Mike B

More pictures.

Here are some pictures.

Ok, the owner of #48 (HLS30-00048 to be PC) said it was ok for me to post some pictures and gave me a summary in Word with embedded pictures, but it is too large a file to attached even if I zip it. I have pictures at home, so I'll add them a little later tonight. Here is the text from the word doc: 1970 Datsun 240Z VIN HSL30 00048 Engine #2398 Completely Restored Asking $26,500 Cdn. This vehicle has been completely taken apart and rebuilt with mostly all new parts. It was part of the first 500 built in 1969 but was held back at the factory for unknown corrections until Feb ‘70. It retains most of the rare early production parts and the matching engine number puts production date at approx. 11/69 It is equipped with the following original parts: - 2.4L engine #2398 - 4 speed transmission - E31 cylinder head - Nissan 2400 valve cover - SU carbs (four screws) - choke and throttle knobs - early Z side and rear metal emblems - early under hood fresh air vents - engine access panels with plastic clips - crack free dash - signal seeking AM radio - clear hatch glass (no defog lines) - complete rubber floor mat set - correct Nissan code 919 yellow paint The body was media blasted and all rusty areas were repaired including new rocker panels, floor pans, rear quarters and the battery tray area. It was then primed and painted with Dupont Chroma-Premier paint. The following parts have been rebuilt or refurbished: - engine / cylinder head - transmission / differential - front and rear bumper rechromed - radiator - gas tank - wiring harnesses - SU carbs - steering wheel - metal emblems rechromed - rear drum brake - suspension powder coated - hardware cad plated The following parts are new: - seat cushions - interior vinyl trim - seat covers - firewall pad - foot pedal rubber - door panels - armrest - door handles - heater core - headlights - front signal lights - side marker lights - taillights / gaskets - door hinge pins - complete weatherstrip - Energy Suspensions bushings - bumper rubber - engine, trans, diff mounts - clutch / master cylinder - ball joints / tie rods / wheel bearings - starter - u-joints - fuel-sending unit - hatch grill vents - front rotors / calipers - KYB shocks - Tokico springs - BRE front spoiler I came close to buying this car in March, but ended up buying #32 instead because I've always wanted a 903 blue car. If I had the room for it I would buy #48 now. We have been talking about $40K for a VZ car, but I think this car is a steal for its asking price of $26,500 CDN. I'll post some more pictures tonight when I get home. -Mike

Ron (Carter) I noticed that the BRE site has this comment on the page where they sell the decals: "Just a reminder: the BRE race car graphics and BRE logo are trademarks of Brock Racing Enterprises LLC. If you have, or are creating, a clone of a BRE car, please contact us for licensing information at info@bre2.net" I wonder what they consider a clone to be? Copying the exact BRE paint scheme and decals? What if someone uses different color combinations? I think someone in another thread proposed painting their car a similar scheme, except using yellow and black. I wonder if that would be considered a clone? Can someone be sued for having an unlicensed clone of a BRE car? -Mike

Randy, All 240Z's had black carpet originally. Here is a thread where we discussed the original carpet variations in detail. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29317&highlight=recent+carpet&page=6 I believe the carpet sets for the earliest cars were made by Chester and Herod in CA (see my post #127). I bought two sets for my two low VIN cars and I am very happy with them. I think they are the most accurate and I like that they are made by the company that actually made them originally. Make sure that you get the high quality loop with the clear rubber backing like I did, if you are looking for the closest match. -Mike

I've got some. I'll check with the owner and see if he minds if I post them here. -Mike

Tim, Yes, that's the car. Arne and I have not seen the car in person, only the couple of pictures from the ad. One of the pictures shows the rear deck without the built in tool boxes that the 71 (series 2) - 73 have. It sounds like a decent deal if it is as described, but like Arne said I would check all of the ID plates, firewall VIN, and title carefully. -Mike

I came across this ad the other day for a nice 71 in Spokane for $5500. http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/892405599.html. I haven't seen anything other than the ad and don't know the seller, but it seems like a good deal if it is as described and pictured. Here is the text and pictures for when the ad expires (minus the contact info) Very nice two owner 240-Z for sale. 83,000 documented original miles. The car has undergone a continual refreshment process over the last three years (hoses, belts, fuel and water pump, plug wires and plugs and much more), all documented with receipts. Strongest point - no rust issues! Please call or email for more details. -Mike

Actually those are American Racing Libres (or at least that style). This car was for sale for $25K I believe this past March. It was mentioned in this thread. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29817&highlight=00048 I talked to the seller at that time and he seems like a real nice guy. The car was originally from WA and he restored it while living in Vancouver BC. Looked like a really nice restoration based on the pictures I saw. -Mike

