3 hours ago, Zed Head said:

Curious, but how do you know this? I know that you picked up a 240Z a while ago so probably have an original knob. But where did you source the replacement?

Looks like you could explore old photos on BaT and might find a point where things changed. The white rings on the knobs have different spacing so should be distinguishable from a distance. You said "replacement" but does this also apply to orginals on all four speed knobs from factory cars? Was there a changeover at a certain year? Love a good detective challenge...

5 hours ago, Captain Obvious said:

Yes, from what I've seen, Nissan changed the size of the shift knobs somewhere along the years. The knobs originally supplied on the Zs are smaller than what was supplied as a replacement some years later. Here's a pic showing an older original Z car shift knob and a genuine OEM replacement that could be purchased some years later. Both are genuine OEM, but the newer version is larger than the older original.

Original 240 knob on left, newer Nissan replacement on right:

So yes... For your car, NOS isn't good enough. You want an "ONOS" (Old New Old Stock). 🙂

I thought I had pics of the ONOS knobs I have here, but I can't put my finger on them. I'll have to take some fresh pics when I get the chance.

Thank you so much for confirming my observation. Great to see it so clearly in this pictures. I'm out of the country at the moment, so not able to check myself at the moment.

3 hours ago, Zed Head said:

Curious, but how do you know this? I know that you picked up a 240Z a while ago so probably have an original knob. But where did you source the replacement?

Looks like you could explore old photos on BaT and might find a point where things changed. The white rings on the knobs have different spacing so should be distinguishable from a distance. You said "replacement" but does this also apply to orginals on all four speed knobs from factory cars? Was there a changeover at a certain year? Love a good detective challenge...

We have original and almost untouched 240Z's from # 2207 and project cars from #22 till almost the end of production of 240Z's. So when I'm back in the Netherlands I can take a look. The more I know those cars the more I realize I do not know, so still learninng every day..

9 hours ago, Zed Head said:

Curious, but how do you know this?

You said "replacement" but does this also apply to originals on all four speed knobs from factory cars? Was there a changeover at a certain year? Love a good detective challenge...

Sorry, I'm further out on my limb than I should be. I said "from what I've seen", but in reality, I should have said something like "I've not had direct experience with the new OEM knobs, but as discussed here on the forum...." So let me try again with that in mind.

I've not had direct experience with the new OEM knobs, but as discussed here on the forum, Nissan changed the size of the shift knobs somewhere along the years. The knobs originally supplied on the Zs are smaller than what was supplied as a replacement some years later.

As for the timing, the first time I saw mention (with supporting pics) of this situation was in 2006. Posted by Arne:
https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/20489-restoring-origional-shift-knob/page/2/#findComment-189573

There was also a second confirmation about the size change where GongZ bought a new "Genuine Nissan" and the set out to maybe modify it to the original smaller dimensions:
https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/44587-5-speed-knob-reproduction/page/7/#findComment-408076

15 hours ago, Captain Obvious said:

I've not had direct experience with the new OEM knobs, but as discussed here on the forum,

I can see why you noticed since you were involved in the previous discussion. I have a vague memory of being "not interested" in the 2012 conversation. Since I had a 76 with the vinyl covered knob.

I pulled up the old 1970 240Z Garage44 listing just for fun, to see what was on that car. Fine detail.

The S30.world car is over $100,000 now.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-datsun-240z-133/

Picture 123

Edited February 28Feb 28 by Zed Head
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Interesting comment on the auction page. Will S30.world be selling more restored 240Z's in the near future? Or will the focus be on restoring the cars of other people? I think that I've mentioned it before but funds have to come from somewhere. It is a business, even if driven by passion for the cars.

Auction ends tomorrow.

Also had the thought that it would be cool to build the "Z as the original designers envisioned". Most product designs are whittled down from the original idea in order to make their production and sale economically viable. What did the original vision look like? Can it be produced using a 240Z platform? Maybe that's the Z432? Don't know. A ratty old 1973 model might be worth sacrificing for the cause.

The auction ends about 10:30 am west coast time, today. Should be interesting. There is a reserve set. Passion meets reality.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-datsun-240z-353/#comments-anchor

Looks like it's headed for the BaT classic two minute refresh-your-browser battle. Hope they don't go for the $250 increments...

All,

Based on the selling price, do you think S30.world will be offering any other cars on BaT this year?

Keith

I wonder if the big blast of uncertainty in world events caused potential buyers to be extra cautious. These are strange times. A shame. I think that they got screwed by the coincidence.