kats

Hi, Now japan is 23:51,I have to go to bed. I attached this for all of you. This is a opening of a video "test driving".You can see the date of the test. kats

I forgot to mention,this article was printed for Jan 1st 1970. continue, "Also they made aprox.10 partial "White body" for crash test.They did crash test then they got lid of them. "

Hi, I would like to translate this article from "CAR GRAPHIC(japan)" "...especially they paid careful attention to reduce weight.They set a target weight for each compornent before they actualy made.It was really strict,even they had not decided a car name,they also set a target weight for emblems "gram unit" When they found something to be reinforcement,then they cut some steel to be lighten.These efforts gave its weight to be within limits which they set.Even more they have started their production line,the car have cut its weight slightly. So many prototype cars were made,this is a special thing for them(staff),this is indeed for the Z.First, "SEKKEI Shisaku"1-2-3 stages produced 25 protos.Second,"GIJYUTSU Shisaku at the factory(this is Koujyou Shisaku as I mentioned)"produced 3 protos for each model(ex.PS30 & S30 & HLS30 or HS30)Third,"SEISAN Shisaku" 1-2 stages produced 33 protos(as I mentioned,they have a VIN and cross-refferencing,11 Dom & Exp cars in early Oct. are still SEISAN Shisaku) Total 61 protos were made..." continue a little more. kats

Hi Zedrally, Please see the VIN.. kats

Hi 26th-Z and all of you, I apologize that I made a big mistake.I have seen TWO different licences.NOT 3,I am sorry for this. And I apologize my writing is not clear for you.I realized that I red again my post today,if I were you I would say ???? About lowest VIN, Alan T. you have got my intention. Here are some confirmation and "explain another word" Courtesy Alan T,I add some like this.Additional informations are based on an interview to Mr.Uemura & Mr.Osawa. I read it this way: May = 1 Domestic, 1 Export /They are Koujyou Shisaku #1 & #2 (Not for sure which is the first,they do not have a VIN) June = 1 Domestic, 0 Export/This Dom Z is a Koujyou Shisaku #3 (This Dom Z also does not have a VIN) July = 2 Domestic, 2 Export /They are Seisan Shisaku #1 to #4 (Not for sure the sequence,but they are the first Z which has a VIN.For the Exp model,it must be HLS30-00001 & HS30-00001, or HLS30-00001 & HLS30-00002,or HS30-00001 & HS30-00002) August =6 Domestic, 1 Export /They are Seisan Shisaku #5 to #11 (For the Exp model,it must be ...you can try) Sept = 9 Domestic, 2 Export/They are Seisan Shisaku#12 to #22 (Seisan Shisaku #14 & #15 should be in this September.And it is obvious they are LHD as we can see.From this point,2 Exp model in this month must be Seisan Shisaku #14 & #15.So,They must be HLS30-00002 or 00003 or 00004 or 00005.) ( so total 19 Domestic and 6 Export versions by the end of September '69 ). Is this a much better explanation? Thank you, kats P.S. Zedrally,I found a page of your question.The VIN is different!

Hi, I am also very much interested in this thread. My L24-005562 has a casting code "E31" then "02121" on the block. mdbrandy,your casting code "9901F" make me think about"the date of casting" What do you think if it shows "1969 Sep 01 F" Does it make sence? If my"02121" will be read "0212I"?If so,will it show 1970 Feb 12 I"? I would like to see more casting codes close to my build date early 1970. Thank you, kats

Hi Alan, You found a good point,why there were at least 3 different licence plate for the Zs? I asked this question to Mr.Uemura & Mr.Osawa,they really do not know,"uhh..oh yeah...had we gotten new licences? Maybe.." But I confirmed there were only two 240Zs during the mission. You may find these Zs were equipped some featuring in some stage in the video which I will post.Some times I can see they got rear spoiler,different hub caps etc. Yes,a red 510 was always there. kats

