26th-Z

Hey! Happy Birthday, Kats! Does this information suggest that the VIN was stamped by hand and not automated after the chassis was assembled? Or, could this indicate that the firewall metal was stamped individually prior to attachment? Very interesting a spec would be made to the exact location of the VIN. So you have records of the first 14 cars? Very nice!

Thanks Alan, for a very thorough response. Your explanation of my use of the word customize is the same. I was refering to the use of thinner guage sheet steel as well as special tabs and reinforcement plate in the construction of the unibody chassis. The two points I want to reinforce are that Nissan was not in the procedure to make a shell without a VIN at that time and that the unibody chassis consruction was not a fully automated construction process, but rather component assembled using hand techniques. I guess my second point is a little off topic. However, I am not entirely certain of my first assertion. We suspect that at least ten S130 chassis were constructed without VIN, but I believe that policy reflects a different management period at Nissan. Probably a far more advanced - automated - manufacturing process than the S30 as well. Considering the development of manufacuring technique at the time, I would suggest that the VIN stamped in the firewall was as much a manufacturing identity as it was a registration identity and thus my assertion that there is no such thing as an "NOS station wagon body shell" and that the S30 "white body" conversation is a bar-room myth. Standing by to be proven wrong, Chris

$66404 http://eh.net/hmit/ppowerusd/dollar_answer.php

I have seen blue air filters for the 240 Z model and have been told they were air filters sold as replacement parts rather than the air filter that came with the car. The door pull handle on the left is the configuration for RHD. Currently, the only new interior door panels available (if they are any more) fit the RHD models only and come with the holes for the pull handle so the only thing to do is install a pull handle. Nice car! The rear deck carpeting is incorrect and the luggage straps are missing. The shift boot is incorrect as well as the choke knob.

Alan, You have shown me that example, however that is not what I am talking about. It has a VIN therefore it is not a "white" body shell. I am not particularly talking about the color of the coating. I am talking about the VIN. Your example is RLS30-000017 and could never be used as a substitution for another VIN. Here in the States, I believe, Federal law would prohibit a full chassis substitution. Your point about vehicle identity, birth, is well taken in this discussion. That is why I am so taken with the photo of the floor tub. I can not imagine the extent of damage that would cause this assembly to be used as a replacement part. A chassis would have to be literally cut in thirds to install this sub-assembly and I think the photograph is of a manufacturing component; intended for chassis construction rather than replacement part. I think it is quite possible for Nissan to have produced and delivered a 'blank' S30, but I doubt it. It has been pointed out that certain S30 blanks could have been produced and delivered for the use of design study teams. In all probability they would have been disposed of. However, in that respect we have discussed the idea that the very first production 'mules' were without serial number and we are discovering that misconception. I am begining to believe that Nissan did not make a 'blank' S30. Even as customized as they were, the rally cars had VINs. How about all the 432-Rs? The school cars. The pace cars? Did they all have VINs?

Yes, we all have things we would rather not publish on the internet. I believe it is called "collector's private stock". But we can talk about them and that is what makes this discussion fun. I must say how relieved I am to hear that an S30 was constructed before an HLS30.

I think the seller has been eating mushrooms. That is a stripped out body shell from an old production car if ever I have seen one! No question in my mind. However, the archives of Her Majesty the 26th can shed some light on this discussion. Here are some results from exhaustive research. The Datsun Competition department of Nissan U.S.A. sold ten 280 ZX body shells which lacked VIN to various competition teams of the time such as Electramotive, BSR, Jim Fitzgerald, Logan Blackburn, and Frank Leary. To the best of my knowledge, there are no S30 "white bodies". Please show me an example. Two books discuss the disposition of the tooling for the S30 chassis; "Z-Car, Revival of a Legend", by Seiichi Takarabe and "Mr. K - A Japanese Who Rezalized a Dream in America", by Takashi Ashakawa. Both books were co-authored by Yutaka Katayama. The translated version of "Mr. K" was prepared by Brian and Miho Long, edited by Mike Taylor. ( I have copies if anyone wants to buy one - $25 ) The tooling was destroyed along with most of the production records for reasons having to do with a dispute between Nissan management and labor organizations. An understanding of that issue might be achieved through reading; "William R. Gorham; An American Engineer in Japan, translated by Donald Gorham. I have held in my hands what appear to be factory build records - computer punch cards with Japanese printed text filled in with typed information. As described to me at the time of my holding, these cards came in the box with the wheel covers and very few remain in private collections. The archive endeavors to collect information about the design, tooling, construction, and manufacture of the S30 chassis. To me, the S30 represents the high sophistication of Japanese automotive production technology. A time when automated machining and production techniques were taking place in Japanese industry. The S30 exhibits some remarkable qualities in design such as the symmetry issue to accommodate the export market. Or the accommodations made to the basic chassis for all the various production models. I have yet to find photographs of the body shell construction in the factory. One of my favorite pictures is this floor section for a series two. This component was evidently constructed and supplied as such for fitment to the rear deck sub-assembly and the front firewall / cowl sub-assembly. Notice the hand welding where the components are joined.

