HS30-H

Hi Steve, Rack ratios changed in August 1973 according to the official Nissan data for the RHD models that I have to hand. The 2+2 ( 2/2 in Japan ) models also had their own specific Steering Rack part number from October 1973. There was also an 'Optional' Steering Rack available for the European market cars up to July 1973, which I presume also had a different ratio. As you have noted, it seems that the ratios became progressively 'slower'............ None of these to be confused with the shorter Option Steering Knuckles, which effectively 'quickened' the steering ratio by changing the rack's leverage on the hubs. Hope that's of use. Cheers, Alan T.

You are welcome, Jim. If there is no other way of identifying what you have, and you are forced to do a manual tooth count of the gears and counter-gears, then give me a shout. I have all the data for this from official Nissan publications. Its a horrible job, but its the only way to make 100% sure of what you have got. Good luck, Alan T.

Sometimes they were marked clearly on the bellhousing or on the body of the main case, but sometimes not at all. I've seen quite subtle part number prints ( in what appears to be blue ink ) on them, and also number stamps on the top of the bellhousing or on the main case. The blue ink stamps can just about disappear over time. It seems that some of them were not clearly marked at all. Of course, its fairly easy to identify the "Dogleg" shift direct-drive trannies from their shift pattern ( even out of the car ) but pinning down its exact ratios can be difficult. The only sure way to do this is to take the guts out and start doing tooth counts. That goes for all the non direct-top close ratio / competition boxes too.

Hi Ray, Yes, they were the two codes for the respective 5-speeds that came as standard equipment on first generation Z cars in most markets except the USA / North American market. The FS5C71-A - sometimes known as the 'straight stick' box - was first, and was superseded by the FS5C71-B - sometimes known as the 'bent stick' box - around late 1971 / early 1972 ( Factory manuals state 'Jan.1972' as changeover date for Australian market cars ). Alan T.

I just sold one of the "Rally" Option FS5C71-B ( 32010-N3201 )transmissions for £2,000 - so your guess of around $4K is fairly accurate at today's exchange rates. It went to another European country for a race car project. I sold an Option 2 Race transmission ( 32010-N3221 ) to a friend in Japan last year, and it has been put into his Works 240ZR replica race car. I was happy that it went 'home' to a good home. I still have an Option 1 Race transmission ( 32010-N3220 ) if anyone wants / needs one. Alan T.

Hi Steve, There are no suppliers in the UK for either the vented or solid disc version of the MK63 four-pot calipers, to my knowledge. I've sourced some on behalf of a few people who needed them for homologation-compliant historic class race cars here in the UK, but I got them direct from Japan and they were not cheap. To be honest, 99% or more of UK-based Z owners don't even know what they are / were - and therefore don't even know that they don't want them, if you know what I mean :classic: Generally speaking, most people are not interested in period-correct detail and want to go for a modern-looking caliper ( like the Wilwood for example ) and prefer light alloy to heavy cast iron. The vented discs are easy to replicate ( NISMO don't list them anymore ) but the calipers themselves really need to be the 'real thing'. The beauty is that they were JAF / FIA homologated, and are a true 'bolt-on' that will clear even standard steel wheels without any adapters or spaced discs. They were used on all of the Works 240Z / 260Z rally cars ( front AND rear on the later cars ) and most of the Works 432R / 240ZR race cars in Japan too. These are 'period' race / sports use parts that were offered from Nissan's own Sports Option lists in Japan, and the Datsun Competition lists in the USA. The original component was designed for the Nissan President limousine, but the Sports Option MK63s for the Z ( the '20-S' model ) was slightly different to the ones offered for the Skylines / Sunnies / Violets etc - so you need to be careful about buying used ones. Bleed nipple location is a particular detail to be wary of. I have a brand new pair 'in stock' in London if you want them, but I'm afraid - like I said - they are not cheap..... Cheers, Alan T.

Hi deadflo, You asked about me being allowed into Nissan's 'museum'. In fact, it was their storage facility at Zama - for many years known as the "Nissan Memorial Sports Hall" - where they keep most of their collection of old cars. Its a mixture of old production models, prototypes and race cars. They also have many cars that are on loan to other museums and temporary displays around Japan. Its not really a proper museum ( more's the pity ) as they don't have access for the general public yet. However, there are plans afoot for a proper museum-type facility soon ( don't hold your breath! ). You can read about the visit here: Nissan's collection of old cars Cheers, Alan T.

