We found a Black Pearl.. and need help

[sblake01]

I would guess having the original wheels will make it more valuable.

The original wheels for a BPE would be stock steel wheels w/hubcaps as shown in the attachment in post #7. The four spoke aluminum alloys, like I have on my 78, were option wheels for any 260Z/280Z. They're shown in Carl's link. Some people mistakedly refer to them as 'Black Pearl' wheels.

[IBZINYA]

The pictures are doing the car alot more to the good than in the flesh... heavy oxidation and cracks, peeling and the such. It needs a repaint. It actually runs and drives very well. All of the original parts were on the car at one time. The mirror holes are in the passenger side door, just that the mirrors themselves are in a box. He is the original owner and just saw my car in front of my house and got the bug to get his going again. I didnt realize what it was at first untill he washed and polished it. Could you imagine my supprize.... jaw drop.. I'm in MONTANA. There are like 15 of these cars around here and one just happens to be a Black Pearl! Really exciting stuff. Here are some more pics. By the way he is an old timer.. (like GEEZER) he's 71.

Edited May 16, 2009 by IBZINYA

[beandip]

I have heard that they are rare but there are 3 in my Z Club. They do show vary well. On yours that has been repainted once and need to be done again. For me it is another '78Z . And the value comparable .

Gary

[Zak's Z]

by the way he is an old timer.. (like geezer) he's 71.

lolz!

I was reading this and sipping a beer at the same time... well I just finished cleaning all the beer off my keyboard that shot out my nose.

Edited May 16, 2009 by Zak's Z

[zanthus]

I wish my Black Pearl SAP was in that good of condition. P/O of mine had a crappy re-spray on the paint. When I stripped the white off I saw the original stripes underneath. Oh well thats life.

Edited May 17, 2009 by zanthus

[geezer]

By the way he is an old timer.. (like GEEZER) he's 71.

Like GEEZER? You must mean he's a suave, sophistocated, debonair man of the world with excellent taste in wine, woman, song and of course...cars?:classic: Age is irrelevant, but one day I hope to reach 71 and still be discovering treasure that has been stored away for decades. Good for him!

I like the look of the Black Pearl with the SAP or without, but to me, would only be marginally more valuable and only to those who do like the look. It is something that sets it apart from other '78s and is fuel for discussion. I think it is cool that your friend has the original window sticker and that will really enhance the showability of this BP, if he decides to display it.

Zak, try not to waste good beer on giving yourself nose enemas!

[IBZINYA]

I knew I could count on you to have a good sense of humor. It's the reason I mingle with the likes of this bramble. Thanks for the input as well folks... I think he is going to begin a restoration of the car shortly. It trully is in good shape... I looked pretty hard to find any rust today and I cant find ANY in the usual places. A real good spot to start from. Most of the rubber is in less than useable condition... we broke the boot between the MAF and plenumn today, trying to replace the leaking vaccum lines. Another call to MSA tomarrow. But its all good.. he now has an official hobby, And best of all he's happy.

[DatsunZsRule]

its all good.. he now has an official hobby, And best of all he's happy.

Thats what it's all about man Happy to hear that. Thats got to give ya a good feeling knowing you helped another Z'er re-ignite his Z pasion again. Good for you :classic:

By the way the correct name for it is Air Flow Meter (AFM)

[JonnyRock]

Thats what it's all about man Happy to hear that. Thats got to give ya a good feeling knowing you helped another Z'er re-ignite his Z pasion again. Good for you :classic:

By the way the correct name for it is Air Flow Meter (AFM)

From what I know, they're pretty much interchangeable.

However, MAF typically refers to a hot-wire system or a few others which measure the mass of air ( the hot wire measures a voltage signal and therefore air mass), while AFM is a system that measures air speed.

Edited May 18, 2009 by JonnyRock

[sblake01]

From what I know, they're pretty much interchangeable.

However, MAF typically refers to a hot-wire system or a few others which measure the mass of air ( the hot wire measures a voltage signal and therefore air mass), while AFM is a system that measures air speed.

Yeah but the one in question has no hot wire or any of that type of later technology so the terms are not really interchangable. Nissan referred to it as an Air Flow Meter and continued to do so througout the entire run of the L series engines. Refering to it as a MAF is no more accurate than referring to the ECU as a PCM.

[geezer]

From what I know, they're pretty much interchangeable.

I find that using the same acronyms Nissan has assigned, to be a practical time saver. It lessens the chance for misunderstanding or misidentified parts. It is easier to get a point across if we are speaking the same language. It is also a real time saver when looking information up in manuals. It is understandable that with all the different manufacturers using their own different acronyms, most of us will not always get it right. I think there was a thread, or a work in progress, a while back listing Nissan acronyms.

[sblake01]

Well, it's even more than that. The wrong description is just that, wrong. An AFM meters air flow whille a MAF sensor does just that, senses, no metering, hence the difference in terms. Other functions take place elsewhere as per the differences in the functions of the less sophisticated system vs. the more sophisticated system. Analog vs. digital, if you will, for the sake of comparison. So the 'misunderstanding or misidentified parts' actually takes place the moment you refer to that part by the wrong name.

Edited May 18, 2009 by sblake01