Hitachi Radio Model TM-1081ZA trivia

[gav240z]

Hi Guys,

So I finally got an Hitachi Radio home tonight that I sourced recently. When I saw photos of it I thought it was odd the antenna switch was blanked off, I figured it wasn't originally there as standard. But when I got it today I found a few interesting differences between this radio (model code unknown) and the TM-1081ZA units I got off Dimitri.

 

First of all with the faceplate removed...

 

The top image is the 1 I got recently. The bottom 2 are TM-1081ZA confirmed by stickers on the housing.

 

The other difference is the overall size at the back, you can see it's quite a bit smaller.

 

 

Top view

 

Rear

 

Inspection cover.

 

You can see "Antenna Trimmer" if you look closely.

 

A look inside.

 

Factory textured blanking plate

 

I removed the blanking plate, to show that the antenna switch fits fine. The faceplate would be perfect if not for a minor chip in the left hand bottom corner and the missing knob!

 

All the wiring looks the same, the brackets where it mounts in the car are in the same position, it was just the blanked off antenna switch and the fact that it's a bit smaller that I found odd...

 

Anyone got a clue as to why they are different?

[gilltech]

Looks like a factory power-antenna-delete panel to me. Must have been required for some market or some spec.

Just because a radio with power antenna was listed as standard equipment on a 240Z (well, AFAIK it was) doesn't mean that suited all situations.

I've seen similar oddball things with other cars, just because they shouldn't be required in theory according to the specs doesn't mean they don't exist because just occasionally such things turn up to confound the experts.

I think you have a very rare factory part there.

Where did you get it from, Japan?

[GongZ]

The mystery radio appears to be an Hitachi TM-701RB, which this eBay USA listing says is from a  73-76 Datsun 620 truck.

 

The face plate, however, must be from a 240Z - and as for the antenna switch blanking plate - no eye dear 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261864970356

[gav240z]

Well if it is indeed true that the same head unit was used in multiple cars and a reproduction faceplate will be available (still waiting on mine), then that could make an original head unit much cheaper for an S30z enthusiast. Of course you still need to find an antenna switch - which is a bit of a challenge and can be expensive.

 

Not sure if any of these even work yet, but at least they will look the part in the Z's.

 

Of course now that everyone knows there will be no cheap head units anymore haha..

[gav240z]

As you may have seen already, I'm looking for another antenna switch.

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,15821.0.html

 

The 280z sold in the US had an antenna switch which was very similar to our 240z style switch. Reference photo here.

http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/118198-found-a-switch-under-center-console-1978-280z/

 

Good thing is these switches are cheaper...much cheaper.

 

But comparing photos with my 240z ones, it would appear that the side you mount the switch on is offset compared to the 240z version. It may (depending on year) have a down pointing arrow, not just the up arrow. However a bit of sand paper, plastic epoxy filler and black vinyl paint and you could delete it I think...

 

 

[andyk_79]

ANOTHER antenna switch Gav !!!  You creating a cottage industry for yourself by drying up supply of radio parts ?

[gav240z]

ANOTHER antenna switch Gav !!!  You creating a cottage industry for yourself by drying up supply of radio parts ?

 

That's the plan my man.

[GongZ]

I have just noticed another difference 

 

Does the latest radio have two actions (tuning + distant/local switch) on the left control shaft, or just one, as suggested by the face plate?

 

[gav240z]

Interesting all other photos I can find on the net show the other version. Oh well...I suspect another model of Datsun received the same unit/design but perhaps without the antenna switch as standard like the S30z.

 

FYI: It was listed on Yahoo! Auctions as an HLS30 radio.

 

PS: This radio on eBay shows a red light, where as all 3 of mine have a green 1.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Datsun-Nissan-240Z-AM-Seek-Scan-Radio-70-71-Stunning-Condition-OEM-260Z-280Z/291536381091

 

 

[Riceburner]

Wtf $1200? Are people actually buying them at that price or are they continually listed over & over?

 

EDIT* Datsun 510 radios are around $55, are they interchangeable like some of the other parts?

[gav240z]

Wtf $1200? Are people actually buying them at that price or are they continually listed over & over?

 

I don't know if they are, I've seen a couple sell for $500-$600 USD price range though.. Unrestored.

 

I got my last 1 for $250 AU as is.

[GongZ]

Interesting all other photos I can find on the net show the other version. ...

 

Funny that you should say that - I had also searched and not found another example like you have until I saw this post;

 

907 Green looks hot.

 

http://www.themotorhood.com/themotorhood/2015/4/28/rising-sun-classic-1971-datsun-240z

 

Once I got over the beautiful looking 5-speed gear knob, I noticed the radio behind it. The face plate is out of focus, but you can tell that it just says "TUNING", without the "DX<->LO" label.

 

Unfortunately this photo cuts out the aerial switch position. Its difficult to tell from the other photo of the interior, but to me it looks like it has an aerial switch.

[HS30-H]

Japanese audio choices, September 1971:

 

'Deluxe' models (Fairlady Z432, Fairlady Z-L, Fairlady 240Z-L and Fairlady 240ZG) got the Hitachi 8-track/AM as stock equipment. If you paid a little extra you could buy the FM expander cassette, which plugged into the 8-track and gave you FM reception:

 

 

'Standard' models (Fairlady Z and Fairlady 240Z) got the Hitachi AM radio, with a blanking plate over the antenna switch. I believe this was because they only had a manual antenna?

 

[gav240z]

That's great info Alan, does the 'standard model' version have the automatic scanning feature? I can't read the Japanese text to decipher what it says about the radio and it's features.

[GongZ]

S30 trivia is so much fun!

 

Alan,

Thank you for your contribution - knowing that the 'simpler' AM radio was a Japanese market part helps to explain how one found its way into the green NZ 240Z - given that NZ has many more imported JDM S30s than we do.

 

I found this Youtube video (is datsunz903 Kats?) demonstrating the 8 track and the FM adaptor that Alan mentioned above -

 

Then I found this discussion from 2008 - http://www.classiczcars.com/topic/23900-datsun-240z-vs-fairlady-z432/page-9 - where Alan posted a pic of his favourite 8-track cartridge!! I seldom do this, but ROFLMAO! 

 

I will just attach a pic of the 8-track radio from the Youtube video and leave the pic of the 8-track cartridge to be seen in context for those who want to do the research.

[HS30-H]

That's great info Alan, does the 'standard model' version have the automatic scanning feature? I can't read the Japanese text to decipher what it says about the radio and it's features.

 

It doesn't mention it in the text, so I think it didn't have it. Which would I guess fit with the 'Spartan' nature of the 'Standard' model Z, after all...

[HS30-H]

Then I found this discussion from 2008 - http://www.classiczcars.com/topic/23900-datsun-240z-vs-fairlady-z432/page-9 - where Alan posted a pic of his favourite 8-track cartridge!! I seldom do this, but ROFLMAO! 

 

Ha! I had forgotten about that.

 

That thread on classiczcars is a mine of great stuff. Kats has brought so much to the table over the years.

[gav240z]

It doesn't mention it in the text, so I think it didn't have it. Which would I guess fit with the 'Spartan' nature of the 'Standard' model Z, after all...

 

That may explain why the overall size of the unit is smaller also. Perhaps the 'ghost tune' required a bit more circuitry? Might also explain why the faceplate is missing the DX LO insignia also.