Mike B

Well, after a long delay, I finally received #237 about a month ago. I had it shipped to me via enclosed railcar, which was supposed to be faster and safer. Unfortunately there was a fire on a major east-west rail tressle in CA that backed up all rail traffic for a couple of weeks. So much for getting it here quicker. Then the car wouldn't start after sitting for almost two months, so I had to have it towed to a local Z mechanic to get it going again. It runs, but still needs a good tune up. I got it back right before going on vacation for a week and I've spend the last two weekends taking the interior apart and removing some non-stock items. I finally had a chance to wash the car and take some pictures today. After taking the interior out and getting a better look at the floors I have decided to replace them before putting the interior back in. I ordered a set from Charlie Osborn and am waiting for them to arrive. Other than the floors, the other major rust issue I need to deal with is the cowl area. In the pictures I got before buying the car I could see bubbling rust on the firewall above the battery and thought it was due to battery acid. When I got the car, this area of the firewall was so weak I could put my finger right through it, which I did to open it up and see how bad it was. I then opened up the cowl grill and the cowl was full of leaves, pine needles, dirt and rust chunks. The bottom of the cowl has numerous pin-hole sized rust holes, but I think I will be able to use POR-15 and fiber mesh to repair that. Obvioulsy the firewall will need to have some metal welded in, so I plan to have that done at the same time I have the floors put in. The doors also had a lot of pine needles and junk in them, which caused the bottoms to rust. The passenger side is the worst with several areas of rust bubbles coming through the outer skin. I'm going to try to POR-15 these areas and see how that works for a stop gap fix until I do a complete repaint. The rest of the exterior actually looks pretty good. The hatch looks to be rust free. The car was repainted the original silver several years ago and it seems like it was at least a decent job. So far I have done the following: *replaced aftermarket drivers side mirror with stock unit *replaced aftermarket steering wheel with stock unit that I bought and refinished *removed and reinstalled the combination and turn signal switched after having them repaired by Z'sondabrain *removed the after market electric cooling fan and installed a plastic fan from a 72. I also bought a nice condition 70 metal fan to have for originality *removed aftermarket radio, speakers and manual replacement antenna and installed a stock power antenna *removed later speedometer and replaced with a 70 unit *removed front bumper overrider bar *removed the aftermarket coolant recovery tank *found a perfect set of stock seats (from a low milage 72) and swapped out the brackets and reclining mechanism with the stock series 1 parts. The seats that came with the car had been poorly recovered. *bought a stock nissan exhaust system, but then found out that the PO installed a header, so I will also need to install a stock exhaust manifold and downpipe before I can put the exhaust on. *removed the clock and amp/fuel gauge to replace I'll attach some pictures tomorrow. It looks like I have to resize them all. -Mike

I just got my combo and T/S switches (for #237) back from Dave and his work far exceeded my expectations. They look and feel like new. I think this is a great value and highly recommend his repair service. -Mike B

Zup, I am serious about trading for other parts I need, but I want to try to be fair and help out someone that has been wanting this for awhile if I can. Not an easy decision, so I'll have to give it some thought as to what to do. A7DZ, no 237 doesn't have the rear defroster.

Alright, I confess, I was the auction winner. I wasn't sure if I would be congratulated or berated for what I paid, but it sounds like I did ok. The good news for those that missed out is I am open to trade offers for other early parts I will need for #237. I know that I will be needing an early map light cover for sure. Speaking of #237, for those wanting an update, after a very long and much delayed journey, I should be finally picking her up and bringing her home tonight, but that is another very long story that I will tell over the next day or two in another thread after I had a chance to look her over. -Mike

I would say 2/72. In addition to the two Stephen posted the Zhome site also lists these: VIN:HLS30 68655 Production Date:02 / 72 VIN:HLS30 71830 Production Date:03 / 72 VIN:HLS30 71965 Production Date:03 / 72 My 5/72 is also #85403.