Hi deadflo, Well, you can bet ( as 2ManyZs pointed out ) that the BIG problem was with the ever-tightening emissions regs of that period, but don't rule out the long-reaching effects of the OPEC-triggered Oil Crisis and the chaos it caused. In fact, Nissan offered a triple carburettor conversion for the L20 and L24 engines through their Japanese-market Sports Option lists just about from the beginning of sales in late 1969 / early 1970. Most of the stuff in their Sports Option lists was never offered in the Export markets. So the Factory-blessed parts were out there, but only as a private bolt-on. Once these had been made available to the general public as an option ( through Datsun Competition in the USA market ) it would have made little sense to make a production version with them already installed. The only reason they would have done that would be for homologation purposes - which was not necessary if they were in the Sports Options list. The general trend during the early to mid Seventies was for major volume manufacturers to become more and more conservative with their production models. Triple carbs for the L-series 6 would have probably been frowned on by the motoring press, and seen as unnecessary. Nissan apparently had plans to sell a higher-spec Z in selected Export markets, and one of the ideas was to sell a version of the car sporting some of the aerodynamic mods that were being used on the domestic racers of the time. In the end, only the ZG model made it out of the Factory and even that was for the Domestic market only. If Jack Yamaguchi got a sniff of a tri-carb model being mooted then you can bet it would probably have been planned for it to sport the aero package too - so it was most likely the early planning for the ZG that he had heard about. This was considerably tamer than it was originally planned to be, and had the same mechanicals as other HS30 models. Nissan didn't really give up on the idea of a higher-spec or premium level Z for a long time. In fact, Nissan seem to have been still enamoured with the aerodynamic package as a possible production model when the RS30 / RLS30 models were launched. They never went through with it. Jack Yamaguchi could well have been hearing about plans to sell the S20-engined variant to the Export market.. The 432 was seen as the 'premium' S30 model in the Japanese market until it the HS30 models debuted there in late 1971. Production still continued until as late as 1973, but the car was never a big seller due to its relatively high cost, perceived complexity and the fact that it was a 2-seater. The sporty family man of the time would choose a Skyline GT, GTX or even GT-R whilst the richer enthusiast could choose to go with an Italian or German import. The 432 needed careful running and maintenance, and most owners didn't know how to look after it. It cost a lot to produce the S20 engine and its quite understandable that it would never make a mass-market high seller. Alan T.

Not true, and I doubt if Mr K could give a damn about the S20 engine seeing as it was from a 'rival' division within Nissan. The reason it never went to America - or anywhere else - is because Nissan lost money on every one they made. He never even trusted you with a 5-speed transmission initially, did he? The BRE story was almost certainly written by an American, or even started by Pete Brock himself. The S20 was fitted to the Z before Pete Brock even saw an L24 engine. The L24 was a good engine, but don't forget it also had a 400cc head start on the ( standard tune ) S20 engine. I'm sure the engineers at Nissan were really pleased that BRE were able to 'teach' them how to race tune an engine, just like some of the Works 240Z rally team drivers were able to 'teach' the Nissan race engineers the 'difference between oversteer and understeer'.............:cheeky:

432 tanks were exactly the same as those in the 'other' models. Its the 432-R tanks that were bigger ( 100 litre, to homologate them for race use ) and this meant that the spare tyre well was deleted. The 100 litre tanks were also used on the Works 240Z rally cars, and later on a 120 litre version with rear filler was used. Deletion of the spare wheel well meant that the spare tyre holding bracket was relocated to the ribbed filler panel, and the spare wheel / tyre took up rear luggage area space.

Well, my 1970-build Z-L was originally Monte Carlo Silver, and had a very thin layer of Grey primer. And I mean VERY thin........