Some other shots I have from the Dallas convention. Tetsu san at the autocross and the two cars brought from Japan. Couple of S30 lines at the car show.

Nope! Sorry. You are talking about the other car from Northern Virginia. This is a great shot from Syracuse. The red car in the background is Ed's and won its class. The Silver car won a Gold Cup.

A little advice. Do one side at a time and bolt the transmission mount into the tunnel while you weld in the new floors. Either string the chassis to align the frame rail, or bolt up the cross member to align the the location of the control arm mount. http://www.datsunzparts.com/start.htm

I am reading this conversation with great delight.

Is this the car you are talking about, Bob? I believe it lives in Pennsilvania. Took first in stock last year in Syracuse.

Thought you all would get a kick out of this article from "Studio Photography" magazine. This publication targets the business aspect of photography and professional photographers. Although I am neither a pro nor in business as such. This might help your fun with cars this summer. Chris

That was Sarasota twenty years ago, Palmer. You should see this place now. It's doubling again! But back to the issue, the end nut, washer and cotter pin assembly essentially hold the wheel on, yes. The nut is tightened to allow the hub to spin freely and the cotter pin holds the nut in that position. As wheel bearings wear, the nut can be adjusted periodically. The concern you may have about a wheel falling off are nill. The forces in that area are applied across the faces of the wheel bearing - not the spindle nut.

Japanese guys! :laugh: I recognize the PS-30 and the HS30-H. When you click on the photo gallery the screen shows 7 dealer brochure covers for the individual models. I just bought the 350Z brochure on the bottom right. It is hard bound 8" square. It folds opent to two stapled booklets inside and a loose "options" catalog. All written in Japanese.

Hey Fred! Check out Hart Photography http://www.hart-photography.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=6948 There are some good pictures of Todd in the proofs. He was yellow run group. Down at the bottom right of the screen is a selection box for various galleries. There are also some great shots on www.twinturbo.net

I had such fun with your son, Kats. We teased each other with our duck whistles. I really enjoyed that moment. Sorry you had to leave early and I didn't get to say goodbye!?!! I think we should meet in Washington - good idea! Yes, I really DO want one of those fat, heavy rice-rocket-stop-light-smoking-babe machines! I have followed all the conversation on this site about the 350Z. I know how you all feel. I don't agree. Check out the spot right here on my pants! The Fairlady is SO everything I think about Z. I conducted a research with smile photo documentation. My smiles are identical. I think a Nismo R-tune convertable with a chopped windshield and those two little roll hoop bumps over the rear deck would be nice. Red, please. Dan, I specifically asked to not judge the stock 240Z class because everyone entered is a good friend! I judged 16 cars (mostly engines) during the day. Mostly 350Zs - stock and mod - and 300ZX Z32s. I no more had time to go load film in my camera before I was asked to look at another 18 cars! I probably saw everything, but unfortunately had no time for photographs. The stock 240Z class had three major contenders. There was a gorgeous stock 280Z and my suggestion to all reading this thread who might want to successfully compete in the stock class is; "260". I am noticing that the 260Z is the rare hen of the bunch. Frankly, I am noticing that the S30s are the rare hens! Some comments about judging; pretty much the same as I have always said. Clean cars win and dirty cars loose. All this worry about original this and original that is second fiddle compared to "clean". The level of detail? Clean! The "drop dead spotless picky housewife white glove" brand of clean. I deduct for scratches, chips, stains, and don't let me see a spec of rust. I first look at all the cars in the class I'm going to judge. That initial comparison / impression usually tells me who is going to score high and who isn't. It's really fairly simple. The stock 240Z class was a tough one. Dan and Bob are pretty much on equal turf in my opinion. I think arguements could go on all night about which is better. They are both superb examples. I loved seeing Anne's car. She is the original owner! Her 907 green / butterscotch is just like what the twins will look like. Notice she has Panasports? Oops! But I was just sitting back imagining what my Watanabes will look like on Her Majesty. Dan won the class and a gold medallion. All three were fully restored and nothing really surprised me about the level of detail. To win a Gold Medallion, the car has to look brand new. Chris