Here is a link to the same floor jack I got at Costco last weekend, but Costco's price was $99 vs $139.55 on this site http://www.mygaragestore.com/detail.aspx?ID=1207 The jack is aluminum, low profile (range of 3.5" to 19.25"), rubber saddle and padded bar, quick lift design. I have used it yet, but it looks like it is good quality. -Mike

I picked up a nice 2 ton floor jack from Costco last weekend for $99. -Mike

It's the same guy. In his craigslist ad he says that he also sells on eBay. -Mike

These are the 510 Medallion and shift knob he refers to, for comparision http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/304209038.html -Mike

I just came across this on the Seattle Craigslist. http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/304252990.html What do you guys think? I'm not familar with the history of the 510 BRE medallions and I don't think it is something I would put on my car, but it looks like good quality work for a reproduction. -Mike

He must have found an old AMCO warehouse or something. It looks like he has lots of NOS AMCO parts for sale. -Mike

your local Datsun Dealer had one for sale back in the day... Part Number 99990-0004 Luggage Rack This was a Nissan Authorized, Dealer Installed Accessory <a href=http://zhome.com/History/72AccBroch.htm TARGET=NEW> Luggage Rack</a> I doubt you'll find too many today - took me about six years of watching E-Bay to finally find one... QUOTE] It looks like this is the roof rack that Carl was referring to. Is it what you are looking for troubledz? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-240Z-NOS-Amco-Chrome-Roof-Luggage-Rack_W0QQitemZ250099032828QQcategoryZ33651QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Turns out this is actually #9912 made in 9/70, so not a low VIN. I have a few pics that I'll post tomorrow. The car is in grey primer now. The engine bay is kind of a mess and the one pic of the interior looks like it is missing some pieces. The exterior body panels look complete (except no exhaust). The primer is over everything, license plate panel, emblems, etc. -Mike

Bruce, So the videos shown on the ZTherapy site are now actually DVDs? Unless I am missing it, they all look like they are advertised as video tapes. I was hesitant to order because I thought they are only available on tape. -Mike

By the way Arne, you really need to quit finding things on the Seattle craigslist before I do! :classic:

I'm pretty sure that is a typo....it says $8500obo right before that. -Mike

I just emailed him too. I would like to at least go check it out since it is so close. -Mike

Recently acquired HLS30 00237 (11/69) and still have my 1972 HLS30 85403 (5/72) -Mike

Bryan, those look AWESOME! I've already got the shift boot and my order for the other two items is on the way! -Mike

Email this ebay seller. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Caps-ET-Slot-Mag-Empi-Ansen-American-Racing-Datsun_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43961QQitemZ120071638983 He has several different cap logos available. I got a set of US mag logos and a set of blank ones that I used the MSA Z logos on. The blank ones are less, about $25 I think. -Mike

Has anybody else seen this one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180096012837&fromMakeTrack=true It looks like its been sitting for awhile, but seems to be in good shape from the pics shown. This was listed for a couple of days and then pulled and reposted, possibly to ad more pictures. -Mike

I was discussing this with him, but I couldn't remember what it was referred to. If you have one that he can use as a pattern that would be great. If people interested in buying one will post here (similar to the shift boot thread) he can gauge the interest level. It sounds like we have two a total of two requested so far. -Mike

Has anyone reproduced the vinyl cover for under dash wires on the passenger side of early cars? It was referred to as a pig tail cover in this old post. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9685&highlight=pig+tail+vinyl+cover I was thinking that if there was interest, Bryan (who is making the reproduction early shift boots) might be able to make some of these as well. The cover appears to just be a square piece of vinyl with black snaps like on the ebrake covers. Does anyone have one of these that they can provide measurements of or possibly even send to Bryan to use as an example? -Mike

Will, Thanks for posting the rule book. I had never seen that, not that I plan on showing a car anytime soon. It seems a bit aribitrary to me that they would allow dealer installed AC, which is also in the accessories brochure, but deduct points for the side stripe kit that so many cars have. It seems like a big jump between stock and the next class (street modified) STREET MODIFIED CLASS (Up to 15 visible modifications) Engine - Engine block/Head is to be of same style for year of vehicle (L6 or V6). For example, a L26 or L28 in a 240Z is permitted. No turbochargers, super charges, fuel injection, or nitrous, unless originally equipped. Interior - Any seats, except race seats, i.e., after-market without seatbelts slots, other Nissan, etc., are permitted. A 4 point mounted roll bar is OK, but not a race ready roll bar with 5 or more mounting points or cages. Stock dash needs to be retained but modifications of stock gauges are OK, if mounted in same place. Must retain interior, any carpet is permitted. Exterior - Any paint color OK. Any tires and wheels that fit under stock wheel openings (must not protrude past the wheel well by more than ½ inch). Body kits are OK. Any exhaust system with mufflers, driving/fog lights, or suspension modifications are OK. -Mike