andyk_79 Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Sooooooo, my mechanic picked up on something that I had half thought about: auto z's were not shipped to Australia till late 1973. My car is a factory auto (cross members etc have not been touched) that was Australian complianced in 1972 (confirmed by ppsr). Chassis number stamped on firewall is definitely a 240 and all plates match. Mechanic had trouble talking to his Z contacts because no one would believe he had a 72 auto in his workshop. Thoughts? Quote
dat2kman Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 3speed autos were shipped to USA, along with 4 speed manuals. The 5 speed was a rare option, but could be ordered. Anyone ever seen a stock 240 4 speed box? Did it have the flat square plate on bottom, like a Dato 1600 4 speed? Which was almost same as a Datsun Fairlady Roadster 1600 4 speed. Nissan didn't start making the later two piece bell/ext housing type boxes until 1972. Quote
NZeder Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 I have seen a 72 240z auto here in NZ. It was sold NZ new too. Don't forget that some models can be sold before they are officially released. I had a motorbike new in 97 yet the model was released as a 98 model. Quote
Enzo Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 I have a brand new dual pick-up coil, transistor type distributor for the 240z auto Datsun that I had bought off Don Potters wife in the USA. I had thought that it might be good for my 260z but the dual circuits are only for the advance and retard of ignition timing for the automatic gearbox. There's a picture on page 78 of the Haynes Datsun repair manual. It's something different David Quote
dalee Posted July 5, 2014 Posted July 5, 2014 avail in aust a lot earlier than your mech thinks Sports Car World Australia's Magazine of Road and Track - April 1972 did a six page write up on 'the 240Z we have just been testing was an automatic, released here only recently.' NSW Rego CIG-637 and it still has the fender mirrors and I have a 11/72 auto in my shed Quote
andyk_79 Posted July 7, 2014 Author Posted July 7, 2014 Interesting - so while most of the info floating around suggests they weren't being advertised till late 73, it looks like they were available. Another 240z urban myth debunked then ? A few sources I've looked at say late 73 was when they started coming in but obviously not. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.