What do Original 240Z Wheels Look Like?

[Guga]

Hold on, let's get this straightened up before it gets out of hand. The picture that you posted is of a Kobe Seiko 'Maglloy' wheel - which Kobe Seiko manufactured and sold to the general public as their own design from the mid 1970s. This was essentially the same pattern that they manufactured for Nissan ( used as standard equipment on the Fairlady Z432 ) but with some small detail alterations and some added lettering to differentiate it from the OEM Nissan items.

Kobe Seiko made a number of different wheel designs for Nissan to use on the S30-series Z:

*Original 432 wheel. Cast magnesium. Fixing points for a small centre cap. Also quoted as an 'Option' part for the S30 Fairlady Z-L and S30-S Fairlady Z. Manufacturing date was stamped onto each wheel, as magnesium was recognised as having a limited life expectancy for safe road use. Usually painted dull gunmetal colour.

( Chief Designer Yoshihiko Matsuo wanted all models of the S30-series Z to have 4-spoke alloy wheels, but this was overruled for reasons of cost - so only the 432 got them in the end ).

*Works 'Rally Mag' wheel. Cast magnesium. No centre cap fixing points, and 'vented' spoke castings. Manufactured in 6jj x 14 and ( more commonly used ) 7jj x 14. No manufacturing date stamps. Never sold to the general public, and supplied only to Nissan for their 'Works' rally cars. Usually painted dull gunmetal colour.

And then in the mid to late 1970s, after the above wheels were no longer being made for Nissan, Kobe Seiko dusted off the original design and made some modifications. They sold these wheels as:

*Kobe Seiko 'Maglloy' wheel. Cast magnesium ( some also later manufactured in aluminium ) and fully tested / licensed for use on road cars. Clip-on centre caps. Usually painted silver.

Private restoration companies have in the past recreated both the '432' mag and the Works 'Rally Mag' in limited editions ( made from aluminium for longer life ). These pop up from time to time to confuse matters - but the fact that they are aluminium and not magnesium usually indicates their status as replicas.

See pictures below for illustrations of the above three 'types' of Kobe Seiko wheel.

Trivia department: Kobe Seiko were active during the Pacific War years, and manufactured all sorts of castings and forging for the Japanese military. One of their specialities was wheel manufacture, and they made many of the magnesium wheels for Japanese army and navy aircraft - including those on the legendary Mitsubishi A6 'Zero Sen' fighter..........

Alan T.

Hi!

I'm doing some research to return to my 240Z the original wheels used in Portugal market! I have done some research and I've found that there are some variations to the original. So, I present the following photos:

Photo 1: Originals, just missing the "D" center, 14x5,5 (I believe); magnesium. Used in Z432, too.

2nd Photo: Used in competition, rallies, with more openings in the rim, without center (14x7); lighter than the original, magnesium, very rare

3rd and 4th Photo: Very similar to the competition ones, with no center, but without the additional openings (I saw a picture of these wheels on a Bluebird 610 Rally Car, is it possible); what kind of material will be? Used in the 240Z's?

This 3rd photo is that is causing me doubts. What wheels are these? Anyone know?

I ask for help to experts!

Thanks in advance.

[Clayton Ralph]

I have a set of nisson wheels that came with my 1970 240z with dirt racing tires on them. I think they are magnesium and have the codes 40300 n3200, fz1, nissan and ju (i think) 5 1/2 - J x 14 15 stenciled on. I can send pic via email. Any info appreciated. Clayton