James' 240z

[cracker]

Hi All,

 

I bought this almost 2 weeks ago from another member on this site and have finally had the time to drag the car out for a couple of photos.

 

Its a 1972 240z running an L26 with SU Carbs. Nothing too flash but I intend on using it for a daily driver for some time before I start doing any major work. The best part is that the car is mainly rust free - some evidence of repairs in a couple of spots and some very small surface rust here and there.

 

The only problem ive had so far is installing a stereo and a coolant hose leak, but Ill post in the technical forum shortly. Here are some pics, note the car is unwashed sorry and will hopefully look better with a wash and polish...

[FLEXZED]

welcome mate

 

nice car enjoy the pleasures of it

 

 

[RBZ 260]

cool another south ozzy. welcome mate.

 

we are planing (zzzzed and myself soonish) for adelaide meet / cruise etc.....

 

so be good to meet up with rest of SA Z cars.

 

nice Z by the way.

 

 

 

 

[Lynton]

Nice looking 72 240Z with the front mounted indicators above the front bumper with 260z wheels, a lucky purchase I suspect, enjoy the buzz you will get from it.

What happened to the L24 motor? If you can't get hold of the original motor it you may as well put in a Series 2, L28 and enjoy the ride even more?

A cool purchase Lynton

[C.A.R.]

Welcome & congrats on the purchase

[cracker]

cool another south ozzy. welcome mate.

 

we are planing (zzzzed and myself soonish) for adelaide meet / cruise etc.....

 

so be good to meet up with rest of SA Z cars.

 

nice Z by the way.

 

Cheers mate. Id definitely be keen to get on board if you get a cruise organised. I only know one other person in SA (personally) that has a 260z in build stage, so would be keen to meet others.

 

Nice looking 72 240Z with the front mounted indicators above the front bumper with 260z wheels, a lucky purchase I suspect, enjoy the buzz you will get from it.

What happened to the L24 motor? If you can't get hold of the original motor it you may as well put in a Series 2, L28 and enjoy the ride even more?

A cool purchase Lynton

 

Thanks, the high mounted "indicators" are actually the parking lights, that were installed by the previous owner in order to pass RWC in NSW, where it was previously registered. Ive done the changeover of rego to SA now, so im probably going to remove them, as i think they look a little out of place.

 

The original L24 hasnt been seen by the previous 2 owners (I dont think) so an engine change is certainly on the cards for the future. The only trouble is I spent all my money just buying the car! Its definitely on the list of things to do though...

 

Thanks for the welcomes everyone 

[zzzzed]

welcome mate

Ill be looking forward to catching up

[Sirpent]

welcome mate

Ill be looking forward to catching up

 

In what Mick ? Hurry up and finish that ride.....LOL

[zzzzed]

i have two mate. The 260z 2 seater in my avtar is on the road. The 240 might be a while yet though

[NEW240]

Hi.

That was my old car prior to selling it to previous owner.  I believed it to be a 73  model. I have seen a few other 73's with the same lights above the front bar which leaves to think they may have came like that from the factory.

Vince.

[Mr Camouflage]

73's did have above bumper lights like that.

[cracker]

Hi.

That was my old car prior to selling it to previous owner.  I believed it to be a 73  model. I have seen a few other 73's with the same lights above the front bar which leaves to think they may have came like that from the factory.

Vince.

 

73's did have above bumper lights like that.

 

Well you learn something new every day. When they came standard were they indicators or parking lights? They are currently wired up as parking lights...

 

NEW240, I know the date on the compliance plate is 9/73 but I was led to believe it was a 72 build date. Is there any way I can tell the date of manufacture for sure?

[zedrally]

Those lights where fitted on a shipment of zeds that where to go to the  UK.

A dock strike in the UK, saw the shipment diverted to Australia.

 

It was pretty easy in years past to "spot" the UK versions, however many have had the lights discarded and AustralianiZed.

 

Hope it clears the mystery up.

[cracker]

Thanks zedrally, Im still wondering about one thing, though. Weren't cars shipped to the UK fitted with their tie down points on the right side of the car? I could easily be wrong but i recall seeing a UK model somewhere with the tie down point on the right.

 

Its on the left on this car, btw.

[Mr Camouflage]

If your compliance plate date is 9/73 there's no way it was built in '72.

 

Also, it's not a UK version.

 

UK versions didn't have the under bumper fender indicators. Just the bumper mounted ones.  UK regulations meant they had to be a certain height above the ground, or visible from a certain angle (I think the latter), which they aren't when in the fender under the bumper. UK versions got a blank valance panel without the indicator cut-outs.

 

I think it's just a lighting change that happened in '73.

 

As for stories of boat loads of Z being diverted to Aus, I've heard them before, but never seen any proof that actually happened.  The stories I hear are trying to account for the perceived the delay from production of 500 HS30's in 1969 to their arrival in Australia in Mid 1970. The 240Z went on sale in September 1970

 

The truth is that 500 HS30's weren't built in 1969.  Most, if not all production (cars ready for sale) HS30's were built in 1970.

 

The 73 boat story does sound more plausible, simply because there was a dock strike in the UK in 1973, but that doesn't take into account the physical differences between the Aussie delivered 73 and the UK delivered 73.

 

Personally, I think its another one of those Z myths.