He's being sneaky.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DATSUN-240Z-240-Z-HUBCAPS-HUBCAP-1970-1971-TYPE-I_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a4Q7c65Q3a10Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem300278501110QQitemZ300278501110QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I already sent him a question about it. Let's see how he responds.

looks like he is parting out a Z also has the VIN plate for sale http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300238661817&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=300278501110&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m184&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%252BSS%26itu%3DISS%252BUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D4

I don't know that I would call that being sneaky. He may just not be aware that the location of the valve stem hole indicates if it is an early or late version of the "D" caps. I wasn't until Geezer pointed it out to me recently.

-Mike

Selling a marked VIN tag seems weird to me, gives an opportunity for someone to rip of an early Z like recently:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32671&highlight=71

Especially for excited people looking for their first Z.

I agree that perhaps he does not know the difference between the valve whole locations, I guess we will see when he answers.

I agree that perhaps he does not know the difference between the valve whole locations, I guess we will see when he answers.

I'll let you know when I hear back. I asked him if he new he didnt really have a matching set and pointed out the later series 1 cap.

I asked him if he new he didnt really have a matching set and pointed out the later series 1 cap.

It's actually 1 early "D" cap (with the valve hole below the D and fewer larger clips on the back) and 3 later "D" caps (with the valve hole above the D and more smaller clips on the back).

-Mike

Mike,

Notice that valve stem holes in the 3 of the caps are between the spokes and the other cap has the hole at the base of the spoke.

Mike,

Notice that valve stem holes in the 3 of the caps are between the spokes and the other cap has the hole at the base of the spoke.

Yes, 3 caps (later version) have the valve hole above the D and the hole is between the spokes. The fourth cap (earler version) has the valve hole below the D and the hole is aligned with one of the spokes.

-Mike

Yes, 3 caps (later version) have the valve hole above the D and the hole is between the spokes. The fourth cap (earler version) has the valve hole below the D and the hole is aligned with one of the spokes.

-Mike

Are you guys like me and notice an out of place early D cap or visa/versa right away now without intentionally looking for it. It seems that once you know what to look for, it becomes an automatic visual magnet, like everything else on these cars I guess. I contacted the seller and offered my contact info if the eventual buyer wants to swap the early cap for a comparable condition later style one to correct the set. So, if the unmatched set was holding anyone here back from bidding, it can be fixed easy enough.

It would be nice to know, for the sake of accuracy, an approximate date which would differentiate the use of the early vs. later "D" hubcaps. As a large percentage of cars were never delivered with their caps, and they were so fragile and rust prone, surviving cars with original caps, I am going to assume, are too rare to provide a data base to approximate when early vs. late caps were used.

As Chris said in the past, it would be difficult, in a show, to zap someone for incorrect vintage "D" caps without this knowledge, so it would appear that the only benifit to owning the early set is bragging rights.

The only info I could find was in our parts CD, which showed a date "up to" 7/73" for the use of the "ornament-wheel cover "D". This date sounds way too late from what I had originally assume, which was the transition from what we call series 1 into series 2 cars.

My logic would be to make an assumption of around July of 1970, a transition from 1970 to 1971 model years, when early D caps were replaced by later D caps, but with no real proof.

Anyone think of some other way to validate the correct use of these two different "D" caps?

Just my opinion

Dan

Dan, sometime in the next few weeks I'm planning to look at a one-owner 240Z that was first titled in Aug. 1970, so I'm going to guess a build date of 6 or 7/70. The car has slots on it now, but the owner told me he still has the hubcaps. So I'll try to get a peek at the caps while I'm there to begin to gather data to attempt to pin down the transition date.

geezer, I am considering buying these and would be most interested in having the matching 4th cap. I would repaint them to restore the front so as long as the chrome, shape and D is fine I would be interested in getting it from you if you have a spare one