SpeedRoo

I have an August 1970 240Z that I've been enjoying for the last couple of years. My intention is to restore it some time soon so I've been busy buying up NOS original Datsun/Nissan parts for it. The question for the experts out there, should I return mine to original or keep all the BRE/Interpart/Mulholland upgrades fitted by the first owner, including original American Racing 14" Libre wheels. It came with BRE front and rear spoilers, Interpart/Mulholland suspension upgrade including sway bars, adjustable camber bushings, compression rod bearing, steering coupler, BRE exhaust header. All the bits were on the car when I got it, it had been sitting in storage since the early 1980s but I have it up and running/driving now. I have a complete original suspension setup as well as what is on the car, so I've restored that with all original bushes/bearings etc. It's powder coated and all bolts/brackets gold zinced in the appropriate places. With the way the market seems to be going, my hunch is that all original is more valuable than a period upgraded 240Z. I'll probably sell it once finished but have another 240Z that's a keeper!

Interesting positioning for the handbrake on the driver side of the tunnel. So it is possible to switch it over in the 240Z.

Here you go Kats, it appears on Takeuchi-sans Z432R PS30-00187, not sure if its original or a racing modification. Considering Take's car is so original it's quite unusual. Roo

It's not hard if you know what you're looking for Kats! There's also something unique about the rear suspension that most people miss. Let's see if you know what it is.😁

Couple of things could indicate it's a Z432R, first the pocket in the transmission tunnel with the holes for the ignition switch wiring. There is a metal cover bracket that goes above that for the switch. Secondly it has the threaded mounting bracket on the right hand side for the harness. Then of course the flat boot floor with no cutout for the spare wheel. Roo

I like to taunt the telemarketers, drives them nuts and they stop calling and take you off their lists. Favorite one is with the extended warranties, I always ask them for the VIN number of the car they are offering the warranty for. When they don't have that I ask for the colour, then the number of wheels etc. Always done with some crazy accent as I get louder and louder. Eventually I get their supervisor and then the fun really begins as they try to calm me down before hanging up. Never hear from them again. The debt collectors are even more fun, I always offer to send them money but need their SSN and bank details, for some reason they wont provide them and hang up. Always lightens up a boring day when I'm working on the computer.

Why not go with original Datsun racing mirrors that were standard on some 280Z. They come up on EBay quite often.

This may help, it'd the parts numbers of all the gaskets in the factory kit for the 240Z.

If they turn out correctly would be happy to do some for others.

I've got a pair that have never been fitted Zup if you still need them. NOS that came with my car. Alwaays wondered where they were fitted.

I have nos rubber for them, spare set came with my car. Happy to sell them on to someone who will use them.

American Racing did the original Libre alloy mag wheel for the 240Z, they were 14" diameter and 5 1/2" wide. BRE/Interpart used to sell them. Shelby and a few other companies did knock off but originals have ARE on the inside face. I just bought a set recently and have seen them pop up for sale on a regular basis. BRE have had them remade and sell them in various sizes. https://www.bre2.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=B&Category_Code=bre_datsun_libre_wheels BRE Z parts catalog 3_71.pdf

Stellar job Mike, incredible attention to detail. Perfect basis to recreate the plug wires over the winter. Roo

Nah chuck it and use a nice big wood screw!

Wow...fantastic work Mike. Going to make it so easy to duplicate with all that information. What markings are on the coil wire? Roo

Perfect Mike, all the data helps being able to replicate the markings on 7mm plug wires. Making up my own screen print to do so. Found some new old stock distributor caps with the brass inserts to use with replicated wires. Roo

That drawing takes me back to my school days doing technical drawing by hand with a pencil. It's all computer generated now! The wire number seems to be set 15mm apart, is that correct? Roo

Great stuff Mike, some wires have a long /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ and some have a short /\/\/\, is that the same on each wire. Also I see 3 YAZAKI 1970 16 3 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ 3 on the middle lead. Does this repeat along the wire from end to end? Roo

I think the holes may be to accommodate different badges in different markets, the Japanese cars used Fairlady Z ones.

Thanks guys...I'll try thinner on them. Were in their boxes since the 1970/80s. Owner passed away and they were never fitted to a car. Saves me doing bodywork straightening the ones on my car out.

They have the original grey/cream coloured primer on them. Should I strip them to bare metal or just paint over the top?

First Cobra Daytona was not designed with a rear spoiler, it wasn't integral to the design. Someone's telling porkies if they think it is. They added a bolt on spoiler later.

Great to see such a nice original 1970 240Z. My car is less than 300 chassis later and also built in 8/70. Going to use this one as a reference as I slowly restore my car. Question for the experts out there, should I return mine to original or keep all the BRE/Interpart/Mulholland upgrades fitted by the first owner, including original American Racing 14" Libre wheels. It came with BRE front and rear spoilers, Interpart/Mulholland suspension upgrade including sway bars, adjustable camber bushings, compression rod bearing, steering coupler, BRE exhaust header. All the bits were on the car when I got it, it had been sitting in storage since the early 1980s but I have it up and running/driving now.

Hate to be the bearer of the correct data but 500,000 total under some sort of notice to evacuate or to prepare for evacuation is not the same as 500,000 have evacuated their homes. We live 75 miles from the fire and are on Level 1 evacuation notice but no threat from the fire. Please don't sensationalise the real situation in such a dire time. More than 40,000 Oregonians have already been evacuated, and about 500,000 are in zones that may be evacuated as the fires continue to grow.

Datsun was a brand in the USA, sold by Datsun dealers. There were no Nissan dealers in the USA when the 240Z was introduced. So technically Datsun introduced the Datsun 240Z in the USA in 1969. Therefore the author of the book is correct, the rest is just semantics. Eventually the brand name was changed to Nissan in the USA but long after the 240Z was sold.