Original Japanese market Factory colours for your car would have been: *#901 Monte Carlo Silver *#905 Daytona Red *#919 Le Mans Yellow *#920 Safari Gold *#904 Grand Prix White ( Optional colour ) *#907 Grand Prix Green ( Optional colour ) *#918 Grand Prix Orange ( Optional colour ) I'd be very surprised if your current exterior colour turns out to have been the original Factory colour. As you get further into the restoration you will possibly find evidence of a different colour in hard-to-get-at and obscure places. The L28 engine would be preferable to the 327 from my point of view! Alan T.

Hi NovaSS, Thanks for confirming the full VIN number. It sounds as though your car is indeed a Z-L, with the FS5C71-A transmission and 3.9 diff ratio as standard equipment. One thing that puzzles me is your description of the original Factory colour as being "Plum". I can't think of a standard 1969 or 1970 Japanese market colour that could be described as Plum. Can you find any cars on the Gallery of this site that are painted in a similar colour? I'm wondering if it might have been 920 'Gold'? I would echo 26th-Z's thoughts above, and say that it would be very nice if you could bring the car back - as close as possible - to Factory stock condition, or if you modify it then do it with an eye on a 'period correct' look. However you look at it, the car deserves to be treated with respect to its original specification. That L20 / close ratio FS5C71-A / 3.9 diff ratio combination is well balanced and great fun to drive. Its a rare survivor from 1969 Factory production, and its great to hear that it is still 'alive'. Cheers, Alan T.

Welcome NovaSS, Congratulations on owning a very early production Fairlady Z. That's one of the lowest body numbers I have heard of recently. Can we check your body number? Is it "S30-00144" ( five digits after the "S30" prefix, and not six )? What was the original Factory colour? As has been said above - we LOVE pictures here! This would DEFINITELY place it within 1969 production at the Factory, with a very high likelihood of a November build date rather than December. Please don't let anybody tell you that RHD cars were not made until 1970, which you will sometimes hear. The issue of "Model Year" seems to cause lots of confusion. In most cases ( at least for my part anyway ) when we discuss the age of a car we mean the actual BUILD DATE rather than the "Model Year" it was intended to be sold as. Some threads and conversations confuse the two. I'm wondering if you know whether your car is a "Fairlady Z" ( model S30S, the 'base' no-frills model, sometimes known as the 'ZS' or 'Z Standard' in Japan ) or a Fairlady Z-L ( model S30, sometimes known as a 'Deluxe', 'Lux' or 'ZDX' in Japan ). They both have the same "S30" VIN prefix stamp, and the same emblems / badging. You will only be able to tell the difference by looking at the paperwork that came with the car when it was new, or the details of the car. The S30S originally came with rubber mats instead of carpet, no rubber trim on the bumpers, no clock and no hubcaps. They usually had the 4-speed transmission as standard. There were lots of other little differences too. I'm willing to be that your car will be the Z-L, which would be a more natural choice for somebody to have personally imported to the USA. The Z-L had carpet, rubber bumper trims, a clock, hubcaps and usually came with the 5-speed transmission. In many cases these cars were brought home as personal transport by US servicemen and women who were stationed in Japan. I own a 1970-build Fairlady Z-L here in the UK, and it would have been very similar to your car when new. I have a fair amount of spare parts and RHD / Japanese market model-specific information, so if you need anything please let me know. I'd be very pleased to help if I can. Cheers! Alan T.

Some relevant information for you in this thread: Tool kit thread

Hi Steve, I think you will find that the European port to Croatia leg of the journey is the hardest part to arrange, as Enrique has pointed out. Try these: *RJJ FREIGHT LTD. Suite 10, Unit 3, Orwell House Ferry Lane, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 3QN. UK tel: +44 ( 0 )1394 695566 fax: +44 ( 0 )1394 673031 e-mail: jamie@rjjfreight.co.uk www.rjjfreight.co.uk *BRITISH TRANSIT LTD. Bowling Green House, 1 Orchard Place, Southampton SO14 3PX. UK tel: +44 ( 0 )2380 223671 fax: +44 ( 0 )2380 330880 e-mail: info@btl.wainwrightgroup.com www.britishtransit.com *KARMAN SHIPPING LTD. tel: +44 ( 0 )1525 851545 fax: +44 ( 0 )15245 850996 www.karmanshipping.com All three are UK-based international shipping companies that specialise in vehicle transportation. Strangely, you might find that a UK-based company can help you with USA to Croatia logistics. I have personally used British Transit Ltd. for business-related logistics worldwide, and Karman Shipping Ltd. for private vehicle movements from Japan to UK. All three companies are well known and trusted over here. Good luck, Alan T.

