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I am new here and would like some help. I just bought what I believe to be a all original 81 280 zx . I would like to get it authenticated. Does anyone know how I would go about it.

He's not doing very well with the 'expert' part. He seems to be convinced that headlamp covers were "aftermarket only" (they were a showroom option in Japan from the beginning of production, then standard equipment on the Fairlady 240Z-L from October 1971, and always available for Export markets should you wish to purchase from Nissan) and that stripe kits were "aftermarket only" when - again - they were a showroom option in Japan and offered, with a factory part number, for other Export markets. If he's got 30+ of these cars then he can't have been looking very closely at them or the stories behind them.

We all make mistakes. No shame in that. It's part of the learning process, and heaven knows there's plenty of misinformation out there to lead us astray, but I just don't understand how or why people can become so convinced that Yutaka Katayama was a qualified engineer (he wasn't) and/or that he "designed" what people are calling "the 240Z". Can I ask, what makes you say that Katayama san "made it a success in the states"? I'm interested to hear how you think that happened, or how it played out. What did he do to make it a success? I would have thought that the main factors in making the 240Z a sales success in North America were: 1. A good product (and everything that goes with that). 2. A recommended selling price of around $3,800 US. 3. A customer base of the suitable demographic (young or young at heart, with funds or access to credit, 'sporty' enough to live with a 2-seater or having access to other vehicles). 4. Economics (Dollar to Yen exchange rate, shipping logistics, all overheads etc) to make the whole project viable. Yes, it was a great product. I'm still full of admiration for the many people who made Nissan's S30-series Z what it was, but in order to meet the targeted (low!) selling price the content of the HLS30U models was pared down and there was clearly some wrangling and struggle - right down to the wire and, in fact, through the first weeks of production - over what would be included in the final spec of the HLS30U, HLS30UN and HLS30UV variants. Was Katayama lobbying Nissan for *more*, or for *less* content? More content (carpets, heated glass, radio & auto antenna, clock, Deluxe seats, factory aircon etc) would have pushed up the selling price, whilst a simplified pretty much one-spec-fits-all (no 'Standard' and 'Deluxe' choice) with limited options would simplify production, reduce costs and simplify delivery logistics. I believe there's a largely untold story here. What exactly are we crediting Katayama san with?

I just did some further digging in internet about those websites that mention in anyway eAutoSmart or eAutoSmart Traders: https://www.google.com/search?q=eautosmart+traders&client=firefox-b-d&ei=mb4yXumkDrSYk74Pg7im0AE&start=10&sa=N&ved=2ahUKEwip1bbmnKvnAhU0zMQBHQOcCRoQ8NMDegQICxA9&biw=1366&bih=626 Every one (every single one) of those so called forum sites that mention eAutoSmart (and of course in quite positive manner) is owned by a one single person (with Bulgarian name) supposedly living in Yuma AZ (as jonbill pointed earlier out about two of them)...! Total scam, the whole thing. Even a site which to looked like the official Texas dmv portal is owned by that same person (if that really even exists...). I'll start a new thread about this scam to warn everybody else. I think it would be good to spread the word around to as many real forums as possible.. Once again, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR ADVICE AND HELP IN THIS!! ESPECIALLY ZED HEAD AND JONBILL. I OWE YOU A COUPLE...

I think that there is plenty here for zdude to get it figured out. He got the engine started. Understanding which way the trigger in the distributor rotates will tell him which way to adjust the sensor to get more advance. Move the sensor in to the direction of rotation so that it triggers sooner. That wil increase advance. Your sensor looks like it is at full retarded timing. No more adjustment. zdude, you could even just move the sensor one way and see what happens to your timing, using the light. One of the directions will cause more advance. Move it more than you need and then you'll have adjustment at the distributor body itself. The key is knowing that you just need to loosen that screw and slide the sensor. Give it a tweak and see what happens.

More prep booth mods: Blast gates !!! ? Bent some quick sheet metal flanges to keep them compatible with the Adult Meccano and bolted them up... Sealed up with more Tuck Tape on the inside to prevent air leaks .... Good to go ...

That car was for sale for $55k before the dealer got it. It was listed on a classifieds site I never visit. It was less than an hour from my house. Had I known, it wouldn't have been for sale. :(

Well, it's worth what the market will pay on any given day. Probably an unrepeatable result in the near future. as I'd expect to see 5 or 6 similar examples that privateers have been holding onto for years suddenly hit the market simultaneously. And for every nice example, there's bound to be 50 clapped out examples to also hit the market, all looking to cash in. If the next 6 top cars all sell for $250K and change, then I'll re-calibrate my expectations. My personal sense it that this sale wont start such a trend, just due to the large number of vehicles out there, which should be enough supply to keep average selling prices reasonable ("reasonable" of course being a relative term). To me, it resembles the euphoria over muscle cars a few years ago, when prices skyrocketed, and then returned to earth.

