For the 240Z purists out there:

[240 in OZ]

Sounds plausible, but how do you explain their presence on the Japanese home market cars that didnt have to be transported via ship to their country of origin?

I also dont remember reading in the manual advising dealers to remove them prior to selling the car as it does with the tie-down shipping hooks.

I have a copy in a book that I have of re-printed road tests on the 240z. The very first one in the book appears to have been completed on a LHD pre-production car as it has hubcaps installed but no emblem in the centre as they still must have been deciding what to go for at that stage. I also think that it doesnt have the rear pillar badges (from memory, book is at home). This car has them fitted.

I have also found that they keep the area behind the bumper bar clean as well. This area is very hard to access with the bumper in place.

Joseph

[lordbiotree]

I have a bone stock Orange 1971 240Z(series 1) never been restored With the bumper end caps. I'm the 3rd owner of the car. I bought her from a collector. I also own 2 other 1971 240Z's and they do not have any bumper end caps.

Brandon

(purest to the core)

[HS30-H]

This kind of item used to be mandatory for many other Japanese domestic models too. You can see the same function performed in different ways on different models.

The story about it being a 'safety' measure is true and is not just something I dreamed up on my own. Anyone who has walked and driven on the really tight Japanese back streets where cars and trucks share the road space ( with no separation between pavement / sidewalk and road ) with pedestrians and cyclists will know what I mean.

The Japanese domestic mirrors of the S30-series Z were spring-mounted for the same purpose ( safety of pedestrians ).

They do indeed perform a useful function in cushioning the bumper from the sheetmetal - but that's probably just a spin-off and a piece of simple but clever design.

Alan T.

[26th-Z]

These are described as Genuine Nissan and are a bit cheaper....

Always ask first, but my experience with this seller is that they are probably genuine Nissan.

[HS30-H]

Originally posted by mperdue

Anyone have a picture of one installed...

Michael

I posted a pic of the ones on my car back on the last page. Admittedly not the best angle - but you can see where they mount and roughly how they would work.

Alan T.

[carguyinok]

I have never seen them before and would NEVER install them on on my 240.

Think about this.

Almost everyone here is working on rust of one kind or another on there Z. So why in the world would you want to install a rubber water/road crap trap on the ends of the rear bumper?

[Victor Laury]

This kind of item used to be mandatory for many other Japanese domestic models too. You can see the same function performed in different ways on different models.

They showed up on the US market roadster, mid model year 69 though the 70 model year to end of production. I believe that would be the start of the calender year 1969.

[Gav240z]

http://zhome.com/History/432Z.htm

I knew there was something Japanese about them :classic: .

Zhome is a good resource for this kind of stuff.

[tanny]

I think I agree with carguyinok. It seems like the rubber would eventually accumulate grit underneath it and rub a nice patch of paint down to metal. I did buy a pair but I may not stick them on, especially since I live on a couple miles of dirt road. Victor.