240 in OZ

Hello All This is either going to sink or swim, but I thought that Id throw it out there as a topic of interest regardless. There seems to be a great deal of confusion when it comes to the RHD HS30 model and what specification rear view mirrors were fitted as standard equipment from the factory. Please note here Im referring to the HS30 model rather than the Japanese home market S30 model. Initially I was confused, and thought that they were just applied at the factory in a haphazard fashion, but have been thinking about it and believe I may have come up with a fitment pattern, and wanted to back this theory up with posted results. I am of the belief that from the factory the HS30 cars were initially equipped with either: No externally mounted rear view mirrors on either side, any position. Front fender/wing mounted rear view mirrors in the original USA chrome type specification, located both sides left and right. Front fender/wing mounted rear view mirrors in the Japanese specification black bullet type, located both sides left and right. Standard USA type chrome mirror fitted on drivers (right) hand side door only. Im also of the belief now that the fitment the car got was based on when it was made, and it basically follows the order as listed above. The early cars seem to either have no mirrors or the chrome mirrors mounted up front on both fenders/wings. We know the earliest car into Australia, HS30-0004 got the pair of chrome mirrors up front. Ive also seen two other early cars with this configuration, one was in an early advertisment for the 240z (green car) and the other was on the cover of the magazine "Sports Car Road Tests" issue 8 (green car with tan vinyl roof). We know HS30-0016, which is in the UK, came with no external rearview mirrors what so ever. By early here Im talking about the 70/early 71 cars with the vented rear hatch etc. For the series 2 cars (71 with the revised vents etc) I believe these got the front fender mounted Jap spec mirrors, both sides, black in colour. I have seen a car recently dated 07/71 which had these mirrors installed on it as known standard. I also saw a car a few years ago dated 09/71 with these mirrors installed as known standard. My car has been dated as 09/71 and, while it currently has a single door mounted Jap spec mirror on the drivers side, I believe that it came as standard from the factory with the pair of Jap mirrors up front and one has been moved to the door and the other deleted at some stage in its past. For the 72 model year HS30 cars (revised centre console and B type transmission) I believe these got the single door fitted chrome mirror on the drivers side, same as USA spec (different side though). I believe the 73 model year HS30 cars got this same specification. I also believe that this specification then carried through to the 260z models, right through to 77. Are people interested to test this theory of mine out? If so, please post the (believed, if know) date on manufacture, the original L24 engine number, the chassis HS30 number along with what mirrors were fitted as standard equipment for your car (if known). Also if you know of other cars around please post their details as known. I hope this is interesting to atleast a few out there. Thanks for reading. Joseph Gauci

The early "zinc" ones are Tokico brand and were shared with the Roadster. The later "yellow CAD" plated ones are Nabco brand. Early Nabco dont have the wires, later style do. Make sue you keep this stuff in mind when ordering replacements. Joseph

Hello Alan Many thanks for the reply/information; I assumed you would chime in with the info required...manybe I should have just PMed you! Tried the numbers with Nissan Australia this morning and all of them are listed as NLA...nice and handy! Ill have to try alternative parts sources. Thanks again for the reply. Hope to see a CD of the RHD version of the parts book soon, Im sure many people over here in Australia would buy a copy. Joseph

Hello Is someone out there who owns a copy of the RHD version of the Nissan parts book please able to let me know the part numbers of the brake master vac hoses, both of them. Im interested in the very first lot of part numbers, ie "E" series as my car is a 71. The LHD parts book shows them as 47471-E4601 Hose - Master Vac Master Vac Side 47474-E4600 Hose - Master Vac Engine Side Im not sure if there was any variance in part numbers for the RHD spec cars, but as the one on the engine side is a different shape I suspect there may be. Thanks for any reply/information. Regards Joseph Gauci

blackjack PM me your email address and Ill send a PDF copy to you. Joseph

So what colour is it then. You say black then a grey overspray. To me this applies it was originally black! Are you saying this one you purchased has NEVER been installed on a car and came NEW in the box. Joseph

BTW, you will be the first to know if/when I get the hoses in question...still battling!

Hello Bob Many thanks for the reply and the info. After posting my query I got digging through what seems to now be my archives of pictures I have and came across this (see attached). It was borrowed from an ebay auction a while back, I think it was from a Cybersanford listing. Anyway, it was described as a full set auction. Joseph

Posting this for the non-believers.

