New member looking for a 240Z

[Hammer]

Hi guys

 

I've been reading for a while now but new to posting into this forum (though not new to car forums).

 

I'm about to embark on joining the Z fraternity - very soon hopefully.  I'm now ready to plunge myself into classic Z ownership.  While I'm into cars with moderate knowledge, I'm not really into building them.  What I mean is, I know the basics and how things works, but if it requires any restoration, repairs, engine rebuild et al, I won't be able to do it without any expert guidance & assistance and access to tools.

 

So I'm looking for a half decent 240z that does not require too much work (as I'll end up getting it done by someone else if it does).  So finger's crossed, I come across one soon.  I also intend to keep it original (both interior, body and engine).  Perhaps the only change I'll do is for some modern fat rims (Watanabe lookalike).

 

Anyway, what I wanted assistance on is knowing where to go or who to call to confirm if certain Z cars are original and match what the seller say they are suppose to be (ie. engine and chassis numbers match etc).

 

As this point in time, I don't have a clue if a certain engine and chassis numbers match are legit.  Or if a Australian compliance plate on a particular Z is legit.  Ie. apart from the Aussie compliance plate, how else can I differentiate an Aussie delivered car to an import?  Plus what should I look out for (in the body, engine, gearbox etc.) for possible hidden problems (ie. what does greasy underbelly between the drive shaft just south of the gearbox mean?  Does it mean the gearbox has leaks?)

 

Anyway, any help will be truly appreciated, and I hope to have an original classic Z soon - can't wait.

 

Regards

[gav240z]

Hi mate,

Welcome to our community.

 

Australian / NZ delivered cars are stamped HS30 as a chassis prefix. Japanese cars are S30 only and US delivered HLS30 note the (L) for LHD. This is a very basic overview it gets alot more complex when it comes to chassis numbers as you will probably find out eventually.

 

If you find a car and think its a good buy, you can always ask us on the forum to tell you what is and isn't original for that year of car. Our members have loads of knowledge and can help when it comes to sorting out issues like this.

 

Cars often come up on ebay with varying descriptions, infact I'm yet to see a description on ebay I agree with, so feel free to ask us about a particular vehicle.

 

Greasy underbelly probably means a rear seal on the gearbox or possibly the rear main seal on the crankshaft. Not expensive part itself but labour to get to that part is what will often cost you.

 

Best way to know where it is coming from is get the grease cleaned up and monitor for where the leak is coming from. Relatively minor issue though i would say.

 

Rust is what you should be concerned about and these cars sometimes look good exterior wise but can be hiding alot of rot so do a search on rust and see how you go.

 

I would say for a decent example with a few flaws you will be looking at $15k.

[Hammer]

Thanks gav240z

 

A few more Qs.  All pertaining to a Aussie delivered 1971 240z.

 

1. Does the car come with mph or kph speedo?

2. Does it come with the rear vision mirror located on the fenders as opposed on the door?  (I've always thought the fender located rear vision mirrors where Japan only models)

3. Did this car came to Australia in 4 or 5 speed?

 

Thanks again.

[gav240z]

1.) The 240z's all had MPH and the switch over happened in 74 with the 260z to KM/H.

2.) The very very first 240z's in Australia had a fender mirror set up, but not the chrome style ones. The really rare first zeds had a square type front fender mirror. I've seen a few 240z's in Australia with the bullet style ones but they are black in colour. I think the chrome ones come from the Bluebird P510 (Japanese market) or 1600 as they are known over here. The 240z style ones were slightly taller too.

3.) In Australia we never got a 4spd box as far as I know. All 240z's even from 1970 had a 5spd box, but the early cars had the A-box with different housing and tailshaft adaptation. I also believe the very first zeds had a slightly different shifter hole (position wise) than the later ones.

 

Hope that helps, anyone who cares to correct me, feel free.