Modified VZ car on eBay

[Carl Beck]

Carl, the VZ window sticker must read 66510 for the engine number then (instead of the 56518 that I guessed above). Interesting that they would list the original engine number, instead of the replacement L24 number installed during the VZ program.

-Mike

Hi Mike:

I'm not sure how I screwed that up - but checking back over my notes I see that I did. I'll correct the register - good catch...

FWIW.

Carl B.

[gnosez]

If one is going to install that much HP into a 240 then something other than stock seats and even a roll bar would be called for.

I noticed the rear vinyl bubbling too.Take a look at the engine picture that shows the crankcase breather and a whole lot of dirt.

I've had my 240 apart a few times (too bad I wasn't being paid by Nissan to do so) and I'd take my Rebello 3.2L with a better interior, strut bars, and suspension over this VZ modified car any day.

[five&dime]

Also looking at the picture of the interior posted earlier by lonetreesteve. What is going on with the rear hatch weather stripping? Is that adhesive or paint peeling? Regardless doesn't look up to par with the typical VZ cars we see here.

[26th-Z]

It should be noted that some cars were "customized" at the time of restoration. With all the buzz about the modifications, two cars come to mind and I believe they are HLS30-08808 and HLS30-29247. Neither Carl nor I have confirmed ownership records for these cars but I believe they are pictured below. One is the 240Z-R noted in Evanow's book and the other was custom built for Keith Crane, publisher at the time of "Autoweek". Keith's car had a custom suspension, cam, and polished valve cover. Keith's car was built by Pierre. The detailing of the Z-R is similar and I think it had these seats because of pictures I have from "Datsun Alley". I saw these seats for sale on eBay some time ago with a car that supposedly sold as a VZ but unfinished.

Edited April 27, 2009 by 26th-Z

[HS30-H]

One is the 240Z-R noted in Evanow's book.....

'240ZR' was a factory ( Nissan ) designation for some of its works race cars in Japan. It seems unlikely that the people who used this moniker for the yellow VZ car would have known that, so they would also be unlikely to understand how inappropriate it seems for this car.

Thanks for the reminder of the Evanow book. I just dipped back into it for the "240ZR" / "240Z-R" mentions. I'd almost forgotten just how much of a shambles that book was.

[26th-Z]

'240ZR' was a factory ( Nissan ) designation for some of its works race cars in Japan. It seems unlikely that the people who used this moniker for the yellow VZ car would have known that, so they would also be unlikely to understand how inappropriate it seems for this car.

Thanks for the reminder of the Evanow book. I just dipped back into it for the "240ZR" / "240Z-R" mentions. I'd almost forgotten just how much of a shambles that book was.

Interesting comment but I would suggest that the ZR moniker for a performance prepared version is exactly the reference to the competition history.

Another example of the shambles is the reference Carl made to HLS30-98389. This car does not appear to be in the VZ standard however it has the dash plaque and it was sitting in the warehouse with the rest of them. And as the story goes...Mr. Evanow had to go to the warehouse to see what the VIN numbers were? Ahhh...?

[26th-Z]

Oh...and scuttlebutt has it that the reserve is $39,900.

[HS30-H]

Interesting comment but I would suggest that the ZR moniker for a performance prepared version is exactly the reference to the competition history.

Well, first of all I would have great trouble in believing that it was an intentional tip of the hat to Nissan's works race cars. But secondly - and probably more importantly - it was originally a designation applied by Nissan themselves, and therefore is not something that a private owner, a restoration 'shop or anyone else can apply to a car at their whim. We simply cannot change the factory designations of these cars.

I can't imagine somebody could do this with something like the Corvette 'Gran Sport' name, and get away with it without having at least a few choice words bounced off their skulls. Of course, the 'Z Community' ( whatever that is ) hardly ever have their radar switched on - so an equivalent malapropism passes unnoticed..........

Edited April 28, 2009 by HS30-H
speeling

[Inf]

...

I can't imagine somebody could do this with something like the Covette 'Gran Sport' name, and get away with it without having at least a few choice words bounced off their skulls. Of course, the 'Z Community' ( whatever that is ) hardly ever have their radar switched on - so an equivalent malapropism passes unnoticed..........

I agree, there is a definite need for more outspoken voices like yourself to keep everyone straight on the facts. There is a massive amount of misinformation floating around regarding the history of the early Z cars. One look at the wikipedia page for the 240z can be enough to make one's teeth grind.

I think it's a shame that this car has been so heavily modified.

[Carl Beck]

It should be noted that some cars were "customized" at the time of restoration. With all the buzz about the modifications, two cars come to mind and I believe they are HLS30-08808 and HLS30-29247. Neither Carl nor I have confirmed ownership records for these cars but I believe they are pictured below.

Hi Chris:

I have confirmed ownership of Mr. Crain's VZ. He sent the data in some time ago and I talked to him at Amelia. He said he'd try to get a picture and send it in. I may have to bug him again..

FWIW,

Carl

[Carl Beck]

Interesting comment but I would suggest that the ZR moniker for a performance prepared version is exactly the reference to the competition history.

Another example of the shambles is the reference Carl made to HLS30-98389. This car does not appear to be in the VZ standard however it has the dash plaque and it was sitting in the warehouse with the rest of them.

Hi Chris:

This too is incorrect. The car did NOT have a dash plaque.

Pete's trip to the warehouse was to see what cars Nissan STILL had there vs which one's they had sold off since he left the company.

I was communicating with him during that period -and he said he wasn't sure what all was left in the warehouse... he'd have to go see. The warehouse was dark and dirty.. nothing like you would expect a company like Nissan to have...

When Randy bought the non-VZ car from Nissan, they didn't even have a title for it. A new title was generated based on the Manufactures Statement of ownership. Doug bought it from Randy {super bargain} and I'm not sure if he still has it or not..

FWIW,

Carl B.

[JoelH]

Hi Chris:

This too is incorrect. The car did NOT have a dash plaque.

Pete's trip to the warehouse was to see what cars Nissan STILL had there vs which one's they had sold off since he left the company.

I was communicating with him during that period -and he said he wasn't sure what all was left in the warehouse... he'd have to go see. The warehouse was dark and dirty.. nothing like you would expect a company like Nissan to have...

When Randy bought the non-VZ car from Nissan, they didn't even have a title for it. A new title was generated based on the Manufactures Statement of ownership. Doug bought it from Randy {super bargain} and I'm not sure if he still has it or not..

FWIW,

Carl B.

I own it now. I bought it from Doug last year. That's it in my avatar.