Or you could buy 0.375 of a 432R :

Lol no, if I was I wouldnt be working on this rust bucket in the garage.

As far as I can tell, this is a new record for the sale of an early-series Datsun 240z. This series one car more than doubled the selling price compared to other cars that we have seen sold on an auction site called Bring A Trailer. The final bidder placed a whopping $310,000 US dollars on the table and walks away with a very nice example of this classic Z. The seller is no-doubt a very happy person and BAT pulls in their max commission of $5,000 (plus listing fees) to help sell this record-breaking car. Not a bad way to buy a car while standing in line at the grocery store or waiting for your plane to taxi down the runway. This Z is a very nice example of an early series Z with a green paint job and butterscotch interior. We've captured the images in a link below for documentation purposes. If you're looking for some image samples for your project, this should no-doubt be a great place to find them. Thanks to our friends over at Bring A Trailer, I've documented the sale here (in case the original ad goes away). The details are below, and also don't forget to visit our discussion thread to see what other members have to say about this car. Here's a link to our gallery documenting this vehicle: ---------------- Original BAT Ad Description - Courtesy of Bring A Trailer --------------- This 1971 Datsun 240Z was built in May of 1970 and delivered new to Munson Datsuns of Marion, Indiana. Dealership owner James Munson retained the car and later gave it to his son, Ronald Munson, as a dental school graduation present. The vehicle was driven infrequently over the years and was stored first in the dealership showroom and later at the Munson family home. Dr. Munson passed away in May 2019, and a few months later his dental practice and 240Z were purchased by a friend and fellow dentist. Finished in Racing Green over brown vinyl, the car retains its original 2.4L inline-six and now shows just 21,750 miles. The selling dealer acquired it in December 2019 and has since adjusted the carburetors, changed the oil, mounted new tires, and performed detailing. This Series I 240Z is offered in Seekonk, Massachusetts with its original window sticker, an extra set of period wheels, additional spares, and a clean Indiana title. The unibody is finished in Racing Green (907) and wears white rocker stripes. Series I cars feature 240Z badging on the C-pillars, as well as horizontal vents in the rear hatch. A rear defroster was optioned new and features Series I-only vertical heating elements. Paint meter readings taken by the selling dealer are said to show measurements of between 2-5 mil. The exterior was also detailed by the seller, but the finish was not compounded or sanded. Factory 14″ steel wheels are dressed with 1972 hubcaps and wear new 175-series Vredestein Sprint Classic tires. The backs of the wheels were powder coated by the Munsons. Gallery photos show that one wheel is date stamped from 1969, while the other three were manufactured in 1970. The included set of 14″ Western Wheel Turbine wheels was ordered through Munson Datsuns and used on the car until the seller’s acquisition. A video tour, including a discussion of the car’s history, is attached above. The cabin features brown vinyl upholstery, including textured inserts on the seats and door panels and diamond-patterned center tunnel covering. Z-branded mats line the floors, and aluminum sill plates feature the Datsun moniker. Protective plastic remains on the rear panels, seatbelts, and behind the door arm rests. The key number sticker is retained on the inside the glovebox door, as pictured in the gallery. A factory three-spoke steering wheel frames the speedometer and tachometer, while auxiliary instrumentation in the center dash monitors water temperature, oil pressure, amperage, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows just 21,750 miles. The center stack includes heater controls and a signal-seeking Hitachi AM radio, which is connected to a powered antenna. A driving video can be viewed above. Black carpeting covers the rear cargo area, under which resides an aftermarket spare wheel wearing a Bridgestone Super Speed tire. The 2.4-liter OHC inline-six was rated for 150 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 146 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm when new. In December 2019 the seller adjusted the carburetors, replaced the fuel filter, gapped the spark plugs, and performed an oil change. The distributor has been converted to electronic ignition, and factory stickers in the engine bay can be seen in the gallery below. The L24 block is stamped 007463, which matches the engine numbers shown on the chassis plate and window sticker. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a fully-synchronized four-speed manual gearbox, and the power braking system features discs up front and drums out back. Additional photos of the underside are included in the gallery, showing factory paint marks and the four-wheel independent suspension. The original window sticker lists the options, engine number, and a suggested retail price of $3,757. Owner’s manuals, registration history, removed parts, and a 240Z-branded bra are also included in the sale. A video explaining the vehicle’s history and showing paint meter readings can be watched above. In preparation for this sale, the seller spoke with the vehicle’s original mechanic, Jim Mayo, who worked at Munson Datsun for 18 years and continued to service the car at the Munson home until 2019. A paint meter demonstration video has been added by the seller and is shown above.

It was under $100....

Ok, I've always wondered about licensing etc. I make art too and can appreciate that you did the right thing, I'm sure you could have just found an image and printed it. Good job though, and I can appreciate those individual touches. I always assumed it was super expensive, which is why people steal images and use them illegally, but it sounds like it depends on the situation and application.