Hi everyone, I do my best.I must reply for some,please forgive me that I may not reply in sequence or may just forget replying. #1 I posted "240Z had to remain on the port".This is correct at least destination to the U.S.I am not sure about other destinations. Of cource some test cars were arrived at the U.S.in 1969.My big question is,what happened to approx.500 completed 240Zs(LHD&RHD) ?They had already been assembled whole things.Had they been equipped advanced parts?Some small parts would be easy to replace(I do not know what was advanced parts exactly though)but nissan even did not replace due so much bother ?Or some small advanced parts would have been replaced but big/complicated parts would not have been replaced. Here is my guessing,my 03/1970 240Z has a thick tar mat(insulator)on the rear deck floor. But so many 1969 240Z does not have it. Mr.Osawa and Mr.Uemura said big road noise was also a big problem.I think the end of test driving in very late Dec 1969, nissan would add insulator on the rear deck floor to corespond test driving. I also made an interview to Mr.Miyate who was a chief of design inside of a body and a chassis of S30.The early head light case is made of FRP,this is his idea,also Mr.Matsuo had a same idea during his cray study. Mr.Miyate was troubled with that headlight case,he could not find the best way to make.He even tried steel at first stage but it was not good.One day he was at a train staion,he saw a plastic vacume formed seat.He found an idea "ask a manufacture of the seat to help me". The company is Kotobuki they make various plastic seat for the stadium and staition etc. Mr.Miyate payed attention to the interior too.He said he wanted to apply good quality carpet for the U.S. 240Z because they were used to have it in their daily life.Not like japanese. I guess there was a change about carpet.1969 240Z has rubber mat but nissan wanted to reduce noise,nice carpet became standard for 1970 240Z. #2 from the report,Mr.Osawa said they started test of "270(code of S30)"from 2nd Oct 1969 to the end of Dec.And mentioned "The final car"(I know what he was saying.typical japanese style.In this case FINAL means the solution of the problem at this moment)had been equipped advanced parts,then this car was sent to the U.S. by air.This car was arrived in the U.S. on 20th Dec 1969. He wrote"Kaku- U" also.As Alan T. said the test crew was called Kaku-U and this was continued for 240Z's test crew too. #3 "Seisan shisaku"this car has a VIN number.They used this nomenclature for the very first car which has VIN. Mr.Uemura and Mr.Osawa said these test cars "Seisan shisaku#14 & #15" was not HLS30-#14 & #15. Nissan shatai counted all S30 models(Dom & EXpo) for it. O.K,Like this,they made Kojyou shisaku first,these cars do not have a VIN.Nissan shatai made 3 S30s(2 Dom/1 Expo) as Koujyou shisaku.But I do not know which car(DOM or Expo)was Koujyou shisaku #1 in May 1969. Then they made a car which has a VIN,this became a Seisan shisaku. So,let's do cross-refferensing. According to the production number data of 1969,you can count 3 s30s(2 Dom/1 Expo) in May and June.But these are Koujyou shisaku(do not have a VIN) as Mr.Uemura & Mr.Osawa told me. 11 S30s(8 Dom/3 Expo) were built in Jul & Aug,these were Seisan shisaku which have a VIN.So, Seisan shisaku #14 & #15 must built in Sep 1969. If all Expo S30s up to Sep 1969 were HLS30,test cars"Seisan shisaku #14" must be HLS30-00004 & 00005. According to Alan T's past post,HS30-00003 was made in Oct 1969 showing in the parts catalog(This photo is great!!!Alan,) If HS30-00001 & 00002 were made before Oct 1969,these test cars "Seisan shisaku #14 & #15" must be HLS30-00002 & 00003. P.S.Did I post this photo before?The second from the left:Mr.Uemura(he was a captain of this mission),the third from the left:Mr.Osawa.Note;240Z had snow tires.The test started from L.A,final stage was a cold operation in CANADA.This photo must be taken near the end. kats

