26th-Z

There are several types of Hitachi distributors available for the L24 engine. The D612 is shown in the North American catalog for cars up to 7/73 and differs from the D609 in the ability to set the advance and retard for emission controls. My parts book shows 22100-E4603 replacing E4601 which indicates up to 6/72 with no apparent difference. None-the-less, 22100-E4603 is available from Nissan remanufactured for $102. Part number 22100-E4603RE

http://zzxdatsun.com/

Does your badge say Fairlady of FairladyZ? You want a Nissan badge to go with that - part # 90808-E4125 - unless you have an automatic, in which case you want the "full automatic" badge - part # 90809-E8225 - to accompany the Nissan. My book shows flat "pushing clips" and sealing washers instead of the common barrel clip. I suggest you begin your search outside of North America. Japan would be my first choice.

I have one broken seat cushion guard for the passenger side. I know of a couple in North Carolina, but more so, I know of several cars which would wear them proudly and correctly. If you decide to make repros, let me know if you need help and count me in for at least three sets - maybe more. Chris

Here is the old thread from Kats about the seat cusion guards. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9188 I just went through two of my parts books looking for the door panel screws. All I come up with is 80919-22500; clip-trim board which is the spring clip that fits in the door panel board and clips into the door. No screw. I am almost positive there are four chrome screws and grommets that fit the rear hatch panel to the hatch, but all the parts books list plastic rivets. Indeed there are rivets involved, but I would have to look at my hatch and panel to see what it looks like.

Have never been able to find the part number for the seat cushion guards. I do not have any screws fastening the interior door panel to the door. All my panels clip into place.

And painted black with a brush, I might ad. Of course, I'm exposed to seriously early cars which from all looks of it were fairly hand built. By the time we get around to looking at 260s and 280s, I get a little lost from lack of exposure.

Paint over cadmium plating. You can use the F word when you are really talking about the factory, Juan-Pablo. :-)

The hood latch hardware is plated and finished as such. Hood hinges are plated and painted to match the car color.

Carl, Guidelines are not benchmarks. They are guidelines. We can certainly use the guides to keep us in the same conversation, but they are not standards, levels, criterion, points of reference or any thing other than vaguely defined subjective categories which may or may not apply to the value of the day. Lets not confuse the issue, please. Chris

I don't know, Arne. They are stock for my cars and I snatched a pair as spare parts, at least, for you should see the Hitachis on 27th! My plan has always been to send the Hitachis out to Ztherapy and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they needed parts. If I end up with three sets of carbs, I'll probably make a performance set.

Hey Carl! Is your numbering system a recognized published value system that you can point to as reference, or is that the "Carl Beck" numbering system? I am not intending to sound rash or arguementative by any means, but I don't necessarilly agree with the detail of your descriptions. I don't think number one cars are all that rare. I think plenty of them are driven and I would say a 90 point car would qualify. Also, a 90 point car does NOT necessarily mean bone stock and in that respect, the point / value system currently in practice by the ZCCA is far more restrictive in the stock classes than any other. Good case in point: Charlie Osborne drove his stock entry to Syracuse last year, washed it, won a Gold Medallion, and drove it home. No question in my mind, it is / was a number 1 car. One of our active ClassicZ club members showed up in Syracuse with his wonderfully restored Z, took top honors in his modified class, qualified for the Gold round of judging, and then drove his car at Watkins Glen the next day. The Gold Cup modified 240Z from last year was driven. Another interesting thing that happend last year was that the cars scored higher indoors under artificial light than they did outdoors in bright sunlight. You have offered a valuable benchmark for everyone's reference, but I would like to respectfully dilute the description, just a bit. Real-world judging, either ZCCA or AACA, is not that definative and highly subjective. It is also a "snapshot" in time and place. Finally, with all due respect, you forgot to mention the #10 category. This is highly subjective, but a 10 car is one that just leaves the viewer awe struck from 6 meters. My proud example of a 10 car is the honorable Princess 27th! Chris

Arne, 10/70 seems to be the swing month for valve covers. They seem to be highy sought in Japan these days. I would be interested in the valve cover to fill requests I have. So don't sweat the unorignal thang. Her Majesty recognises you as a mature and responsible fellow Z gentleman and waves unstockified blessing upon your ride.

Arne, There was a time, a year or two ago, that you would have thought these parts were made of platinum with diamond studs. I saw prices on eBay that astounded me - what the $300 radiator hose and such. I remember how pissed I was at getting outbid at $65 for a metal fan blade in those days. There were a number of people out there, with early cars, buying up parts at premium dollars and it was discouraging. Now, it seems most of those people, including myself, have all those parts and the market for some of the early stuff has dropped. I have had the honorable experience of paying way too much as well as paying darned near nothing. One day, I was searching the classifieds on Zcar.com (remember when they were long listings?) and an add popped up for an early ash tray while I was surfing. The guy wanted $25 for it. I phoned the guy right away and wired (remember wiring money?) cash to him that night. He was somewhat astounded, but early ash trays were going for $50 - $75 on eBay at the time. I have a similar story for Nissan 2400 OHC valve covers. Now...I see prices flattening off. But this is just what I think - so take it for what it's worth. I'm not going to stand and argue about how accurate I am. There are several types of early air cleaners and your's is probably the later style, but no matter, they are worth anywhere from $25 - $60 in used restorable condition. 4 screw Hitachis come without float bowl drain plugs (early) and with drain plugs. I just stole an early set on eBay for $125, but the most common are the drain plug style and they go as high as $200 for clean looking examples. Clean E31 heads are around $300 complete with all the valve train. I don't know about E88 heads. Heads that have been machined are normally much less. I have never dealt in engine blocks, but most guys are paying around $100 for a used block in original spec that may or may not clean up. I just paid $45 for an early example transmission, $25 for a differential, so on. Hope this helps. I'm interested in the air cleaner. Chris

