Mike B

Interesting. I wonder if this was added as a dealer option later then, since the microfische includes the 280z, so it is from the late 1970's or early 1980's? I'll have to check my hard copy parts catalogs tonight to see if it is listed in any of them. I'll take another look at the accessory brochure too, since I was just going from memory, but didn't think it was in there. -Mike

I've seen a few Z's with them. However, in this case "rare" does not equal "good". I don't see that listed in the 1972 dealer accessory brochure I have though, so think it was something a particular Datsun dealer decided to do on their own rather than being promoted by the factory as a dealer add on. My dad had a 1972 Pontiac Gran Prix that was orange with a white vinyl roof on it. Very ugly and very 1970's. I would personally stay away from any car with one, because I'm sure they harbor rust underneath, in addtion to being ugly as sin. -Mike

Yes. It helps when they spell it "Clifferd" and only reference Datsun L-series and not 240z :classic: -Mike

I found this Clifford header on ebay today. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=320333021529 I'm thinking of connecting to the NOS ANSA resonator and twin stacks I have. -Mike

Actually, I think the buckle is different. Here are a couple of pictures from an early seatbelt set on eBay now. The early buckle is all black and the one that Duffman has looks silver. Even if someone stripped all the paint off, the release latch on Duffman's looks much longer. The attachment anchors on the eBay 240Z set are also triangular and the other set is not. -Mike

They look different to me. I would guess they are from another Datsun Model. All of the original 240Z seatbelt tags I have seen say "Datsun 240Z Sports" on them. Here is a picture I borrowed from a post by 26th-Z. -Mike

Here is the 1972 dealer accessories brochure that came with my 1972, which has the dealer added stripes. It looks like the car in many of the pictures is a series one, so I think most, if not all, of these items were available very early on. By the way, HLS30-00210 (11/69 production) has the side stripes, and I can assure you it has the original metal Datsun side emblems, and is not covering any extra holes. -Mike

What??? Where did you come up with this? What Fairlady badges and holes are you referring to? US cars never had Fairlady badges and the side stripes don't cover any extra holes. -Mike

Try Wolf Creek Racing http://www.wolfcreekracing.com/. They seem to be the people to go to for Mikuni carbs and parts. -Mike

He's in Vancouver, WA (across the river from Portland), not Vancouver, BC. -Mike

I found this NOS ANSA center muffler on eBay last night, to go with the twin stacks I got from Wing recently. It will be a couple of months before I get it hooked up though. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=380095687206&ih=025&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem= -Mike

I think Z'sondabrain (Dave) is friends with some of the people there, and has recommended them before. I've never had any work done there myself. -Mike

The title of the ad says 1970 (7/69). I suppose they are trying to say it is a July 1969 production car? Obviously that is not correct. What is a "Datsun fully trained restoration facility"? They have a former Datsun mechanic working there? -Mike

And dash... and seats...and door panels... -Mike

I don't think the problem is a matter of getting paint to stick, but to get something that closely resembles the factory chrome coating. -Mike

I think I saved the pictures the last time it was posted. I'll see if I can email them to you tonight Chris. -Mike

I think the last time is was listed 3 or 4 months ago he was asking $12k for it. -Mike

Yes, I think theire is a premium in the US for RHD cars. The supply is very limited and I think demand is greater with the younger crowd into the JDM look. I agree though, I wouldn't want one either (unless it was a 432, 432-R, or maybe a really nice G-nose) :classic:. -Mike

True, but I do think there is a premium for RHD Fairlady's in the US. There just aren't that many of them. However, that is another reason I wouldn't want to buy one and to try to restore it to stock. I image it would be very difficult and expensive to obtain some of the parts. -Mike

I would bet that all of the 240z emblems are still available new from the dealer (in plastic at least). Good used pot metal pillar emblems are pretty easy to find on ebay, especially for 1971 and later cars and can be repainted easily. Rechroming would not be easy or cheap for either the plastic or pot metal versions. The expense to chrome plastic and pot metal is in the materials and labor involved. Special conductive sprays are used (which are expensive) and a lot of prep work is required. My experience has been that there isn't really a volume discount given for this kind of work, but others may have had different experiences. -Mike

Here is the alternator on #32 (its a little cleaner) . I tried lighting it and taking pictures from several different angles and these where the best I could do. I think it has something that ends in 45 on the top and maybe 904 below that? I don't know, I look at this stuff too long and its like looking at inkblots, I could pretty much turn it into anything. -Mike

Hmmm...must just be my monitor then, that or I am going color blind. -Mike

Actually, the center panel sits UNDER the two side panels, so you cannot remove it until you remove the two sides. Also you have to remove the license plate light (two screws on top of the hatch ledge) and two more plastic rivets that hold the lower part of the center panel in before removing the center panel. -Mike

Johnny 'O, did you paint the fan clutch too? It looks like a light tan in the picture above, but I think it should just be the natural bare metal finish. -Mike

Congrats on bringing it home. I'll be interested in seeing some more pictures of the carpet when you get a chance. It looks a little different than what came in the 1969 production cars. -Mike