Early "D" Hub Caps Going For Record Price!

[zbane]

If these caps are relatively cheap in NZ & Australia, how about starting a little import/auction deal? Depending on availability and shipping charges, a tidy profit could be made.

[DougN]

Arne - if you don't need the $$$ right this minute, then I'd hold on to them. You can always sell them later, and it's not like they are getting worth less each day. I don't think its a good idea to list them right away after this current auction ends either, as that will make them look less "rare" since two nice sets would be auctioned so close to each other, people then will think (correctly or not) that their availability is better than it is. As stated, if you really need/want to sell them, then wait a few months.

[rdefabri]

I'm with ZBane - let's start importing some of these to the States, we could make fat cash....I am all setup as an LLC if anyone's interested....

[240znz]

Well there is one small problem with that importing business idea. There are are only 4 series 1 240z in New Zealand that are known about. Of those, I know that one (mine) has not got the D caps. Remember that Nissan only released 497 series 1 240z's of them in RHD into the global market place. Am I correct in assuming that only the very early models has the D caps? Subsequent models has the Z caps didn't they.

So not much of a pool to pick from guys. Best bet is for one of you to call every Nissan dealer in the states and ask if they have any "out the back" so to speak. But I don't like your chances at all.

But I concur, it is great to see that they fetch good money. Yes they will only increase in price the longer you keep a hold of them.

[240 in OZ]

There is a car here which is an original condition/one owner, reported to have been complianced in November of 1971 and it has the D style hubcaps fitted as original/supplied from the factory. Note here the date is complianced; this is when the owner took delivery of the car from what I am able to make out from him.

I have seen this car and you can see the 72 style interior comming in, ie while it has the early centre console in it, it has a perforated headliner etc.

Joseph

[Arne]

In the US, the '70 and '71 model years came with the 'D' caps, regardless of whether they were Series 1 or Series 2.

Of course, no that I've said that, some one will show us the exception, but the above is correct in general.

[a7dz]

We bought our series I with the Keystones on it so, it never had hub caps on it. It was shipped with just the steel wheels, (hub caps came seperately) I am sure they stayed in the parts dept. So, Arne you are right. But, yes it should of had "D's" on it.

[Mr Camouflage]

Australia and NZ got about 1% of the total production of 240z's, so good luck finding any hubcaps to import.

[Zedrally]

Australia and NZ got about 1% of the total production of 240z's, so good luck finding any hubcaps to import.

I would doubt that there is anyone doing a classic resto in OZ, it all seems to be about modifying in some manner.

The last item that people want is the original wheels.

Could be wrong, but that the way I see it.

[Mr Camouflage]

I know a few people with original hubcaps. Though they arent on their zeds.

[lonetreesteve]

The set of D's my son and I sold back in January (see earlier post in this thread) were an extra set. We put another set of D's on our '71 that are in about the same condition as the one's we sold on Ebay and they look great on the Orange 918 car! Of course, we are trying to restore our two 240s as close to original as possible.

[26th-Z]

I guess 'D' wheel covers are the diamond belly-button pierce of Z cars. I have sets for my babes, but they need to be restored. Fortunately, all the plastic 'D' centercaps are in great shape. Personally, I think the wheels and hubcaps are way underperformance for what a stock Z has to offer and I bought a set of 6" Watanabes. I also have a set of 6" slots. I don't think the $1,300 is all that much for a really nice set. It's going to cost me that to have mine restored.