Carl Beck

Hi Alan: At least one person agreed with you. Katsuji Kawamata, the President of Nissan Motors Ltd. said in a 1973 interview with Business Week, that he felt it was a mistake to have introduced the Datsun Brand, rather than using the NISSAN brand from the beginning in the US. He envied TOYOTA for having done so. I don't think too many people that bought a Datsun here in the US, did not know that it was a product of Nissan Motors, just as they knew that a Buick was a product of General Motors. The automotive press always made that clear, and most of the literature published by Nissan also made that clear. Now however, years later the average consumer doesn't know that Nissan produced Datsun's. FWIW, Carl B.

"DATSUN" (DATSON) was the original Brand name of the small line of cars produced by Nissan Motors Ltd. when it was formed in 1933/4 They applied the NISSAN Brand name to a larger line of automobiles, trucks and buses years later. ( which were actually Graham-Paige Crusaders; the design and manufacturing equipment purchased from Graham-Paige in America). Nissan Motors Ltd. was really formed as a conglomerate with several smaller manufacturing and production branches. In its earliest days for example Nissan produced parts for Fords and Chevy's being manufactured in Japan. While it's founder, Yoshisuke Ayukawa had a strong desire to get into the automobile manufacturing business in Japan, I'd call him more of an Industrialist than a Car Guy. For example David Buick was a guy that wanted to make and sell cars (the Car Guy)... whereas William Durant putting GM together was a guy that wanted to build an Industrial Empire. Just as Durant had his technical genius in Charles F. Kettering, so Ayukawa had his technical genius in William R. Gorham. I believe that it is more than possible that such a short time after WW-II (1958), the then current management did not want to use the NISSAN brand name on exports to America/Australia etc; because of Nissan's support for the Japanese Imperial Army in China, and more specifically the fact that its founder and President, Ayukawa had been tried and imprisoned for war crimes committed by Nissan in China. Toyota has no such PR problems with the Toyota Brand... Photo by Travis Rogers: FWIW, Carl B.

..and that is only part of the reason why many business leaders consider changing the Brand Name from DATSUN to NISSAN was one of the largest corporate blunders of the 20th Century. FWIW, Carl B.

I have no idea where that came from... The Flag as used as a Nautical Flag represents the letter "Z". Flown by itself it means; "I need a tug" When the "Z" is preceded by number flags, the first two represent hours, followed by minutes. In that case the "Z" represents Zulu Time. Zulu - is part of the NATO phonetic alphabet... which assigns code words to the letters of the English alphabet (Alpha for A, Bravo for B, etc). - so that critical combinations of letters/numbers can be pronounced and understood by thoes transmitting/recriving voice messages via radio/phone. The most commonly used sign for "Infinity" is the Lemniscate of Bernoulli. The Latin word "lemniscus" means pendant ribbon. This name was first used in 1694 by Jacob Bernoulli (1654-1705) to describe a planar curve, which is now named after him. (see image below) FWIW, Carl B.

I'd guess a fracture in the water jacket in the head... and when you torqued it down to a straight block - the fracture opened up on top of the gasket. You may have to take the head to a machine shop so they can magniflux the head - the crack may not be visiable with the head off the block. Be very careful pulling the head back off - so that you don't damage the gasket in the process. Damaging the gasket while removing the head -can mislead you in all directions... good luck Bill Carl B.

If it needs a tranny - don't buy that car. Buy this one instead. E-Bay Item Number 330237123980 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3D330237123980%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1&item=330237123980 I don't know how high the bidding will go - but this is about as clean, as rust free, as well maintained a 72 240-Z as you will find today - in more or less its original condition. I know this car - it sold in California first when it's original owners wife sold it after he passed away. The second owner put a ton of money into it - fixing, updating (shocks, tires, brakes, cooling system, OEM door seals, new clutch etc etc. over $6K worth of work/parts). He and his wife drove it up/down the West Coast on longer Road Trips/Vacations. Then sold it, when a new business venture presented itself and they needed cash more than cars. It was shipped for a friend in Georgia as a great daily driver... he kept it until he came across a 73 240Z with 21K miles... This is a Z you could drive daily or drive across the country - instead of spending thousands of dollars doing all this stuff to another Z, not to mention the time, work, hassle - you could buy this one, and simply make monthy payments if necessary (much the same as spending money monthly of parts) If you don't want it - someone here should scoop it up. Personally I like the Green... although it's not everyone's cup of tea... Anything below $10K is a super bargain here, and it really should go for $12K to $13.5K because of the condition of the body and the mechanical aspects. Just a thought... Carl B.

