zspert

Congratulations to Mark G for his second MARRS ITS championship and for setting the ITS lap record . Mark you done good!

When the marketing geniuses at Datsun US dreamed up the Z Store program, so many years ago, they were completely clueless about the restoration process and probably didn't give a damn given the rarefied atmosphere they enjoyed. It wasn't until the program was turned over to those who would have to make it work that it was realized how few 240 parts were still on the parts shelves. For example, there were only 60 or so dashes, windshields and back lites remaining in stock. There was NO soft trim. So much for the 200 or so examples the geniuses wanted to run through the program. What to do? Pierre knew about me and my, at that time, very modest offerings, so he had the Datsun procurement people get in touch so the ball could get rolling, like yesterday!! I was in almost weekly conference with 2 and much later 3 individuals at Datsun. Pierre, Les and I had quite a few conversations as well. During that time there was some back and forth about a book that would, among other Z car related topics, address what the early 70s were like at the Datsun dealers during those golden years. Fast forward a lot of years and I get a call from a publisher asking if I would like to help them sell a new Z car book. Deep discount for volume, official endorsement, etc. I asked for a copy and a few days later it appeared. Turns out it was written by one of the chaps I had so many phone conversations with back in the day. Upon reading I found it to be far less than it might have been and while I was listed as a recommended vendor it also had what looked to me like a broad, multi page, endorsement of our friend in OK. Thinking that the author might have been conned by the fellow in question I sent him, the author, an email. I asked him if he remembered me and thanked him for giving my business a recommendation. I also gave him a brief on the Guild backstory. No, don't know you from Adam and the 240 Guild seems to be a very solid operation with significant bona fides. I left it there. It's taken me a very long time to establish the reputation I enjoy. Those like the character in question make my job just that much more difficult.

I have much to add regarding the book in question but we're waiting for the arrival of guests and don't have time just now, keep tuned.

I'm not going to do anything until more info is forthcoming.

Ditto

Thank you HS30-H for putting it in the plainest of terms. He worked the Mustang crowd and then Volvo owners. Now he's concentrating his efforts in our direction. However, my spies tell me he has branched out into wooden speed boats! The first time I spoke out about him, after hearing my first 240 Guild horror story directly from one of his "marks" I got a thinly veiled threatening phone message upon arriving at my shop one morning. One can see how effective his threat was. I invite any interested parties to Google Robert Jackson Madill, OK for the full story.

A guy with multiple convictions for fraud can't be trusted AT ALL. Why would anyone with the tiniest bit of common sense think, and act, otherwise?

I envy you guys who have access to salvage yards that contain older cars. Around the greater DC area real estate is just too expensive. The local yards rarely have anything older than 2010 or so.

Given his record I can't believe a word he says.

Ouch! Blue oil pan? Folks, you have one chance to do it right, don't let it slip away!!

Looks like that page has expired?

Got my bill paid on time. I wish them all the best. Yes, those Distinctive Ind. door skins are a bear to install correctly and require a door panel in good condition but the end product is very nice indeed.

Thank you for your very kind comment Guy. Cheers

So much opportunity but so many mistakes. In the meantime Banzai Motorworks notches Gold Medallion #4!

Of course anything is possible but both belts?

A couple of pix of the 1/71 the unicorn I have in my shop

Mt. Fuji looked SO MUCH more beautiful before all those wires.

OK Zed Head, etc, here's the unicorn you asked about. I have a 1/71 in my shop - VIN 18437 - getting a well deserved rehabilitation after years of neglect. It has later seat belts with 6 & 7/71 production dates. It has the early visors and a Redwing interior mirror. Want to touch on a subject Carl Beck brushed up against regarding the early years of selling imported cars. In those pre 1970 days import dealers, the exception being VW, were strictly Mon & Pop operations. They often started out as used car lots or service operations that sold imports as almost a sideline. My first dealer sold BMW, Saab and NSU before picking up Datsun in mid 1970. The showroom could accommodate 3 cars and there were 5 service bays. A good month saw 3-5 cars being sold. Dad was the sales dept, son ran service and Mom kept the books. Their necks were stuck way out and it showed. They started in the car business at a smaller facility as a VW and Porsche repair shop. So, you're a Fiat, Renault or NSU dealer in 1966 with 4 cars left on the lot and it's Dec. You know those machines aren't going anywhere soon so what to do. You apply to the MVA and change the titles to 1967. Now you have 4 67s - a very common practice in those days. This all changed with the Japanese invasion of the early 70s. Now you're moving lots and lots of cars, as many as you could get per month. We didn't need a larger showroom as the Datsuns were sold before they had a chance to display them. Dad wasn't a salesman any more, he was an order taker.

Ouch!! They owe me $!

Boy, diving into the ins and outs of the 73 model year 240 is a little like trying to get across a mine field safely. According to the service bulletin - pictured - the 73 model year starts in the 9th month of 1972. However the parts micro fisch section that illustrates the new for 73 induction system and my recollection says it really started in the 7th month of 72. Here's where it really gets confusing. 1973 was the first year for Z car heater control illumination. However, again, the micro fisch parts section on the heater says that the new system started in the 8th month of 72. Which is it??? I have an interesting, at least to me, story about the first 73 Z that was sold by the Datsun dealer which was employing me at the time - but that's for another time. Also, 73 510, the last of the line and THE BEST.

I refer to them as 69 production date cars

Sorry Terrapin Z, no harm meant

This reproduction ID plate is a MESS! Just look at the type style, etc. Nissan Motor Corp wouldn't have found it acceptable for the Z Store program.

Are you talking about Z Car Source of Arizona in Phoenix?

Of course one could simply buy one of my reproduction under hood decals and/or one of my door jamb ID plates and cause much havoc in the Z car world while providing much entertainment for dutchzcarguy. Perhaps someone already has done so!!