Oiluj

I didn't know about his background as an industrial designer.Thanks for that.As I stated in my previous post, completely agree with your statement above. In fact, I feel strongly enough about it that I don't practice illegal duplication of movies or software. FWIW, I was simply digging a bit deeper into BRE's perspective regarding "not for profit", personal use by an individual. For classic Z's, the BRE graphics are iconic, symbolizing a "fast" car, similar to the GT40 Gulf color scheme. (I've seen a couple of those driving around with Gulf graphics). It's also "where" you draw the line onwhat they consider "infringement". For example, would CoastGuard Z's ghost diagonal fender stripes be considered infringement? In my mind it would not, because it's not a direct copy of the BRE paint scheme. Of course, lawyers might happily make alot of money fighting over something like that in court... My apologies to anyone if this is a sensitive subjetc. I'm kinda like a kid poking a dead frog with a stick on this one...

I've been exposed to trademarked material and I have a few patents, so I am a strong proponent of enforcement, but only where it makes sense. Is BRE focused on limiting use by individuals making replica vehicles, or just going after those trying to make money off of their name? If the latter, I completely, 100% support their position. However, if they limit partial emulation or actual "replicas" of 30+ year old Datsun paint schemes by individuals, I don’t believe it to be reasonable. It's also a good way to hurt BRE’s reputation in the Datsun motorsports fan base... However your write-up does beg a legal question.__Is the BRE Datsun paint scheme a "registered" Trademark or “currently” valid Copyright? I'm no lawyer, (and am operating from memory here), but my limited understanding is that trademarks have infinite life span. Copyrights, like patents, expire after a period of time. My recollection is copyrights have a 28-year life span unless re-registered in the year it expires. If re-registered, they last a very long time. If BRE is using the "legal" card to limit use, it might be worth checking into.

I understand the power of trademarks, but does BRE still race S30's? If not, I don't see much issue here, as long as it's clear that the car is a "replica". Am I off-base on this?

It even has nice mags. Very nice for the price. Too bad cause I'd be sleeping on the couch if I bought it!

Very Nice!

I put an oil cooler in my previous car, a 1960 MGA. It always ran warm and the oil cooler did make a difference, but the cooling system on that car was under-sized for "slow-n-go" driving in hot weather. Based on my previous 240Z experience, The Z's cooling system, (in good condition), is adequately sized to meet the task.

I'm a dummy... The fill & drain plugs in the diff were frozen as well, so I had to remove it from the car to work on them. Did figure out a little trick to getting them loose. I pulled the mustache bar off and installed it on the diff to act as a reatction bar so it didn't roll around while I stood on the pipe wrench to break the plugs free. Worked like a champ. Filled it with MT-90 and re-installed with no problems. Also installed my new aluminum radiator and the engine underpan. The radiator sits a bit lower than the stock unit, so I had to install some 1/8" spacers and gently bend the pan edges where the interfred with the lower front corners of the radiator. Everything fits fine now.

So who here boaught it? *grin* My guess is it was probably a "collector". Very nice. In 5 years we just might see it on Mecuum's Auto Auctions TV program going for $80K! Still, it's hard to believe it sold for that in today's economy.

That's interesting... I did need to use a spring copressor to get my eibach's re-installed in my 72 240. Only a little, but I could not have done it without the copressors. I wonder if I got different springs? I'll be lowering the car back off the jack stands this weekend and can see what my drive height looks like...

I don't recall how much shorter the Eibachs I recently installed were, but they were significantly shorter than the stock springs. I seem to recall that they were 2-3" shorter, but don't go by this info alone...

To my eye it's fine for a track car but a bit too much for the street.for this paint scheme I'd go with the dark hood, (doesn't have to be CF), and BRE stripes. Guess I'm just too conservative...I do agree with the others about the matching yellow air dam. I think would look better yellow. But don't worry about what we think._Bottom line, it's YOUR car, paint it the way YOU like and have fun with it!

Welcome!

JC, I'm in San Mateo, about 20 miles north of you. My car is still undergoing restoration, but should be driving in the Spring. I'd be happy to meet and talk Z's. Julio

Jim, Thank you for my morning humor! I almost laughed out loud here at work when I read it... Next we can wave dead chikens over the fenders...

So the stock OEM muffler system is still available from Nissan, just in black?

Do what you want, long as it is bolt-on and reversible. Don't throw-away any original components.

MSA has lots of stuff not in thier catalog. Same for Black Dragon. Like Arne says, give them a call.

A tranny jack would have made the job much easier, and yes, the hardest part is lining it up! The car is up on jack stands so there is room to work. I started with the rear of the tranny elevated about 12 to 14 inches on a rolling furniture dolly. I used a small hydraulic jack to control engine tilt-angle to help with alignment. It took about three short lifts by the input shaft, (for greatest leverage / least effort), to adjust the horizontal alignment angle between the engine & tranny. Then I manuvered myself under the front of the tranny, did a bench press, working it into back & forth into position. It actually slid into place without too much twisting around. From start to bolt-up it only took about 70 minutes. I'm sure I'll feel a bit sore tomorrow, but then that's why they make Advil...

Got my tranny mounted-up! It's not fully buttoned-up, but it's attached and bolted-in semi-tight. Can't work on her any more this weekend, but hope to have the starter and clutch slave installed with everything tight by next weekend. Then next weekend I can start working on finishing-up the engine compartment. It may actually be complete someday!

Noooo! Do what Carl says, provide us with the info. That way we can all be on the watch for her. My best wishes for your Z's safe return to you.

Mine's not in yet, but I've got a Sony DEH-2000MP in-dash AM/FM/CD w/ MP3 player input. It's kinda "low-end", but given the acoustics of the Z and that I really prefer the sound of the engine, it will be just fine. Have some decent 5-1/4" co-axial speakers for the rears, (in the orginal locations), and plan to install some 4" coaxials in the front kick panel area. Will be fabricating new kick panels from masonite & vinyl to hold the front speakers.

Regarding the aircraft paint stripper. Get some "good" chemical resistant gloves. I used it to strip a car to bare metal. I started with "industrial" thickness vinyl gloves and after 30 minutes could feel it burning my skin. That problem was solved when I ordered a pair of the proper gloves from McMaster-Carr.

I've been watching the new seris "Life on Mars" set in 1973, waiting to see a 240z.

I found a shotgun shell under the viinyl in one of the tool boxes...

Collector / historical / investment value aside, why wouldn't someone "drive" this car. The final sales price of this essentially "new" car will likely be comparable or below the cost of a newer sports car that lacks the classic appeal of the Z. It's a pretty good deal. I'm not saying I'd drive this car daily, but if I my wife were willing to let me buy it, (unlikely), I would consider drving it to local shows and the occasional Sunday drive. While our early Z's have appeal as objects d'art, in my mind, these cars were made to be driven...