My two swiss S30Z Fairlady Restoration build thread

[JDMjunkies.ch]

47 minutes ago, HS30-H said:

I think they are made by Nishi san at 'Revive Jalopy' in Saitama, Japan.

That might be true. It seems that JDM-Car-Parts sources most or many of their parts by more or less known shops in Japan, hence their Company name and their range of mostly expensive but also usually high quality parts.

[JDMjunkies.ch]

I rally hope the Project gains some Momentum again soon. things are still according to plan, just a bit slow. Meanwhile at least i managed to collect a few nice NOS items:
1) a set of NOS lugnuts for the Steel wheelsin exchange for some parts to get a certain Yonmery Skyline (240K-GT) back on the street. Thanks to Stefan for the Deal 🙂

2) I found this NOS vintage Memorial Badge of the 4 Safari Rallies. Not something i would usually spend a lot of money on, but when this one popped up for sale for 10 bucks in the original box, i just had to get it for my collection.

It has never been installed, all the Hardware was included and looks absolutely mint. I think somewhere i have the stickers that came with the same "Quadruple crown" celebration too.

That's it. I still owe you a story about our road trip in Norway, which i'm working on, and i really hope to give you some updates on the EK9 and 240Z again soon. I have many things planned, just need to prioritize them.

[240ZBUILTBYME]

Well after hours of reading over numerous attempts and lots of admiring of z parts porn photos I finally got through this build thread! what a journey and very enjoyable, Loved seeing all the cool parts you've collected and don't want to know how much you've spent on them all! cant wait to see more progress on your build. 

Ryan

[JDMjunkies.ch]

10 hours ago, 240ZBUILTBYME said:

Well after hours of reading over numerous attempts and lots of admiring of z parts porn photos I finally got through this build thread! what a journey and very enjoyable, Loved seeing all the cool parts you've collected and don't want to know how much you've spent on them all! cant wait to see more progress on your build. 

Ryan

Thanks Ryan. I'm always amazed how many people read through this whole thread, even though it is quite inactive at the moment.
Thanks for your kind words and i hope to be able to post an update soon again... Some other big projects are coming to an end this week, so i hope to be able to focus on my cars again soon...

[JDMjunkies.ch]

The previous owner of my Z thought it was a brilliant idea to "clean" all the emblems, holes and other stuff from the body. so this is what my hood looked like:

For reference, this is what it should look like, with the two holes to install the Datsun Hood ornament (my spare hood shown):

So i got to work and marked and drilled back the holes in the original location:

The result turned out perfect (ornement not pushed completely in in th ephoto, so i could remove it again, but the the holes fit perfectly)

I also gave it a layer of primer, to protect the holes from rust, until it gets a proper paintjob. Ok i know the area was a bit of an overkill 🙂

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Soo, the Z project is slowly picking up speed again. I was able to purchase a bunch of NOS parts from a nice elderly guy lately and they arrived today:

So what is inside those boxes? First of all a set of NOS Akebono rear drum brake pads. I think i have now three sets of NOS pads, and one Project Mu 🙂

A set of original headlight rubber gaskets in excellent condition. I think i bought a good aftermarket set once, but these are of course the real deal.

An original battery tray mount metal frame. I think i have the rubber / Plastik kit for it, so now the set should be complete.

This one is probably not really rare but something i haven't seen for sale a lot. The "Flange" is used to connect the steering column to the coupler if i'm right.

A shiney Mitsubishi voltage regulator with absolutely no corrosion or signs of age:

Some for t hose plastik side marker lenses:

Also a chrome bumper corner: needs a bit of cleaning bit of buffing but otherwise excellent:

A NOS Hood locking mechanism:

Rear drum brake cylinder, early version if i'm correct:

And now to the cool stuff: A complete set of NOS JDM Fairlady fender mirrors in original packing and with all hardware. Something prices have skyrocketed for. so i'm  happy i got them for realistic price:

And an OEM NOS Honda radio deleter storage compartment thingy (Nissan part name: "Mask"):

This was an option part to install instead of the original radio, which i think is cool. I have something similar in my EK9 too. In such cars i prefer to have the sound of the car, rather than the sound of an old defunct radio.
Also it allows me to skip the search for an expensive and quite rare Euro-band spec original radio in reasonable condition.

