SpeedRoo

Thanks 26th, according to the SB it was the first 3606 L24 engines, I had read 1000 on this forum so my mistake. Got some feedback to my inquiries today both from the USA and Japan. Looks like 2 432 were brought in back in the day, not sure to whom or why...still working on that. My contacts in Japan have provided loads of information on the Z432-R, chassis numbers, registration, specs, location. Busy compiling it for my own personal use so I wont post it here. Flat out reading through the Z books I picked up so it's all starting to make sense now. Many thanks to the people who reached out to me behind the scenes to provide information and support....you have been a great help. Some ex Formula 1/Sportscar drivers from the seventies have connected me with race people in Japan so I'll follow up the brief race history of the Z432-R with them. Now it's time to get back to work on my 240Z. Thanks to the forum and a merry Christmas and great New Year to one and all!

Excellent 26th, cold hard facts from the original source...that's what I like to see. Now were you involved developing the 240Z for racing with the NMC competition department here in the USA. They must have documented what they did in testing, do you know if they retained those notes? Roo

Thanks 26th, I was talking about racing with the 240Z and setting up the competition department focused on that car, not what came earlier. The Japanese had the most experience as they had campaigned it in Japan since January. Would make sense they would try and help their overseas divisions get up to speed so to speak. Glad you were there in the SCCA racing, were you involved developing the 240Z with the NMC competition department? Always good to have a benchmark to test your new race car against, hence my suggestion they may have used a Z432-R as a reference. Actually the cranskshaft problem has been mentioned here in the forum and in reference to Japan and the first 1000 L24 engines built, do you know when Nissan solved that problem and put the revised one into production. Well done to the armchair experts for all the work you have done, I enjoy asking questions and reading back through the archives to understand the subject, I also appreciate hearing direct from the sources who were there when it was all happening and involved. That's why I asked if anyone here could speak to Peter Brock or Bob Sharp and ask them as I do not know them not have I ever met them. A number of people have reached out privately and are doing just that. I will let you know what I hear. Regards Roo

I look forward to hearing what Peter Brock or Bob Sharp have to say. Thankfully they were in the forest cutting logs rather than on the edge behind a tree peering in. If you don't ask you will never get an answer. It's amazing how the AEIC (Armchair Expert In Chief) can be so sure of things when he wasn't there.

When setting up a new race program in a foreign market many companies send out one of their current cars to use as a benchmark in setting up a new team. Nissan may have chosen to do this with the Z432 and Z432-R when the first competition department was being set up stateside. Might be a good question to ask Peter Brock or Bob Sharp as they were directly involved in the USA. As there were problems with the cranskshaft vibrations in the first 240Z L24 engines, the S20 engined cars may have been needed to help get them established and up to speed until the problem was resolved. The Yankee boys would have relished beating the foreign invader on their own turf. All of this is supposition of course until someone asks those directly involved and gets an answer. I'm sure there are some people on the forum who have the right connections to find out. Roo

Surprised me as well, just wondering what the story was behind it all. Is there any reference in the Uemura book? He had feet on the ground at the time so probably has the most knowledge. Slowly going back through the archives here researching the cars, amazing what can be found, thanks everyone for the contributions over the years. Roo P.S. Love the Orange R

G'day 26th, happy to share what I've found. Your esteemed forum member Kats posted about this many moons ago, June 8th 2007. Must say I was surprised the AEIC (Armchair Expert In Chief) never commented on this...maybe Griffith Borgeson was one of the test drivers. To quote: Mr.Miyazaki once told me when he was a chief of test crew of Europe 240Z,the team brought a 240Z with very very hard suspension to make good lap time at turn pike.He said 240Z was supposed to be enter Montecarlo rally before its debut in Europe,for PR.First he felt it was too much hard,but German Nissan said it was good. PS : amendment, Mr.Miyazaki told me two Z432s were sent to the U.S. Not just S20 engine. The one was a Z432 and the other was a Z432R. He was told the Z432R was crashed. If someone find Z432 and Z432R's wreck, please report here!! Post 66 in this thread:

Got the Long book and reading it diligently. Sadly not a lot on the Z432-R racing other than general info readily available on the net. Waiting on the Uemura book, should be here tomorrow. Will be interesting to read about the test cars that came to the USA/Canada. By some accounts a Z432-R came over here and was crashed and written off, wonder if there are any details in Uemura's tome. Posted a question on the racing Japanese Z cars in the race section of the forum but it seems to have stumped the "armchair experts" amongst us so far! Roo

Just been reading through a couple of books I got on the Nissan Z cars. Not much coverage of the early days of racing in 1970 on the Japanese circuits. From what I can ascertain Nissan had two works teams running the cars, the Z432-R and then the 240ZR. Does anybody have any more details on the Omori and Oppama factory race teams and what cars they ran. Were the race cars taken from the factory built Z432-R production or un-numbered chassis just built for racing. I believe number 68 was the first Z432-R and run as a factory effort, anyone know the chassis number. Sadly it was written off in its first race at Suzuka in Jan. 1970 with Moto Kitano driving. Roo

Love these old hot rod Z cars. American ingenuity at its best dropping a V8 in to a 240Z! Not sure how they drive but there wouldn't be a shortage of power. Like the period marketing materials Scarab produced to sell the car and components, takes some effort to put all that together. Was the original Z designed to take the Nissan Y40 V8 at the time?

