Carl Beck

Hi Kats: Mr. Hara was also part of the team that brought the first Datsun’s to America in 1958, to see if Datsun’s could be sold here. It was a four member team. Nobe Wakatsuki (Marubeni Trading Co.) and 3 Nissan Engineers: Teiichi Hara (Senior Member of the group) Kuniyuki Tanabe (a disciple of Gorham) Shin Maki If you haven’t read it - David Halberstam’s “THE RECKONING” is a great book about Nissan/Ford. One Chapter “The Victory” (racing with a VW) is devoted to the team that brought Datsun to the USA in 1958. Mr. Hara is one of the people that advised Mr. K to take the assignment in America, to do a market survey in 1960. When ask in 1996 who designed the Z Car - Mr. K responded as shown here: http://www.zhome.com/MrKLetterToBill.jpg FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Kats:I think #2 and #3 are correct. No question that Executives in Japan wanted the S20 for the Sports Car in Japan as Mr. Uemura reports. Mr. Matsuo however tells us that as well in his Z Car Story, only Mr Matsuo reports that Mr. K wanted the L24 for America - so Mr. Matsuo ask what 2.0 liter engine would be used for Japan, and was told to use the S20. So before the Z left the styling studio - it was designed to hold both 6cylinder engines. Then is was up to the Vehicle Development Dept. to figure out how and get it done. Mr. Matsuo writes: = = Quote = = "A Prototype Based On 'Plan A' From 1967, work began in earnest producing full-sized clays based on the Plan A proposal. One of the key Z styling features evolved during this period, namely the "sugar scoop" headlights. The SAE regulations stated they should be 60cm from the ground, but plastic covers were not allowed in America at the time. However, we offered the latter item as an option in Japan. The final clay we produced was very close to the ultimate shape of the Z. Although the body was still a touch narrow, the roofline a little too high, the bonnet much too low to accept the six-cylinder L24 engine, and there remained a lot of detailing to do around the windows and tail-end, I was basically happy with the result By coincidence, at the time of its completion, Mr Katayama was back in Japan to see the 5I0 before It was launched. During his visit, he asked to see the next generation sports car, so we lined up the various clays (including the early ones depicting convertibles), and his eyes went ~- straight to the last one we had built. He said this was just what he needed in America. With Mr Katayama's support, the project finally started to progress and the engineering department became involved. Eventually, by the early Autumn of 1967, we had produced a glassfiber prototype. It was allocated the 'Z' designation (an appellation that would stay with the car throughout its production life). However, when the technical staff arrived to discuss the project, we found a number of problems. Mr Katayama had requested the 2.4 liter L24 power-plant, while the Japanese market had exorbitant taxes on vehicles over 2,000cc. Nissan had just taken over the Prince concern, and we were told to use their two-liter S20 twin-cam unit (this eventually became the famous Z432 model, incidentally). These powerful engines would require a stronger transmission. and the automatic version of the L24-equipped model required a much wider transmission tunnel: this in turn led to a reduction in interior space, so the only solution left open to us was to increase the width of the body. At the same time, the bonnet height had to be altered to accommodate the engines, and the roofline was adjusted to suit. = = end quote = = Mr Uemura tells us that indeed the Z Car was styled first - then the engineering was done - the opposite of the normal vehicle development process. So both the L24 and the S20 for Japan were Executive Management decisions. Mr. K was part of Nissan’s Executive Management team - indeed he was President of Nissan Motor Co. in USA. The English language version is easy to get - just order it on-line. http://www.lulu.com/shop/hitoshi-uemura/datsun-240z-engineering-development/paperback/product-22879948.html FWIW, Carl B.

It is hard to find any good 14" tires today - - however a Goodrich Radial T/A in 195/70R14 would be fine with me. HOWEVER - a) There seems to be ONLY 1 for sale... and you might never find 3 more to match b) with any tires on line - you need to ask/verify that the Date Of Manufacture on that tire is current (within the past 12months). You don't want to pay retail for tire that has been sitting in a warehouse for the past 5 years. Carl B.

Hemmings Article SCARAB - - https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2019/08/16/scarab-reunion-creator-brian-morrow-reunited-with-the-first-scarab-a-car-he-sold-to-save-his-company/?refer=news&utm_source=edaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2019-08-16 Carl B.

The original, or one of the reproductions Brad had produced?

OK - now you have to tell us how this all came about. How does one accumulate all that? - that's the question I have ever time I watch "American Pickers". I know how I wound up with a bunch of NOS parts - every time I needed a part for a 240Z, I'd order 2 or 3 because the cost of shipping was usually more than the cost of the part. So I'd order 2 or 3 so I wouldn't have to pay the shipping costs again later.

Great - I'll look forward to reading your book - will certainly provide feed back. thanks, Carl B.

DONE - thanks for making these available to us.. Carl B.

If you got a second round of judging in the Stock Class - at a National Convention - that says quit a lot. Great Job!! Carl B.