Hi E. Actually it is quite common for Japanese Industry to use roman numerals and letters for numeric or alphabetical filing systems. The Design Project Folder was assigned the file name "Project Z". The 240 of course came from using the 2.4 liter L24 for the US, and the name Fairlady was continued in Japan. But "Z" it was and "Z" it still is. Datsun 240Z or Nissan Fairlady Z (of course DAT, DATSUN, and Fairlady came from the English language as well). They didn't name it "Z" BECAUSE that is the last letter in the alphabet. Rather they named it Z because that follows "Y", which followed "X". Z was simply the next available letter not already assigned. If "Z" had already been assigned to an earlier project they might have named it AA. FWIW, Carl B.

Sadly - the Webmaster of that site has plagiarized about 99% of its content. The history presented at that hyper-link is all but an exact copy of my writing several years ago. I had requested that he remove it, both because it was copyrighted material, and because it contains many errors of fact, that I have corrected on my own site. There is no character in Japanese, that resembles the roman letter Z. (according to Nissan's Historian) Creators of other Datsun History related web sites have also complained to the Webmaster at that sight about his copying word for word their work. I believe we will have to take our case to the Sponsors of that Club/Website FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Dave: Did Black Dragon redesign their Headlight Harness upgrade? I just received their new catalog, and was looking at the picture. Looking at the picture - I wonder if they really mean "headlight sockets"... or if their harness plugs into the cars wiring harness (as yours does)... Do they expect you to take the headlight buckets out - and plug their harness directly into the headlights through the headlight buckets?? - or are they using the connectors that go into the wiring harness?? It would seem that if one could simply find the connectors for the cars wiring harness - one could easily adapt the BD harness... for thirty bucks it seems like a deal... What do you think? Carl B.

Sleepy-Z and Zero-Z What camera's did you use to take these photo's? thanks, Carl B.

True I had the pleasure of spending many hours with Mike Muller and Peter Brock as they photographed my cars for various publications. Mr. Brock spent about 5 hours shooting, restaging, reshooting and waiting for exactly the right angle of sunlight etc. Likewise Mr. Muller. I would have to say that both of them are "Professional Photographers". So both of these men seem to have the talent, skill and experience necessary to compose photographs that someone else will pay for. One thing they both have in common - very fancy camera's, clicking off photos. Hundreds of them per photo session. Both are using digital cameras as well. I don't care how good you are at composition - if the camera doesn't support and indeed enhance your skill - you won't get the results you should. There is a reason professional photographers pay big bucks for the equipment they use. The best thing about the new digi-cams and DSLR's vs film cameras - is that you don't pay a penalty for taking hundreds of pictures. You can afford to try many different things to enhance your learning curve. Bottom line today - buy the best DSLR you can afford. It will support the growth and development of your personal skills - rather than hold you back. There are some amazingly good DSLR's in the $650.00 to $850.00 range today - - and they will be useful for anyone for several years to come. 8 to 10 meg pixel digi-cams, that you can carry in a shirt pocket - also deliver amazingly good photo's for still images etc... They are now down in the $200.00 to $300.00 range... "Damn it Jim, I'm an Engineer not a Photographer!" FWIW, Carl B. D40x SureShot 1000 CoolPix 950 (now 6 or 7 years old)

The picture was taken at the ZDayZ - Tail-Of-The-Dragon - North Carolina But it does remind me of several places in the Pacific Nortwest. FWIW, Carl B.

What Kind Of Graphics Fit A Z Best? The kind that are printed on static cling vinyl -so you can put them on when needed/desired and then remove them without damaging the paint. FWIW, Carl B.

Your Post has been read 92 times - - and still no one can answer. I don't have a clue related to what you are asking? Can you phrase the question in another manor, or give some more specific examples? FWIW, Carl B.

Am I the only one that fails to understand this Post? Who's pleasure has it been? FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Mike: I have a vague memory of Courtesy Nissan offering one or two "Classic Z's".... but I was never interested in that part of the program, and it seems to have been dropped fairly shortly after the Vintage Z Roll-Out. Since there were still plenty of 90-96 300ZX's in the used car market, mostly with reasonably low mileage and good care - there really wasn't much demand for them at the Dealership level. I'll check with the guys at Courtesy, someone there might remember. Things were still really up in the air at the beginning of the Z Store launch.. and I believe that many of the people at Nissan were still more or less playing it by ear. Had there been a huge demand for Classic Z's (their use of the term), perhaps that aspect might have gained some momentum. To the best of my knowledge Nissan did not intend to offer any Z's in that program other than the 70-72 240-Z's and the 90-96 300ZX's. There was some discussion related to taking 240-Z's into the Vintage Z process, that were privately owned, and whoes owners were willing to pay the $24K cost to have their 240-Z's redone... but that never happened as the reality of the situation became apparent - ie they really did not have the necessary stocks of NOS parts to do more cars, and the actual costs were exceeding the planned costs by a wide margin. Not to mention simply not being able to get that many cars done is such a short timeframe. FWIW, Carl B.

