Mike B

Here is a picture of my 1972 just before I bought it. It had these Dayton wire wheels on them when I got it. The prior owner paid something like $1200 for them in the early 90's. I didn't like the look, so I took them off immediately and sold them a couple of years ago. -Mike

Well, like I said, if it were my car I would make sure all the glass is removed for a full repaint where you have already had so much work done to the car. The stainless trim pieces just sit in a channel in the middle of the seal, they won't cover the paint edge. I would also worry about the channel being torn with the trim being removed and reinstalled. If you are worried about their ability to remove and replace the glass I would pay a specialty glass place to do it. But it is your car, so what ever you think is best. -Mike

Jehannum, It looks like they are doing great work on your car. If you aren't already planning on this, you should really consider having them remove all of the glass before they paint. Even if they go a great job masking, you will still be able to tell that the glass wasn't removed. -Mike

With the recent rule changes in the stock class, a 240Z with any AC system would lose points, because none of the cars came from the factory with them. So from the ZCCA judging perspective, it wouldn't matter what belt is used. -Mike

Isn't #30 (HLS30-00030) one of Steve Epperly's cars? Do you have any pictures to share with us? -Mike

Keith, The 4.5" width wheels were used on all US 240Zs until the introduction of the 1972 model year cars in 10/71. Carl noted in an earlier thread (http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showpost.php?p=164453&postcount=14) that his data from original owners showed that the RD-150s began showing up in about 8/70, so if you have one that is from a very early 1970 (I think you said yours is a 1/70) it would be interesting to confirm that, since it is so much early than what has previously been reported.

Your car is looking great. Did you happen to check the date code on your Bridgestone RD-150 spare when you were there? From everything I have read, the early 1970 cars only came with Bridgestone Superspeed Radial-20's, so I am curious what the date code is on the wheel is to see if it is original to the car or not. -Mike

That was the first episode of that series. Someone posted this thread when it first aired in 2005. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18758 -Mike

I agree that since the 240Z had no factory installed performance options in the US they will never get the money of highly optioned big block muscle cars. They are much closer in value to base level US cars. I did notice that a restored base camero that was VIN #16 sold for $100k though. http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=303&ln=390.1&pop=0&it=1 My range was $12-15K based on the economy, it being a 73, and not having super low mileage. I don't think people that buy Zs at BJ are knowledgeable enough to differentiate between a 73 240Z vs earlier model years, so I don't think an earlier car would have brought any more money. -Mike

The $16,500 includes the 10% buyers premium paid to BJ, so it actually sold for $15K. -Mike

I have three Z car covers, the flannel and technalon from MSA and the one from BRE. In fact, that is one of my cars under the BRE cover on their site, so I guess I can claim ser #00001 . The BRE cover seems to be more water repellent than the technalon, and is much lighter, so I prefer it for exterior use. The BRE cover doesn't have a separate pocket for the exterior mirror, but I don't find that to be a problem. The flannel is nice and soft, but is for indoor only use. -Mike

Alan, Chris and I were discussing this recently and I remembered that I had seen the term "series" used in one of the Nissan books I have, but I couldn't recall which one. I searched around and came across this reference in a NMC USA Collision Estimating Book dated March 1977. The "Billy Gordon Datsun" image on the cover is just a sticker for that particular dealership. -Mike

So, I take it you mean your spare tire is a Bridgestone RD-150, or do you still have all five original tires? What are the date codes on the steels wheels? -Mike

Rick, if you don't believe me about the tires, maybe you will believe Carl Beck http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showpost.php?p=164453&postcount=14. I have never heard of Fulda tires. The very early cars came with grey heater control panels (HCP) to match the grey plastic map light, radio faceplate, and ashtray. The HCP in your #13 looks like it is original (grey), but the one in #171 is black and doesn't match the grey maplight and radio faceplate, so it must have been replaced at some point before you got it. The first two pictures below are your #171 and #13 cars (from the CTZCC site). The next two pictures are two of my cars #32 and #210. Notice the contrast of the black knobs with the grey panels, but not with the black one on #171. Carl or Jim F could confirm the grey HCPs for you also. -Mike

Hey Rick, Glad to see that you are now over at this site on a regular basis. There is lots of great information in the archives here and we all continue to learn new things about these cars. I think the thing about HLS30-00013 (#13) that got some of us going was it being held out by some as a kind of holly grail, ignoring the fact there are also other significant S30 model cars in the US and other markets around the world too. The one sided censorship at the CTZCC site didn't help matters any. HLS30-00171 (#171) looks like its in really good shape. However, the tires are not original (they should be Bridgestone Superspeed Radial-20's). I have attached a picture of the original spare from my HLS30-00032. The heater control panel looks like it was also replaced at some point. It should be painted grey to match the grey plastic on the map light and radio face plate. Do either of your 1969 production cars have the original rubber mats (rear deck, behind seats, and front floors)? Have you checked the emblems to see if they are the early solid chrome Z version and if any are solid cast? Here is a thread about the emblem differences if you are not familiar with them http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31488. Do the cars run? I read somewhere that #13 has been stored for most of the time you have owned it. It that also true for #171? Do you plan to get #13 running again and do any kind of restoration on it, or just leave it as is for now? -Mike

