26th-Z

Oh...and scuttlebutt has it that the reserve is $39,900.

Interesting comment but I would suggest that the ZR moniker for a performance prepared version is exactly the reference to the competition history. Another example of the shambles is the reference Carl made to HLS30-98389. This car does not appear to be in the VZ standard however it has the dash plaque and it was sitting in the warehouse with the rest of them. And as the story goes...Mr. Evanow had to go to the warehouse to see what the VIN numbers were? Ahhh...?

It should be noted that some cars were "customized" at the time of restoration. With all the buzz about the modifications, two cars come to mind and I believe they are HLS30-08808 and HLS30-29247. Neither Carl nor I have confirmed ownership records for these cars but I believe they are pictured below. One is the 240Z-R noted in Evanow's book and the other was custom built for Keith Crane, publisher at the time of "Autoweek". Keith's car had a custom suspension, cam, and polished valve cover. Keith's car was built by Pierre. The detailing of the Z-R is similar and I think it had these seats because of pictures I have from "Datsun Alley". I saw these seats for sale on eBay some time ago with a car that supposedly sold as a VZ but unfinished.

This is indeed one of the missing cars from my list and I'll have to dig through my records to see if I can find anything more about it. CDM did very few restorations; two if I recall correctly. In all probability, this is a Pierre.

Terry, From everything I can find, the American HLS30-U came with bumper rubbers. It also came with the uprights and I think the guards are unique to our American version as much as the red side-marker lights. I'm not certain about the HS30 but the S30 and PS30 are shown in the picture with rubbers - the S30-S without. The North American test cars had rubbers and both my owner's manuals show rubbers. I would say that if you are trying to go original stock original with your restoration, you need rubbers. Chris

And Datsun logos on Japanese race cars

Cool video. I did not know about it. I guess they made six cars. Also wanted to point out that Beck's car is in Autoweek, Vol. 59, Issue 8, 20 April 2009, the Amelia Island article.

Sidestepping Carl's spelling issues for a moment... Cobra Daytona Coupe CSX2601 is scheduled to auction May 15th on a Discovery network televised broadcast. I understand that Peter Brock and Bob Bondurant will be on hand with comentary. I also understand the starting bid will be 10 million dollars. http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=SC0509-79207 This would be a great chance to see two people significant in the history of the 240Z. Peter Brock, of course as readers of this site will know, went on to establish Brock Racing Enterprises with numerous American national championships in Datsun products. Bob Bondurant is a personal friend of Yutaka Katayama. Can't say enough about Bondurant if you are not familiar with his resume', including his involvement with Datsun products. It isn't often that we get to see one of the old F1 guys. I will enjoy watching this piece of Cobra history too! One of five cars, with history out the wazzoo.

The 370Z is absolutely drop dead stun-F'ing gorgeous! It oozes "rice-rocket" juice just sitting there. "Shake Your Head, Old School!" The Z is alive and well!

Agree. The center valances are different for the model years. They don't mount in the same places. The fenders are fine, though.

Yea, but there was that "casual seller of automobiles through the internet" thing that sounds to me like the seller was more than a guy selling his vette.

Carl, Your car is featured in this weeks' "Sports Car Digest - Rally Cars of Amelia Island". http://www.sportscardigest.com/archives/4220?awt_l=Kq1it&awt_m=1ZZUHZCsz8s.C0

I did the Dashboard Restorations thing several years ago. If you do a search through the archives, there is a thread about the group buy with EricB and we all shipped our dashes to Australia. I didn't send my gauges and fit them myself with a hot-air gun when the dash came back. I am very satisfied. At the time there was a business in your part of the country, Mike, that was dealing through Dashboard Restorations that may have been Dash Specialties. They were actually shipping their Z-car work to Australia I think because Dashboard Restorations had the mold. Then I heard Dashboard Restorations set up a shop in America or Dash Specialties bought molds? something like that. We chose Dashboard Restorations because of price and the finish grain. We felt that Dashboard Restorations had a finish pattern / grain that was the closest to original. I think it was called "hair cell" or something. But your'e going to be satisfied with any of the choices you mentioned. Just Dashes did the upholstry work for the Vintage Z program. Ask to look at grain patterns for the finish. The other major issue facing you, Terry, is shipping the dash. You will find that the size of the box is going to determine shipping cost. I forget what it cost me but it was a huge amount. My restoration came with new foam and skin on the original frame. The new skin material is much thicker than the original. Easily twice the thickness. This makes fitting the gauges difficult and tight. Also, you will notice that the creases in the shape of the dash are not as clearly defined. Bescause the skin material is thicker, styling lines, creases, and edges are just a little softer. I recall one of my 'expert' friends remarking that the difference in a restored dash was easily noticable, however I never challenged him to it and I think he could only tell if a new and my restored dash sat side-by-side.

Very nice pictures, Gary! That's the piece. With the tail bend still intact! I went out and looked at mine. It's too grungy looking to photograph, but 26th had a similar set-up.

Mike, those are great books! I have the USA and Canada parts catalog, 4th overall revised master binder December 1973 and I couldn't find the N3000. The numbers revise as; E4100 to E8700 to N3399 and N3300. It was my copy of the Japanese parts book that listed the N3000. And yes it does supersede E4100 there also. Hey Kats! Make plans to come to the convention in San Antonio!

26th has a glasspack too. The whole tube back from the downpipe was made for me in 1991.

Guys! Get out the spec books! Bless your mother's heart, a7dz, but your pipe is about as unstockafied as I have ever seen! Your great photo has me awash in "stump-the-guru" games and I love it! :kiss: This diagram is from the service manual 11/1/69 clearly showing the Y-collector that is stamped metal with a seam welded tab. It is welded in place. Not a cast piece, geezer. Mike's picture of 20010-N3000 with the pipe connection style is clearly the later / replacement version. And the Japanese version to boot!

Also this period advertisement

Might you be refering to the ZZzap edition; special package 280Z sold in North America? Very similar in scope to the Black Pearl edition and sold at the same time. I'll bet Zhome has a write-up.

26th has the Arne / Kats type and 27th has headers. Also noted; Mike's new system is 20010-N3000. My NA parts book lists N3300 from 10/72 to 7/73... ah! Here it is ... Fairlady Z parts book 1972, 20010-N3000 from 10/72, models ZS and ZL, L20-L24. There are separate listings in both parts books for the automatic transmission.

Welcome. Sounds like a nice ride. Pictures yes please!

Great info! Thanks Mike

I recall back in the early eighties when I took possession of Her Majesty a conversation in which my thoughts of her future value were scoffed at. Recently, we had a conversation here about currently published values in which the case was made that modified cars such as #248 would not be worth as much as an all original restoration. I thought both of these cars made a perfect example (if not on the high end of the scale) of escalating prices in the market - both restored original and restored modified. The '72 at 20K is noted as a current market adjustment price down from 24K. All very interesing and an indication of what we have been reading about for some time; that the Z car is gaining value as a collector car.

Check out these two Zs advertised in the duPont Registry. http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/Search/DRauSearchResults.aspx?makeid=24&makename=Datsun&modelname=Other%20Model&modelid=99&catid=4

Carl, Would you mind naming your professional source? Obviously if this person is in the business of translation they would appreciate the reference, no? I have many things I would like translated for instance.