Mike B

Wow, this one sold for $281.55. Time to dig out that spare I have stashed away. -Mike

It looks like Eiji at Datsun Spirit still has new ones for sale at $225. http://www.datsunspirit.com/240zinterior.html -Mike

Alan, I didn't forget about the other S30 models or earlier VINs, I was just limiting my reference to PS30-00013 since Kats had noted that it is a 1969 production car and it still exists. My point was, since it was sold domestically, surely it must have been delivered to a customer earlier than either HLS30-00013 or HLS30-00016, which we have heard so much about recently. Just trying to keep it all in perspective for those of us that aren't as aware of the other S30 variants when all we hear about are the HLS30 models and how significant certain cars are. -Mike

I agree Kats, I have not seen production cars (sold directly to the public) without the hood bumpers or with the side bolt attaching to the headlight bucket. -Mike

Hi Kats, I think all early production S30s must have the different bracket that you show. Here are pictures of the ones from HLS30-00032 and HLS30-00237. Maybe some early 1970 production cars too. I wonder what the cutoff was? Its good to hear that Kats. I wonder which was the "first sold to the public", PS30-00013, HLS30-00013, or HLS30-00016? -Mike

HLS30-00051 is not a new find. It was mentioned in this thread from a couple years ago http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25547 (which includes a couple of pictures) and I think there are some other mentions of it in other threads (just do a search). I'm not sure what the current status is, but it is a shame if it has been left out to rust away in a pasture these last couple of years. -Mike

68100-N3300 Assy-Instrument from 7/72 to 7/73 -Mike

Those are probably the most common style of aftermarket aluminum wheels for Zs. They were made by many different manufacturers. They are not Nissan wheels, but were added onto new cars by many dealers which helped create the myth that they were a factory option. So many were made that they are very easy to find on craigslist or ebay. -Mike

I'm still trying to figure out what HELLAFLUSH means. At first I though it had something to do with a radiator, but now I'm thinking it has something to do with a toilet :classic:. -Mike

Carl, This is a picture of the rear deck mat from HLS30-00032. It does have small holes in the front for the luggage straps to attach to the deck, but the attaching hardware sits on top of the mat and covers the openings, so the holes are not visible one installed. On several 'unmolested' low vin cars I have seen, the rear deck and behind the seat mats were under the original carpet, but the front mats were gone. I assume these were removed by the dealer because both the mats and the carpet have two snaps at the top to attach them to the firewall. If the mats were left under the carpet, the carpet wouldn't be able to be secured and could pose a driving hazard by getting bunched up under the pedals. Here is a link to a thread about the rubber mats http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30706.

It seems like the base of the newer one is just a little wider, so not quite as tapered. If they weren't side by side you probably couldn't tell the difference. My Dad has a lathe in his shop, and I've thought about asking him to give it a try on a spare newer 4 speed knob I have. One of these days.... -Mike

Yes, I would say it is pretty common on early cars. Here is a thread that discusses them http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21025. I'm not sure if they came from the factory that way or if they were a dealer fix. If they were a fix I think there would be a tech service bulletin on them, but I don't believe there is, so I lean towards them being installed from the factory, but maybe not on every car. They were on HLS30-00210 and 00237 when I got them. They were not on 00032, but I believe those door panels were replaced in the 80's when the owner painted the car. -Mike

I've seen that car listed on Ebay several times and it seems pretty nice from the pictures shown. Then again, I am partial to 903 blue cars :classic:. I think he would have an easier time selling though it if he pulled it out of the storage unit for better pictures. -Mike

Clive, Your bring up a good question that I have wondered about and would like to collect data on: how long were the various early parts used, or what is the highest VIN to have specific early parts? We ofter refer to them as parts for 1969 production cars, but as your car shows many of them were used in early 1970 too. I should make a list of the real early items and start another thread. Does your car have the rubber mats? VIN #1382 is for sale on ebay now http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140371748368&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT and has at least the rear deck rubber mat and I was kind of surprised by that. -Mike

That looks great Ron! I have wondered if that could be done, but you are the first I have seen attempt it and it looks really good. I like the poor man's lathe too. Do you have an original 4 speed knob to compare it to? -Mike

Those are the "2nd gen" seatbelt hooks which are made of plastic. There is a "3rd gen" as well that are also plastic, but longer. Here are some pictures of the "1st gen" seatbelt hooks that came on HLS30-00210. They are metal covered with a black vinyl. I am working on making some reproductions based on these. Also, I let Will borrow one of my original seat guards (the official, unofficial name for them) in March to make a mold for casting reproductions, but I don't think any progress has been made on that. Finally, the solid chrome Z emblems are pretty rare, but the ones that are solid cast (no hollow space on the backs) are really rare. Two of my cars had all of the original emblems and the chrome Z quarter emblems, and Datsun script on the rear hatch are solid cast. HLS30-00210 even had a solid cast hood emblem, which is the only one I have ever seen. The one on HLS30-00032 is also original metal, but is is hollow in the back. Here is a thread with pictures http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31488. -Mike

Goose52, Yours looks like the original thinner version. When I bought HLS30-00237 a couple of years ago it had an early 5 speed knob on it. The transmission tunnel wasn't hacked up, so I was hoping it had the type A 5 speed installed. No such luck, it was just the original type A 4 speed. Here are some pictures from the dark garage. -Mike

Thanks Chris. Its still got a long way to go, but its complete, original, and about as rust free as they get. Its good to know that #95 went to someone not afraid to try to save it. -Mike

John, I used black POR-15 on the exterior of the tank, then I top coated it with "Blackcote" (PORs glossy black topcoat). Someone with a very nice Z car collection told me that the mounting straps are supposed to be semi-gloss so I top coated them with PORs "Chassiscoat Black". Although you see so little of the straps after the tank is mounted I wouldn't worry about that. Here is the thread with before and after pictures. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34476. It mainly shows the tank from my 72, which I did at the same time. I think they came out great. I need to do the tanks for my other two cars next summer after it warms up again. -Mike

Thanks. I never did get around to the side by side comparison pictures of the original and Chester and Herod set yet, but I was VERY happy with it. I think it is the most original set you can get for an early car. There is a lot of information and pictures of the carpet they made for me in this other thread f http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29317&highlight=chester+herod&page=6 (staring with post #127). While I am at it, I should give an update on #210. I got the car running this summer after slowly getting it ready. Unfortunately, it has a leaking head gasket, so I will need to replace that. I spent a lot of time cleaning up the engine bay and got the brakes working again by replacing the leaking master cylinder and redoing the rear brakes and hoses. I removed the damaged hood, headlight buckets, grill and front valance. My original plan was to get the car drivable again and then have it repainted in a year or two, but now I am leaning towards just pulling the engine and stripping the car and having it painted sometime this year. Here are a couple of pictures of the engine bay after I cleaned it up and put on an early non-emissions balance tube, crank pulley and air cleaner. -Mike

1972 model year cars built after 1/72 also have retractable seatbelts. My 5/72 has them. -Mike

Here you go http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4523. -Mike

It looks like the same silver Fairlady 1500 from the 1963 race in your link (#39). I assume it is the original car, since it is in the Nissan storage facility with the other original Nissan race cars. The decals are below and just forward of the Fairlady fender emblems, which are mounted below the side mirrors. Here is a blow up of the passenger side decal, but it is very faded. -Mike

It looks like Nissan could use a few reproductions to replace the originals on this Fairlady roadster in their Zama warehouse. -Mike

I agree. I don't think it was worth the hassle to take that out and then have to weld it back in for that amount of surface rust. I don't see the need to relocate the battery for a basically stock car either, but that is just me. -Mike