SpeedRoo

With all the talk of the Z Store "Vintage" Z cars there seems to be a unicorn that is loose in the wild somewhere. It's the 38th car of 37 built but not officially on the list. Would be great to get more details on it and see some pictures. Anyone know where it is? Peter Evanow who ran the Z Store for Nissan had this to say about it: "I certainly remember when Nissan bought up a bunch of old 240Zs because I was the guy doing it, as I ran The Z Store from 1996-1998, when we ended up building 38 cars (there’s a 240ZR that was the last one built for a private buyer that was never officially recorded)." "No matter what list – and Carl Beck’s is good – of restored Zs there is, there’s always a joker in the deck. The one not listed was built as an “R” which Marc Jones handled in his Datsun Alley shop, with a front lip and custom interior, shipped to a customer in NJ. It was run through the program in terms of parts ordered, but off the books for reasons I’m not sure why at this point."

Not sure I understand how any factory can do a "factory restoration". The factory builds new cars, usually on an assembly line, using new components. They have certification/homologation approval from their relevant national authority to do so which allows them to sell the vehicle as a new car in applicable markets. Now the factory may have their service/restoration department restore a car to as new condition but that is still not a "factory restoration". With the Z Store program my understanding is Nissan USA commissioned the restoration of 37 cars to as new condition which they sold through Nissan dealers in the USA. NOS stock components from their warehouse were used and I think 4 outside "Z" specialists tasked with the restorations. The Z Store 240Z I want to know more about is the rarest one, number 38 of 37. The 240ZR as the Z Store likes to refer to it!

As a manufacturer they did have a business license to sell vehicles to the public as a motor vehicle trader. At no time before 2014 did Aston Martin buy and refurbish cars to sell back to the public. They happily restored a car for customers though. I had a continuing conversation with the managing director about buying cars, restoring them and selling them off their own forecourt at Newport Pagnell which is what they have ended up doing, once they became a separate commercial entity from the factory. Have to say I would believe the MD on any Aston Martin matter before I would listen to your drivel again Alan. Have been called Roo for over 20 years, many people know me by that name in various walks of life...they seem to think its feasible and believable. Had no trouble getting the data on the 432R I was looking for, many generous knowledgeable people were happy to share the information, just as I happily do with my Aston Martin knowledge. The only dubious character I have come across in the "Z" world is yourself. Roo

You seem to be living in an alternate reality, Aston Martin never bought in cars and sold them as factory refurbished. It's only in the last five or six years it has happened as that is when the works service side of the operation became licensed to sell cars. Best to stick to what you know Alan rather than spouting mistruths about stuff you know nothing of. I speak from experience as the former Director of Service has been quite a good friend since the 1980's and provided me unlimited access to the records. A lot of the information is in the books I have written on Aston Martin.

Aston Martin only started doing it in the last 5 to 6 years, they never did it before that. Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good story now. The DB4 Zagato Sanction 2 cars in the late 1980s/early 1990s were essentially 4 brand new cars with newly issued chassis numbers.

Do not clean it, put the original pieces back on. Store as is in a carcoon and never drive it. It will only be a barn find once and that will add to the value. Wait a few years and put it in an auction as is. In the meantime go buy a nice 240Z to drive around.

Thanks 26th, have sent Mike a message but not heard back from him yet. Thanks 240dkw, will start detailing what I need and assemble the bits. Roo

Thanks 26th-Z. Are they the round Phillips heads or the hex ones? Are they all the same on heater/fuel/emissions/coolant hoses? Roo

Just picked up a 8/1970 build 240Z to join my 1973. Plan on doing a full period correct restoration over the next few years with my son. Car came with a full set of spares from a 1971 240Z that was written off so I can start reconditioning parts and swapping them around to prepare for restoration. Trying to work out the correct wire hose clamps for a 8/70 build, chassis number 08802. Do they have hex heads or Phillips screw heads. Also what finish are they, zinc or gold? There also seems to be a style that has curved tensioner screw plate rather than the flat one. Also trying to find the correct cut pile carpet in black, does anyone know of a supplier. Regards, Roo

I'm doing the exact same transplant at the moment. The pressure wash wont clear out the inside of the engine, either have it hot tanked or baked. I just had mine baked then shot peened. Did a 40 thou over bore and some new flat top pistons. Check inside the block to make sure there are no stray freeze plugs that the last rebuilder pushed in and didn't retrieve, I found one in mine. I went with brass plugs when I replaced them. Roo 1973 240Z 1970 240Z

View Advert ANSA Twin tip vertical exhaust tip NOS ANSA twin tip vertical exhaust tailpipe for Datsun 240Z, Still in original plastic wrapper, never installed. ANSA part number DA 0498 Popular option back in the 1970s. 1.75" inlet pipe. Advertiser SpeedRoo Date 06/15/2019 Price $600.00 Category Parts for Sale

Used to have one of these in my Aston back in the 1980's when I was flying 727s. Lotus also fitted them in the 1980/81 Turbo Esprit. Panasonic did various versions, Lotus had the RM610...I had the RM710. When I got my JPS Esprit a few years ago it came with one, ripped it out as it wasn't working and threw it away. Here's one on EBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153402189291?ul_noapp=true Roo

Here's the two of them om Google Earth, looks like the other one is Orange. Datsun 240Zs

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