Hi Alan, I will post tonight but for now,just a little bit for reviewing. When I made a interview to Mr.Osawa and Mr.Uemura(test crew in the U.S. & CANADA)They said these. #1 2 Test cars were sent back to japan. #2 They were "Seisan shisaku #14 & #15 #3 The one had a manual trans and the other had an Auto trans #4 They both had a rear window defogger kats

Hi, That report was for Mr.Osawa's boss,not for me, just confirmation. I revised my web site,please see some new photos and a new section. I should start a new thread about test drive, but I need to take a break.I am exausted. P.S.this attached file is Mr.Osawa's hand-drawing.2 HLS30 ran aprox.14000 miles from Oct to Dec 1969...(thin broken line is not Z,it shows test crews flew to east coast for visiting NMC-East,Conel laboratory,Detroit city) kats

Hello, I am sorry I was absent.I am ready for input. I have a book "technical bulletin from Jan 1969 through Dec 1972" This book is for the Datsuns in the U.S.I can see 510/SRL311/Lb110... And this book eliminated some bulletins like the one which is totaly outdated or obvious like "cover letters" I am thinking about a boundary of 1969 made 240Z. What I am trying to say is,look into small parts will give us a hint to determine a car made 1969 or 1970. And cross referencing to every kind of information which is available. Joseph, thank you very much for the information.I am interested in HS30-00004/L24-003605.Let me do "checking points" for this early 240Z. #1 This car should have "6 counter weight crank"from the bulletin.This L24 is just 2nd from the last "old crank".We agree this engine is near to Jan 1970 HLS30.But we can not say"this is not 1969 made".Because the engine number is not 100% accurate sequence as you know. #2 This car should have stranded wire choke cable(hood release cable also)from the bulletin.HLS30-01831 may have stamped on the tag Jan or Feb 1970.You already noticed the date of the bulletin is always far late from the date which of the parts installed at the factory.Do we think HLS30-01831 was made on 1st Oct 1970?No, we do not. Rmember the data from Nissan shatai,it shows 543 export Zs were made in 1969.But we have to minus one Z because it was a "koujyou shisaku" .This means this car was not given VIN number.So, 542 export Zs in 1969 and 1010 export Zs in Jan 1970.Toatal 1552 export Zs up to Jan 1970.Even if these Zs are all HLS30(U.S. and Canada),#01831 was not born until Feb 1970. One trivia,from the data, the first export Z which has Vin was made in Jul 1969.Unfortunately we do not know LHD or RHD.Anyway that Z will be HLS30-00001 or HS30-00001!! What point or how did Nissan shatai regard their production number per month?Let's say a 240Z had just completed its final inspection on Dec 31st 1969,at 17:00 P.M.Then the factory was closed all workers went back home,the 240Z was sitting in the hangar.Next day Jan 1st 1970 the 240Z was loaded on a truck to export terminal. Did nissan count one eport Z on Dec 1969 or Jan 1970?If the 240Z was HLS30(U.S. and Canada) would the factory have given a date plate Dec 1969 or Jan 1970?Or like Alan T.said nissan shatai did not give the plate in their factory?The plate was attached at the export terminal? (BTW,Dec 31st is a holiday for japanese.I do not know at that time the factory was opening and running their production lines.I found the number of export Z in Dec 1969 is very very low comparing to other past mounths.Was the factory closed for holidays?Or due to the problems which was found during the test ride in the U.S.? Many of people like Mr.Katayama/Mr. Mastuo/Mr.Osawa and Mr.Uemura said 240Z had to STBY for exporting until the problems cure. I was wondering nissan had to solve the problem at same time the factory stopped line temporaly.) #3 If this car was made in 1969,this car should have "earliest seat back" according to the parts catalog for HLS30.It says the first seat back was applied up to Dec 1969 then superceeded in Jan 1970.I do know what is different but I always have a feeling to seeing the earliest photo,the seat back is "fat" and "thick" viewed from the side. 26th-Z, Thank you very very much for pictures of your Z's documents.It is very important Z's history.What a amazing thing you still have them!!I had never seen such a complete set for 1969/1970 240Z.I some times see 1971 version on ebay.Great papers!!Keep them forever. And I know Hosomi-san,he has a very beautiful 240Z.He also attended at Sagamiko meeting last year he flew from the U.S. I think.Please give my regard to him. P.S. I attached this file"report of test drive in the U.S. by Mr.Osawa"I will interprit this some day.But a little bit.. "...Vibration from the steering compornent and car shaking from the rear differencial unit was a big problem we had been considering.Thanks for the entire staffs related those kind of section,they paid a lot of efforts.As the results we managed to built [refined 240Z with advanced parts].The refined 240Z arrived by air on Dec 20th 1969,NMC checked and gave "satisfaction"to the car.But still there is a sensitive phenomenon of tire balance(choice?)" This report may have a key of disclosure of "boundary of 1969 made 240Z" Thank you, but sorry I am not logistic and long writing. kats

