Mike B

Well, I have two cars to put them on . Yes, you could say I have been converted. I used to like the Libre's the best, until I discovered these. This is a picture of the restored set I have. -Mike

Arne, I was looking at my copy of the ARE catalog again and it actually has an asterisk next to many of the magnesium wheels, including the Le Mans, and Libre, (but not the aluminum versions). Down at the bottom of the page the asterisk notes "(1) Accessories not included (2) This design series available in many different offsets and rim widths upon special request." I talked to Terry Vaughn for quite awhile when I picked up my wheels and he said something similar, that you could special order other sizes that weren't shown in the catalog. Also, in the Nov 1970 Road and Track issue there is an article about the BRE 240Z team titled "Datsun 240Z Goes Racing". It says, "They use Goodyear racing tires and the 7" wide wheels cast by American Mag to Pete's design weigh 12 lbs each." The comment about Pete Brock designing the Le Mans wheels is interesting. I asked Pete about that when I showed him #32 last year, and he said that wasn't true. Terry also said that ARE had a foundry in Portland where the wheels were cast for a long time. Apparently sometime after it closed it was turned into an apartment or condos and they used some of the old wheel molds as decorations around the building. He said went down there and tried to buy some of them once, but they wouldn't sell any. I wonder if anyone can confirm where their old foundry was. It would be cool to go by and take a look if they still had some of the old molds around. -Mike

Yeah, I saw that too. Some people have no clue. -MIke

I think Arne is correct, just the 73 is different. -Mike

Looks good Randy. Is the left side of the lower valance dented a little (left of the bumper bracket mounting area)? I also notice that the left rear bumper mounting rear has three holes, but the right only has two. My #32 is like that too, but I think my 1972 has three holes on both sides. I think those lower third holes are used for mounting the tie down hooks. I wonder if that is a series 1 change or an early production change. -Mike

I have a couple of sets of the 15" aluminum LeMans wheels. One has been restored and my 205/60-15 tires are on the way as we speak, so #32 should be riding on them soon. -Mike

Here is the Datsun Competition News release of the trophy bing awarded to Brad Frisselle for the 1973 season (bottom of the page). -Mike Datsun Racing News 22.pdf

Here are some pages from an old American Racing Equipment catalog from 9-70. These were all the four lug wheels and accessories available from ARE at the time and many were fitted to 240Z's. It's interesting that the Libre's are being marketed for 240Z's, but Le Mans wheels are advertised for European cars with "the smart continental look", such as the Porsche 914, VW, and Alfa Romeo. -Mike

Moved to new thread

And here is an update on the guy that made the reproductions last time. He said he was having trouble finding his mold and he may have to go back to the person he borrowed a throttle knob from to make a new one. It seems much less promissing now that he will have some made anytime soon. It sounds like Will is still on track to make some fairly soon though. -Mike

I don't think I would try that if your 71 dash is uncracked. You would have to be very careful and lucky not to crack it trying to do a transfer. Out of curiousity, I tried to remove the outerskin from a junk dash from a parts car once and that didn't go very well. Maybe EvilC has some special technique I'm not aware of. I think Doug is right that the heater control panel area may be slightly different though, so I wonder if that would cause issues trying to do a transfer? -Mike

Yes, but the steel wheel date codes are also covered by the hubcaps, so unless you take the hubcaps off, the date codes are not visible at all. -Mike

Hi Esprist, I guess this is mostly directed at me, since you are quoting me above your comments. I am glad you posted, so that we can hear your side. Like it or not, parts and cars sold on eBay are often discussed here. If you read my posts above you will see that I did indicate I checked with Courtesy and the battery covers were now NLA. As I mentioned, my only compliant is when people are not truthful in their ads and describe parts that are still available from Nissan with comments like "probably the last one in US and Japan", "This part has been back ordered nationally for last 5 years by Nissan USA and Japan", or "Super Rare!". Yes, I initially though that the battery covers were still available for two reasons. First, you are STILL selling coils on eBay I know for a fact were available from Nissan when you started selling them last fall. A couple of weeks after you started listing them for around $250 each, I bought two from Courtesy Nissan using the part number shown in your ad (#22433-U3110). I paid $73.87 each for them on Nov 3, 2008. I will call Courtesy tomorrow to see if they are still available now. Your last auction for one of these coils ended on Feb 25, 2009, with no takers for your BIN price of $175 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-240Z-Ignition-Coil-260Z-NOS-Super-Rare_W0QQitemZ110353656622QQihZ001QQcategoryZ33615QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem. You also posted these in our classified section shortly after you started selling them on eBay, but after I posted a comment below your ad that they were still available from Nissan, you just removed your ad from the classifieds (which also removed my comment), and continued to sell them on eBay with the remarks I quoted above. Did you still think these coils were "super rare" or "probably the last one in US and Japan" after my response to your classified ad? Did you follow-up to check? The second reason I thought the battery covers might still be available is I thought I remembered Banzai Motorworks (zzxdatsun.com) also selling them. When I checked, it turned out that they just sell the vent covers (part BA-05) for $7. I also agree that we should use this site to "talk about fun stuff and exchange info". I try to have fun and share things with others on here. Unless I am mistaken, you were the 2008 "Best of Show" winner at Motorsport Auto "Z-car West Coast Nationals". Maybe you could share some of your award winning Z-car knowledge with us. I haven't really seen you do that yet with your classified ads, or 12 posts since joining last May (warning about PierreZ, etc.). Anyway, like you, I am only writing this for clarification purposes and not wanting to put you down. If I have misinterpreted something let me know. It would be great if you would share some of your Z knowledge or information with the rest of us. -Mike

You're right Carl. I was going by memory, and almost stopped at saying they were painted and leaving out the body color part. I was sure the hinges were body color but not the torsen rods. Now I see why I have no shot at ever making five&dime's most trusted list . -Mike

Hood hinges and rods were definitely painted body color and not plated, as Enigma noted. The hood release mechanism and base were cad plated. -Mike

Not many sizes available though, unless you have 16" or larger rims. -Mike

There are seems on both ends, but they don't go across the entire length of the shelf. Here is a picture of one of sides. -Mike

If you take off the interior taillight access panel you should be able to see the back side of that area and have a look at the repair that way. -Mike

I agree, I would lean toward the 240z, if they are both in the same condition. You should definitely post detailed pictures of both cars, if possible, to get specific feedback before you buy. -Mike

I like the U-Haul with a couple of couches and 20 people on the roof in some of the pics. -Mike

I think it was more as a source of green energy (windpower) than handling -Mike

I think Will's labeling is right. I have always had 1972 or earlier 240Z's (5/72 and earlier) and I have never seen the more rounded ones that he identified as being from 7/72 and later. I just checked #32 and #210 and both have the more square shaped ones. I am attaching Will's picture for reference. -Mike

I believe it is black weatherstrip adhesive. I have some made by Loctite, but other manufacturers make it too. -Mike

Welcome Mike (I like the name). As Beandip noted, there are lots of us on here in WA and OR. I am in Sammamish, so let me know if you need anything. -Mike B

He has a 240k (not 240z) and is in Australia. I am guessing you have a 240z door, since you are in the US, but I could be wrong. If that is the case, I doubt the parts would be interchangeable. -Mike