Hi 26th-Z, Here's the cine / video clip still photo - posted by Kats a page back or so on this thread - showing only the first two numbers "06" from one of the two cars from the initial test. I think it must be the initial test, as they are all wearing the white hats that they seem to have been presented with at the Datsun dealership. Kats' photo:

Hi Kats, OK - so you think we can get pretty close to the true body numbers of Seisan Shisaku #14 & #15, but maybe not 100% certain? To summarise, Seisan Shisaku #14 & #15 might be HLS30-00004 & HLS30-00005 - UNLESS two "HS30" RHD Export models were made before October 1969 - in which case Seisan Shisaku #14 & #15 would be HLS30-00002 & HLS30-000003...... Realistically, those two possible "HS30" VIN-prefixed cars would have to have been made before mid September 1969 ( at least ) in order for their existence to impact on the Seisan Shisaku quantity BEFORE the two North American test cars were made and freighted over to USA in time for the first few days of October. Great stuff, Kats. Thank you. Alan T.

Hi Kats, Yes - "Issu no Kotobuki" ( Kotobuki translates are 'felicitation' or 'congratulation', and Issu as 'seating' or 'chair' ) made many of the other FRP parts for Nissan too. They made most of the special parts for the ZG. Alan T.

Kats, I can see that the number on the car from your video film-capture starts with "060" - so I'm wondering if its "060 ACJ"? In which case, the photo of the car with that number on it MUST surely be from the main test, and NOT the modified car that was sent over in late December by air? This is the same location / time as the other cine / video film that you took photos from - where they are all posing with their white hats. This shows two cars, and not one - so it must be the main test. Those "2177" numbers must have been issued temporarily, and they changed to the other numbers - one of them "060 ACJ" during the test. Alan T.

Hi 26th-Z, You might be counting the January to June 1969 6-month sub total as one extra production number? I read it this way: May = 1 Domestic, 1 Export June = 1 Domestic, 0 Export ( not 1 Export as you quote ) July = 2 Domestic, 2 Export August = 6 Domestic, 1 Export September = 9 Domestic, 2 Export ( so total 19 Domestic and 6 Export versions by the end of September '69 ). Alan T.

Here's the "060 ACJ" plate pic. I'm still wondering if this is the 'modified' / updated car from December 1969, with all the improvements / alterations from what they learned in the tests? If not, it begs the question as to why its wearing a different California license plate?

Hi 26th-Z, NMC = Nissan Motor Co. USA. Those "2177" plates appear to be Californian. Could they possibly be temporary issue for a limited-period import? You are right - now that I look at them they DO appear to have the same numbers on them, although I can't see the other digits too well. I was thinking that they could have used Japanese 'carnet' registration plates for temporary use in a foreign country - but of course that would only be possible of the cars had been registered in Japan FIRST. It seems certain that these cars were NOT registered in Japan - so that's why they could not use the carnet plates. Anybody know anything about temporary import use plates in California for the 1969 period? Why would TWO cars have the SAME number? Here's the pic of the "2177" cars:

I agree - that was some drive. What an adventure. Looks like they didn't have too many car problems either - which is pretty amazing. However, we should remember that in some ways the 510 blazed the trail for the success of the Z in the USA / Canada. In some ways they would have known what to expect: In late 1967, Nissan's "Kaku U" group conducted a "Beikoku Yushutsu Tekigo Chosa" ( American Export Adapatability / Suitabilty Test ) with a pair of 510's. The 5-man team left from Los Angeles on October 30th, and drove more than 13,000km over a period of 38 days. They averaged 430km per day, at an average speed of 70km/h. I believe they got as far north as Fairbanks, Alaska. A large proportion of the test was conducted in Canada - with its cold temperatures - rather than further south with hot temperatures. Zedrally made a good point about Nissan testing cars in Australia from back in the Fifties. Don't forget that Japan's summertime temperatures can get very high indeed, too. In fact, Japan offers a great contrast in road types and terrain from north to south, and great contrasts in temperature and conditions between Summer and Winter seasons.