Hi, I do not have time to input,so please skip my last posts. I will be back tomorrow. kats

Hi, about crank. kats

Hello, I will be back soon, Sorry for this interapting. "cross-referencing" kats

Please see this,I will be back soon. kats

Hello everyone,thank you very much for a lot of inputs. Just a quick reply,of my understanding. #1 20th Dec 1969(010100)/OM0E-0S30G0 courtesy 26th-Z #2 15th Jan 1970(020200)/OM0E-0S30G1 I have one #3 20th Mar 1970(030300)/OM0E-0S30U2 I have one #4 29th?Nov1970(I forgot) /I used to have this,but I was sold #1 has a shot from left front for a top cover,some pictures are slightly different from later ones. #2 and #3,#4 have same shot from left side for a top cover.Note:the emblems are ridicurous because they are hand writing.Seems to me the car is a same of press release version"non-badging anywhere Z" #2 has a rivision paper,#3 does not have paper anywhere,this is completely revised version about hand throttle. Up to #3,there is no tail light panel picture mentioning bulb replacing. But #4,it has a picture of replacing bulbs at rear teil light.The trim panel has a lid for replacing bulbs.Remember the earliest s30's tail light trim does not have a lids for replacing.The actual Vin number for this change is in the technical bulletins from Jan 1969 to Dec 1972. kats

Hi, Andrew,my Z's seat belt tag is Dec 1969.My car is Mar 1970,door jamb has 01-70 and 11-69.I have not seen into steering wheel,when I am in L.A. I will check. 26th-Z,I also want to see your owners manual.I have Jan 1970 and Mar 1970 issued,I want to compare them with yours.My Jan 1970 one is interesting,it has some unique pages which has coverd by revised pictures,I can see the original describ is about throttle contorol.Your Dec 1969 one is the same? Alan T, I may not be philosophic,I just want to enjoy guessing and imaginating about how and when the parts are assembled together and became the car,how and when the car departed japan and then...We seem not to able define the actual date of manufacture,I just want to guess and think. I want to know the engine number of HS30-00003,4,and 13.Alan,if you know the engine number of HS30-00013,please let me know. It is a good idea to use cross referencing technique.We do not know the actual date of the car,but we can guess and enjoy thinking about ?gwhen it was made?h.I say again,we can not determine the date,just have a fun to imagine. ?gTo list up the parts which shows the date on it as much as you can.?h For the U.S. owners,compare those dates to yours door jam date(month) plate.When we got several owners answer(or more is better of cource),we can have a general understanding of when the car was made and when the date plate was installed.I think the date plate was installed at the end of the construction,but I want to confirm the date of the plate is the lastest date comparing its other small parts?fs date.i.e.if the date plate march1970,but may1970 on a seat belt tag and the tag is original from it was assembled, in this case my theory is not correct. For the AUS and U.K. and other countries owners whoes car does not have a date plate, When we got a kind of general understanding of the U.S. date plate,if it is worth to trust,then compare your engine number to the U.S. cars.Of cource engine numbers are not in sequence perfectly but it is good for thinking about relationship between engine number and the date plate.Mr.Carl Beck?fs web site has a lot of member?fs vin number and engine number.Use cross referencing technique,we can guess when the lowest HS30-0000X or 000XX was made.Using this technique,some HS30 will be considered ?gat least it is not 1969 made?h. And I recommend ?gcompare small early parts?h.We know some parts are seen in only early s30.Even the parts do not have the date,we may use those parts to guess the date of manufacuture of the car. For example,following items are seen in the car which has 1969 to Jan or Feb 1970 date plate. Rear view mirror ?gred dot?h Plastic fuel filer lid and it is closed at vertical position of its knob ?gChrome Z?h for the piller and rear deck 240Z emblem Cabin air intake has a metal basement Unique hood bamper on the cowl top Gray plastic for the heater contorol panel and ash tray If the non U.S.car have these parts,and engine number is around L24-3000,and seat belt tag or other parts has date 1969,it is "possibly 1969 made".But still this is just my thought. kats