Then i also got this nice swiss 280ZX brochure and color sample chart (including interieur fabric samples). Not directly related to my car, but i thought i's nice to have for my collection:

 

Regarding the Bodyshop. I wanted to call him this week to ask about updates. When i brought him the car a few months ago, the plan was to finish it by end of 2022. Well So far not much has happened. But then out of nowhere he called me to excuse for all the delays. It seems he had some bad luck with health and was not able to work for a few weeks and this threw his whole plannig over board. They now have fixed my car into the schedule for march 2023 where 3 people are fully booked to work on my car. So hopefully next spring the shell will be ready. Fingers crossed.

Oh and you might remember a while ago i got gifted a bunch of old Nissan dealer stickers and i thought one would make a good look on one of my tool drawers:

Perfect. Stay tuned for more updates soon...

[JDMjunkies.ch]

I managed to get another load of rare old, but new (NOS = New-Old-Stock) parts for the 240Z. Most of the parts are something i wouldn't have bought new since they're just small bits and pieces, but when i got the chance to obtain the whole lot, i couldn't refuse. This is what i got delivered today:

First of all: A clutch disk:

Then a set of complete headlight bucket assemblies.

You might remember i got the rubber seals for these included in last weeks delivery, and today also the chrome trim rings arrived:

Some more rare body panels: The two reinforcment corners that start at the firewall and extend under the hood on each side to the fenders.
I don't think i'll need those, but it's good to have them in case the bodyshop needs those:

There were also a set of gaskets. The one on the left is for the big original air filter. the red one for the fuel pump. the two black ones are for the water pump and the other one obviously for the exhaust downpipe.

Last week i got some of the side marker parts, and this weeks i got the chrome trims and rubber seals for them (two top items). Additionally i also got the rare
bumper mounted turn signals for the Eurpean spec 240Z including the rubber seals (bottom two items):

A set of filters came with the delivery too: Oil filter, and fuel filters:

And an original water pump:

Something rare is this fusebox. and a fuse remover tool. I don't know i think this is not the correct one for the 240Z as it has too many fuses. so i will probably sell it.

A set of chrome bumper trims or whatever they're called. I think they're US-Spec but have to double check in my manuals. Will also go up for sale if i don't need them.

They also came along with a set of original rubber covers for them.

I also got a set of strut inserts for the 240Z. Strangely the included papers mentions a PL510 and other cars, but the box says GS30 and S30 "Hard" so i have to double check ne numbers too.

And then i got a load of small fastners, mounts, shims, bits and pieces. Those are always good to have. some of them are really rare and useful, others seem a bit strange and unfamiliar.

Overall it's a great lot, even though it wasn't cheap. I still have to double check all the part numbers and see if they're right for my car. I have my doubts in some cases. But that's not an issue, i just put them up for sale 🙂
At the end, i'm sure this will save my arse once or twice when i put together the car and realize a certain small piece is missing and worth replacing, only to find it in this lot 🙂

Another friend gifted me this Coin with a Japanese lettering and a 240Z on it. It's a bit strange because it seems to show a "regular" S30 chassis (see the grille?) but the text says "Fairlady" (top) and 240 Z-G (bottom).

The backside says "Award". I don't know where this comes from. but i found a few googlin japanese "240Z fairlady coin" etc. One sales ad had the following text included:
It's a coin you get when you collect dozens of old arcade coins. This coin is over 30 years old. Owners and fans of Z30 and 240G, what do you think?

If somebody knows more i'd love to learn what this is about..

What's next? I have a week off the coming days and i plan to get my EK9 read for next season, so i can put it in hibernation during the winter and focus on the Z again.

