SpeedRoo

Got a set of original Datsun competition/race mirrors for my '73 240Z comp resto. They didn't come with the mounting gaskets which no longer seem to be available. Searched around on the net for some but no luck, seems there were some on EBay a year ago. I think the mirrors were also used on the 280Z Black Pearl and Zap models, as well as being an option for the 240Z and 260Z. Not to worry, drew some up in Solidworks and then 3D printed them in PLA. They fit a treat and look original. Nice little result for a few hours work. Happy to make some more for anyone that needs them, just drop me a message.

Got a set of original Datsun competition/race mirrors for my '73 240Z comp resto. They didn't come with the mounting gaskets which no longer seem to be available. Searched around on the net for some but no luck, seems there were some on EBay a year ago. I think the mirrors were also used on the 280Z Black Pearl and Zap models, as well as being an option for the 240Z and 260Z. Not to worry, drew some up in Solidworks and then 3D printed them in PLA. They fit a treat and look original. Nice little result for a few hours work. Happy to make some more for anyone that needs them, just drop me a message.

Homedepot made a perfect match for me, had them scan in the original inspection hatch.

Nice work, covers lots of history of the Z. Wow, those 50 years went by fast! Roo

Thanks 26th, according to the SB it was the first 3606 L24 engines, I had read 1000 on this forum so my mistake. Got some feedback to my inquiries today both from the USA and Japan. Looks like 2 432 were brought in back in the day, not sure to whom or why...still working on that. My contacts in Japan have provided loads of information on the Z432-R, chassis numbers, registration, specs, location. Busy compiling it for my own personal use so I wont post it here. Flat out reading through the Z books I picked up so it's all starting to make sense now. Many thanks to the people who reached out to me behind the scenes to provide information and support....you have been a great help. Some ex Formula 1/Sportscar drivers from the seventies have connected me with race people in Japan so I'll follow up the brief race history of the Z432-R with them. Now it's time to get back to work on my 240Z. Thanks to the forum and a merry Christmas and great New Year to one and all!

Excellent 26th, cold hard facts from the original source...that's what I like to see. Now were you involved developing the 240Z for racing with the NMC competition department here in the USA. They must have documented what they did in testing, do you know if they retained those notes? Roo

Thanks 26th, I was talking about racing with the 240Z and setting up the competition department focused on that car, not what came earlier. The Japanese had the most experience as they had campaigned it in Japan since January. Would make sense they would try and help their overseas divisions get up to speed so to speak. Glad you were there in the SCCA racing, were you involved developing the 240Z with the NMC competition department? Always good to have a benchmark to test your new race car against, hence my suggestion they may have used a Z432-R as a reference. Actually the cranskshaft problem has been mentioned here in the forum and in reference to Japan and the first 1000 L24 engines built, do you know when Nissan solved that problem and put the revised one into production. Well done to the armchair experts for all the work you have done, I enjoy asking questions and reading back through the archives to understand the subject, I also appreciate hearing direct from the sources who were there when it was all happening and involved. That's why I asked if anyone here could speak to Peter Brock or Bob Sharp and ask them as I do not know them not have I ever met them. A number of people have reached out privately and are doing just that. I will let you know what I hear. Regards Roo

I look forward to hearing what Peter Brock or Bob Sharp have to say. Thankfully they were in the forest cutting logs rather than on the edge behind a tree peering in. If you don't ask you will never get an answer. It's amazing how the AEIC (Armchair Expert In Chief) can be so sure of things when he wasn't there.