Yep, I checked some of mine and you're right Ron. Never noticed that. -Mike

Hmmm.... I'll have to double check the ones I have. I have seen the valve stem holes on both the top and the bottom of the D, but didn't make a connection to the early or late styles. I thought it just depended on which way the D emblem was mounted. If you are correct Ron, couldn't you just remove the two clips that hold the D emblem on in the back, switch it 180 degrees and then reattach it? -Mike

I'm not sure when the exact crossover was, but a 1/70 is very early and I'm sure it would have had the larger tabs originally. You can't see the tabs when they are mounted, so no one would ever know and the smaller tabs help keep the hubcap on the wheel more securely. -Mike

I have not seen any hubcaps dated prior to 1969 (Showa 44). Date code formats seem to vary quite a bit, and I'm not even certain that this is a date code. If it is, my guess would be April 2, 1971. It could be April 1, 1972, but I think they had gone to the later Z hubcaps by then (unless these are replacements bought from a dealer). I've seen the IKI or IKI Japan as Dan noted with a 3 digit like number like 102 or 103. Maybe that is Feb/Mar 1971? -Mike

The Showa date for 1969 is 44. 1925 + 42 = 1967. Do the hubcaps have lots of small clips around the edge to hold them on just a few larger clips? Earlier D caps have the fewer but larger clips. -Mike

Very nice slides Kats . I noticed a couple of other unusual things about this car. - The air cleaner looks like it is not orange. Maybe light blue, like the later replacement ones available from the dealer? - It looks like the air cleaner is also secured with large philips head screws instead of wind nuts. - There is no emissions sticker on the underside of the hood. - The front crossmember is pretty scratched up on the underside, kind of like what some might describe as "shelf wear". -Mike

I think the car you are referring to was discussed in this thread http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31299&highlight=nissan+program. This was not a car from the Nissan Vintage Z program. -Mike

Why not follow the same route used in the 1995 25th anniversary Z America Relay, where they criss-crossed the country in a shape of a Z? They are completely skipping the NW and central part of the country. I realize it is fall/winter, but they are going to NY and Chicago in mid-Dec as part of the route. -Mike

Looking at the prices for just a few NOS parts I think we can see why the VZ cars are still considered a good buy at $40K. I'm just glad I bought an entire NOS exhaust system for #237 soon after I got it a year and half ago. -Mike

Bob, Thanks for correcting me on the price range on your car. I should track the cars that come up on ebay better. I assumed that since it didn't meet the reserve that it was sold for less, but apparently that was wrong. The two VZ cars that I was thinking of that sold on ebay in the last couple of years were a blue one sold by Courtesy Nissan in 2005 and a white one sold by an owner of a VW dealership last year. The blue one sold with a Buy-it-now of $20k http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17719&highlight=blue+courtesy (I almost bought that one myself, but waited a little too long to decide) Apparently the white one I was thinking of the starting bid of $26k, but the reserve was at $32K. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showpost.php?p=217393&postcount=59. Here is another comment from Chris last year regarding VZ pricing http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showpost.php?p=215927&postcount=3 I saw that you mentioned you were interested in this yellow one when you sold your red one recently. Is that just because you like the color better or is this one a better quality restoration? -Mike

Carl, I don't think I have ever seen a VZ sell on ebay for more than $30K, but I could be wrong. If I recall correctely, over the last couple of years before that they were listing/selling around the $25k mark. The one discussed in this thread a few months ago was listed at $30k, but I think wound up selling for a little less. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30568&highlight=nissan+program Is the car for sale now in that much better condition, or has the market for them gone up another $10K in the last couple of months? -Mike

Funny you should ask. These were just announced in the last BRE newsletter sent out a couple of days ago. http://www.bre2.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=B&Category_Code=decals_sub_240Z -Mike

Maybe he started out building ships in a bottle or something and then worked his way up to this. Add an overhead door and he gets a new basement garage out of the deal too. -Mike

It is a L28, so it is from a Datsun 280z, not a 260z. You are correct that a 260Z would have an L26. -Mike

You might try these craftsman "extreme grip" wrenches. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942513000P?mv=rr Here's the description: Design grabs and removes stuck fasteners. Extreme Grip is a super-strong open-end wrench. Unique offset designed head and long beam length for easy access and reach. Extended length provides 35% more leverage than other wrenches. Ideal for use on rounded fasteners as well as on standard open-end applications. Off-corner loading puts the turning force on the sides of the fastener. I've had luck using them on stuck and rounded bolts and nuts. You might need to use some sort of cheater bar on the end to get more leverage. -Mike