Carl Beck

Hi kurtwwalters: To answer your questions: The State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) determined the "title year". But I think your question is really about the "Model Year" recorded on that title. (title year being the year the title itself was issued) In 1970/1971 the Dealer determined the Model Year. Yes, if it was first sold to a retail customer in 1971, it would commonly have been titled as a 1971 ""Model Year". (do you have a copy of the original title or original bill of sale showing how it was originally titled? Could have been a mistake made on previous title transfers too.). See: See: <a href=http://zhome.com/History/1970or1971.html>http://zhome.com/History/1970or1971.html</a> Now we'll have to update "the Z Car Home Page"...Record holders have to come to Clearwater to claim their prize.... Hooters sounds good to me...we have the Original one here!! FWIW, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

The seller owns the auction company that had it for sale in OK.. The seller lives in California the car is still listed as being in OK He has also corrected many of the mistakes in the first ad.. This car should sell... For a time, Nissan shipped the Left door panels that were intended for the Right Hand Drive cars... This was an error on their part.. but these seem to have found their way into some of the Vintage Zs; I'd guess because the program schedules did not allow them to wait on replacements. regards, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater,FL USA http://ZHome.com

The FMVSS for 77/78 changed the requirements for rear-end impact damage control. As far as I know, all the 77/78 280Z's had the raised rear deck originally intended to pass the new FMVSS .... If you order rear bumpers you will notice that they are all different for the late 260Z (based on the 280Z body), the 75/76 280Z's and the 77/78 280Z's.. this is because the rear impact test requirements changed in those years.. So to did the uni-body structures that carried the bumpers and took the impacts.. FWIW, Carl Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Hi Alan: Great... that helps a lot. Now all we need is either the Wire Diameter, or the Coil Diameter (coil dia. is measured from the center of the wire on one spring coil to the center of the wire on another spring coil - 180 degrees from the first). Since we know the Inside Diameter either the Wire Dia. or the Coil Dia. can be derived from the other. Then we need to know how many coils are in the springs. Number of coils and/or Number of Effective Coils. Note: the number of coils might be say 10 but the number of Effective Coils could be 8.5 if the bottom coil is pressed together. Everyone keep digging... regards, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Hi Alan: The above is the OEM Spring for the US/North American Spec. Cars as well. The above is what we know as the Euro Stage II Spring. Rate is: 2.18 kg/mm or 122 lbs/in The above is what we know here in the US as the Euro Spec. Stage I spring. It is listed in our Parts Manuals as "optional". The above is listed here in the US as "Optional with A/C and A/T. Spring rate is 1.49 kg/mm or 83 lbs/in. The above is the same as the OEM spring for the US/North American Spec. Cars. The above is what we here in the US know as the Euro Spec. Stage II spring. Rate is: 2.18 kg/mm or 122 lbs/in. The above is known here in the US as the Euro Spec. Stage I spring. Listed as "'Optional" here in the US Parts Catalogs. The above is listed here in the US as "Optional" with A/C and A/T rate is 1.49 kg/mm or 83 lbs/in. The above is listed here as the OEM rear springs for the US/North America The above is listed here in the US as the Euro Spec. Stage II spring. Spring rate is 2.5 kg/mm or 140 lbs/in The above is listed here as the Euro Spec. Stage I spring and optional. Hope I got that right... thanks, Carl Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Hi Alan: The data provided is most helpful indeed. I'll cut/paste all this into a single table, and try to keep the Metric to US conversions consistant.. I'll also see if some of the Part Numbers have been changed over the years etc. Bear with me... this may take some time... thanks again, Carl B.

Hi Andrew: Yes.. that is very helpful to know. It pretty much says that the UK got what our US Parts refer to as the ""Euro. Spec. Stage II" springs. thanks, Carl B.