No, Ben. The car is in Japan. A couple of guys you know went to Japan last fall, attended some car shows, talked to some Japanese Z people we know of and relayed the situation to me as though I was going to buy it! Chris

Jerry, Milwaukee guy, eh? I grew up in Mequon. Are you on the West coast? Come join our Florida clubs. Chris

Yahoooo! Kudos to you for rescuing the babe. Welcome to the low VIN club and hope to see you at the Mitty.

I don't really know what is going to be "spare" until I finish the cars, Will !?!!! In the late summer of 2003, I rented a 16'x25' "U-Store-it" bay right around the corner from my body shop and moved in. I built storage shelving from some scrap shelving racks I salvaged from a demolished industrial building and new plywood from Homo Depot. (They even had the correct orange spray paint for touch-up) I built the work bench from 2x4s and Corian I salvaged from a remodeled kitchen project and I used some of the cabinets as well. Lighting came out of a dumpster in Naples. (My father is a dumpster diver - oh the shame of it). This became the new home of TRICKY garage - world renown home of famous racing hardware and service for celebrity automobiles. TRICKY also hosts a famous art collection of rare Datsun memorabilia and broken racing parts. As a matter of pride, all parts are carefully labeled and hermetically encapsulted in the shipping containers one often collects from frequent eBay deals. With the aquisition of her graciousness The Princess 27th in the summer we Floridians call Charlie, new space was required. Fortunately, a Samsclubian monarch presented a gift of a hurricane proof tent captured in the northern provinces of China which was promptly erected on a foundation bed of crushed shell in a secret location so as to thwart grave robbing vandals. The Princess arrived with the remains of various body shells on the royal sled of Manny's and was rolled into place by the enthusiastic crowd gathered to see the delivery. (After a long explanantion, the homeowners association letter was retracted) Currently, Her Majesty's engine sits on display at Carboy Randy's shop, the body shell is taking spa at Beautiful Bodies, and the rest of her is at TRICKY. A collection of rare cardboard glove boxes, glass, and butterscotch colored nauga hides occupies an obscure chamber of the original archives, however most of Her Majesty's collection of historical photographs, books and documentation has moved to higher ground and now shares space with the home offices of The Florida Z Association. The aquisition of the remains of 403rd has caused some concern for additional space and a rearrangement plan is underway. Frankly, with all the time, money and energy spent on storing parts, it's a wonder any restoration work gets done!

Thanks for all the pictures! This thread has been quite informative for me. Who would-a thunk? Valve cover art has been popular throughout the development of the internal combustion engine. It is the best way to advertise and present one's name and business image. They are not all that difficult to make. The cost is in the pattern and for that reason, I would guess the Kameari type cover is squared. However, if you think about it, the placement of the oil spout does not have to be located at the front and the graphics could be anything. But now that we are talking about it, I know people who are looking for Nissan 2000 OHC, Bob Sharp Racing, and I'll have to ask Her Majesty if she would like to sport a Kameari cover. She might like that. If anyone wants to part with a 2000 OHC or BSR cover, PM me.

I'll never forget many years ago when I bought 26th...My Porsche friends laughed when I said that some day 26th would be worth $16,000 to $20,000 - four to five times what I paid for Her Majesty. But then, look at what 1970 911s are going for these days. Value in the market is going to go up and down. Right now, Z cars are increasing in value by well documented observation. They are coming into their own and I think we will see this continue for some years while the guys (like me) buy and own cars they cherished during their early adulthood. I was talking to a fellow Z collector about a $60,000 pristine Fairlady 432 and we both agreed that the price was not all that bad. In context, the value of the collectable Z car is still relatively economical. But it all comes down to what many people agree on, and that is; a car is only worth what someone is willing to pay at any given time. I don't know if that guy we know, Carl, is an anomaly or not. Half the fun is sitting back and watching the show.

Couple of theings: Chris, that was an expression of endearment. No harm intended. I agree with Carl. The car isn't really a Vintage Z. I would call it a "Vintage Z Foornote". But in terms of value, it's like any of the cars we see trading; it is worth what someone is willing to pay at any given time. I'm glad to see it sell so well.

That car doesn't look anywhere near as bad as 27, but it's bad. The economics of a project like this would be easily $40,000 over the next four years to have a $40,000 when you are finished. Pristine restored Zs and / or pristine originals go for as high as $30,000 now. They will be $40,000 in four years. The BIN is half what I paid for 27 - it's a good deal for those so inclined. Good luck if you buy it. Keep the faith. Write me about the parts you are going to need. Chris

5 or 6? More like one or two. Definitely one. Les? Are you reading this? You were going to get back to me with those VINs and pictures? Les? Yes, both of my babes are green!

That's why I'm so interested in this car, Ron. I suspect it is an example of exactly what you mention. To each his own, though. I would prefer another version also. Besides, that dark green color has GOT to go! !