Sean Dezart

I have a French 240Z. The chassis number stamped on the bulkhead is X HLS 30-132376 X The little plate on the suspension leg under the bonnet also reads X HLS 30-132376 X. The two Xs and 132376 are stamped ! I've never seen these Xs before - were they factory alignment marks for the stamping machine or what ? Was it a left hand drive thing ? My UK 240Z didn't have them It's not stressing me out but I am curious...

No no no guys ! Colt was to Mitsubishi what Datsun was to Nissan ! The Colt Starion alledgedly got its name from an executive who mispelt what he had mishread ! Stallion / Starion ! And if you want piccies, you'll have to look at the JAE website (somewhere) - http://www.japcarclub.com/jae/forums/

Careful Alfadog I'm 38 and I am aware that younger people and most think that Datsun sold 'jap-crap' but Austin and Fiat did the same, used the mass produced parts to subsidise the sportscar development and they all rusted like ours. The difference was that Datsun developed a modern car, fully equiped al followed it up with a planned, supported and very successful race program where it counted - the biggest car market in the world - the USA. And the name change wasn't announced very loudly ! I always take pleasure in saying I have an old Datsun - I don't even say 240Z and just pull out a photo when they start sassing me ! Hey Coastie, do you remember the Colt Stallion - oh the Japanese with their 'R's and 'L' s !

Hi Rolf Yes it is worrying that the only vehicle to still carry the Datsun name is a pick-up ! Still in Thailand last year I saw a Nissan badged coach which was in a sad state so maybe nothing to lose - the Nissan name is fairly boring now unless you only look at Skylines and the 350Z which we don't see at all here in France ! I got the fender protectors - thanks. Haven't yet got the car to fit 'em onto - that's coming in July !

Hey 260Z - I'm not going to challenge your translation but I seriously doubt that Son was changed to Sun in order to use the 'rising sun' image. Alan could perhaps confirm this but that image was the facist emblem of the military controlled government at the time and could be compared with the German swastika ! The image was supposed to reflect the Japans nations' blossoming new empire - a new dawn ! Incidentally, I like the threads I have read recently speculating that Nissan would use the Datsun name for their competition dept/sportscars.

Hi Katz and a happy new year to you ! Datsun was well though of, even if people didn't like their domestic industries suffering from the imports but then again, no-one put a gun to peoples heads in order to sell them - they sold themselves. However, the point I'm getting to is that not everyone is clear as to what happened to Datsun - check out this wegb page which states that Datsun was bought by Nissan ! I haven't worked out what the site is yet but it is disappointing mis-information from Japan fans !

Hi intense04, Thanks for the advice but check out their quote !

HI jeff and thanks for the reply Indeed the temp sender was sending incorrect info. He had replaced the old (faulty) sender with another he had recovered from another similar car. The 'new' one was adjustable and was adjusted to low. Under advice he has re-adjusted it, run a couple of test drives, fine tuned the adjustment and volia ! Thanks again Sean

Most of the true Datsun lovers were more concerned that the Nissan being brought here were becoming less the simple, affordable, quality cars that we were used to and that they were becoming something that followed along with what everyone else was doing at the time. by 2manyzs ! The situation in France (if people allow me to speak on their behalf) is that thier is no image left at all. No interesting cars, just Primeras, Altinos, Micras, and of course the 4x4s ! A very bland line up which they try to groups together with the new front air intake/descending bonnet. I hope with all the world that Nissan and in particuler Europe push to have something that people will appreciate even if it is out of most peoples buget. Of course, better still if they brought out a new fairlady roadster, cheaper and less powerful than the 350Z. Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi all produce AND MARKET thier sports cars here ! I hope Renaults' sporting success gives them the confidence to try the same thing. Datsuns were well known here and in the main very appreciated even though ownership went against the grain of De Gaulle inspired national pride. Alan, do you remember the image and bigotry we fought against in the early '90s until the Skyline arrived and was road tested ?

Probably just likes winning...!

