HS30 found and bought in the States! Another money pit!

[spitz17]

Much kudos to lilguppies for making me aware of this car. The car was never posted on Craigslist, eBay, or any ad in general. It was found purely through my little Bay Area Z network. =)

So here she is... a 1971 Nissan Fairlady 240Z-L (RHD) imported from Japan in 1978. The VIN is HS30-10052, the 52nd Fairlady Z with a L24 released to the Japanese market. Thanks to HS30-H's (Alan's) informative posts on this forum I was able to find out a little more about this specific VIN.

Japanese home market 'HS30' VIN-prefixed models manufactured during the calendar year of 1971 had body serial numbers 'HS30-10001' through 'HS30-10436'. Then the 1972 calendar year had 'HS30-010437' ( note that extra digit ) through 'HS30-012045', whereafter the first digit was changed over to a '1' and numbers 'HS30-100001' through 'HS30-100800' were manufactured. 1973 calendar year production started from 'HS30-100801'..........

As far as I know, and I apologize if I am wrong, this is the only HS30 Japanese market vehicle in the United States. Perhaps only HS30 of any market in the U.S. All the Fairlady Z's I have seen are S30 models.

It has been in a 20 year slumber under a termite infested wooden car port and rugged car cover. Hidden away in the Santa Cruz mountains of CA, and among a collection of 30-40 cars of its previous owner, it managed to avoid any type of multiple owner molestation. The car is relatively free from rust, except the hatch balcony has been damaged due to a hole in the car cover for one winter. The battery tray, dog legs, and frame rails are all near rust free. The floor pans are probably one of the most beautiful I have ever seen on a original survivor Z. As previously mentioned, the car has avoided major modification. There is only a half installed close ratio Datsun Competition 5 Speed, which I plan to complete. The interior is a like a time capsule with all the original accessories of a Fairlady 240Z-L with exception to the aftermarket seats. Exterior includes original chrome bordered headlight lense covers =)

The agreements with the buyer was to get the vehicle running at his home, which it is more like a shop (w/ lift and all machinary necessary), before delivering it to my garage. There are a few parts here and there that still need to be put in the interior. The non-matching L28 will be removed and be replaced with a correct and fresh L24 motor. I have ordered the necessary suspension, drivetrain, and other compoments to get the car running safely on the road.

Wish me luck!

Edited September 23, 2010 by spitz17

[Gary in NJ]

Nice score.

[MK1888]

Yeah, and look at the [lack of!] rust.

[psdenno]

Hidden away in the Santa Cruz mountains of CA, and among a collection of 30-40 cars of its previous owner, it managed to avoid any type of multiple owner molestation.

Looks like the molestation that did take place should be fairly easy to rectify - seats, engine, a few missing pieces. How wide are those racing slicks?

Good luck with the adventure!

Dennis

[d240zx2]

Ditto all above. You've got yourself a rare Z indeed.....

[spitz17]

Thanks for all the complements!

psdenno - Yea... it should not be too hard. I should have clarified I probably will not keep the car entirely factory spec. I do plan to do a few period correct/JDM type modifications, but all reversable of course. If I remember, those tires are Azenis RT615s that were put on fairly recently... the PO had those front stockers on a 510 race car of his. I'll have to double check the sizing. The rears are Vespas hahaha...

Edited September 23, 2010 by spitz17

[moonpup]

Don't really want to pour sand in your shorts, but I have a slight difference of opinion when it comes to.... "the car has avoided major modification"

Someone plopped a L28 in it and from what I read "between the lines", the original L24 is long gone? That's kinda major in my book.

For me, your find is both sweet & bitter at the same time.

[spitz17]

Very true moonpup. Sorry if my description seemed misleading. It is a shame the original L24 is gone... Japanese Domestic Market Fairlady Z's did not receive an engine number on the ID plate in the engine bay. So to my knowledge, there is no precise/viable way to find out the original block number.

Edited September 23, 2010 by spitz17

[Walter Moore]

...How wide are those racing slicks?

Heh and I was just noticing the "bald" tires...

[Mike B]

Nice find. You got the best color too . Too bad about the engine, but if you could find one in the same range as the month your car was produced, that would be pretty close. I think you are correct that the engine number wasn't listed on JDM cars, so I guess no one could really tell any way.

-Mike

[JohnnyO]

... so I guess no one could really tell any way.

-Mike

They can now;)

[Carl Beck]

Nice find Glenn - you should buy that matching color 510 as well :-)

Reported from Australia & New Zeland:

HS30 10469 has engine L24-078306

HS30 10481 has engine L24-078250

HS30 10517 has engine L24-078046

HS30 10527 has engine L24-077313

HS30 10552 has engine L24-078080

Thoes engine numbers would be found in US 240's with dates of mfg. 01/72 The range for Jan 72 so far reported goes from L24-077429 to L24-081097. So anything in that range would be pretty close.

I agree with Mike - Great color.

good luck with the project.

Carl B.

Edited September 24, 2010 by Carl Beck