Hi Alan (everyone): I guess that is one of the answers I was hoping to get defined. The Euro Spec. Springs could be ordered through the Datsun Parts Dept.. at any Datsun Dealer here in the US from the 70's forward. However there were two options, Euro Spec. Stage I and Euro Spec. Stage II. I have found no clear definition of which, if any, Countries got the Euro. Spec. Stage II springs. I believe that the Left Hand Drive and Right Hand Drive models would have used the same springs, only the Right and Left Front Springs would have been swaped depending. (Yes/No?). No, I thought that if everyone sent the data we could sort out which countries got what. We would also know what is or is not interchangeable What We Have Listed Here In The US Parts Catalogs: Part Numbers and Spring Rates - Euro Spec. Stage I Springs 54010-E4107 240Z Spring/RF (101 lbs/in) 54010-E4106 240Z Spring/LF (101 lbs/in) 55020-E4201 240Z Spring/R (112 lbs/in) Part Numbers and Spring Rates - Euro Spec. Stage II Springs (as you listed) 54010-E8100 240Z Spring/LF (122 lbs/in) 54010-E8101 240Z Spring/RF (122 lbs/in) 55020-E8100 240Z Spring/R (140 lbs/in). (although Courtesy's Listing would seem to have the R and L front spring Parts Numbers reversed - or was this done intentionally for application to Left Hand Drive cars here?????). I was most specifically looking for the specifications for the Euro Spec. Stage I springs. The Euro Spec. Stage II springs require a different spring perch height on the front struts, than that which is standard on the US Spec. Cars. In other words to use the Stage II springs on the US Spec. cars the spring perch height has to be raised 1" to maintain full shock travel; or new optional struts were required: 54302-E8127 240Z OPT Strut /RF 54303-E8127 240Z OPT Strut/ LF We hope to have the US Spec. and Euro Spec. Stage I springs reproduced, as they are NLA everywhere here in the US now. However the manufacturer requires the complete set of spring specifications. The OEM springs removed from 71/72 240Z's here, are testing out to be about 70% to 80% of their specified rates. Many people do not want to use the performance springs presently available in the after-market, because they all result in lowered ride height, or springs that are way too stiff for GT use. Any information you can supply will be greatly appreciated, especially the complete spec.'s for the Euro Spec. Stage I springs (which is what I believe were OEM on the GB models. Kind regards, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Would someone with a Factory Service Manual for the Euro Spec. DATSUN 240-Z's please Post the specifications for the OEM springs. The Factory Service Manual should list in the Service Data and Specifications at the end of the Front/Rear Suspension Sections: Wire Diameter Coil Diameter Coil Turns Coil Effective Turns Free Length Installed height/load Spring Constant

Carl S. Thanks for the link to George's Mirror Repair Page... great idea... ZSaint wrote: .....""You say they fit into the stock holes in the driver door? ".... As I recall, either the front or rear screw on the Racing Mirror utilizes the original hole for the stock mirror. Then you have to drill one additional hole for the Racing Mirror. Nonetheless, the Racing Mirror covers both original holes in the drivers door. On the Right Door, you have to drill two holes for the Racing Mirror of course. FWIW, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Carl S. You left out the one statement that actually is wrong.. "Approximately only 50 cars were finished by Nissan." Everyone knows is was approximately 40 that were finished. ;-) FWIW, Carl B.

And another view from the Z Car Home Page <a href=http://zhome.com/History/240ZRacingMirrors.htm TARGET=New>http://zhome.com/History/240ZRacingMirrors.htm></a>

Here is a picture of them on my Blue 72. I was lucky, when I worked for the Datsun Dealer, I put a few sets of the Racing Mirrors away... Over the years I used them on several cars... Now I'm down to only one spare set left. See: <a href=http://www.becksystems.com/72BeachMed.jpg>http://www.becksystems.com/72BeachMed.jpg</a> I will say that these were cheap mirror sets to begin with.. as I recall they sold for something like $17.99 a set in 72. As such, they have a steel ball that rotates in an aluminum housing, and tension is supplied by a steel strap across the ball. Over the years the aluminum sockets wear.. and the mirror housing can get pretty floppy. I've now resorted to epoxy to set them in place... ;-(... Carl S. ... you said; "...sold by the Dealers and many other sources".... I've never found a supplier other than the original Datsun Dealers that supplied these exact mirrors. I've seen lots close to the design and close to the size.. but still not the same as these. Did you find a exact match in the aftermarket? thanks, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Sure... see: <a href=http://zhome.com/History/Images/72Broc2.jpg>http://zhome.com/History/Images/72Broc2.jpg</a>

At a Buy it Now of $20,000.00 it should sell quickly! By todays market it's a give away price... Wonder if it's going to Sweden?... FWIW, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Hi Dave (everyone): In this case, the problem with those non-stock mirrors is... If you have the stock mirror on the driver's side... now you have fill the holes in the door and repaint the door... then you have this problem with matching the color again... Great mirrors if you think ahead and plan to to use them ... before you have your paint and body work done. One alternative.. if you can find them... is to use the "Racing Mirrors" that the Datsun Dealers sold and which were included in the Datsun Rear Window Shade Kit. They fit the OEM mirror hole on the drivers door, then you have to drill matching holes in passengers door... but they look good, fit the period and you don't have paint matching problems... Of course finding a set is the hard part in that case... If it ain't one thing... it's another... Just my perspective... Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Check your Yellow Pages... Air Conditioning Supply or Automotive Hoses In almost any town in America you will find a speciality company that will take your old fittings and make you a new hose. If you want, they will supply new fittings as well, but they may differ in appearance. If you tell them you want the look and diameter of the old hose duplicated, they will most likely be able to do that. FWIW, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