Those are Libre style wheels, but they are not the real Amercian Racing version. The real ones have a reinforcing rib in the center of each of the four spokes. -Mike

This car was auctioned by Mecum at St Charles, IL last Thursday and was shown on tv again. The car had a reserve of $15k and sold for $15,250. The idiot floor commentator (who supposedly has an S30 race car) said he spotted one incorrect item under the hood - the Nissan valve cover, since Datsun didn't become Nissan in the US until several years later. Typical clueless muscle car commentators. -Mike

Like ZLady said, S/SW of downtown San Antonio. http://www.picknpullsa.com/ Just don't ask the locals to pull a windshield (or two) for you . -Mike

I have one of these dealer special tool boxes for a 510, but it is also empty, like this one. Kats has one for a 240Z, with all of the tools in it. Most look like they have never been used. http://www.geocities.jp/datsunz903/specialtool.html -Mike

Carl, I think you mean HLS30-00019 is date stamped 10/69, while HLS30-00020 is date stamped 11/69. Also, your Zhome.com registry info has some discrepancies with what you posted above, so I am not sure which is correct. Zhome.com shows HLS30-00022 with a 10/69 production date and you listed it as 11/69 above. It also shows HLS30-00027 and HLS30-00036 with 11/69 production dates and you show them as 10/69 above. Rick, Apparently a few cars did have production dates on the door ID plates that were later than we would expect based on their VIN #. Carl notes in his zhome.com data that 13 VINs above 500 had 1969 production dates, including the following: HLS30-00684 has a production date of 11/69 HLS30-00784 has a production date of 11/69 HLS30-00789 has a production date of 12/69 HLS30-00793 has a production date of 12/69 HLS30-01321 has a production date of 12/69 HLS30-01776 has a production date of 12/69 -Mike

$25K to $30k for a 1973 with 71,000 miles? I doubt it, especially in this economy. I don't think Barrett Jackson is the right place to sell a Z or any other Japanese car yet. My guess is $12K to $15K tops. There was a 74 260Z with 19,000 miles that sold at a Mecum auction earlier this year for $15K, and then was auctioned by Mecum again a few months later and it was also bid up to $15K, but didn't meet the reserve http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35241. For reference, here is the information for the 1973 being auctioned in Oct, and for the last five Z's sold at Barret Jackson. http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=303&ln=319&pop=0&it=1 http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=243&ln=906.1&pop=0&it=1 http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=221&ln=325&pop=0&it=1 http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=54&ln=309&pop=0&it=1 http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=51&ln=408&pop=0&it=1 http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=51&ln=617&pop=0&it=1 -Mike

I was searching around trying to find the Adam Carolla interview of Peter Brock at Pebble Beach this year. I finally found it and several other Datsun related videos. The Peter Brock interview is here in the video titled "Pebble Beach Part 2" (scroll down a little to find it) http://www.adamcarolla.com/CarCastBlog/nggallery/post/carcast-pebble-beach-road-trip/page-4/. It starts at 16:16 and goes to the end (25:42). There is also an interview with race driver Tony Adamowicz in the BRE tent from 6:54 to 12:28. The part 1 and 3 videos were also entertaining to watch. Some great cars and funny comments from Carolla. He mentions his BRE 510 clone in Part one at 14:03. Here is an interview with John Morton at CDM here http://www.motorator.com/videos/891. Here is a video of Adam and Les at CDM talking about Adam's BSR Paul Newman 300ZX here http://www.adamcarolla.com/CarCastBlog/2009/09/04/adams-paul-newman-imsa-nissan-300zx/. Here is a video of Adam and Les talking about Adam's 2000 factory lightweight roadster http://www.motorator.com/videos/844. -Mike

The spare tire on the BRE site is not for a Z, it is for a Superformance Coupe. -Mike

Wow! Your Skyline looks incredible Alan! Did the owner of the lime Z put up the walls with giant Z photos behind his car? -Mike

It may have been sitting for years, but not since 1973. The prior owner ( a member here at one point) noted he got #13 from a Garner, NC salvage yard in the mid 70's, put it back in running condition, and sold it after 2 years to the current owner, so that would be late 1970's I guess. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26001 What Chris and I were trying to say is, some people seem to think the car is 100% stock when it is not. I would personally rather see it put back as close to stock as possible, than just left as is. -Mike