I would consider the people with feet on the ground who were involved at the time as experts. In the case of the Z that would be Uemura, Katayama, Matsuo etc. Hence my question on definitive books. Writers like Long who have taken the time to travel in Japan and research the subject are also good references, they have also taken the time to do the work and write it down. If history is not recorded it is soon forgotten. Others like myself who have discovered the cars have them to thank for their efforts. I have no idea who Griffith Borgeson is, were they involved with the Z development as well? If you find the term "armchair expert" derogatory then my apologies. I have no way of knowing your qualifications or background other than what I have read on Z forums. Like yourself there are many people with opinions on the cars, but how do you know who really knows what is true or not. I find it simple to do lots of research and ask questions, which is what I am trying to do here. The same way I contacted you privately through the message board and asked questions. I had assumed you were knowledgeable about the race cars and Z432R and asked you some questions based on what I had researched. You chose not to answer as you didn't know me and wanted to know who or what I was doing. I explained that to you and then nothing. I contacted kats in Japan and he has been very helpful, he also mentioned you were very busy but the person to ask. I wrote to you to say I understood you were busy and I would continue my research in Japan. Unfortunately you did not even have the courtesy to respond to that either. Obviously you have quite a bit of background on the cars but don't wish to share it, that is your prerogative. I have ordered the Long book on the subject and will look up the other ones 26th-Z has suggested. If I have upset any others with my questions and earnestness my apologies, that was not my intention. Look forward to find out more history and background to these fascinating cars.

I don't know Carl personally but if he sits at a chair that has armrests and writes about Z cars then yes that would make him an "armchair expert". From what I can see reading posts on this forum and his site zhome.com he is very passionate about the cars. He has spent many hours researching them and presenting the information for people to freely read and share. I'm thankful people like Carl are around and freely share their knowledge. I also appreciate people answering my questions here, you are all a lot more knowledgeable about the subject than I am.

Thanks for that NVZEE, Carl has done a great job on his site. Slowly working my way through it but hadn't found the book section until now.

Just been wading through lots of old posts here. Kats had mentioned Eaglemoss FairladyZ magazines and model, that no longer seem available. There looks to be lots of historic photos in the magazine scans he posted, is the information accurate and a good reference?

The internet seems populated by armchair experts, hence my question is there a definitive book. Normally they don't write books but it never hurts to ask, especially when I'm not familiar with the Z world or the characters within it. I find recollections from the people that were there more enlightening hence my interest in the Uemura book. Did any of the other/designer/engineers/managers write anything about the cars. Is there a reference book on the works race cars at all, they interest me greatly....especially the Z432R.

Uemura booked ordered and on its way. Should make for good holiday reading. Now who's done the definitive book on Nissan factory Z race cars?

Excellent, I will search for them and start reading.

Having just recently got involved with the 240Z I'm looking for the definitive book on the Nissan Z cars from 1969 to end of production of the 240Z. Seem to be lots of armchair experts on forums but is there a definitive book that covers them in depth. It would have to include the factory race cars and their role in developing the Z. Additionally is their a website or magazine that has covered the history accurately? Any help much appreciated. The 1969 Z launch, Nissan's homologation special Z on display.

Thanks for the history Namerow. I had just seen them on some period racing photos of 240Z and liked the look of them. The slotted mag design is a classic.

Pardon the pun but I need some tire advice. My '73 240Z came with Appliance mesh 6" by 14" wheels. Just picked up a set of 7" by 14" mesh wheels (racers seemed to use them back in the day) that came off another 240Z. Looking at wider tires but wanted to keep the same diameter. A 215/65 14 seems right according to Matthew's chart in this thread: Has anyone used the Federal SS657 in that size on their car? Impressions or feedback from actual users would be appreciated. They are a H speed rated tire good up to 130mph. https://www.tires-easy.com/tires/federal-tires/215-65-14

Thanks Matthew, did just the same search as you suggested and still wasn't any closer to an answer. Will see what the paint shop comes back with. I think my cheapy camera phone isn't great at colours. Will dig out a decent camera and see what I get. Had a similar problem with another of my cars. The original factory formula for yellow (Giallo Modena) was nothing like what was on the car. Had to custom match to get it right. It looks pretty good now. Roo

The silver sticker says 918. Pretty sure it's original. Here's a shot of the engine bay which looks more orange than the other shot.

Just got back from Sherwin Williams. Left them the original inspection hatch to match too, will be interesting to see what they come up with. One of the problems is the original paint had lead and other pigments in it which seem to be outlawed today. I want to retain as much of the interior paint as possible so hopefully it will be a good match.

I did order some touch-up paint from a PPG supplier and it was not even close to the original on my car, hence the question.

Seems to be hard to find accurate modern paint to match the original 918 Orange from 1970 to 1973. Does anyone know the colour mix (not the code) now used to get close to the original colour. I'm after the white/black/red/yellow type mix. I'm having the bottom of one of the inspection hatches scanned today but wanted a formula to have as a reference. Ore even better someone that has painted their car recently and found an accurate match. Roo