I first found this site about a year ago, but today is the first time I have looked at it in depth. Which is because I'm about to start the restoration of the 1973 240Z that I purchased new in early 1973. Its been sitting in my utility yard (I'm ashamed to admit) for the last 10 years or so, but I should be able to get it into my garage in the next couple of weeks to start the ground up restoration I've defered for so long. I want to restore it to new condition to recapture that wonderful feeling when I drove it off the lot of Gubrud's Valley Datsun in Mt Vernon, WA so long ago. It was the first time I had ever driven a Z, and it was the first new car I ever purchased. I still vividly remember that feeling.

I look forward to spending a LOT of time here over the next couple of years that it will likely take to properly restore HLS30-125678!

--Jayhawk

Walnut Creek, CA

Glad to see you on the board! POST SOME PICTURES!

Well "Hullo Cousin". Your 1973 240Z would be a similar heritage to my 1973 Fairlady 240Z. I purchased this one in 2003, after looking for a good quality original. I purchased my first 240Z in August, 1971 and unfortunately the responsibilities of family, work etc prevented me from revisiting that excitement of the 1970's until now. Of course it cannot be quite the same!!

The Fairlady 240Z has Vin # HS30-103407 and Engine # L24 185588. The colour is #115 Metallic, I believe the same as yours. The vehicle was purchased new in Japan by an Australian citizen who then imported it to Australia in 1974.

Good luck with the restoration. At least you will know the car very well before you start.

Regards, Jack

Google Z Car Source in Arizona. Ask for Jeff or Betsey.These folks are great people and will have or can get just about anything you need to restore your car. I have used them a lot and I am more satisfied with them then any other well known vendor.

Welcome jayhawk! Looks like our '73 Zeds are only about 1000 cars apart (VIN # wise). Good luc with your new years project, I think you'll find plenty of help and advice from the board members here!

Welcome to the site! Never be ashamed to admit anything you are making better!

Will

HLS30-125678 - That's an early 73 alright! Production date 9/72?

Welcome to the board. It's nice to see another local 73' owner on board.

Greetings jayhawk - No need to be ashamed. You had the fortitude to hang on to it all these years. We all do, what we can, when we can. I think it's great that you still have your first new car. You had good taste then, and still do. Your at the right place for inspiration and any advise needed. I learned more here about early Zs, than any other place on the web. Good Luck.

Jayhawk, way to go! I too owned a 240Z (1972) as my first car, but am even MORE ASHAMED to say that I didn't have the foresight to get the rust spots taken care of when they started to appear. Instead, I traded it in on a VW GTI (which was a pretty good car, but NOTHING like the Z!), when I needed a back seat to tote around our first-born daughter. I told myself that some day I would get another one, and here I am, 5 vehicles later, desperately seeking the means to do just that. Hope to hear about your progress on the resto...

-Mikey