Hi Nate, Things here are cold, damned cold at 1.6 degrees and a biting north wind but at least it's not raining like in the south ! Yeah, Datsun by Nissan, makes you wonder why they wanted to change the name - it couldn't have been shame over the Datsun name or they wouldn't have mentioned it. Supports Katz' theory of the Nissan name being unknown ! Certainly since Datsun became Nissan, the image has moved upmarket. Don't you think that the Skyline suffered the same problem as the 510 ? Unknown and therefore unappreciated despite some phenominal racing successes. Also the same fate as the Z (in the UK) when dominating other cars surprisingly, the competition claims it isn't possible witout cheating or the rules are changed as per Bathurst in Aussieland !

Gee Katz, you have opened a bag of tricks here and so interesting. It's been too long since I drove my RHD 240 and I'm still waiting for my 'new' LHD but I know I prefer to pull towards third gear rather than push it away. How many other cars have the indicator stalk on the left hand side of the steering wheel - it always provoked questions from people when they poked thier noses through the window at shows ? Also, doesn't one year of 280ZX manufacture have an emblem on the rear hatch saying Datsun by Nissan ? I have never seen a 510 and they are not appreciated in Europe 'cos they're not known. I agree with all the other comments that the Datsun name was tarnished by a (economically obliged) abundance of the smaller and overall less interesting cars imported. But even that could have been pushed into the background by a supported race program and all the technology was there in Japan and the States. Whose idea was it to franchise the sales of Datsuns in the UK ? What a disaster, Datsun UK has a lot to answer for, all the records destroyed, new parts skipped when the franchise was ended... In a way, I like being (correction LOVE being) in the minority who support these cars. Someone said today to me, I'm surprised that you like these cars if they are so difficult to find in good condition ! I replied that's why ! Sure, here Toyotas are more well known but even the GT with LSD is a death-trap in the wet, S800s are there too but we've got the real cars and they're rarer than all that British crap and Italian show-off stuff. Rarer too than Porches and Ferraris even if some people ask if it is a Ford Capri - I turn away in disgust !

Victor, Victor - don't write me off because I'm French - 'cos I'm not, I'm English ! By the way, Chris seems like a good sort of bloke, I'm waiting to hear if he can help me out with some parts. Hey GenZ, Zeds are the best cars for to meander within !

A Diablo ? The email will carry a photos of a Porsche and I will quit the forum ! The Muira was special 'cos it was the first production supercar to run with a transverse engine. Michael, I will ignore your comments, you do have the good taste to own a Z after all ! And do you not know The Italian Job ? Classic BRitish comedy/crime ? REnt or but it - you won't be disappointed. I saw GT40s racing at Le Mans Classic in Sept (the only good thing about the event) and they were going at it hard even throughthe night - a privelidged moment !

Mperdue, its a good job you are a long way away - 'girlie' ? A Muira is my all time favourite dream car and my two friends, who have 240Zs along with me share the same feelings for this beauty. Its us who've created Frances' Z Club! Why is it that Z owners love the Muira, 'cos they share curves like the girlies but have the punch to defend themselves! I've had the pleasure to stand behind a Countach 400 (sharing the same engine) and St Stephen is on the mark - glorious to hear every cylinder catch - truly an orchestra. Did you never see the film 'The Italian Job' with Michael Caine and the three Minis ? My version is well worn for the first two minutes during the titles sequence ! I think I've got all the books and I was shocked to see that Jonny Halliday wrecked one when he was younger - don't like him anymore ! The most beautiful car in the world!!!!! But I wouldn't lose the Z !

The only Moms I have seen are racing types or black leather - can you suggest a site that shows wooden ones ? Also looking for a 'Grant' website ??? What's your definition of 'clear' ? Transparent ?

Maybe I'm being too ambitious with my choice of makes. Can anyone propose me a choice of wooden rimmed, dished steering wheels that one can buy ready to fit onto a 1972 240Z ?

I'm gettin' really pissed - I'm getting nowhere and it aint your fault guys. The reason for choosing Hellas is to improve over the standard lighting but clearly there are now better lights out there although not of the sealed beam type or look. Are these 'diamond' lights going to look ok on a 1972 car , I don't want to associate myself with the 'tuning' brigade of add-on wannabes ? And so, does one choose Neon or 'krypton?' gas filled bulbs and at what strength - I hear someone say 90/110 but why ? Help, my head is hurting...