You'll find that the Optima red top will also hold a full charge far longer than the lead/acid batteries. I agree with the others that recommend the later gear reduction starters, if you have to buy a new starter anyway. I used the 240-Z starter on the BRE Z, only because that is what was on it as raced in 73. Nonetheless, it worked out fine... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Mike: As originally conceived - the Z Store plan was to offer both Vintage Z's and later model "Classic Z's. There was no need, and thus no plan to remanufacture the used Z32's..... just inspect/repair and offer them .... From a Nissan Press Release: Nov. 20, 1996 "Z-Store Of The Future". " "Through our new Z-Store concept, we are partnering with select Nissan retailers to demonstrate our heritage and prove our commitment to the consumer by offering reconditioned Z-cars -- a model line that is legendary in the automotive world," said Tom Orbe, vice president of marketing for Nissan and Infiniti Divisions. "We are really excited about this program because it allows us to offer consumers what they are requesting in an imaginative new way. We hope consumers and enthusiasts alike share in our excitement." Individuals that purchase Z-cars from Z-Store retailers will receive a number of amenities including a special-edition bronze badge, decal and certificate as well as easy access to purchase Z memorabilia. This program will be implemented in two phases; the first featuring "Classic Z's," which include 1990 to 1996 300ZX model pre-owned cars, followed by pre-owned Z-cars from the Z's 26-year history including early model Z-cars beginning with the 240Z ("Vintage Z"). "Classic Z" Kicking off Phase I of the Z-Store will be the offering of "Classic Z." Differentiating this program, from other off-lease programs is an intensive 120-point inspection that each vehicle must pass before being offered for sale in a Z-Store. These cars will also carry Nissan's Certified Pre-owned Limited Warranty and "Classic Z" badging. "Vintage Z" Cruising into Z-Stores early next year will be reconditioned "Vintage Z." These restored early model Z-cars will also include a limited warranty and should prove to be collector cars in the future." FWIW, Carl B.

While the focus of this discussion so far is rightfully centered on the "Nissan Vintage Z Program", I think it is important to also keep the far larger picture in mind. The Nissan Vintage Z Program within the overall concept of "the Z Store", could really be viewed as the visible symbol of a far more extensive Corporate Strategy. The far large picture is one of a $200,000,000.00 Marketing Campaign originated and funded by Nissan Motors Ltd. I believe that one could correctly call it a "Brand Image - Marketing Campaign". (although I make no claim to be a Marketing Major). The Brand image that needed improvement, was the NISSAN Brand, here in its largest export market - the U.S.A. The Marketing Campaign itself, can most certainly be logically sub-divided into the smaller components of Market Research, Public Relations, Event Organization, Corporate Communications, Sales and Advertising for the purposes of discussion, but we shouldn't view the tail (advertising) as wagging the dog (Marketing) nor its owner (Nissan Motors Ltd). With Nissan Motors Ltd. some $12B in the red in 1996, top management at Nissan Motors Ltd. underwent significant change. Mr. Hanawa was handed the reigns of a major corporation headed at high speed toward the cliff of bankruptcy. The question was; could he turn it around soon enough to avert disaster? Taking the leadership position as President, Nissan Motors Ltd., Mr. Hanawa knew he needed the help of a financially strong partner to save Nissan, and the process of making Nissan Motors Ltd. look a little more attractive to potential suitors began. It was Mr. Hanawa that made the decision to enhance the Nissan Brand, by returning to Nissan's heritage in order to reestablish the connection in the consumers minds - between the glory days of DATSUN here in the U.S.A. and it's current Brand Name - Nissan. Glory Days??.... Yes the days of rapid growth, high profit margins and #1 or #2 Import Sales Positions. While the concept of "the Z Store" itself - ie. repurchasing, remanufacturing and reselling Classic and later model used Z Cars is said to have been the brainchild of Bob Thomas, President NMC USA, it would be a grave mistake to think that he would have reintroduced both the DATSUN brand name, and the image of Mr. K without the specific direction to do so, from his boss in Japan, Mr. Hanawa. Mr. Hanawa's willingness to reconnect Nissan Motors Ltd. with its Datsun/Katayama heritage in the USA was a stark turnaround of 20 years of corporate banishment and a very gutsy move. That was followed by the beginning of an all but complete redesign of Nissan's automobile offerings at a time when funds for such projects were in very limited supply. While Mr. Ghosn got to write the book after the fact, and hold center stage as the beginnings of Nissan's new models hit the market - - as far as I can see it was Mr. Hanawa's leadership and quick action that really saved Nissan Motors Ltd. So as a part of Nissan Corporate History, and its place in the history of the automobile industry, when you see a Nissan Vintage Z - that symbol should invoke thoughts of a far more comprehensive strategy to save a dying giant. As Datsun Enthusiasts here in the USA, we should also say a prayer of thanks to Mr. Hanawa... he returned not only the Z Car to us, but restored the rightful place of honor that both DATSUN and Mr. Katayama deserved in Nissan's corporate history. FWIW, Carl B.

