Mr. K's Selection 240Z

[FastWoman]

I saw a pic of this on another thread (about wire wheels) and did a google search for more info. I didn't find much, but here's a clearer picture of a model of the car:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww355/hiltaway2/DSCN4485.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cgi.ebay.ph/TOMICA-EBBRO-NISSAN-DATSUN-240Z-MR-KS-SELECTION-1-43_W0QQitemZ350241624774QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDiecast_Vehicles%3Fhash%3Ditem518c0712c6%26_trksid%3Dp4634.c0.m14&usg=__kXut5vYMJa-mk6GdX-333q0HEi0=&h=768&w=1024&sz=99&hl=en&start=12&tbnid=1SaGlGMs4hXTiM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmr%2Bk%2527s%2B240z%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

Can anyone tell me anything about this gorgeous modification? Is (or was) it available as a kit somewhere? Absolutely stunning!

[usafdarkhorse]

What's the modification? Are you talking about the G nose or the wire wheels? Or just all of the above as a kit? ( As in "240Z w/ Mr. K's Selection package" )

[FastWoman]

The nose. "G nose." Thanks for the term! I found it:

http://www.showcars-bodyparts.com/240z.html

Was this an option with some of the 240 models? I had never seen it before.

That's a really sexy style. Wow! Whenever I do my next paint/body work, I think that's on my list of things to do.

[Carl Beck]

Hello FastWoman:

The Z - is the 1972 Datsun 240Z that was owned and driven by Mr. Katayama while serving as President Of Nissan Motors USA. It has a "G-Nose", custom mix Yellow Pearl Paint with firemist metal flakes, wire wheels and Automatic Transmission.

When Mr. K. retired before returning to Japan, he gave the car to his long time Administrative Assistant, Johnnie Gable and her son Kenny Ueda. Kenny owns it to this day and Nissan Mortors still uses it for advertising/promotion.

It was most prominently featured in Nissan's $500,000,000.00 Datsun Heritage advertising/promotion campaign in the late 90's as Nissan struggled to tie its past glory with Datsun to its then bleak present. The Super Bowl Ad - "the Dream Garage" lead a series of T.V. Ad.'s featuring a representation of Mr. K {played by an Actor} in the Ad.'s.

I believe that there are still sources for the "G-Nose" if you would like to add one to a 240Z. It was offered on the Fairlady 240ZG in Japan, but was not an export model.

Pictured below:

Photographic copy #260 of 300 - represents my IZCC Membership number - 260

Photo of the "G Nose"

FWIW,

Carl B.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Carl Beck

[FastWoman]

Thanks, Carl! Interesting history. It's a beautiful car. As I said, it'll be on my "to-do" list when I have future body/paint work to do.

Peace,

Sarah

[26th-Z]

Sarah,

The 'G-nose' style first appeared on the model HS30H introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1971. HS30H models were sold in Japan only from 1972 through 1973. They had 2.4 liter engines and 5-speed transmissions or 3-speed automatics. Only certain colors were available for this model. It is my understanding that the Blant Nose was made for racing homologation purposes. The four major FRP body components consist of an upper and lower assembly and headlight cases. Additionally, the bumper, bumper brackets, hood hinges and headlight covers were unique. These parts were available but I do not believe the 'style' was ever an option for any other S30 model. A front air dam / spoiler was available through the competition parts catalog.

Single moulded kits were privately made and sold in the U.S. aftermarket. They are most ditinguishable as lacking any interior radiator ducting in the grill opening below the bumper and construction of fiberglass cloth. Most come as single moulded pieces as Carl pictured.

[Carl Beck]

Thanks, Carl! Interesting history. It's a beautiful car. As I said, it'll be on my "to-do" list when I have future body/paint work to do.

Peace,

Sarah

Hi Sara:

If you are serious about this - I would suggest that the first step would be to find and buy a set of the G-Nose headlight covers. If you look at the picture I Posted, you can see that they are shown in the assembly of the factory parts. The last set of G-Nose headlight covers that I saw on E-Bay were NOS, sold over a year ago, and they went for around $1,200.00 If you take your time you might find a good used set for $600.00 to $800.00.

The Web Site you listed - also show the hood hinges which are needed. So you might want to start shopping around for a set of them as well. Again a used set may save you some money.

You'll need both the headlight covers and the hood hinges no matter which supplier you buy the fiberglass part or parts from. Nonetheless you'll want to check with whatever body shop you plan to have perform the work. Some body shops have the skills/ability/experience to work with less expensive parts {rough molded} and others will want to use only the highest quality "bolt on" parts. So beware of what would appear to be cheap/inexpensive parts, as their use may cost you two to three times as much in body shop labor, than it would have cost to install higher quality parts that are bolt-on and near ready to finish.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[FastWoman]

Hmmmm.... Maybe it's on my "to-research" list, as there seems to be much more to it than just the body pieces. I can see why the special hinges are needed, having eyeballed the action of my own hinges this morning.

The incorrectness of this body style on a 280 doesn't really bother me, as long as the installation is non-destructive and reversable.

All this has also got me thinking about a custom nose. I've done a lot of fiberglass work on boats. A car might not be all that different. In fact it might be a bit more forgiving, as osmotic blistering probably wouldn't be an issue. The G Nose reminds me very much of the front end of a '60's XKE, which I think is even more lovely a car than the Z. I once wanted to find one, but every one I found was a pile of rust.

Anyway, I'm one of the few people who really appreciates that projecting front bumper on the 280, as it gives the front end more apparent length. However, doing it with a bit more extension of the body would be even better. Love that look!

[tlorber]

I saw Mr. K's car last Saturday at the Datsun Heritage Museum in Murietta. Any of you that find yourselves in the area should check it out. There are some nice old Datuns there.

[five&dime]

Sara,

Have you not seen either of Eiji's G-nose Z's? I thought you were at the Hampton show two years ago when he was there with his orange car. He now has a blue one as well and they are truly amazing examples of the S30.

I believe he can get you the G-nose conversion. He owns and operates Datsun Spirit in Northern VA. Eiji is a great guy and a terrific resource for JDM datsun parts. www.datsunspirit.com

[gnosez]

Here's my version of the 5-piece nose. Mine is now 4 sections, not counting the headlight covers ( 2-piece FG and 2-piece airdam/splitter).

I sell the hinges on my site (www.baddogparts.com) should you ever decide to go over to the long side.....