Sailor Bob

At the risk of sounding stupid or possibly opening a can of worms. A rumor is floating around in this neck of the woods that VIN tags are purchased through internet connections for significant amounts of cash. The concept being (I guess) that one can purcase the tags and create an authentic (looking) vehicle. Or make legal sale of a stolen car. Is this a common pratice IE chop shop? Anybody hear talk of this?

Pretty sure I've seen them on EBay.

Mine is HLS30 384157

Just checked an Ebay auction I was in on - I placed a max bid of $350 for a dash in good condition (no cracks), Final bid was $901 US. :eek: I'm not in touch with reality I guess. Is this the norm??

Well it looks pretty obvious now. Thanks

Hey Gary, Tom, Ed, Victor, Mike Thanks for the responses, if I'm reading this right it needs a washdown, remove the tray and POR treatment. By the way POR stands for?? Have you ever seen any resonable facsimile aftermaket or OEM Battery tray replacement? It seems like a common problem and most other problem areas seem to have a solution (floors, fenders, even frames). My tray has seen better days.

The good thing for me is I can't drive it till May or June when winter is done and the salt is washed off the roads. Lots of time to sort it out. I do like the idea of stiffening up the steering gear (poly) and replacing all the others with rubber. It's easy to spend a few dollars - I'm looking around at springs and shocks as well - the existing is original gear.

Any thoughts on how to handle this? It's a classic case - all the rest of the car looks good but the battery area looks like crap. It sounds solid underneath, but to tell the truth - I half afraid to poke at it too hard. The tray is showing signs of rot through the panel beneath is just ugly. I have a few jobs in the works now and I don't feel like taking on steel replacement as well if I can avoid it. Maybe if I ignore it, it will go away The car won't ever see rain again (maybe never did befor), I wonder if it will be trouble to leave it as it is until next year. Does it need to be washed down or is that more trouble? Anyway ideas/thoughts are welcome. Rick Cali 4/77

My 77 is in excellent condition with the exception of a few items, bushings they're all in poor shape (and the antennae is tits up) should I go poly or rubber. I like a comfortable drive but I don't like holding the tiller against the wind so to speak. Would all rubber be a loose ride?? Is poly like a perpetual dirt road or the right the way to go? Rick P.S. : Antennae kits??

thanks for the response Mr. Cam, I had a look at the front end in play - the ball joints look tight, the steering rod entering the pinion has some transverse play, on the rack sleeve there are a couple of bushings - I can see play in them, but they are rubber, does this sound normal? SB

Hi I'm back in the Datsun love affair after a 28 yr breakup. Had a 71 in 76, it was great car but I was a kid and it almost did me in. I'm back at it again with a 77 280z, I was looking for a 71, but not much luck with out major bucks or major overhaul. Anyway, bought it on Ebay for a very reasonable price from California. The car looks great and is running with almost no rust - one small spot on the hood, original paint, still has original paper stickers under the hood. It looks good enough after a little compound that I don't think I'm even gonna paint it. Pinstripes bug me but underneath the paint is obviosly not sunfaded - pinstripes will have to stay. Anyway I have three questions for informed/experienced members: 1/ I didn't get a manual - whats the correct wheel and tire size? 2/ Car has original California exhaust - Header, pipes and proper sounding muffler any thoughts or information are appreciated. 3/ Steering is loose, ball joints Checked - Would bushings do the trick after new tires?? SB