<b>Given a choice I'd take the one on the Left.</b> Sounds like you had a great time and I'm sure everyone else enjoyed seeing your GT-R and getting to hear it as well. The only thing that is more fun than owning these cars is sharing them with others. Getting to run them up to speed however comes in a close second... Hope someone took some video for you.... <img src=http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=23218&d=1210952206> FWIW, Carl B.

Well actually a bit more than that - the measurement is taken across a small lip, which would raise the gauge a mm or so... If you put a bolt head between the top and the float it won't be sitting on the lip... Make a gauge out of aluminum stock - it will be easier to hold and more accurate... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Filipe: You are doing a wonderful job on your Z - it is truly beautiful. You are also doing it in a part of the world where obtaining the needed/desired parts is most difficult. If you have found and purchased 500 New Old Stock (NOS) parts - you have now replaced about one third of the NOS parts that Nissan used on each of the Vintage Z's. Your English is nearly perfect. Many of the new parts you bought, you were able to buy because of the Vintage Z Program. Nissan worked with aftermarket suppliers to have OEM quality reproduction parts made for the Vintage Z Program, and for people like you and I to be able to buy. All the interior plastic panels, the seat upholstery, the diamond vinyl upholstery, decals, rubber bushings, sheetmetal replacements for the rear hatch threshold among many others. Nissan sent the engines to their engine remanufacturing facility so the VZ engines were rebuilt to OEM spec.'s. They sent the transmissions to their transmission rebuild facility for complete rebuild. The rear ends were also rebuilt. Likewise the complete brake system, clutch system, cooling system, exhaust system etc etc etc The VZ's received the same... If you had a Vintage Z, you would have one of the 38 cars completed during this very unique Program. When you are done, you will have a very beautifully completed 240-Z, and certainly very rare example in Europe. However you will have one of several hundred restored 240-Z's. I'm not criticizing your thoughts - only I believe you have a basic misunderstanding of the extent Nissan went to when they remanufactured the Vintage Z's. Many people also believe that they would rather have a Restored 240-Z, than one of the Vintage Z's. Everyone is entitled to own what they want. Many people would rather do the restoration/refresh/restromod themselves and that is wonderful as well. "Better" is a very subjective term. If you think your Z is better, then that is certainly true for you and many people would agree it is better for them as well. I believe that for the money paid - $35K to $40K a Vintage Z represents a better value today, and they will most likely represent higher values in the future. FWIW, Carl B.

Yes... that should do it... We all learn by doing - and/or - from others that have done it. I learn something here almost every day. Kim Blough is actually the guy that originally supplied many of the measurement years ago - he has a Z recycling facility in Idaho and is a wealth of knowledge... FWIW, Carl B.

From my notes: For 1.75" high fingers - the throw-out bearing sleeve should be 28mm. The Part Number is 30501-1C104 (about $18.00 suggested retail from Nissan). 28mm is the distance between the mounting shoulder under the release bearing itself and the flat surface on one of the "ears" where the "throw-out arm" fork rides on the collar itself. Did you say you already had one or two different throw-out bearing sleeves? If so, measure them and let me know what you find.. The ones I had on the workbench where are 28mm, 23mm and 16mm. Running a 280Z Pressure Plate - the 23mm left me with no clutch - the 28mm solved the problem. The 280Z Pressure Plate was 1.75" to the fingers.. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Bob: Yes - as I said, the Dealers could order only the Key Wallets from Nissan if they wanted to... and many did. 80690-E8200 Fred however was smart enough to order the whole montie...80010-E4155 "Set-Cylinder Lock Key" applied up to 04/70. So he got the one sided keys, and the gas lid lock!! (along with everything else). Fred: Is your key wallet (HOLDER-KEY).. leather or vinyl? Picture looks like leather. The one I have is very much the same shape, size, construction - but it is vinyl. FWIW, Carl B.