Lynton

Here is an American web site which has a weekly vote poll Which of these low-cost sports cars from the early 70s will have the biggest run-up in 2009? 1975 MGB 1973 Jensen Healey 1972 Fiat 124 Spider 1970 Triumph Spitfire 1974 Datsun 260Z http://www.sportscarmarket.com/scmpoll/ Maybe we should all get on with numbers to help change the face of recognition and vote for the 260Z!!! Lynton

Wouldn't you think that if 2+2's are now being restored that must say something about supply and demand for S30 coupe's anyway? Most of the time I look at prices of top Zeds, S30 2+2's are about $5K less than a top coupe but the gap is closing, my 2+2 is insured for $10K and I wouldn't sell mine for less than $15K either! (I think it is worth at least $20K) but it is hard to get the insurance company's uneducated opinion a whole lot higher, another example is the Healey Factory in Victoria will turn their nose up at putting Zeds on their car lot so what does that say about heritage and value and a Zed as a connoisseur's a sports car, it is certainly upto us as a club with numbers to present many photos, editorials, national events to re educate all car insurance companies about the quality of our classics. (look at triple carbies, alloy heads, paint and body work restoration and interiors) nothing comes cheap Lynton

My truthful feeling is don't get rid of Zeds just accumulate them but you need plenty of garage storage space. I regret selling every nissan sports car I have owned but you can't keep them all, you need enough money to hoard and drive, that is the real answer............sorry!! But as I have got older I do enjoy the 260Z but only because that is the only one I have left apart from my S15 daily driver but I don't think my personal feelings would be any different if it were another model Zed I had retained and left in the garage or other Nissan sports for that matter either, they just have something magnetic about them. Whatever the decision you will be happy I sort of think the Z31 has modern/classic charismatic design about the the S30 has definite classic lines and chrome which I love but in another 10/20 years the Z31 will be a true classic also and there will be less about. Lynton

I did have a Californian Z31 1988 model but traded it in 2001 my son currently has a 1988 Californian which he is about to sell, I also have a 1977 260Z 2+2 and an 2001 S15 R Spec I bought from new. I have first hand information experience so this is how i see it!!! The 260Z is simplistic mechanically and provided rust is not an issue it certainly is the cheaper maintenance alternative but heavy steering, not a very slick gearbox plus a choke to live with and antiquated windscreen wipers including poor ventilation with average fuel consumption and heat from the transmission tunnel the Z31 will top the 260z as a daily driver. There is only a couple of hundred Z31 Californians released in Australia and is with out doubt the best looking Z31 and the rarest. Depending on the mileage of the Z31 it is a high labor cost engine to work on with belt and water pump routine changes, leaky fuel injectors both expensive and costly to fix and high labor, they chew out the rear tyres and have a crap auto transmission which doesn't seem to suit the engine performance, saying all that they do have a wow factor are great on the open road with [/img]adequate brakes and beautiful steering with lots of room inside.......as a daily driver the Z31 is superior but make sure your bank balance is able to support mechanical up keep.

The 260Z s seater coupe first came out with an AM/FM radio two buttons for FM and 3 buttons for AM, My 260Z 2+2 came with AM radio and Casette no FM band at all. Lynton

If it is a 1988 Z31 Californian I think the 180SX has the same front indicators?? eBay maybe worth a check or the wreckers?? Lynton

Steve your steering wheel and gear stick combo looks awesome and very thoroughbred compared to mine, now you have got me thinking!!!! Lynton

Got mine, thanks for the heads up Lynton

Just iron out all the imperfections and fix up the worn cosmetics, hold the originality, even keep the original fender mirrors! better wheels electronic ignition and you are away with one rare beautiful car Lynton

I have put in a new 260z heat temp switch at the thermostat housing and used original wire and connector this all seems ok. I have also put in a new 280zx temp guage switch at the thermostat housing using a 280zx wiring loom but I am not getting a temp guage reading? Should one of the two wires from the temp guage switch go to an earth? The new switch is different (2 pronged) from the original switch the 260z had...thanks Lynton

