26th-Z

I have been dying to write this all day but thought you guys would think me a snob or jerk or something. Why don't we see wings on Z's? Because they don't belong there!

That thread is 28 pages long and contains heartfelt sympathies from all over the world. The Ron Jeremy joke was pretty good. But go back and read the original post and take a good look at the damage. Somethin' ain't write.

Guus, Great bumper! All that work looks great. But, what a shame and lucky it was not worse. That's called "patina"!

That's covered under the factory warrenty! NO PROB!

We play a lot of Bingo down here in Tampa, Alan! Shuffleboard is big too. But to answer billcapp’s question, there are a bunch of S30’s in the Tampa Bay area and even to my surprise, a bunch of low serial number HLS30 cars including a new acquisition in Lakeland. I saw a Black Pearl last weekend at a Suncoast Z Car club party and rally. I don’t know that I would call the cars rare, but rather unique. Rare should have a higher standard, in my opinion. A car of maybe fifty examples, maybe one hundred examples is rare. I don’t think the S30 is rare. There are also very many unique variations of the S30; a unique type on it’s own with a unique and interesting history. How unique a specific car is might be a better question as we compare the words “rare” and “unique”. An S30 variant produced less than fifty times might be the most rare of unique! Perhaps uniqueness ratings could be ranked in points - one point for each unique feature. Everyone who owns an S30 starts with one point. HLS30 in Japan - two points. Tattyest carpet West of the Mississippi - two points. Factory variants get a point. HS30-H - two points. ZZZap edition - two points. Tattyest carpet West of the Mississippi HS30-H - four points because it is in America.

Hey there! I have number 26. Carl Beck is here. He has 20 and a BRE car. He just sold 42. Jim Frederick has 16, 19, 322, a Paul Newman owned car, one of the 42 Nissan rebuilds, a Fairlady, and a bunch of other seriously interesting cars. The Suncoast Z Car Club just had the Christmas party at Jim's. I'll post some pictures. Beck wrote a blurb about what is considered collectable on the Zhome website. Good discussion.

Smokey, that's an attractive price. If the car is as nice as described on the web page, I might consider flying out there. Nice looking car.

The Nissan 240Z Restoration Program literature suggests re-wrapping all harnesses and mentions 3m Scotchbrand tape, p/n 054007-06130. I have yet to go looking for the tape to compare. My original tape is very thin and does not appear to have adhesive on one side. Thanks Victor and Marty for the references. This is exactly what makes this club great!

I'm going to have a similar situation with my restoration when I get to that point. I plan to at least re-wrap my harnesses. My engine bay harness is going to need some work as well. The direct wire for wire replacement is my direction. My source for connectors: http://store.yahoo.com/eagleday/blco.html I'm interested, but I'm not at that point of my project yet. Please keep me in mind as you get further into this.

Superb picture kats! Notice the chrome ring around the cigarette lighter is missing and the dual switches for the fog lamps - controlling each lamp individually! My wiring for the fog lamps is up in the dash harness but I also have wiring for these console switches. Notice the missing switch for the rear window demister - not an option on the very early cars yet the wiring is in the harness. I think the "T" looks apparent in the dual knobs forming one big T. I always appreciate your your pictues, kats. Great reference. I save them all.

There you go! Thanks for the info, guys.

Do you guys think the knobs and console face plate was used on another car? I certainly do not have the knowledge, but perhaps a common choke handle / throttle handle was originally taken from the interior of another car with existing stock? The squared off knob is probably easier to grip and control making it more favorable to the interior designer's thoughts during the design of the S30 interior. Perhaps the design was for squared knobs but an overstock of rounded knobs was depleted prior to the switch.

I am finding it is still cheaper to buy new bumpers even though they are pricey. The cost to re-chrome one bumper is in the $500 range - after purchasing an old one!

I thought the quote was "cuffs match the collars"!

Red rivets on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42612&item=2445824653

What's the difference? You will bend the sheet metal valance just as easily with either spoiler material. Don't think a urethane spoiler will flex and save the bodywork when a fiberglass one won't. Spoilers mean low ground clearance and you must be very careful with your driving. Easiest way to bend up a front end is to put a spoiler on in my opinion.

It looks like you are going to have some problems. New body panels - http://www.rustrepair.com/app2/onlinecat.htm?p=sm-datsun

The pin connection clips between the dash harness and the engine harness / body harness may be different. new pin connectors can be found here http://store.yahoo.com/eagleday/blco.html Otherwise, the dash will fit in the car.

Seat belt straps will wear and rot with age. I would not recommend using a set simply pulled out of a junkyard. THis place rebuilds seat belts and restores them to new http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/

Car HLS30-00332 has tar mat insulation covering the rear deck just as you describe, kats.

Hi guys, Her Majesty the 26th has round knobs. I'm sure I can confirm rounded knobs with the other early cars. Evidently, it was quite fashionable to have rounded knobs in the early days! The part number discrepancy between Mark's piece and Alan's description list is so typical Datsun. I am not surprised. It can easily be surmised that specific parts did not appear in an orderly progression of production numbers and dates / models. However it is quite evident that the squared knobs appeared later and replaced the original production of the rounded type. So many bits of the very early cars are unique, one might suggest that the first productions were of limited quantity and that the second orders for these parts were made with slight modifications. Perhaps the result of a comment made during a press release coctail party! In my opinion, the hand throttle is so unique that any knob shape is an interesting detail for a car. The knobs, like many other interior components, were made with a plastic that resembles "Bakelite", an older composition material. The only glue that will work to repair this material is "Superglue".

Evidently, the tar mat was applied before the car was painted. Here is a picture of the tunnel jute over the tunnel tar mat. The interior vinyl was glued directly to the jute. Please, no comments about my floors or the firewall insulation. I'm going to fix all that! The tar mat is already off the floors and they are discolored from a rust treatment solution. Interestingly, the jute has roller compression marks in it. Perhaps from the application of the sticky solution? The contact cement was also applied mechanically. The cement application is patterend on the fire wall, however it does appear to be a hand applied technique from the sloppiness of the work and drip marks. I imagine a paint roller type of tool used to apply the cement. By the way, the cement is yellow, just like the 3M brand of interior and weatherstrip cement.