26th-Z

5th, I get the Porsche 356 Registry magazine, very nice club magazine BTW, and one of my favorite regular articles deals with transactions within their realm. The examples range from new parts, used parts, and memorabilia just like our z-car world. I'm just gobsmacked with some of the stuff I see and what people are willing to pay. I remember buying a set of tools for my dad's car, how 'expensive' they were at the time, and now picking my jaw up off the floor for the same stuff. On the other hand, I don't see Datsun items increasing in value as fast. That could just be me, though. This wheels story has been a fun and memorable experience. One we will surely discuss over a few beers! Hope to tip one with the new proud owner some day.

You're really having a hard time with price of those wheels, aren't-ya 5th?! Welcome to the car collecting hobby! I wonder if Jim Faria bought them. He brought his very well done rallye replica to the Nashville convention.

No. The whole throttle lever arrangement was never supposed to be on the HLS30U imports. We've had long conversations about this one and the federal laws prohibited the hand throttle feature (similarly the headlight covers). Supposedly, several of the early, early cars made it through import preparation (different from 'dealer preparation') and were sold with hand throttles as they were originally equipped, however it is quite rare to see a true original. Most of the hand throttles you see today were parts purchased in Japan and installed by the owner.

The emblems could be valuable. I wonder if they are solid metal cast or hollow metal cast. If you decide to remove them, be careful not to break the mounting pins! BTW, that hatch is toast.

If you are going to keep your car outside, or even in a carport, then I suggest the more expensive / protective types. The trouble I find with car covers is that they are a pain in the arse when they are wet.

I kind of figured that's what you were talking about, Michael. I don't recall seeing monthly production figures in 1970 but I could be wrong. Seems like it has been discussed before? Oh well, I'm interested in that sort of thing. Geek or not! Ha, ha! Yea, I fit that description.

Thanks for regurgitating Carl Beck's information, Michael, but I still want to know how you figure February 1970 was the lowest production month. Of course, that would be lowest production month of HLS30U types in 1970, wouldn't it? Production in Novermber of 1969, say, would have been lower, don't you think? And you say; "straight from the nissan plant." I would like to see that, please. Published information originating from Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. at that period of time is fairly rare. Also, I have a couple of comments about what you have read on Carl's site. Carl is talking exclusively about HLS30U types and does not account for any of the other types. In that respect, he isn't accurate with some of the things he writes. For instance, HLS30-00013 is most definitely not the first regular production 240Z sold to the public. It may very well be the lowest vin HLS30U sold to the public, but Carl has no idea when it was sold or if the sale preceeded the sale of an S30 type, S30-S type, HS30 type, or PS30 type. Another instance would be his reference to the first 25 produced being held by the manufacturer. Research has shown that (1) the first 25 produced were not exclusively HLS30 types, and (2) engineering, safety, and manufacturing studies were complete far before the S30 was placed into production. I would love to see the car and hope someone decides to restore it, but alas, I am on the other end of the country. Post some good pictures!

Just curious...wondering where you came up with that "lowest production month" statement and what you think the significance of it is.

Thanks Ian, I don't recall ever noticing the differences that this thread has brought to my attention. I must agree. You can't just say Kobe Seiko wheels.

The only 'factory optional' decision that the buyer made on a North American imported 280Z was 5-speed or automatic transmission. That meaning the 'factory' in Japan...or...Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Dealer (Datsun U.S.A.) installed accessories included (and I quote from the brochure): factory mag-type wheels air conditioning CB radio AM/FM stereo (cassette or 8-track) rear window shade bumper guards (front and rear) side moldings smuggler tonneaus side stripes floor mats racing mirrors shift knobs This excludes the Black Pearl and ZZZap editions. Now technically, meaning the Japanese domestic market options, a vinyl top was a 'factory' option. Whether they were 'dealer installed' or not I don't really know but the vinyl top is shown in the options catalog which did not exist in the U.S. until 1972. The U.S. options catalog, I believe, was a Datsun U.S.A. publication though, meaning the options were still dealer installed. The vinyl top was an original design feature tested during the engineering development of the S30 type in 1967. Little known factoid for all you vinyl top fans.

Huh!! I never noticed that, Filipe. I went back to the replica thread and the replicas have the cut-outs in the spokes. Then I went into my rallye car files and I seem to see the same cut-outs. Interesting.

There are plenty of Kobe Seiko pictures on this site. The first picture is a magnesium like the ones for sale and as I recall, Kats posted his set when he had them refurbished. I think they are aluminum. I'm guessing, but I wouldn't be surprised if the eBay wheels top four grand.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?37072-Kobe-Seiko-Rally-Wheels-on-Ebay

Have the hood boxed and padded. Greyhound is probably the least expensive way to ship something that large but Greyhound is NOT going to handle it with loving care. Assume that packages will be stacked on top of the box. Otherwise, great way to ship the larger stuff.

Oh drool, drool, drool! Hope they go to a good home.

Well put, Alan.

I get all nostalgic with this Datsun thing and I'm not all that thrilled with what I'm reading. The 'Datsun' isn't coming to the U.S. That's clear (even though we could USE more economical cars). Datsun represents some form of grace to me. But true, Datsun history goes back to the early thirties. Don't forget the 1933 Datsun fire truck!

There were four shops; PierreZ (which did the majority of them), Classic Datsun, Datsun Alley, and Old Car Service. They were part of the Vintage Z restoration program, part of the Z-Store program, part of the 'Dream Garage' advertisement campaign in 1997-1998. In fact, many stock parts were re-manufactured for the program. Many of those parts are still available today.

Looking over the comments to this and the other threads, I was surprised not to find this description and photograph from the factory service manual and owner's manual. Then the discussion about judging and 'originality'. I would be surprised and somewhat disappointed if deductions were made from the tie-down hooks remaining. I read what Carl wrote some time ago, and with no disrespect for Carl in the five years I have judged and organized car shows for the ZCCA, I have never seen Carl judge a car / participate in the judging activities. I would question his qualifications, frankly. Love his opinions, as always, but they are opinions. I have yet to see any Nissan documentation directing how the cars were to be prepared for sale.

Shaved. I had a Z that looked just like that once.

Norway brochure

Ted, My first impression is that the car is not within your price range. You said that you thought $2,000 for all that work done would be a good price...well I think that would be a damned good price! Over the top damned good price! But such is not the case, eh? In your title, you mention "56k beware" and I'm assuming you mean that by the time you are finished you will have $56,000 in the car. Yea probably. That being said, look around at what other collectors are doing to other marques and you will probably agree that what you are contemplating is not all that bad. What I'm seeing in your pictures can certainly be repaired. Probably the best advice I always hear is spend the big bucks, buy a nice condition $20,000 car, and enjoy it rather than spend all your time and money repairing a car. Different strokes for different folks (I'm repairing my cars) but if you think this rust is bad then you would probably be better off buying something that needs less serious work. Best of luck!

Dan Banks won a Gold Medallion for his Z restoration several years ago and he was on a quest for the original caps which is how I know about all this. Charlie got dinked 4 points?! Something's not right, there. Those caps were fairly common on all Japanese cars of the period. I would imagine they are easier to find in Japan. The new ones can be ordered by the box and I forget what a box of them costs. Best of luck and my greetings to Charlie.

I had to go search through the old computer to find this info: Pacific Industries Ltd. www.pacific-ind.com Cap_Valvestem_Pacific-A-2000A.pdf

Yes, that is a correct valve stem cap for the model and year you describe. I thought I had better pictures but I can't find them right now. Pacific is still in business and you can order a valve stem cap that very closely resembles the original.