26th-Z

Millen in New Zealand http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120413/CARNEWS01/120419925?utm_source=DailyDrive20120413&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=article3&utm_content=20120413-Tuned_Nissan_GT-R_races_against_a_Eurocopter_AS350_helicopter_&utm_campaign=awdailydrive

Unleaded gasoline in 1975 requiring lower compression ratios. Quoting Brian Long, Datsun Z, Fairlady to 280Z; "The L26 was already struggling to cope with the California emission regulations, often being difficult to start and generally tempermental whilst running. As America was the most important market for the Z-Car, Nissan decided to cure all the problems associated with the California-spec cars in one fell swoop - enter the 280Z."

Jay, Looks like your HLS30U-00566 is a January 1970 build. This site is a pretty good reference. http://zhome.com/ Even though I don't particularly agree with a number of topics on the site, Carl has an outstanding collection of VIN data. Page down to the bottom and there is a listing for production and sales history. Carl also lists the differences between production series / model years. You'll get a kick out of this site also. http://www.geocities.jp/datsunz903/ Your 1970 dash can be repaired. There are huge threads on the subject here. Cruize through this site's archives and you'll find tons of information which may help you decide which direction to turn with your restoration. BTW, is your car equipped with the air pump emission control system or has it been removed? All the best, Chris

Yes, there is a difference between a '70 dash and a '72 dash. No, the wiring is not the same. Early cars had many distinguishable differences. And then there is the issue of the dated parts. Here's some reading for you: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?31337-Kanji-found-when-removing-a-dash&highlight=kanji+markings http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?16870-Discover-various-quot-date-quot-use-cross-reference-method&highlight=date+stamp+kanji http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?32826-Well-I-wound-up-with-another-low-VIN-Z&highlight=date+stamp+kanji

When you're fitting the new floors and frame rails, bolt the transmission cross member and fit the sway bar to make sure you have good alignment on the new metal.

I can probably help you, Bill. PM me.

Yes, this is a good thing - very good thing.

I was surprised when I looked up repro fuel tanks at GasTanks.com. Surprised at the relatively low prices (like you mentioned, Hardway). A repro Porsche fuel tank is around $750, in contrast. I would imagine if there was enough demand that a repro would be manufactured given that the only other choice currently available is a reconditioned junk-yard tank.

Mike B beat me to it. I have been away for the weekend and just catching up. I was going to respond to the same points. Welcome aboard! So... if that's the case, the numbers match, I want to suggest that if you plan to severely modify a car, do it to a less valuable model year. HLS30-01955 isn't all that low, but it's still a first year car and there really aren't that many of them around. My cars have floors and rails in them and I don't think it's all that big of a deal. By the time you are finished you should have a very nice early example.

Are You going to show your car at the Festival, Carl?

Hi Bob, Thanks for sharing the experiences you have had with your beautiful car. I wanted to respond yesterday by saying that I can think of but a handful of "stockish" 240Zs that belong at any of the concours events mentioned. I would say the same for modified Zs - a handful. ZRush being a prime example. Concours events are traditionally "fashion shows" meaning that originality is far less important than how the car looks. Winning cars evoke an emotional response of beauty far more than award winning nit-picking accuracy. I can never seem to over-emphasize that. The Japanese classics, sold outside of Japan, had little (if any) influence on "kick starting their automobile economy". Nissan in particular, looked at the export market to increase business. The Japanese automobile economy was roaring along just fine. Evidenced by how much the Japanese imports took away from domestic American car sales!

Pretty wild looking car, isn't it?! I wonder if they will be able to make anything of it. What I was saying was that Nissan typically collaborates with experimental and prototype chassis design. And they have been doing it for a long time. For instance the 1986 March / Nissan R86V for group C racing.

That isn't a Nissan chassis - just the engine. Nothing new, really. Nissan successfully competed in the past with Lola and March chassis.

Very nice! Pictures?

