zspert

Gotta make a coupla observations based on my experience. I was a Datsun dealer mechanic, no, not a technician or "tech" - a mechanic, from the early summer of 1970 until about 1980. ALL of the new Datsuns sold at the dealers where I was employed until about 1976 or so did not have undercoating from the factory and were, therefore, body color underneath. The paint applied at the factory to the bottom of the 240s, 510s, 1200, 610s, 710s, roadsters and trucks was very inconsistent from one area to another. It might be pretty OK here but thin over there. Lots of orange peel here and a bit of dirt in the paint over there. Whoa, yes, I know the trucks and roadsters had separate frames, painted a rather thin black, but the bottom sheet metal was body color. Sorry to say I undercoated lots and lots of the same cars. I seem to remember getting paid .3/hour labor for every one I did usually as the finale of the PDI (per delivery inspection) which paid additionally depending on the model. Flash forward a number of years to my shop where I've/we've done a number of 240 restorations to ZCCA Gold Medallion standards. I hope to notch my fourth at the convention this summer. In each case I've asked the owner if he wants his restoration to reflect the way it rolled off the truck at the dealership or the contemporary standard. Before he answers me I show him the many detailed pictures I keep on file of original unmodified Zs. Remember, these pictures show details like glue running down from grommets and orange peel in enamel paint. I think you can guess the answer I always get. Carl, you're very close on your estimate of the current cost of such an undertaking. Yes, there are cheaper prices being quoted all over the place but those units will NEVER be in the running for the top prizes or pass inspection from snobs like me who have seen just about every shade of half assed restorations. The big problem I see going forward is parts. The highest level restorations require fast disappearing goodies. Just the elementary stuff like correct spark plug wire sets, exhaust system components, battery cables, wiper blades, etc. can only be had by beating the bushes really really hard and paying a ton of money. Here's one I hear all the time - well, someone should reproduce that, if they do they'll get rich! NO, NO it doesn't happen that way. I know from my very extensive experience that reproduction, after you spend a LOT of time finding a manufacturer willing to make that widget for you, is VERY expensive. One example, for several years I've been shopping around looking for a domestic manufacturer willing and able to manufacture correct battery cables. Finally found one but the fixed costs would be about 40K for 240 positive and negative cables. Another example, 77/78 280 front and rear bumper ends, 10k for the mold and you would need 4. Chris @ S30 World, my hat is off to you and I sincerely hope you live to a healthy very old age! I know you have a TON of $ invested in your very nice tanks. PS, best of luck with your hand brake cables. Yes, his cars are for his personal collection. It's late and I'm getting sleepy.

Looks like one of my reproduction voltage reg covers. Missing are the rad overflow hose, Anti-Freese and Nihon Rad decals.

I suspect my 280 is the only Z car with Campagnolos and yes they were purchased new.

S30driver - they're 14 inch Campagnolo wheels. I purchased them new in the early 90s from the late Al Costintino (sp) the US importer. Manufactured to a high standard and complete with Campy lug nuts! That sensor, the one on the side by itself, didn't appear in 77 or 78 - with or without factory a/c.

I can't agree more!

I've been around long enough to remember the factory tool. Yours is very close.

I've used their panels on a couple of restorations and while they do have to be "fitted'' - sometimes a very time consuming process - those with patience will be rewarded.,

If the majority of pump gas goes to 15% those of us with old cars are screwed!

That switch was was used in 75 and 76 only.

Sooooo many "experts"

You're right EuroDat. It almost always does.

Only 15 years and no professional training. As I said, be afraid.

I would be afraid, very afraid.

Not a Z car part

Coincidentally I was exposed to yet another wrinkle in the Datsun/Nissan parts story just this afternoon. I've been doing business with the same crew at my local Nissan dealer for more than 30 years. Recently one of the old gang left after almost 30 years and was replaced by a young chap. When I called with a small order the young blood answered the phone. About 95% of the time I have current part #s but in this case I didn't. After telling him what parts I wanted the first question he had for me was "what are the last 8 digits of the VIN"? I told him that the VIN for the 7/71 240 in my shop didn't have 8 digits! He told me that he couldn't help me as his system didn't go back any further than 1985. I politely asked for one of the other chaps who chuckled and took my order. Luckily for me all of the guys there are 12-15 years younger than me so when I'm gone they'll be looking hard at retirement - but what about the future of available Nissan parts? Many thanks to all who complemented me on my reproduction Ever Wing mirrors. I just hope that I have a similar level of interest for my reproduction - made in the USA - 280 valve cover breather hoses. Manufacturer had a good size minimum order!

Only have time to address one side of this many sided coin - reproduction parts for 240/260/280. Most every time I reproduce a part I first have to give a LOT of thought about how long will it take me to break even on my investment. If I have to invest many, many thousands - like in the case of my interior mirrors - how many years, not kidding here, will it take to reach scale given the TINY market I serve. It's always a decision reached after a lot of sweat has been expended. Have been working on and off on reproduction battery cables for a number of years. My investment will be HUGE. Will I live long enough to reach scale? Stay tuned. Interesting note - reproduction 240 parts sell at about a 25 to 1 ratio to reproduction 280 parts. Finally, Nissan doesn't discontinue parts out of meanness. They do it because the parts aren't selling. They couldn't justify continuing those neat under hood trouble lights because they didn't move enough of them even at about $30.00 each!! Try to find a new one now for under $250.00.

Yep, that's one of my reproductions - real beauty, no?

I've spent no more than 3 minutes looking at this car and saw numerous mistakes. You have one chance to do it right.

So very important to remember, "There's a Sucker Born Every Minute".

Sorry to say, there are few of us dinosaurs left and we're facing extinction!

Wow, mine are a lot less than that!!

I saw 1 or 2 very early 1970 production date cars with hand throttles while working as a mechanic at a Datsun dealer in 1971. We weren't told to remove hand throttles but given my experience with such "passed down from the top' messaging at that time I'm confident application, If indeed official, wasn't consistent. I apprenticed at a foreign car shop in 1969/70 and saw 1 or 2 Volvo's? & MB with hand throttles.

With all due respect Patcon, and I mean that, this truck is indeed worth that and possibly more. It is extremely cherry in all respects. Just look at a few of the details. 1 - Original hose clamps 2 - All hold down hooks accounted for 3 - Washer bottle and overflow bottle largely mint 4 - No radio!! 5 - Seats all but perfect 6 - Bed is very clean Yes, at BAT this truck would fetch big money if viewed by the right crowd. Yes, I'd be very happy owning such a machine

I've been pitching such a class for many years to deaf ears. It's important to remember, to the powers at the ZCCA the show is rather a pain in the a^& to be endured rather than celebrated.

Gee, someone who knows what they're doing has had their hand in this presentation! Congratulations Again Jim