sblake01

But, that's my point. It is a 280!

I think that the main reason they don't find the Datsun vehicles to be collectable is misinformation. Just look at the fact that they say 240 and 260. I can understand a 260 not being as collectable but 240s especially the 70 models meet all the criteria. They were produced in low numbers, they were popular (and still are), and they do generate a strong interest. The general gearhead, muscle car, British, German, Italian, etc, car type collector has a low opinion and even lower knowledge of Japaneese cars. After all, he also said the he thought the old Celica Hatchbacks would become collectable. He called them 'Mini Mustangs!' I have been to these weekend burger stand car shows and they don't even know what my car is! "Nice 240," or "What year is it?", or "Is it a 240, 260, or 280?" You name it, I've heard it. Some even think its something other that a Datsun. So, to these Barrett-Jackson types, we Datsun nuts, or nuts of any other Japaneese car, will never get our due.

How did you arrive at that? Everything I have ever read seems to say that the ratios differ 1-4 between the early 4 spd and any 5 spd.

In the words of John McEnroe, "You can't be serious!"

For a street car, I like the 280zx/810-910 Maxima 5spd. It has a higher 5th gear for highway crusing than the 280z 5spd. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd are slightly lower in the 4 spd than in any of the 5spds.

I too have a 78. It doesn't have factory air but it has the dealer installed ARA system. I had a similar problem. There are many parts under there that can cause a leak. After replacing hoses and clamps and still finding leaks, I took it to my friends shop in Upland. I figured that everything under there was 25 years old and it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace it all. I had the heater core and all the attending valves, hoses, clamps, connectors, and blower motor replaced. I cost me about $450. No more leaks, heater and AC work better, peace of mind. Well worth it!

I can post some pictures of the 14" 6 spoke, 14" iron cross, and 15" swastika which were all used here in the US on the 280ZX but they may not be the same as what was used in Australia.

This site opens with "Welcome to the biggest club dedicated to the CLASSIC Datsun Zcars (240Z, 260Z, & 280Z)." We do, however, spend a lot of time discusssing 'Z cousins' as Bambikiller240 puts it. Most notably, the 280ZX. That's okay. My interest in Datsuns covers more that Zcars as you'd probably guess noting my avatar. I don't mind reading about the Skyline, etc. as it helps to broaden my general Datsun knowledge. I don't personally post anything here about my 810 or my 320 because I do see this as a Z site. If something comes through about those vehicles I might offer my $.02. We once had a thread on the 810 Sports Coupe last summer when Victor Laury showed interest in buying one. I responded to it. This is my Z site. I like it fine the way it is. When I'm looking for information on the aforementioned 'other Datsuns' I look elsewhere.

I own a Z (78 280) and a Z cousin (79 810). I like this site just the way it is because not only is it helpful for my Z but for my 810 as well. The mechanical advice I have found here has been useful for both cars. The roadster site is kind of slow and I think a separate site for the 240K would be also. I only wish there were more 810 owners involved with this site. You think some Z parts are hard to find? Try finding anything other than mechanical parts for an 810.

No offense taken, Ben. I just knew I had seen these rims on a few cars here (US). There was a lady at the Mossy Nissan show last year with a 78 like mine. It had those rims on it and she said they were original. Here's another picture of a US ad showing a 78 BPE with those rims.

I have seen these wheels on cars here in the U.S. plus here is a scan of an U.S. 1977 Datsun sales brochure showing a 280Z with the same rims. (Please excuse the fold in the brochure)

Aren't those the same as the 280Z factory alloys for the U.S. cars?

Half price sale at the Fontana Ecology also. They've got a set of 15" ZXT 'swastika' rims I've had my eye on. Don't really need them but if they are still there I'll get em!

Actually, Albrect Goertz did not design the Z. His design became, more or less, the Toyota 2000GT. The Z design was an in house design. Read up on the 'Goertz myth', it's a fairly interesting story. Look for it on http://zhome.com.

I have a gallery saved on my computer. Sean's picture is in it so he must have uploaded it somewhere other than 'Member Mugshots.'

Back in the day, I owned both a 70 and a 72. I purchased the 70 new in April of 70. When the 72's came out, Pomona Valley Datsun from whom I purchased the 70 made me an offer I couldn't refuse. They gave me virtually what I paid for the 70 in trade for the 72! They must have known something then because I always felt that the 70 performed better. I was in my early 20's then. I wish I could recall the vin's for those cars but I'm lucky to remember last week at this point! The 70 was red w/black interior and the 72 was red w/tan. I recall everyone thinking that I had changed the interior rather than buying a new car. It seems to me that the 70 was made in 2/70 but I'm really not sure. Which one was better? I don't know. They were both good.

It's on the drivers side of the trans next to the vacuum diaphragm. It has two wires coming out of it.

This is not about my Z but it is a 'Dad and Datsun' story. In 1980, just before Chrismas, I came across the 1964 L320 pickup that I still own to this day. I had spent all of my money on Christmas shopping and even though the PO of the truck only wanted $100 for the truck, I just didn't have it. My dad loaned me the money. The truck actually ran at that point except for some electrical gremlins. I tinkered with it for a couple of days and had it driveable by New Years Day (1981). By the middle of January I had reached the point where I could pay him back. I drove the truck over to my parents' house. My dad did not understand why I liked the truck or Datsuns in general. When I offered to pay him back the $100 he said, "Keep your money, just think of it as a Christmas present". He passed away of a stroke on January 25, 1981. That truck was the last thing he ever gave me. That is why I'll never sell it.

To the moon!!!

I'm sorry, Chris. I guess that came off a lot stronger that I meant for it to.

I don't get it!? Is that some kind of Austrailian joke? I have been trying to pick up on it throughout this thread and I still haven't . . . 21 pages later!

Victor, I feel your pain. It happened to me in 2002. I got it back but I don't drive it as much anymore. That's why I bought the 810. Remember we talked about 810 coupes last year? Anyway, I use the 810 as my daily driver and only use the Z for car shows and taking my wife to lunch on Wednesdays. It's a shame that one has to be leary about enjoying something that has so much effort put into it. I hope yours comes back in as good a condition as mine did. They took my stereo, speakers, some tools, and garage door remote!? Allstate more than covered it. My prayers are with you and your Z.

I have always liked them. I bought a set from the junkyard for ten bucks each (Pick-a-Part half price sale) and polished them. My plan was to put them on my 810. When I saw how they looked polished, I decided to put them on my Z. That coupled with the fact that the Z is garaged and the 810 resides in the driveway. Many cats in the neighborhood! I think they look good especially when you consider the cost.