When setting up a new race program in a foreign market many companies send out one of their current cars to use as a benchmark in setting up a new team. Nissan may have chosen to do this with the Z432 and Z432-R when the first competition department was being set up stateside. Might be a good question to ask Peter Brock or Bob Sharp as they were directly involved in the USA. As there were problems with the cranskshaft vibrations in the first 240Z L24 engines, the S20 engined cars may have been needed to help get them established and up to speed until the problem was resolved. The Yankee boys would have relished beating the foreign invader on their own turf. All of this is supposition of course until someone asks those directly involved and gets an answer. I'm sure there are some people on the forum who have the right connections to find out. Roo

Surprised me as well, just wondering what the story was behind it all. Is there any reference in the Uemura book? He had feet on the ground at the time so probably has the most knowledge. Slowly going back through the archives here researching the cars, amazing what can be found, thanks everyone for the contributions over the years. Roo P.S. Love the Orange R

G'day 26th, happy to share what I've found. Your esteemed forum member Kats posted about this many moons ago, June 8th 2007. Must say I was surprised the AEIC (Armchair Expert In Chief) never commented on this...maybe Griffith Borgeson was one of the test drivers. To quote: Mr.Miyazaki once told me when he was a chief of test crew of Europe 240Z,the team brought a 240Z with very very hard suspension to make good lap time at turn pike.He said 240Z was supposed to be enter Montecarlo rally before its debut in Europe,for PR.First he felt it was too much hard,but German Nissan said it was good. PS : amendment, Mr.Miyazaki told me two Z432s were sent to the U.S. Not just S20 engine. The one was a Z432 and the other was a Z432R. He was told the Z432R was crashed. If someone find Z432 and Z432R's wreck, please report here!! Post 66 in this thread:

Got the Long book and reading it diligently. Sadly not a lot on the Z432-R racing other than general info readily available on the net. Waiting on the Uemura book, should be here tomorrow. Will be interesting to read about the test cars that came to the USA/Canada. By some accounts a Z432-R came over here and was crashed and written off, wonder if there are any details in Uemura's tome. Posted a question on the racing Japanese Z cars in the race section of the forum but it seems to have stumped the "armchair experts" amongst us so far! Roo

Just been reading through a couple of books I got on the Nissan Z cars. Not much coverage of the early days of racing in 1970 on the Japanese circuits. From what I can ascertain Nissan had two works teams running the cars, the Z432-R and then the 240ZR. Does anybody have any more details on the Omori and Oppama factory race teams and what cars they ran. Were the race cars taken from the factory built Z432-R production or un-numbered chassis just built for racing. I believe number 68 was the first Z432-R and run as a factory effort, anyone know the chassis number. Sadly it was written off in its first race at Suzuka in Jan. 1970 with Moto Kitano driving. Roo

Love these old hot rod Z cars. American ingenuity at its best dropping a V8 in to a 240Z! Not sure how they drive but there wouldn't be a shortage of power. Like the period marketing materials Scarab produced to sell the car and components, takes some effort to put all that together. Was the original Z designed to take the Nissan Y40 V8 at the time?

I would consider the people with feet on the ground who were involved at the time as experts. In the case of the Z that would be Uemura, Katayama, Matsuo etc. Hence my question on definitive books. Writers like Long who have taken the time to travel in Japan and research the subject are also good references, they have also taken the time to do the work and write it down. If history is not recorded it is soon forgotten. Others like myself who have discovered the cars have them to thank for their efforts. I have no idea who Griffith Borgeson is, were they involved with the Z development as well? If you find the term "armchair expert" derogatory then my apologies. I have no way of knowing your qualifications or background other than what I have read on Z forums. Like yourself there are many people with opinions on the cars, but how do you know who really knows what is true or not. I find it simple to do lots of research and ask questions, which is what I am trying to do here. The same way I contacted you privately through the message board and asked questions. I had assumed you were knowledgeable about the race cars and Z432R and asked you some questions based on what I had researched. You chose not to answer as you didn't know me and wanted to know who or what I was doing. I explained that to you and then nothing. I contacted kats in Japan and he has been very helpful, he also mentioned you were very busy but the person to ask. I wrote to you to say I understood you were busy and I would continue my research in Japan. Unfortunately you did not even have the courtesy to respond to that either. Obviously you have quite a bit of background on the cars but don't wish to share it, that is your prerogative. I have ordered the Long book on the subject and will look up the other ones 26th-Z has suggested. If I have upset any others with my questions and earnestness my apologies, that was not my intention. Look forward to find out more history and background to these fascinating cars.