Carl Beck

Hello AMelbye: Honestly - I think your budget is way to low at this point. $5K to $10K will only get you a 240Z that needs a lot of attention. Most of the items on your list… FWIW, Carl B.

1 3/4" inlet/outlet is pretty close to what the OEM muffler is - so unless there was something inside that second muffler that had collapsed.. or was shutting the exhaust flow off almost completely - - it is very doubtful anything would be harmed at the engine. FWIW, Carl B.

non-factory headlight covers.. in a Datsun Commercial?

I don't believe you do… should be able to run with the stock coil.. Carl

So what do you hope or plan to do with it? Carl B.

DO NOT hook up the Unilte without reducing the voltage feed to it - you can burn it out. This might help.. Mallory UniLite Hook Up<br> for 72 Datsun 240Z the wiring there is for a 72 - and I can't remember if the 73 Tach is exactly the same or not. FWIW, Carl B.

This might help..

Mallory Distributor - or Mallory Unilite Distributor? Carl B.

yes - the NOS Door Seals, both with and without the pinch welting - are NLA - so you have to find someone that bought them years ago - and who now wising to resell them. Carl

That price seems pretty reasonable for NOS Nissan Parts. With rubber NOS door seals are now in the $$250.00 per side range - if you can find any. Given all the hassle of fit and door closing issues with the after-market seals, OEM door seals seem like a place to spend the money. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Jeff/Bob: Glad to share the information with all Z Car enthusiasts. I believe that having high quality Z's at high end events, reminds most people attending, just what an amazingly beautiful car they are. Stunning as they were when first introduced; and appreciated as beautiful art today. One definition of a "Classic" is; a thing of lasting or timeless beauty. We can ask anyone that has taken their Z to one of these events, and they will tell us that the Z always draws a lot of attention - and very favorable comments from former owners, as well as people that really wanted one 40 years ago. A line from "Silence OF The Lamb" comes to mind - it went something like: "What do people covet?" - - "They covet what they see". I think that is a killer line - but it rings true. Put a 240Z in front of the people with the ability to buy very expensive Z's - - and it will provide the motivation for some of them to do so. I am no longer surprised when I meet Collectors with old V12 Ferrari, rare high dollar Porsches etc - that also have a Datsun 240Z in their collection. They recognize the Z for the Sports/GT that it is and they don't seem to have any hang-up about the price. If anything they seem to enjoy the "reverse-snob-appeal" of appreciating a capable and beautiful car - for no other reason than that. FWIW, Carl B.

To a large extent - they already are or would be accepted if entered. The problem is getting the owners of the very finest examples - to enter them. It costs the owners of any of the cars shown at these events a significant amount of money, to be there with their cars. For the guys that are showing their multi-million dollar Classics - the cost of showing up is relatively insignificant. For many people that just put $60K+ in the restoration of an early Z …the additional expense of attending one of the higher end Concours Events just doesn't seem worth it. Like the saying goes - "you can't win if you don't enter". So hats off to the few guys that do - Better, perhaps, than new ? Jeffrey Mader?s 1972 Datsun 240Z | Hemmings Daily https://www.facebook.com/PinehurstConcours FWIW, Carl B.

Amelia - the last Roadster sold there for $50K last year. Keith Crain is one of the Judges at Amelia, and he is also one of the Vintage Z Owners. There is little doubt in my mind that Series I VZ would bring bids above $65K there. Taken to Monterey next year - who knows. One problem in establishing values for Collector Quality 240Z's - is they tend to trade hands at private sales. Then the general market is left wondering?

Then it was not Sold - it was stolen!! I suppose we well see it back on Bay with a BIN of $78K. Or auctioned at next year's Amelia… Carl

No. The seller contacted me a couple weeks ago. He said the owner wanted to get it on the Vintage Z Register as it was going to be sold. I ask him to send me the necessary info - VIN/Engine Serial Number/color/location/owner name etc. Plus some pictures. I ask him if they had set a price - and he replied that they had not yet decided on number, but that the owner was in no real hurry to sell it. He sent pictures of the car etc. Next thing I know - it's on EBay. I do know three or four collectors that were interested - but no one seems to bid until the last few minutes. Then bang it is removed from EBay and sold. In my opinion if they took anything less than $60K - they should have let the auction run. FWIW, Carl

Really Great FIND! Amazing Documentation as well. There was another #157 reported - but it had no Door Tag. It seems there are two #153's reported as well - only one had the door tag. Do tell us the whole story - Start with how/where you found the car For Sale in the first place. If it was advertised or what leads did you follow to find it. Great pictures on HybridZ - thanks for posting them. FWIW, Carl B.

