Doehring

Rainer, as far as I know it is not available. I brought my seats to a n retired saddler. Total costs incl. steering wheel 500€. Rolf

mmagnus, soory, I can't answer that because at the same time I got rid of the original cooling fan, the original fuel pump and the original header and exhaust. In 1 Z I also changed the SU's to Triple SK carbs a little later. I also changed clutch and bushings. So the cars got a very different "feeling". I don't think the smog pump costs much hp, but it is weight, makes things more complicated and isn't necessary. I do not even believe that it did some good to the environment because it didn't decrease the total CO2 and other emiisions, it just fooled the measuring instruments by mixing some fresh air under pressure to the engine's emissions. Rolf

I put out the smog pump in both my '72 240Z without any problems. I also changed - but that's not necessary - the three dic damper to a 2 disc damper (called Euro damper). Rolf

Guus, congratulation, you did such a great job, it's incredible. The car will survive us. I will look out for some Webers Rolf

in his latest TV interview the reporter asked for him about the 240 Z and Goertz agreed mthat he did not design the Z. He is quiet about that. He only mentioned that he did some work in Japan as an consultant. Okay now ? I wanted to present my Z at a concour d'elegance. Most cars there are drawn by well known designers. I cancelled. Rolf

"Fasten seat belts" ? Seat heating ?

Alan, this was a nice discussion. It doesn't make much sense to discuss if there aren't opposite ideas. What we know now is that there were at least two great designers, one designed the 240Z and the other one years before (in 1958 already) the BMW 507. May be by that he influenced the Nissan design staff more or less, I don't mind. For those who never saw a BMW 507, only 251 have been built in Bavaria, I attach a pic. Rolf

I try to attach the Nissan - Goertz agreement. If I don't succeed here I try to put it into my gallery. Hope it works. Rolf agreement.txt

Hi all, I didn't say that Graf Goertz designed the "Gullwing", he designed the '58 BMW 507. The new BMW Z8 is BMW's tribute to Graf Goertz. They honour him whereas Nissan is eagerly looking not to be treated as a copier. In the early 70s the japanese copied nearly everything. In my understanding it would be no shame to agree when I used some help and competence. BTW, Nissan never denied that he did a great job for the Silvia.

He is still alive and lives near to Hannover. He is a member to the german Z&Zx Club and signed the club watches. BMW never denied that Graf Goertz designed the BMW 507, a car that here is more worth than a Mercedes 300 SL "Gullwing". Look at that car and compare it to the lines of a 2000 GT and the 240 Z. Than compare the 240 Z to the Fairlady roadster and the other Datsun cars and designs before the Z. Make your own judgement, however the influences in design work happened. BTW, the agreement between Nissan and Graf Goertz is published. When I find it I will scan it. Rolf

Seanh, I would be interested in your brakes especially having read your link to Geneva . Unfortunately it is difficult and expensive to transfer money from a privat account to another across the atlantic , but I'm shure a nice american will buy your callipers. We don't have much Toyota trucks here but Toyota Europe is just around the corner. Can you tell me what Toyota truck's callipers I have to ask for (name, year)? Thanks Rolf

Hi all, the poll asked - that's how I understood the question - for the price that we paid for the car to the seller. For my 2nd Z I paid about 3500 $, for my 1st 4500. In general you have 2 basic possibilities: You can buy a quite cheap car, dirty, some minor rust, pale colour, little dents, worn tyres,no neat interior .... If you want to have that car in a quite top condition you have to spent a lot of money in parts and work. on the other hand you can spent some more money buying a car in nearly top condition and you save alot of work. I restored three Z up to now and I will do the 4th soon and my experiance is in the end you always end at about 8000 $ when you had done a lot of work yourselves and with a little help from good friends. Otherwise you will end at about 10000 $ or more . What you miss in that case is the feeling of success that you have when you managed the task and you are pride of YOUR result. You will love that car and it will be hard to sell it, if necessary. In the other case the car might be even better when professionals that you can trust in prepared the car. If they made a mistake you paid for it, if you have made the mistake you learnt for the next restauration.

What oil do you use ? I learnd that the elder engines had bigger tolerances than todays engines. So today's thinner oils can easily creep into the combustion chamber and are burnt there whereelse the former thicker oils don't do that. Look at the original recommendations. Maybe that helps already. What do you others think about that oil question ? Rolf

Sorry friends, I mixed left and right. I'm getting old but still 7 years to retirement. Rolf

Why don't you feed your carbs another way? I led a fuel rail/hoses from the pump to the left outside front (in front of the radiator), along that front in fresh air and back to the engine compartment at the right side and feeding the carbs from there. I also built in a much bigger heat shield by using 2 aluminium plates and a sandwich composition (also made from aluminium ) in between. Nothing is glued, it's all riveted or screwed. I also enlarged and added loles at the left front besides the radiator to get more fresh air to the carbs when driving. At the moment I think about an additional "hot air escape" at the left side underneath the windshield washing water bowl. I could also use the 280 Z hood, but that doesn't look original for a '72 240 Z. By the way, I use 3 double SK carbs. Rolf

Rui, 12500 € is so much that this must be cars better than new. If you can get such a car you shurely don't need much parts that are expensive. Have a look around in EU countries because within the EU it's not that difficult to import a car. Even if you can get a good car from the US (top cars are much cheaper there than here) and you make an arrangement on transportation (in a container) import papers and tax with an professional import agent for oldtimers you can have a Z for a fair price. Some days ago here an austrian Z in nearly new condition was offert for 9500€ but everybody said that's too much. If you get a much cheaper one you will need parts. Have in mind, the Z's engine, tranny , differential and drivetrain are so solid. There you will normally have no troubles. Look out for rust and all interior panels. By the way, if you want to prepare the car yourself you will save money for the work. For a top car in the end you will reach the 10.000€ level. But you can have big fun with a Z for less. Also a little "patina" makes the car interesting. To drive a Z at the Historic Madaira Rallye is one of my dreams. Madeira is one of the nicest places in the world and the roads are so challenging. Rolf

Alan, you hit the nail ! Rui, stay with us few european Z owners. Together we become stronger and this is in line with Alan's words. There are also some very beautiful Zs in Holland, Switzerland and Austria, not many in Italy, about Scandinavia and Greece I don't know much Scandinavians please report. What is the situation in the other european countries? For Germany I think that we have about 25 240 Z, perhaps 10 280 Z (was never sold here) and up to 50 260 Z and 260 Z 2+2. We have Porsche 356, Mercedes 300 SL and 190 SL and even old Ferraris in a bigger number than Zs. Very rare are the early roadsters here, about 10 I guess. Rolf