Arne

It's probably worth mentioning here that - like many of these wheel styles back in those days - this style was made by more than one company. Same with Libres, turbines, slots, etc. As evidence, we've seen this style with different lip shapes, and both screw-on and push-in caps. So the fact that yours have no casting marks in the back while Goose's actually say 'P/S' tells me that yours are P/S clones. FWIW...

Not at all unusual for US-made mags in the early '70s. Some big name companies would cast their name in the back (American Racing, Shelby, US Mag, etc.), but the smaller companies almost never did. And there were no requirements for size, specs or any of those kind of markings in the USA back then.

Ron, I understand your thinking - I see a car like that and think, "It needs to be saved, and I can save it!" Problem is that if I try to "save" too many cars, I never get any totally done. So (with a little help from my wife) I have learned to limit myself to one at a time. Frustrating, at times. But rewarding too, as then I have a fighting chance to finish one and drive it!

Number 1 on the distributor cap is generally the closest to the radiator.

Final order and logo mix has been confirmed. All units are pre-sold, no additional units will be available. Final count: 240-Z - 38 280-Z - 4 DATSUN - 18

Nice find. That's the kind of car I should have held out for when I bought my first one. Yes, that spare is the original.

It sure seems we went through this a while back for a different owner in Scandinavia somewhere, but I can't seem to find the thread yet. Eventually, we came up with a scanned document of some sort that satisfied his needs for registration. I'll keep trying to find it when I have a little time.

Planning on it, unless it does the torrential downpour thing. Showers won't stop us...

It's been a while since I ordered from MSA, but it seems to me that the discount didn't show until after checkout. Not easy to see ahead of time, as I recall.

I'm not certain which part of the harness you are referring to when you say 'cab'. There are three major parts to the 240Z harness - the engine compartment, the dash, and the body (or rear) harness. None of these sections are unchanged from year to year, in the earlier production the changes came only months apart. I documented all of my prior research on this here: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19793

Which is why I ran a new wire to the rear for the brake lights on my car. Gives me a lot more options for rear lighting.

Check before you post on HybridZ. Their Group Buy rules prohibit offering any product that does not yet exist or is ready for shipment.

Quick update - I found the stems I needed, and installed them over the weekend. Finally!

I've done a couple of Z ignition locks, they are monumentally simple, if you have a supply unworn pins.

Well, not all Chinese parts are inferior. A large majority of the custom rims now on the market are Chinese, including virtually 100% of the chrome plated rims. I'd be willing to bet that Konig Rewinds are Chinese, for example. Since no production versions of these VTO Libre-style have been seen in the wild yet, it's too early to judge them. No, I'm talking the headaches of running a small business like that. The trials presented in getting the Bolder Tint deal completed have reminded me why I don't want to go into business for myself.

Depends on whether your car is an early or late 260Z. If a late 260 (big bumpers) most parts will interchange. But if your car is an early 260, the strut housings are different, same as a 240Z.

I contacted the VTO about these a few weeks ago. I'm almost certain they will be made in China, which is very common for cast wheels these days. I briefly considered trying to set myself up as a dealer, but decided I don't need that headache.

The original overall diameter was about 24.7 give or take a tenth or two. The 195/60s are way short.

I'm not certain where Solano County is, or what the smog rules there are like, but getting an engine swap past the smog police seems as if it might be more difficult and expensive than doing your existing L28 correctly. Just my 2¢...

The 205/70s are a decent choice for a 280Z with its taller ride height. But they can be a bit too tall for a 240Z, even not lowered. The 195/70s on 6" wheels are pretty close to the front valance when turning on many 240Zs. This is not an issue with air dams, but can be a problem with the stock valance. To go much wider than 195 on a 240Z with the stock valance, lower profile is a good idea.

Neither are a real performance tire, however. Fine for cruising, but that's about it.

If you want performance in a near-stock 14" size, to my knowledge the only option is the Hoosier Speedster. It is a DOT marked, treaded vintage race tire. While not really meant for street use, it should work.It is available in two 14" sizes, a 185/70-14 and a 205/65-14. Both are a touch shorter than stock, both are rated and measured on a 6" rim. Pretty much all other 14" near-stock choices are minivan fodder. But then again, the stock tires that these cars came with in the '70s were even worse than minivan fodder by today's standards.

If you come up with any questions, let me know. I've been out of the tire/wheel business for just over 12 years now, but still current enough in tire stuff to work with vintage cars!

Mark, judging from how the tires fit your rims, your slots (probably dealer installed) appear to be 6" wide. If you are looking for tires that will fill the wheel openings well, the 195/70-14 size you have on it now is probably your best bet, although there isn't much in the way of performance tires in that size anymore. Also bear in mind that those old Michelins you have now do tend to be a bit narrow in the tread. Different brands are all a bit different that way. The size of your rims does limit your choices some. If you are looking for a narrower, more stock size tire, use a P185/75R14. For wider, consider either 205/60-14 or 215/60-14 (if you can find any 215s, they're getting scarce these days). Both of those sizes are shorter than stock or what you have now, so they tend to make the wheel opening look large, unless you plan to lower the car. To use more modern performance tires, many people these days change to larger diameter rims, at least 15", more commonly 16" or even 17". That allows you to select modern performance rubber without going too short on the overall diameter. But that means you have to replace the vintage slots, which I personally would be reluctant to do. Personally, I prefer the original tall-sidewall look on these older cars, and so I stayed with the same size that you have on yours now. My rims (a different vintage style) are the same 14x6 size as yours, my tires are 195/70-14 Toyo Eclipse (may not be available in all parts of the country). I like how they fit and look on my stock height 240Z.

I took another look at the album on Photobucket. I need to correct my statement on the tires - they aren't 175HR14 Michelin XAS, they are even cooler, 195/70HR14 Michelin XVS. Very expensive tires in the days prior to true low profile performance tires. I also noted that the headlights are vintage Cibié H4s, and the mirror is a real Italian Vittaloni, not a cheap Taiwan knock-off. As I said before, the previous owner was not afraid to pay for the best. Bodes well for other parts of the car, I should think.