26th-Z

I can't imagine the snaps are a problem. It's the vinyl that might be difficult - depending on how correct you want to be. The stuff Datsun used was pretty inexpensive - thin vinyl over a light gauze backing. I suspect no one is making them because there is no demand. This is the part of restoration that becomes fun in my opinion. I'll be happy to make one. I need to talk to Les Canaday, he might have good vinyl. Hell, Les would probably have one! Keeping to the spirit of this post, but changing direction slightly, I would love to find an Amco luggage bar to go along with my $7000 luggage trim molding.

I don't have the correct vinyl, Mark, but I could easily make one. It's just a square piece with snaps on the ends and the vinly is folded over and sewn. I'll try to remember measuring it next time I'm out at the shop. A word to collectors; the snaps on this and the brake boot are gloss black, not silver chrome like the repros I see around.

This comes via IZCC: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2438669684 Evidently, the car sold six months ago, but was not dielivered. It is described on the IZCC site as a good driving, solid car. I am looking for the chrome luggage bar this car has.

VERY NICE - This is living proof that the parts are out there, you just have to find them. The only problem is that the inexpensive reputation Datsun has enjoyed is no longer. Nice knobs! Great looking hubcaps too. Now you just need to find those magic 175 SR14 tires! I had a hand throttle on a 1967 Alfa Duetto and enjoyed it as a cruise control. It was a nice feature. All respect to the warnings! The Datsun lever is in the wrong place, in my opinion.

This is the mysterious "no top ports" balance tube. Notice the L20 reference.

When I first joined this merry group, I posted a wanted for the tube. Chloe, at MidwestZ wrote back and sold me this tube. I understand, but have not seen, there is an earlier tube with no top fittings. Further research is required. This tube was listed on Courtesy's site, and no bitching about the price! This stuff isn't cheap, it's unique...and correct. Have fun!

The older series one S30's had a balance tube with the brake vacumn line out the back. It can be relocated to the top if you desire, but the brake vacumn hose is different for that location. This is a balance tube for non-emissions, but the connection is the same. See how it could be fit on top?

Yes I believe the $2500 asking price is a little steep, but $2000 is realistic. Looks like a fine project car.

My car, referred to as Her Majesty the Twenty-sixth, is a 240 Z constructed in November of 1969. Engine number L24-2338 I can't safely say the twenty-sixth EVER made, certainly the 26th imported into America, but seriously one of the early ones. She is currently under restoration. See my gallery.

I thought this conversation could turn into a really nice gallery of photographs organized in a manner to help us all understand the different models and related cars we discuss. I will be happy to transfer pictures you want to include and build a photo album for all of us. In MY gallery, the upper left heading shows a Album Gallery labeled "Early Datsun Sports Cars". These are pictures I have collected from other sites and they include some pre-war cars - roadsters. I just added some this morning. If you like this idea, post pictures you would like to add and I will transfer them to the album. Please state a year - preferably the initial year - and full model title so that we can all have a common name to associate. If you have a better picture of a particular model, post it, and eventually we can edit the gallery for a completed album. I propose these early cars as the "trunk" or "Stem" of the family tree. I included a Prince, Alan, as you requested, but it is a race car. We can build a sub album of race lineage, if you all like. And if you would like to create a sub album of engines, I submit this:

I think you can cut out the rust spots and weld new metal patches, Bpaccaud. Bend new metal to fit the rail along the top. Cut out the rust at the hood hinge and weld in new metal flush with the surrounding fin. Grind it smooth again. The good question is how to treat the inside of the upper frame rail and stop it from rusting from the inside out. I have the same problem. I might suggest treating the inside with phosphoric acid - a common painter's chemical for treating rusted surfaces prior to painting. Drill a small hole at the end of the frame and spray inside with a long tube spray nozzle like a pump pressure garden sprayer. Make several applications, allowing the acid to dry between time. You can probably spray paint up in there the same way.