What is the Correct Early Series 1 Rim Size

[JohnnyO]

I have been reading past threads and came across a thread the Arne started back in '06 when he bought his wheels and "D" caps. He mentioned the early rims being "skinny" 4.5" rims.

Would a 01/70 240 have been sold with these "skinny" rims?

Were the wider rims (I'm guessing 6") available as an option in 01/70?

Have "D" caps, need wheels to put them on now. (cart before the horse thing. yeah, I know) :stupid:

One more question, I have been told by "the" parts guy (literally the only parts guy within 4 hours of the twin cities) that these are the skinny rims.

Before I get taken for a ride does anybody know what a set of 4 of these rims would go for in "great" shape with no rust? Just a ballpark figure.

TIA,

John

[Carl Beck]

One more question' date=' I have been told by "the" parts guy (literally the only parts guy within 4 hours of the twin cities) that these are the skinny rims. [/quote']

Hi John:

I do not see any "these" there. Did you Post a picture?

OEM wheels on the Datsun 240-Z from Oct. 69 until the 1972 Model Year - were 14" x 4.5". The 72's came with 5" rims.

All the OEM steel wheels are stamped with the production date and rim size. Normally the information is directly across from the valve stem.

Nissan did not offer any "optional" wheels on our 240-Z's. Although the optional aluminum road wheels were certified by the DOT for sale in America. Demand for stock cars was just so high, I guess it didn't make any economic sense for Nissan to offer nor track special order vehicles. Besides the Dealers were making a killing by selling the aftermarket aluminum wheels.

FWIW.

Carl B.

[Arne]

In addition to what Carl noted, wider steel wheels were theoretically available from the dealers' parts department but never came factory installed. The wider wheels were 5.5" wide, and were part number 40300-E4600, list price of $13.50 each in 1971. They would have looked identical to the normal 4.5" rims, and all of the same markings (as described by Carl) would be stamped. I don't know of anyone who has seen a set of these early 5.5" in person, however.

[JohnnyO]

Hi John:

I do not see any "these" there. Did you Post a picture?

No Carl, I meant the rims he had. I have not seen a picture yet.

OEM wheels on the Datsun 240-Z from Oct. 69 until the 1972 Model Year - were 14" x 4.5". The 72's came with 5" rims.

All the OEM steel wheels are stamped with the production date and rim size. Normally the information is directly across from the valve stem.

Thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for.

Nissan did not offer any "optional" wheels on our 240-Z's. Although the optional aluminum road wheels were certified by the DOT for sale in America. Demand for stock cars was just so high, I guess it didn't make any economic sense for Nissan to offer nor track special order vehicles. Besides the Dealers were making a killing by selling the aftermarket aluminum wheels.

The "optional" aluminum wheels were on my '71 when I bought it back in '81. That car was totaled in 82, about 1 month after a rebuild.

Thanks again Carl. Any idea of what I should expect to pay? You make it sound like they may be more common than this guy thinks. I am heading out there to pick up an e31 head (he has 3) and some series 1 latch belts so the trip will be worth it either way but I dont want to overpay for rims, especially when I dont need them for 8 months.

[JohnnyO]

I don't know of anyone who has seen a set of these early 5.5" in person, however.

Thanks Arne. He claims he has been "hoarding" parts for 29 years and is now parting with them. I will check the dates on the 5.5's and snap some pictures if they are early.

Again, any idea of what I should expect to pay?

[Carl Beck]

Price on the original steel rims seems to be a matter of where you are. Here in Florida a good set of 4 in the 14x4.5 size they might be $200.00. On the other hand if your looking for wheels stamped 10/69 they might be $400.00 to $600.00

FWIW,

Carl B.

[7T1240]

I have two questions:

For Johnny'O, how critical is it for you to have the correct date stamp for your car?

And for Carl or our Canadian friends, was the 14 x 4.5 steel wheel still sold on Canadian Z cars into the 260Z series?

The reason for both questions is this - according to a search I did Allied Auto Parts in Winnipeg, Manitoba is listing a set of 4 / 14 x 4.5" wheels for a 1974 260Z. Johnny'O, if you're interested they list them as their part numbers M00929, M00930, M00931 and M00932 and their phone number is 1-888-233-3332. I'd want to verify that their listed size is correct.

Gary S.

[Carl Beck]

.... was the 14 x 4.5 steel wheel still sold on Canadian Z cars into the 260Z series?

Hi Gary:

No - the OEM styled steel wheels were 14"x5" from 1972 model year through the end of the 260Z's in North America in 1974. I don't know about the 280Z's - but I haven't seen any OEM steel wheels that were more than 5" wide.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[mgood]

Carl my 76 - 280Z had 14x5 wheels. Listed as 11/75 5Jx14S S.2

[geezer]

was the 14 x 4.5 steel wheel still sold on Canadian Z cars into the 260Z series?

Although this chart does not have a specific column for Canadian models, the publication it comes from has provisional coding covering them when applicable. The Canadian models had the same wheel size - 5J-14.

[26th-Z]

Arne correctly discusses the existance of 40300-E4600, a 5-1/2"x14" steel road wheel shown as optional, however I have never seen one either. It is not listed in the Fairlady parts catalog either. That catalog shows the 4-1/2" rim applicable to the L20 versions and the 5" rim applicable to the L24 equipped models. I should also note, while we're talking about stock wheels, that the magnesium road wheel 40300-E4200 was 5-1/2" and applied to the PS30 models.

[7T1240]

Johnny'O,

Just FYI, I came across this ad for 4 steel wheels for Datsun 240Z on Craigslist in Fort Collins, CO.:

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/pts/908336303.html

The ad doesn't state year / size, and one would have to go through the craigslist contact info. as there is no phone number, but it might be worth an inquiry.

Gary S.