pictured in the 2nd photo fits cab and therefore Targa as well. That I do know from previous experience.

WolfeMacleod · 04-22-2023, 02:54 PM

So I found the guy who actually made these to begin with.

It seems that USD Audio bought the molds and stuff to make them from the original guy, them when USD went kaput, the molds went kaput also and were lost to the sands of time.
However, the original guy says that they could be re-made. Just need a unit to copy from, and about four thousand bucks or so, I think he said, for the mold production cost.
It would be tempting to work on bringing these back to the market, but the per-unit cost, while not outrageous compared to what I'm about to pay for a build (actually, very acceptable compared to what I'm about to pay) would be a little steep.
.

jac1976 · 04-22-2023, 05:17 PM

I think there are a few on here that have a few suggestions for “what’s next.”

7783911 · 7783911's Garage

so to confirm, the top picture (single full unit) is fitted for a targa? (ie 77)?

onboost · 04-23-2023, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7783911

so to confirm, the top picture (single full unit) is fitted for a targa? (ie 77)?

Yes, top picture is fitted in Targa.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WolfeMacleod

So I found the guy who actually made these to begin with.

It seems that USD Audio bought the molds and stuff to make them from the original guy, them when USD went kaput, the molds went kaput also and were lost to the sands of time.

However, the original guy says that they could be re-made. Just need a unit to copy from, and about four thousand bucks or so, I think he said, for the mold production cost.

It would be tempting to work on bringing these back to the market, but the per-unit cost, while not outrageous compared to what I'm about to pay for a build (actually, very acceptable compared to what I'm about to pay) would be a little steep.
.

I knew the company went out of business some time ago but never new all the details etc..

I just don't really see the value in ponying-up that kind of cash to re-make these. I believe part of the problem originally was the per unit cost to the buyer, therefore they really didn't sell well.

On the other hand, they performed great, and were quality built, which also meant they were heavy. This also led, in my opinion, to a decline in sales as most Porsche owners were into lightening their cars, and many even ditched the stereo systems altogether. These boxes are from the 80's-90's era of big stereo