[JDMjunkies.ch]

When i started my project, i never thought about putting things like Hubcaps on the car. I wanted it to be cool with aftermarket wheels and all. Today i'm a bit unsure which direction to go, but i have grown up and learned that the value of a car is only there when it comes with all original parts, documents, history, etc. so whenever i see original parts pop up for sale for a reasonable price. i buy them. just because of collecting reasons, or to have the car complete with all the parts, even though it's modified.

A while ago i got a set of original Datsun hubcaps but t hey're in terrible shape (see left) and in my opinion beyond reasonable repair. they're dented, paint is gone, chrome is peeling off, etc.

This is the old set:

So when recently a set of correct build-date popped op for sale in good shape, i had to get it. today i was finally able to get them. Even if i'm not sure if they ever will end up on the car, it's good to know t hat the care is one piece more to complete, as it originally left the factory. Or 4 pieces, if you will. Ant this time they only need a bit of cleaning to be back in good shape. nice.

[RIP260Z]

Go with both, stock wheels and hubcaps/wheelcovers for shows etc, and aftermarket wheels for the drive.  Or even widened stock rims for the drive, with the hubcaps off.

[zed2]

On 11/26/2022 at 7:18 AM, JDMjunkies.ch said:

I also got a set of strut inserts for the 240Z. Strangely the included papers mentions a PL510 and other cars, but the box says GS30 and S30 "Hard" so i have to double check ne numbers too.

 

Nils,

What are the part numbers of the strut inserts?

Thanks,

Keith

[JDMjunkies.ch]

On 12/28/2022 at 1:28 AM, zed2 said:

Nils,

What are the part numbers of the strut inserts?

Thanks,

Keith

@zed2 Hi Keith, sorry i missed your question. Let me check the numbers on the various struts i have next week. I'm on the way to the airport right now.

Yesterday i was able to pick up another lot of small NOS bits and pieces for the 240Z project from a nice german bloke, who offered them them to me.

Let's start with the obvious elephant in the room: A used original Datsun / Nissan Competition steering wheel in quite good shape (needs a little touch up, though).
Since the original Japanese "Z" logo horn button was a bit worn out, he additionally included a reproduction item:

You might remember i once had the opportunity to buy a complete reproduction steering wheel, which i still have, but the real deal is of course always better. See this link for a comparison to the original steering wheel and a bit of background information on the Compe steering wheel. The one i got now looked a bit dried out, so i thought i give it a bit of "cockpit lotion" treatment to preserve it before i put it in storage. As you can see on the towel it was quite dirty, only from rubbing a bit: Now it feels much smoother and additionally smells nice *lol*

The rest of the parts mainly consist of NOS (New-old-stock) random small bits and pieces, which are always good to have on hand when restoring a car.
I got various gaskets transmission-to-driveshaft seals and an alternator bracket in the original nice blue colour (this will come handy as a colour reference when painting the motor!)...


Also included were a Relay (or fuse?) cover, a Battery tie-down-hook, a set of drum-brake rubber seals, a clutch cylinder / piston and a set of new interieur door-handle plastic shells:

Then a few new heater control knobs, those small plastik things just below the windscreen, a few engine-bay / firewall rubber gaskets and the clutch cable rubber gasket, as well as a new nissan radiator coolant hose:

Since the seller didn't have some of the originally listed parts anymore, he offered me a free new Japanese "Fairlady Z" Book instead. It is a kind of a mix between a high-end hardcover sales brochure and photobook:

It consists of mainly beautiful photos of the new Fairlady Z (sadly no pictures together with the older generation Z's)

And some information about the different options, colours etc. Nice to have and put it in my lecture collection 🙂

Once again many small pieces of the puzzle collected to put the car back together.

[JDMjunkies.ch]

correction: As a reader pointed out, there IS actually a page with the S30 gen Fairlady Z in the book. I just completely missed it when flipping through the book initially 🙂
Here you you see the new Z together with what appears to be a Z432 and a regular JDM Spec Fairlady Z