Quite a few early Japanese cars had wood rim steering wheels, Honda S600 & S800, Prince Skyline GT, Isuzu Bellet GT, Mazda 1000 Coupe, Datsun 240Z, Toyota 2000GT. Probably a few more that I have forgotten Lynton

Steve I use my S15 in Summer but as soon as mid March comes around I like to get back into the Zed and cruise up the coast to work again in a real car. Maybe you should have a cloth seat cover for the drivers seat in summer and treat it like a convertible and rip it off once the temperature drops from roasting??? Lynton

The biggest hassle with fender mirrors is that pedestrians knock them when walking past, mechanics can damage them if working on your car because they are generally inconveniently located where you elbows need room, the vision is better but reduced in magnification of the mirror. Door mirror is more user friendly. Lynton

Yeah check all the linkages with engine off and then flatten the accelerator to see what it is catching on, possibly a spacer on the wrong side of a linkage shaft, the carpet on the floor not letting your accelerator return, or the linkage catching on the choke cables? Next time you are in motion like that and the throttle jams on full, turn the ignition off and hit the brakes and get into the breakdown/service lane Just my 2 cents worth, better than blowing up your motor at 7 grand Lynton

Courtesy Nissan Texas USA have a complete kit, US $1195-00 http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CP&Product_Code=240Z-AC Lynton

It was looking good but price was a little unexpected in sterling!! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1973-DATSUN-240Z_W0QQitemZ160248016373QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160248016373&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

I am north side of Maroochydore River, on the Sunshine Coast

Change your petrol filter, as you may have some bad fuel with water in it?? Lynton

Well my 2 cents worth the RB motor is a perfect daily driver that gives a bit of twitch when you ask of it and costs way less to overhaul in terms of labor, is far more user friendly to tweak and play with in my opinion and they are rock solid motors with timing chains not belts. Lynton

Good effort listing all the information for QLD!! I am living here on the Sunshine Coast after moving up from Melbourne and I am still a member of NDSOC in Vic, I haven't joined the Z car club of Qld yet, although I have been up here for 3 years. I will do when I get around to it. I have however been to the last two Japanese Classic car shows, north side of Brisbane which are good fun with a large variety of many Jap classics, makes the show quite an interesting day for spectators and entrants. It appears to be getting larger each year which is even better. I should have my 260 back on the road next week after the exhaust is fitted which will allow me to take more interest in what's going on outside of working and enjoying our clear 24 degree sunny days in June!! I knew there was a reason for leaving the south I reckon I will go to the nats09 I always get a buzz out of it and dream about spending more $$$ on the mighty 26 ounce, Lynton

The exhaust shop has recommended to me a 2.25 pipe from my extractors back on my 2+2 and it will be fitted next week, so from what I am reading that seems to be the go so I am happy!! I have also asked for a nice quality chrome tip not some crappy thing. Lynton

Having just completed this conversion myself it was all pretty simple. I used a simple bolt in reconditioned 280zx distributor and cap ($150.00) then put in a new 280zx coil ($39.00) but I removed the porcelane ballist resistor and joined those two wires direct with one another, the other wire long ignition wire from the coil goes to the small black electronic box on the side of the distributor, I put a new set of leads on and a new set of plugs but set the gap wider they burn hotter, you will be amazed at the difference it makes. The best money I ever spent so just do it! Lynton

I reckon China, India and Russia will have to go on allocation so the world demands from all countries can be equally met.............well that's in a perfect world? Lynton

I actually purchased two mirrors from the US eBay, both 2nd hand mirrors one a classic front drivers original side mudguard mirror for a 240Z, the other the drivers side mirror sold as a LHS side mirror for a 240Z this mirror pivots perfectly for RHS driving.....go figure??? so keep an eye out you can be lucky like me, so it will be easy for me to buy a LHS passenger door mirror now .......hehehehe! Lynton

These are the standard power specs for a 280ZX Lynton