5th, I get the Porsche 356 Registry magazine, very nice club magazine BTW, and one of my favorite regular articles deals with transactions within their realm. The examples range from new parts, used parts, and memorabilia just like our z-car world. I'm just gobsmacked with some of the stuff I see and what people are willing to pay. I remember buying a set of tools for my dad's car, how 'expensive' they were at the time, and now picking my jaw up off the floor for the same stuff. On the other hand, I don't see Datsun items increasing in value as fast. That could just be me, though. This wheels story has been a fun and memorable experience. One we will surely discuss over a few beers! Hope to tip one with the new proud owner some day.

You're really having a hard time with price of those wheels, aren't-ya 5th?! Welcome to the car collecting hobby! I wonder if Jim Faria bought them. He brought his very well done rallye replica to the Nashville convention.

No. The whole throttle lever arrangement was never supposed to be on the HLS30U imports. We've had long conversations about this one and the federal laws prohibited the hand throttle feature (similarly the headlight covers). Supposedly, several of the early, early cars made it through import preparation (different from 'dealer preparation') and were sold with hand throttles as they were originally equipped, however it is quite rare to see a true original. Most of the hand throttles you see today were parts purchased in Japan and installed by the owner.

The emblems could be valuable. I wonder if they are solid metal cast or hollow metal cast. If you decide to remove them, be careful not to break the mounting pins! BTW, that hatch is toast.

If you are going to keep your car outside, or even in a carport, then I suggest the more expensive / protective types. The trouble I find with car covers is that they are a pain in the arse when they are wet.

I kind of figured that's what you were talking about, Michael. I don't recall seeing monthly production figures in 1970 but I could be wrong. Seems like it has been discussed before? Oh well, I'm interested in that sort of thing. Geek or not! Ha, ha! Yea, I fit that description.

Thanks for regurgitating Carl Beck's information, Michael, but I still want to know how you figure February 1970 was the lowest production month. Of course, that would be lowest production month of HLS30U types in 1970, wouldn't it? Production in Novermber of 1969, say, would have been lower, don't you think? And you say; "straight from the nissan plant." I would like to see that, please. Published information originating from Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. at that period of time is fairly rare. Also, I have a couple of comments about what you have read on Carl's site. Carl is talking exclusively about HLS30U types and does not account for any of the other types. In that respect, he isn't accurate with some of the things he writes. For instance, HLS30-00013 is most definitely not the first regular production 240Z sold to the public. It may very well be the lowest vin HLS30U sold to the public, but Carl has no idea when it was sold or if the sale preceeded the sale of an S30 type, S30-S type, HS30 type, or PS30 type. Another instance would be his reference to the first 25 produced being held by the manufacturer. Research has shown that (1) the first 25 produced were not exclusively HLS30 types, and (2) engineering, safety, and manufacturing studies were complete far before the S30 was placed into production. I would love to see the car and hope someone decides to restore it, but alas, I am on the other end of the country. Post some good pictures!

Just curious...wondering where you came up with that "lowest production month" statement and what you think the significance of it is.

Thanks Ian, I don't recall ever noticing the differences that this thread has brought to my attention. I must agree. You can't just say Kobe Seiko wheels.

The only 'factory optional' decision that the buyer made on a North American imported 280Z was 5-speed or automatic transmission. That meaning the 'factory' in Japan...or...Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Dealer (Datsun U.S.A.) installed accessories included (and I quote from the brochure): factory mag-type wheels air conditioning CB radio AM/FM stereo (cassette or 8-track) rear window shade bumper guards (front and rear) side moldings smuggler tonneaus side stripes floor mats racing mirrors shift knobs This excludes the Black Pearl and ZZZap editions. Now technically, meaning the Japanese domestic market options, a vinyl top was a 'factory' option. Whether they were 'dealer installed' or not I don't really know but the vinyl top is shown in the options catalog which did not exist in the U.S. until 1972. The U.S. options catalog, I believe, was a Datsun U.S.A. publication though, meaning the options were still dealer installed. The vinyl top was an original design feature tested during the engineering development of the S30 type in 1967. Little known factoid for all you vinyl top fans.

Huh!! I never noticed that, Filipe. I went back to the replica thread and the replicas have the cut-outs in the spokes. Then I went into my rallye car files and I seem to see the same cut-outs. Interesting.