Now I understand where you were! ROFL :stupid: It was in Irving and next year's convention is in Daytona Beach. We are working on the web site. I saw the development model a couple of days ago and I'm real happy with how it is going to look, but for now tune in and bookmark us. www.flza.com Texas was the best run convention I have been to. My serious thanks to everyone who worked on it. Now we start thinking about Daytona. The car show and the track day will be at Daytona International Speedway. The car show will be in the garages and "Fan Park" area. The road course can be viewed http://www.skipbarber.com/locations/daytona_raceway.aspx Click on the view button on the left of the screen. The host hotel is the Hilton and the Atlantic Ocean is 50 yards from the lobby. I'm in charge of the car show and one of the main guys for the whole event. I am also putting on Florida Z-Fest this fall - October 7th and 8th in Sebring. The car show will be at the raceway. If anyone wants to help me and be a part of these extravaganzas, send me a PM and we'll talk.

Hey! The low VIN guys gotta stick together! Frankly, me and the commander were shocked! I mean it was way cool that we even finished! I skipped Zdayz to go to the Mitty, but I'll do Zdayz next year. The Florida ZCCA convention is in Daytona October 1 - 5, 2007. Look for lots of info about it soon. Yea, twinturbo.net, sorry.

I had a freak'n blast! I ALWAYS have a freak'n blast at ZCCA conventions. I love ZCCA conventions! I'm quite bummed to see such little talk about Dallas on the site. What!?! A few pics in the gallery, a couple of snide remarks and that's it? WTF? A whole bunch of Ultimate Z Car Club members came over from Japan. Kats was there. We had a cocktail reception for them Sunday night at Mad Mike Taylor's house. They brought Saki and special little cups for us. Tetsu brought his car from Japan. I heard Ultimate came with 2 cars and about 25 people. I took second place in the rally. First rally I have ever finished. Usually, we happen to find a junk yard with Zs and...that's what happend the last two years. I have graduated to "Senior Judge" level after three years and was one of the senior judges. I was involved with 34 cars during the show and had only time to buy a 2400 OHC valve cover from a part swap guy ($30) I spotted. Sorry. No pictures to speak of. I didn't even have time to eat lunch! Dan Banks won a Gold Medallion for his Mike McGinnis restored '71. Original paint! Her Majesty the 346th made a visit to the stock 240 class as well as the celebrated Sports Illustrated centerfold car of Bob Speights. You want to see pictures? Check out www.twinturbo.com Their website joined the ZCCA as a club, came with over 15 cars, and sponsored the track day. Real cool group of guys. Nismo brought out the 2006 350Z R-tune car that appears in the Shift ad with Arlo Guthrie singing; "Give me a ride...Bbrr...bbrbbrr". Here I am at the autcross drifting with Tim McCormick. I want a 350Z so bad I can't stand it. There were lots of great friends and celebrities. Although Mr. K was not there, Masataka Usami came. John Parker, Mr. Sanada from Nismo, John Yukawa, Fred Jordan...Mr. K called us at the closing banquette and we talked to him - yes, all 600 of us! I came home with a couple new books, some great autographed stuff for the Z shrine, and a serious grin on my face.

I bought three of them when it first came out a couple of months ago. I didn't know what it was and I bought a couple of extras to give away as gifts at this past week's Zcon in Dallas. As I said in the other thread, it is a delightful story book. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Well worth it for $10.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21661&highlight=Manga

You have pretty much pointed out the differences, Adam. If the larger LCD and faster "drive" speed is worth it to you, get the 30D. I would not imagine the image stabilization is necessary for the lens unless you plan to shoot a lot of low light exposures without the flash. My EF75-300 is IS. I had trouble calibrating the 550 EX flash, but other than that, the 20D is my recommendation.

Arnie, I can't imagine you would prefer to use them as a daily driver but there is no reason to fret about your great find. This is like dressing up our Barbie dolls in special costumes. Use them for show and whenever you want to impress that special woman of yours!