I would guess that if this car sells - it will be purchased by someone that wants one of the 37 Vintage Z's - not someone looking for a 240Z to compete in a Judged Event, entered in a Stock Class. FWIW, Carl B.

Florida recently passed laws that allow all Florida Gas Stations to sell Ethanol Free gasoline - removing the former law that required them to sell E10. Too much damage to consumer cars and other vehicles {boats} and too much Food being used for fuel. There are more gas stations selling Ethanol Free gasoline at this point - but they are not yet plentiful. They also charge more for ethanol free - but you get better mileage with it as well. Now if more States could follow suit. FWIW, Carl

Hi Phil: Just curious - why couldn't you just unplug the old fusebox from the harness - and plug the new one it? Had someone already modified the factory connectors? Carl B.

Hi Steve: What you are seeing in the Air Cleaner - is very common. Did you notice that hose running from the Valve Cover to the Air Cleaner? I think at least part of what you are seeing is blow-by from the valve cover. Not all of it but enough to put a fine mist of oily air in there that helps trap other dirt on the surface. You see it build up around the air horns -because that is where it is sucked into a turn of direction in the air flow. {it is also an indication that the previous owner wasn't keeping up with routine maintenance}. Just clean it out with some carb cleaner & a rag. Then keep an eye on oil consumption - you may have some failing valve stem oil seals. Another common problem with 40+ year old engines. Secondly - STOCK - the 240's have an anti-backfire valve and associate linkage on the intake manifold. It is there to prevent the SU's from slamming shut suddenly, when you lift off the throttle. In which case you get a suddenly rich air/fuel mix and a backfire. {or is it suddenly lean? its late and I can't think - anyway another known and common problem}. Running too thin an oil in the SU's can add to the cause as well - as it doesn't dampen the closure as it should. Special note - the above Backfire problem - should actually be reduced when you remove the Air Injection system. But it isn't eliminated.. Carbon build up on the tops of pistons - also seems to be common - if the cars aren't ran regularly and as hard as intended. . There are additives and other products that can do a reasonable job of cleaning the piston tops off - if used consistently. But that is a common cause of run-on as well. Yes - you should have a heat shield under the crab's. Especially with headers. Over-all nothing major and the car looks pretty good.. Drive it like you stole it…the more you run it the better it will run. good luck, Carl B.

We see this too often don't we? Projects started, money poured into them - then left setting for years unfinished. Next comes "I have to move" - and a panic sell off. It is really a shame. I realize that the seller just needs everything gone at this point - and he is hoping someone will come with a couple of trucks and trailers to haul everything off. I don't think that is going to happen, unless there is someone very close -with the room to store all this stuff. He'd be better off if he was willing to sell some of the parts that he could - grab some money back - then haul the rest off to the crusher. At least be willing to sell segments of the total, or groups of parts off to different cash buyers. He has rear 1/4 Patch Panels - not new 1/4's. - but he could sell them. $150.00 Date Code 69 stock wheels are now at least $100.00 and more usually $150.00 each. $500.00 The 73 Dash should be worth picking up by someone. $250.00 The roof panel has value. $75.00 pick it up The sets of S.U.'s have value -especially if they are original to that 69 both for $200.00 The 2 Series I rear hatches are worth something if they are good - $225.00 If they are chip and scratch free - the Non Tinted Windows from the 69 are worth something $200.00 If the hoods aren't filled with putty - or rusted out they are worth something $150.00 Sell the black {primer} 72 by itself - $500.00 come and get it There is a lot there - but I think it will take more than one buyer - even if given away for $1000.00. Somewhat unreasonable to think one buyer will pick all that up.. just my thoughts.. Carl B.

Pretty hard to find when I was looking for them. NLA from Nissan US and most used ones are dented - and the metal is so thin they are hard to get straight. You just have to keep looking and looking… Carl B.

Great Job Jim - thanks for sharing it with us. Carl B.

I wouldn't worry about the difference between $2500.00 and $2995.00 - What I would be concerned with - is the actual condition of the car. If it has a really good, original, solid body - with all components present - - if the wiring harnesses haven't been hacked up - if the front frame rails are solid - if there is no rust holes under the battery etc. etc. … $$3K would be a bargain today. Plus that is a great color.. FWIW, Carl B.

Sounds like a great ZX - it should give you years and years of pleasure. That is the way to buy them... Carl B.