aegean

This is where I got the dates and serial numbers from: http://www.300zx.cl/ga/300zx/images/serial%20number%20Datsun%20Z%20Car.htm and this is where I got the production numbers from. This is for all 260's for 1974 (62,961 produced - 54,026 exported) and I presume that the coupe production was considerably greater than the 2 + 2. This seems to match up pretty well to the table, which totals 53,451. Not sure where the other 500 went ! Interesting that Australia and the UK received more 2 + 2's than anywhere else.

These the two plates you mean ? I have listed it on the WA register, but couldn't find the US site you mentioned - at least, not one that has any 260's on it. Do you have a link for the site you mean ? The engine number is L26 093773. Is anyone reproducing the Nissan type plate ? If not, I might get my contact in Germany to reproduce them as I have them reproduced for early Mercedes. UPDATE: Still can't find anything that relates to dates relative to engine numbers, but I did find one site that indicates the 260 2+ 2 was produced from October '73 to Aug '74, with chassis numbers from 000001 to 015000. Based on 11 months production, at an average of 1364 per month, this should put mine as being produced in the first month of production i.e. Oct '73, but it would be nice to be able to verify it. Does Nissan have something like a Classic Centre or an archive that you can write to for details ?

Is there any information available on production numbers and dates of production ? My '74 2 + 2 has a VIN of GRS30 000692, which I guess is failrly early on in the production, but the plate is quite difficult to read - I am guessing that is reads 02/74. Is anyone able to verify this ?

You could try this company in Bayswater http://www.motorsportelectrics.com.au/electronic_power_steering_system

I agree that it is not a difficult job, but I think you first need to understand WHY the head gasket has blown. Was it a cooling, or lack of, issue ? The gasket is there as a safety mechanism and you need to understand why it has "blown". There may be issues with the head having warped due to the heat required to blow the gasket. Are you running coolant in the system ? Did the thernostat sieze ? You should also look at changing the timing chain, chain guides, and tensioner while you are at it - unless you know that these have been changed. A stretched timing chain can add 10 degrees or more to your timing from standard, and is cheap insurance.

POR 15, and Tectyl. Both can be sprayed on.

Also check with your insurance company. If you have an accident and can't prove it was being used under the terms of the registration, they will turn down a claim. Insurance companies are very aware that cars under club rego are used for purposes outside the mandate of the registration (i.e. I'll just take the Zed down to the shop) and will be pretty rigorous in trying to disprove a claim.

Don't think so. There is considerable difference in the size of the hatches.

No, it's not like that one. It more of a slight variation on the roof badge. I will try and get some better photos in due course.

According to the Datsun Store web site, these emblems fit a '75 - '78 2 + 2. Either they are wrong, or Australia got them before the US. http://www.datsunstore.com/product_info.php/products_id/256

This is the bonnet badge that is on it. Same design as the roof emblems. I would prefer to stay with what is currently on it - presumably it is the original one, but it may be hard to find of course.

All the outside paint is original, apart from some minor touch-ups along the way. The engine bay is the same. The cream beside the console appears to be a vinyl - I can't get at the car at the moment, but going by the high resolution photos I took, and has a diamond pattern to it - almost like a quilt. Is that what yours was like, and do you know if it is still available anywhere ? Mine might clean up OK, but just in case.

In the process of picking up various bits & pieces for when I start my '74 2 + 2 restoration. I have noticed that the roof and bonnet badges on mine, which I assume to be original, are difficult to find and seem to have been replaced with a generic Datsun badge. The first pic is what's on the car now (either side of the roof, and the bonnet has the same type with the ribbed outer). Anyone found the same thing ?

Bit like the Mission Brown that was (almost) everyone's favourite !

Thanks. I will probably go with Black rather than Brown as it will go better with the cream upholstery and hatch trim.

That certainly helps ! All I need do now is verify the Brown carpet and I can get started.