BMW M series in-line six. 3.2L 320HP... taken out of the Z3 series BMW... and dropped right into your 240-Z.. transmission and all... All it takes is MONEY! If you love in--line six's you have to love this engine! BTW the GM 4.2L In-line six... 270HP stock... in racing form at Baja..650HP+. Tons of design and development went into this engine.. designed for low end torque, heavy pulling duty.. ran without water through Death Valley in the summer months.. cooled by its oil capacity only.. Almost bought a new XJ-R in 96... Impressive, wonderful driving car...$65K ... by 1999 with 20K miles there was one For Sale on another Dealers Lot... $29K asking price... depreciating $36,000.00 in three years.. Sure made my Z hobby look inexpensive!. FWIW, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

ENGLAND... Mirror RH Door EUROPE is 96301-P9100 FWIW... I seriously doubt that they are still available from Nissan anywhere in the world. Just too few of them to begin with, and most likely not much demand for stock when they were available... so most likely NLA Carl B.

Mirror RH Door mount 96301-P7200 Left Hand Assy-Back Mirror Door Outside 96301-E4600 FWIW, Carl Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

zhead240 Hard to tell from the picture.. but ...That looks like a small amount of rust bubbling up around the area to me. Better to stop it now, than let it go until it becomes a large amount of rust. The rear deck lid threshold plate is an area with several common rust/corrosion problems on all the First Generation Z's. 1. There are factory spot welds where the rear quarter panel is welded to the rear tail light panel. The spot welding, burns the primer off the metal and melts the seam sealer leaving bare metal and that invites rust. 2. Dirt builds up in that crevices where the two panels over-lap, that dirt holds moisture against the metal.. a promotes rust. That is what looks likely to be the case here. 3. Exhaust gases from the tail pipe, work their way up under that threshold plate on the left side, and the acid from the fumes starts to eat away at the metal as well. I would remove the tail light finisher panels, so I could get a look at the threshold plate from the under-side (be careful pushing the centers out of the plastic rivets to make sure you recover them all). Then I'd sand the area that is bubbling up, to get rid of as much surface rusts a possible. Treat the area with some "Ospho".. . Ospho is a mild phosphoric acid solution, it will chemically convert iron oxide (rust) into iron phosphate. In effect killing the rust. Then spray a little zinc rich primer on the spot and last a little color touch up.. The repair area right now will wind up being about the size of a half dollar... by the time you feather the edges out... and even if you don't have a perfect color match... you'll have a chance to inspect the entire threshold plate from underneath and stop any problems there before they have a chance to get bigger... FWIW, Carl Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Hi Chris: Which two are we missing on the Vintage Z Register at this point? http://zhome.com/IZCC/ZRegisters/VintageZ.htm thanks, Carl Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Nothing seems to move on EBay until the last 30 seconds of the auction. Today... yes, if the car has been well taken care of... it will bring $30K if the right buyer finds it. FWIW, Carl Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA Now 15 of the original 39 Listed on the Vintage Z Register http://zhome.com/IZCC/ZRegisters/VintageZ.htm

Hi Alan (everyone) Per your offer to contribute the JDM Pace Car information and images to the Z Car Home Page; I've attempted to extract them from this thread, and created a first DRAFT of the article. Now it's your turn... Review the "DRAFT" and send edits directly to me at my e-mail address: beck@becksystems.com (I'll cut/paste the plain text into the html). The draft is not yet linked to the main index on "the Z Car Home" page... so the direct url is <a href=http://ZHome.com/Racing/JapanPace/FairladyZPace.htm>http://ZHome.com/Racing/JapanPace/FairladyZPace.htm</a> thanks, Carl Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Hi Alan (everyone): Per your offer to contribute the JDM Pace Car information and images to the Z Car Home Page; I've attempted to extract them from this thread, and created a first DRAFT of the article. Now it's your turn... Review the "DRAFT" and send edits directly to me at my e-mail address: beck@becksystems.com (I'll cut/paste the plain text into the html). Secondly: g72s20 aka "Jim" provided another image to the thread.. I've put it there as well - Jim if you will, please e-mail me a full name to credit for the image, I'll add that to the article. The draft is not yet linked to the main index on "the Z Car Home" page... so the direct url is <a href=http://ZHome.com/Racing/JapanPace/FairladyZPace.htm>http://ZHome.com/Racing/JapanPace/FairladyZPace.htm</a> thanks, Carl Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com