15x7’s Wow.. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a set in that size. I have seen some 15’s, but they were for TR-6 and about 4.5” wide. Of course there are reproductions in aluminum now in 15”. I sure wish they had done the repro’s in 14”. I have a set of 14x7’s on one Z, so I know what your talking about - polishing them constantly - and don’t drive it that much. Nuvite NuShine Metal Polish is your Friend !!! https://nuvitechemical.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nushine.pdf I

I think that the reason I still have the receipt - is that I still have the original Warranty Cards for each wheel. (just in case - LoL)

@Randalla .......Me too - ? thanks, Carl B.

That is great - something new at ZCON - and I'm sure everyone enjoyed seeing them. So how many were there? How much is the Book?

Great looking Z - great looking wheels - my Original's are still on my Z. About $42.00 each with shipping...

Hi SpeedRoo: Here’s another story and I’m sticking to it - The first time I heard of a Vintage 240ZR was in a discussion with our old pal Ron Johnson (Nissan Competition Parts Dept.) and Charlie Dever, the President of Group Z in California. Ron said that orders came down from the top to build a Vintage Z for Keith Crain (Automotive News etc). Ron said that Mr. Crain wanted Eibach Springs to lower the car a little, 2.5” free flow exhaust and a BRE Spook ie a Vintage 240Z-R (more or less tongue-in-cheek referencing the decal package on the 280ZX-R). That was around 1998… Fast forward to 2009 - I met Mr. Crain at the Amelia Island Concours here in Florida, and recalled Ron mentioning Mr. Crain having specified and bought one of the Vintage Z’s. Mr Crain said that he was a huge fan of Mr. K as well as a lover of Classic Cars. Indeed he had owned and driven several Z’s over the years and indeed had requested a Vintage Z with the modifications Ron had talked about. Mr. Crain owns HLS30 29247, the 17th VZ finished in Nov. 1997. Mr. Crain’s Vintage Z was featured being parked in front of Nissan’s HQ in California, in a video shot by Nissan as well. So I guess behind all urban legends there may be a few grains of truth.. FWIW, Carl B.

Bought my BRE Car Cover for $39.95 (in 1972). Washed/dried countless times.. The caption says 37 years ago - but now it is 47 years old and a bit faded. Carl B.

If you are searching for replacement parts - using the date of manufacture is a great starting point. Regular Model Change Over: (sold in the USA as Model Years) 1. 10 / 1969 to 02 / 1971 VIN’s Starting at HLS30 00013 (1969/1970/1971 Model Years) 16 months. 2. 02 /1971 into 09 /1971 VIN’s Starting at HLS30 21001(1971 Model Year) 8 months. 3. 09 /1971 into 08 / 1972 VIN’s Starting at HLS30 46001(1972 Model Year) 12 months 4 09 /1972 into 08 / 1973 VIN’s Starting at HLS30 120001 (1973 Model Year) 12 months. Production of the 1973 Datsun 240Z started in the 9th month of 1972. FWIW, Carl B.

Correct - the "lip" on the radiator core support is one of the items first tried by the Nissan Field Service teams working with the Local Datsun Dealership mechanics. The idea block air flow over the top of the radiator and core support - to force more of it through the radiator. Yes they had a rubber seal that mated to the hood. The one’s installed at the Dealerships were bolted on or screwed on - on later 73’s they were spot welded on at the factory as standard equipment. As far as I can see the factory started adding them around 12/72 or 01/73. Carl B.

V-3 Kit: 17020-N3325 Electric Fuel Pump (Jidoosha Kiki) 17020-N3326 Electric Fuel Pump (Mitsuba) FWIW, Carl B.

Great Pictures, beautiful Z and some new Posters to hang on the garage wall. (make them give you some high resolution digits copies..).

In addition to Bill's documentation of the rebuild. The good thing about BAT is that anyone/everyone has the opportunity to ask questions and/or ask for more specific pictures of the car. In this case the seller did Post several of the photographs taken during the metal and body work. I'm pretty sure that whoever purchased it was fully aware of the extent of the metal or panel work. That plus the fact that it was done 26+ years earlier and has held up so well most likely eased the buyers mind.

Bill Reagan an E.E. by profession - restored the car in his spare time over about one year. As a member of the Texas Z Car Club, he wrote a series of articles covering the restoration process for the Club's News letter. He also published a booklet that combined all the articles, and sold the booklet to help others. He said he spent about $12K-$14K in 1990-92. Then sold it to Paul who then spent a ton of money on it between 92 and 95. Wonder if the Texas Z Car Club still has any of the Newsletters in digital form? At one point I seem to recall them being on their Club Web Page... In the Articles Bill tells how the Z was saved from a trip to the Salvage Yard - when a tree fill on it. The damage would have totaled it out in 1990, but But Bill purchased it for $100.00 and started the restoration. So a large part of the amazing story about its history is how it went from $100.00 Datsun 240Z - to a $124,240.00 Datsun 240Z. All of which makes it quite unique.. even in the Pure Stock world.

Is it just the pictures - or does that diamond vinyl have some sort of padding applied to it? It looks like the diamonds are puffed up. FWIW, Carl B.

If you plan to put it on BAT - be sure to get several clear, high resolution pictures of the undercarriage while it is at the shop. It won't sell on BAT without them.. Carl B.

What work did it need for $4K??