In my introductory post, I mentioned that I was somewhat confused about the carpet in my 1974 260Z 2 + 2. In my search to try and clarify that what is currently in the car is the originall and correct carpet, I have drawn a blank. I cannot find another 2 + 2 with the same configuration i.e. light Blue exterior, with cream seats. I am pretty sure this was a common combo in Australia, but where have they all gone ? From some other cars that I have looked at on the web, it seems that the tunnel was the same colour as the seat colour, and Brown carpets. However, the hatch area is confusing me as the carpet colour is cream. Photos below. I have no reason to believe anything has been changed - just want to verify it is correct before I replace it. Anyone else have this colour combo ?

Yes, bought it from the UK a few years ago. It is running and actually had a UK MOT when it arrived, but it has some rust in the rear trailing arms, so am trying to find a pair to replace them. Everything else in the rear end has been done. Engine leaks oil, but that is not unusual for these things. Next stage is the front shocks, and I spoke to someone yesterday that thinks he can rebuild them, so that's next on the list. Interesting car to drive as it has a reverse H pattern column gear shift- takes a bit of getting used to ! As far as I know, there are about 4 603's in Australia.

A lot of these sites offer free shipping for orders over US$50, so get them shipped to one of the guys in LA that imports cars (always in Just Cars or similar) and they do not charge all that much to throw them in with the cars. Takes 45 days or so.

Well, that will save me some money not having to replace the wheel and steering wheel ! Thought I would also share my other cars. You will see that more than half are Mercedes, but most of them are performance models - 6.3 and 6.9 litre. http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n77/Aegeanfoods/My%20Cars/ The 300b is one I finished restoring earlier this year, so it's time for a new project.

Looking at some of the US web sites, it seems you can buy a new bumper, without fittings, for less than US$200, so why have one repaired and re-chromed ?

Seemingly none !

I have also been reading all the posts regarding rust. Presumably most if not all are rusty somewhere. Was this caused by design faults, trapping water in parts that could not easily drain, or a lack of rust proofing ? What have people done to rectify this when rust repairs have been carried out ? I assume the use of Tectyl or POR 15 is necessary in any restoration, but if there are design faults, what has been done, if anything to modify these ?

Are you sure about the wheels ? The previous owner told me that it had come with steel wheels & hubcaps ? Is there a web site that has detailed info on these cars ? I can't find one that goes into finite detail about things like this, production codes, engine numbers, dates, the carpets, etc. like many other car sites. Craig

Hi Guys. I have been registered on this board for some time, but had too many projects to start on my '74 2 + 2. Some quick details. VIN GRS30 000692 Engine No. L26093773. Build date 02/74 (pretty sure that's what it says, and that would seem to match with other VIN's/dates I have seen). Car is original, down to the spare wheel and manuals. Only change that I can see is the non-original steel wheels and caps, and perhaps the steering wheel. Engine has been reconditioned. Small amount of rust in most panels, including the dog-leg, but nothing in the floor, engine bay or chassis. Because of it's condition, I will keep it stock, which means finding some steel wheels and caps. These seem to be in short supply - at least the caps, so if anyone has some for sale, I would be interested. PM me. I am somewhat curious about the interior carpet, with the interior being Brown, and the sides of the console and boot being cream/white. It appears to be original, but seems a strange combination. Can anyone enlighten me as to whether this is correct ? There are a few negatives - firstly, it's a 2 + 2. Secondly, it's an auto, so it is not going to have any great value as a restored car, and certainly not have the value of the restoration cost. I will try and retain as much original paint as it possible, but with the rust repairs needed, it may involve having to paint most panels, if not all. The dash is not cracked, so that is one job I can avoid, but will replace seat upholstery with one of the US kits (same colour) and tidy up the interior generally with plastic polish on such things as the choke knob (the correct one is no longer available I understand) and other parts as needed. Chrome front bumper is dented and will get a replacement from the US also for this. Is there a panel missing below the bumper, or is this gap by design ? Seems a little unfinished to me, but I can't see that there is any panel available for this in catalogues so presume it is as it is. I paid $2,000 for the car, and some photos are below. Craig