Hi Bambikiller240, Thank you for the information,also I found and corrected master "vac"... kats

Thank you Ben, I revised for master back,bendix is not good this time. Gav240z,I also want to see the original battery.I only can see it in the 240Z color folded brochure.It is black and I can see "N50" at side of battery. I will post the photo soon. kats

steering wheel date.I can see "Goukaku"(means passed) above the date,"Kensa"(means inspection)below the date. kats

date on the door jam kats

Just information, In japan,there is no plate date stamped any where.Engine room ID plate shows chassis number,but no engine number.However to own the car,we have to registrate for the document,it has engine number,dimentions,model type(not start from "S30",it is completely different number),owners adress,etc. And japanese Z's seat belt has an exactly same tag as export Z. So,for japanese owner it is funny seeing "DATSUN 240Z SPORTS" on the seat belt tag of their fairlady-Z. One example,Mr.Wtanabe's Z432(PS30-00063),I can see these "date". 03Dec1969 on the back of steering wheel. Oct1969 on the door jam Nov1969 on the door jam Nov1969 on the seatbelt tag According to "Nippon jidosha kougyo-kai"(Japan automobile corporation) it says, PS30-00001 to 00072 was made in 1969 kats

Hello, Just curious,how many manufactures produced parts for 240Z? I try to list up what I saw when I cleaned my 240Z. Also courtesy of factory service bulletin of fairlady-Z Nov 1969 issued,there are lots of information of manfactures. Ampco/struts Bridgestone/tire Hanshin/ignition coil Harada/antenna Hitachi/carbs,cam cover,radiator fan,alternator,starter motor,radio,blower motor,oil pomp,differencial Ichiko/inside back mirror,turn signal lights Ikeda bussan/seat and seat back Izumi/steering wheel(not shown the name I think) Jidosha denki/wiper assembly,fuel pomp Jidosha kiki/master vac Jieco/clock Kanto seiki/steering lock and ignition key,speed meter and tach indicator,washer bottle Koito/lamps and bulbs Miyamoto/Dual Horn Nichira/exaust tubes and muffler Nihon Rdiator/radiator Niles/light and wiper switch,turn signal switch,huse box,engine room egg lamp Sumitomo/rubber tube,metal emblem Takata kojyo/seat belts Tokico/Brake reservoir cylinder Topy/wheels Toyo/tire Tsuchiya seisakusho/air cleaner filter Yuasa/battery BTW,I put this antenna hardware you can see Hitachi mark.Is this an original for 1970 240Z? please look at this. Thank you kats

This photo is, Left:Mr.Eiji Osawa,Center: kats,Right:Mr.Hitoshi Uemura. At nissan shatai guest room I made interviews to them about S30 production and test driving in the U.S. The data seat was a present from them.They were the actual member of the test driving in the U.S. from Oct to Dec 1969. I will start a new thread of "test drive from Oct to Dec 1969" kats

D is domestic,E is export,T is total. this photo is from july to december. kats