An image company owns the original artwork of the rising sun on a stained linen background. I purchased the individual rights to print it for my particular application. Anyone can purchase the rights to use the image based on their individual needs. Cost is based on use and distribution etc. As this was for a vehicle wrap, hidden 98% of the time and not used for commercial profit etc it was relatively cheap. As a photographer (a previous lifetime ago), I have no issue paying for someone’s artwork. *I do not claim to own the image rights of the rising sun graphic, just the specific application of it on the stained linen background. I do not have copyright or any restriction stopping someone from buying the same image and using it the same way. I would just hope that people would respect the individualism I have created in my car.

Find these...

This is one of the best restorations I've seen. https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1964/toyota/land_cruiser/101228839

Yeah, no doubt! In comparison, $20-30k is chump change...

Quick follow up on this.... Upon further consideration and research, it seems that the general consensus regarding "safe" levels of ZDDP (zinc & phosphorus) is about 800-900 ppm. Apparently these levels will not reduce the efficacy of the catalytic converter. After speaking with the folks at AMSoil, they confirmed that the Z-Rod ZDDP levels are high enough to reduce the efficacy of the catalytic converter. I explained to them that my 76' 280z needs to be smogged every 2 years. AMSoil recommended their European Formula Improved 5W-40 Synthetic Oil, and said that several guys at AMSoil have old Z cars and use this product in their Z cars. They do not publish their zinc and phosphorus levels on the website, but if you call and ask they will tell you. This product has: Zinc: 887ppm Phosphorus: 788ppm https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/european/european-car-formula-5w-40-synthetic-motor-oil/?code=AFLQT-EA I ordered a case and a couple of their filters too. We'll see how it performs.

SpeedRoo, it was actually a piece of embossed fabric tape adhered to the cover plate.

1. The Flying Feather was conceived and engineered by Ryuichi Tomiya, and manufactured by Suminoe. Katayama was a friend of Tomiya and promoted/advertised the product. It was not a Nissan product, so I don't know what "at Nissan" means above? 2. I think you mean the SCCJ (Sports Car Club of Japan) which was started by a like-minded group of individuals, not just Katayama. 3. As above, an event that the Japanese auto industry agreed it needed, and was put together by more than one person. 4. Participation in the '58 Mobilgas Round Australia Trial was originally the idea of Yasuharu Nanba. 5. So did quite a lot of other people. Soichi Kawazoe in particular. 6. Did he? Are we to suppose that - Nissan having sent this (SPL212?) to the United States - it would not have been sold had it not been for Katayama? 7. OK.... so nobody else was doing anything of any consequence then? None of the above is any attempt at the diminution of Yutaka Katayama. What I'm really saying is that people tend to put Katayama in the frame for things that were often team efforts, and/or conceived and executed by others, and/or including Katayama.

I concur. I've owned a number of Zs and none had anything screwed into that hole.

Well done. I think you've dodged a bullet.

I really don't think anything did. I always assumed it was needed during manufacturing. Anyone???

In my view the reality is this - 2 guys with deep pockets JUST HAD TO HAVE IT!!! Also, male ego backed by plenty of bux equals too much macho. Wow, I guess the value of my stash of Holy Grail parts just went up a couple of notches. If buyer wants a set of NOS factory plug wires he should give me a call! Cheers

I think that he's looking for a 280ZX expert or organization. There is no numbers-matching that you can do, Nissan didn't keep track and they didn't include the numbers on any name plates on the car. That's about the best-looking ZX that I've seen. The paperwork that you got with the car is the best authentication.

My high side expectation was low six figures. If you had suggested 310k, I would have said you were crazy! An amazing pricepoint for a car that still had some flaws

Zed Head, do you mean this link above? Yes, I've read pretty much all of their pages on their web site.. I've had email conversation going on with them from early on, I'll keep it up for a little while. But thanks to jonbill's findings I will not buy anything from them (well, most likely nothing can be bought..).

I could probably buy a fairly nice, not perfect, Z for the sales commission the buyer paid BaT on the $310,000 final bid. Dennis

Zed, My computer seized up with 9 seconds until the end of bidding. The car had reached $310,000 at that point. Minutes later I received notification of the sale at $310,000, but could not get into comments, and as of 10 minutes ago, still could not. I occasionally find myself parked next to a Ferrari Testa Rosa in a downtown parkade. I'll have to rib the prosperous lawyer who owns it - hey Chris, howcum you keep driving econo boxes?

Are you going to leave them black? Black trim on green has always been one of my favorite combos.

I might now hold the record for the quickest 'Flagged As Not Constructive' comment on BaT. Those high-rolling 'portfolio collection' guys sure do take themselves seriously. For the record, somebody asked when 240Zs started getting the splash pans. '1969' was apparently the wrong answer. Let's hope nobody asks what all those captive nuts are for...