The license plate light was originally painted "satin black" from the factory. There are some brand new OEM units on ebay right now if anyone should need verification of this. The tailight surrounds were the grey colour, along with the grille and the caps. Joseph

Hey Bob Hard to tell from your shots, but is there any shape difference between the front and the rear tie down hooks; ie are the front and the rear hooks the exact same part? I have two fronts and no rears and was considering attempting to mount my spare front to my rear. The bolt for the rear bumper bracket doesnt seem to be long enough though to accomodate both the bumper bracket and also the spare front tie down hook which I have. Im thinking there may be some kind of subtle difference between the front and rear; if anyone can confirm anything here it would be appreciated. Thanks Joseph

Hello Dan What you say is interesting here re the change in size of the machine screws. I also have a splash pan and the screws in the body of the car itself seem to be M5 whereas the screws which go into the front cross-member appear to be M6. What do these screws look like for originality purposes? Do they have a cross in the head to take a phillips head screwdriver or are they bolts with the 4 stamped in the head? Maybe you could find a substitute from Nissan to use. Look around the front fender attachment/apron attachment area and you may be able to find something which you could order new from your local NIssan? If you could let me know what the screws look like it would be appreciated. Thanks Joseph

I assume by your user name you are located in Australia. Blue interior is VERY rare here, Id like to see some pics of your car/interior when you are able. Recover the chrome door strips yourself. Go to a boating supply store and you should be able to purchase "chrome tape" off the roll by the metre. Remove all of the flaking chrome off your door trims so the plastic strip goes back to purple in colour, cut the tape to length/width an peel the backing off and apply section by section. Take your time for a good result. You may also need to muck around and trial some widths as the tape is about 2" wide from the roll. Also remove your trims and lay them on the ground to do it. Hope this helps out. Please post some pics of you car when you get time. BTW, all of the winder handles, interior rear view mirror, door handles etc were all black on blue interior cars, also for tan/white interior for all 240z. I believe that there were tan/white door handles made for the 260z. Joseph

Nice post (as is usual). So where does one buy "tar paper" and what does it look like when installed? Thanks Joseph

I spoke with Scotts Old Auto Rubber in Melbourne yesterday and they sell a black thick mat which sticks to the metal floorpan. It is like applying a sticker, ie peel the backing off and stick it down. It can be cut to size/shape readily and can be moulded with heat application. However, it cannot be painted over. I was considering it to replicate the original masonite type board but as it cannot be painted, its back to the drawing board. Maybe it would be useful for your application? Joseph

From a reliable source: Gloss Black, 75%. Splash/stone pans were not painted, simply pressed bare steel. Hope it helps. Joseph

Ive seen a few of our cars with the right and left front fender mounted chrome type mirrors installed, akin to RHD VIN#004. One was an early green exterior one used for a dealer brochure I have. Nisszed Spares is expensive IMO. Joseph

I have spoken with Warren @ All-Z re the rhs drivers side mirror and he tells me he can no longer get them genuine from Nissan; if he cannot get them then I suggest that no one can. He is having them remade, apparently a few guys here in Australia have them installed. I havent seen any personally, but reportedly the plating used on the piece which holds the mirror glass isnt plated the same as the original. Joseph

DONT purchase aftermarket parts for the oil pressure sending unit. You need genuine Nissan OEM. Warren at All-Z parts has them available, AUS$95 when I bought mine a few years back. Note the design has changed for our market. It is more sqaure in shape and comes in a rubber "sock". It also has a wire comming from the end which will plug directly into your OEM stock wiring harness. Joseph

Hey Chris Thanks for the acknowledgement. I do believe that this particular car was first advertised back in March on www.zcar.com classifieds section; I dont recall it having been on ebay prior. I am assuming it didnt sell at this time and the owner has had to go to a broker and ebay to attempt the sale (or to advertise it more widely). Joseph

The stuff CDM sells is for LHD cars, as James is here in Australia he has a RHD car; there is probably a difference I am assuming...input? Interesting to know if any Aussies have found a good substitute for the material available here in Australia. Joseph

Its definately a key for a lock down type antenna, but that antenna, if fitted to the car, isnt the original one. As I mentioned prior the z car had a power antenna which is actuated by a switch on the side of the original radio. Looking at your keyring, the only original key you have there is the ignition key, which is the one at the back of the ring when looking at the first pic. Hope this helps out. Joseph

240/260z's had a semi auto power antenna which doesnt have a lock down feature. It sounds like you have an aftermarket antenna. Remove the inner hatch rear plastic trim panel for a look. Joseph