v12horse

Lachlan, The car does feel like it rides better because the steering is so tame now. There is no shake at all. I haven't pushed the car yet as I had the wheels put one this morning and its raining here. I will keep you posted. It took me along time to find a good wheel and tyre shop. I will not be using center caps as I do not have any. I think the center caps look really cool, but I don't have to have them. Someday I will get a set to put on now and then. I would like to find the old metal type. Are your center caps metal or plastic? p.s. I really like the picture in your sig. -Ben

Pennyman The race cars of the time fitted with Watanabe almost always had the all gunmetal finish. Besides that, I think they look really cool all gunmetal. From the factory, Watanabe does not polish the lip; they are machine cut. They look like a music record with groves, but from about 2' and up they appear to be polished. I really like the look of the hubcaps and the slots. If I had had 14 X 7 slots and not 14 X 5.5, I would have liked them a lot more. The rewinds are very nice looking to me and they have the perfect offset. I was thinking about getting them before I found these Watanabe's, but I decided to hold off and get what I really wanted. Make sure that when you get wheels, get the exact ones you want. If it takes a little more time, it will be worth it. Thanks for the compliments. -Ben

I am not one to boast about my car or anything for that matter. However, I thought I would make a thread in regards to my car with Watanabe wheels in hopes that it may spark interest in some members for these largely unknown wheels. First off, I chose these wheels as I really have a heart for the home market cars and style that many of them have. These wheels were very popular in Japan and were the wheel of choice for many Z's during the 1970's. They are still popular amoung enthusiasts in Japan and around the world today. You can look at them as the slot mags of the US, Aus, and UK of Japan. Someone told me that the very best dealerships in Japan sold Fairlady Z's with Watanabe's just like many US dealers sold Z's with slot mags new. When I was with Kats at the 2004 Z convention, we came across a 70' Bluebird 1800SSS that had Watanabes. It was one of 5 cars at that show with Watanabes and Kats said that he always sees those wheels. We then came across a Z with slot mags, and he loved them. I guess that is the difference because many people outside Japan try to make their cars Japanese-esq while many Japanese enthusiasts give their cars export ques and styles. I am not trying to put down slot mags either. I had them on my car and I loved them too. Here are the wheel and tire specifications on my car: Wheels: The color of the wheels is very close to the original Watanabe paint. It is a flat gunmetal metallic color. It is almost semi-gloss. I will get the paint code soon. F : 14 X 7J type B (+ 8 mm) R : 14 X 7.5J type B (+ 1.5 mm) Tires : 195 X 70 Kumho speed star all around The employees of the wheel shop that restored and fitted the wheels were great. They were very meticulous about what they did. After they had restored the wheels, I brought the car to have them fitted. They did not use a gun at all to take the lug nuts off or put them on. They balanced the wheels on a machine and put the wheel weights on the backside. They then fitted the front wheels and torqued the wheels nuts to 85lbs. Then they balanced the wheels on the car to ensure that there would be no front end sway or shake. The price was very reasonable for the work that they did. I highly recommend this place. I will only work with them in the future for any wheel and tire service on any of my cars. The place is called Riteway Wire and Wheel, and they are located in Walnut Creek, California. I am not trying to advertise here, but they impressed me that much. I am really happy with how the wheels came out. The stretch is safe and I think it looks really nice. These wheels were just about the widest and deepest that I could go without modifications. Without this forum I would not have made the friends that I did who inspired me to get these wheels and car for that matter. Regards, Ben

Hello Armand and welcome to the club. I too have a 260z. Hopefully you will find what you are looking for in these threads. There is a lot of information that you can find on this site. Just type in the keyword(s) you are looking for in the search box of the specific thread type you think it might be under. Good luck, Ben http://new.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7701&highlight=260+240 http://new.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19872&highlight=260z http://new.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18493&highlight=260z http://new.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1319&highlight=260z http://new.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1639&highlight=260z

I have been in a car with a Nardi steering wheel and it is not too far from the driver. They look beautiful and they are very popular for Z's in Japan and among many enthusiasts. A friend of mine has a Nardi in his car and he absolutely loves it. I think they are really a classic design as well, however, I prefer the leather wrapped Nardi Classic. Good luck on your search. You could try to find a Datsun Competition steering wheel on yahoo japan auctions. They are basically impossible to find in the states, so you would have to talk with a member from Japan to get a hold of one. It is well worth the effort if you do. I have one in my car and it is a little thicker than stock, slightly smaller in diameter, but not as deep as a standard steering wheel. I love it. http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=14510&cat=3117 - Ben

That is very strange. Your right it has a 260/280 dash and cosole with 74-76 steering wheel, the front fenders look like they are from a 240z, the door panels are from a 240z, and the hatch is from a 70-early 71. Very strange. The ultimate part swapping. -Ben

I second that Victor.

When did Nissan stop making the seat with the vents? My early 260z came with the original seat covers before I installed replica seat covers (with the vents from too intense restoration) and they had the vents. I still have them in my closet. -Ben

Mike, is the headrest on your original seat a lot thicker than the newer seat? I thought that the really early JDM cars had a thicker headrest than the 71-78 ones. Could you post some pics? Take care and good luck with the car. It's a keeper.

Your wheels look great Gary. I just had some wheels professionally restored and they machine cut the backs, bead blasted, primed, and painted the wheels. There was no curb rash at all. It was 300 for refinishing the set. I thought it was a great price as I was quoted 175 per wheel by a different company and the place that I had them done is going to mount them at no additional charge. If anyone in the Bay Area needs wheels restored of any sort, I highly recommend where I had mine done at. -Ben

It sounds like you are doing it right. I found an oem NOS exhaust manifold that I am installing. The down pipe that is on my car is warped at where the flange hooks up so I am having that fabricated. I was talking with someone today and they were saying the best way to do the exhaust is how you are doing it. Put the header or exhaust manifold on and have a mandrel bent exhaust done by a muffler shop. Keep us posted and show us some pictures as you move along with the project. -Ben