GongZ

and some more...

Some track pics....

I just wanted to be the first one to post a pic from Wakefield Park. No prize for guessing who it is.

Excellent news! After seeing the high standard of your work - I look forward to following your build. Is it time to ask what colour you have chosen yet?

Thank you John - more great info!

Yes - great info John. Just a quick thought - if you fit LEDs to the dash, do they 'dim' correctly using the factory rheostat?

Well done Mark!! Your car looks great. Nice looking bit of silverware too! <edit> Oops! I seem to have guessed wrong! Make that congratulations Dale!

Well it seems that Mr Gordon Dobie has surfaced, and it is the real man! He has replied to the 'Bathurst' thread; http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,5743.msg82511/topicseen.html#msg82511 I look forward to reading anything he posts here.

You seem to have 2 threads on the same subject - take a look at my reply to the other thread; http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,8451.msg82515.html#msg82515

Hi Wildy, I am not interested in buying rims, but you might be interested in an advertisement I saw in the December 2010 Issue (page 79) of the 'Just Parts' magazine. The ad is from a company called USAtoAUS.com and the ad includes; "Buying rims direct from the USA? We will ship them for - A$100 / set of 4". The fine print adds; Shipping prices quoted from our shipping depot to the port. Goods are subject to minimal dock fees, GST and/or duties when landed. Contact us for a quote - www.USAtoAUS.com". I would imagine that even with the added costs (don't forget to add the sellers US shipping cost of $90 as shown on the eBay listing, to get them to USAtoAUS's USA depot) it would be a lot less than US$500.

Hi Paul, I am not sure what you mean by 'suicide throttle cable / Choke cable setup' but they did have the throttle and choke levers mounted in the console. Have a look at this diagram of a 69-71 dash/console from Zeddsaver's website; http://www.zeddsaver.com/schematic%20drawings/dashboard_large.gif

USA eBay seller mrclassics has the following listed on eBay; 70 71 Datsun 240Z interior hatch panel vented black - US$75 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70-71-Datsun-240Z-interior-hatch-panel-vented-black-/400189600142?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d2d28b18e#ht_500wt_956 70 71 Datsun 240Z choke cable assembly - US$85 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70-71-Datsun-240Z-choke-cable-assembly-/400190464840?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d2d35e348#ht_500wt_956 70 Datsun 240Z console cigarette lighter works - US$30 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70-Datsun-240Z-console-cigarette-lighter-works-/400192320465?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d2d5233d1#ht_500wt_956 He posts worldwide and does combined shipping. Zeddsaver in the USA has '1970-73 240Z GLOVEBOX EMBLEM RECHROMED' coming soon... http://www.zeddsaver.com/interior.html

Welcome from another relative newbie to the site. I suggest that you grab a camera and take some photos of your rusty bits and post them here. The Zexperts can then give you some advice on what to expect to pay for repair work and possibly steer you towards a recommended repairer with Zexperience. You are in front already by living in Melbourne, which seems to be the Z capital of Australia!

The eBay seller that I bought my switch from has a 1970 switch on eBay at the moment for US$45; http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70-Datsun-240Z-hazard-warning-light-switch-71-72-/400189861617?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d2d2caef1#ht_500wt_956

Hello Adam, I have done some research on hazard lights because I will need them to drive through the Mt Ousley fog on my way to Sydney (one day!). As far as I know - none of the Australian delivered 240Z's had hazard lights. All 240Z's should however, have the plugs for hazard lights in the dash harness. Therefore all you should need is a switch and a flasher unit. The third photo below shows the 3 different types of switches used for USA 240Z's. The push/pull one on the left is for the 73 model and the other two are from earlier 240Z's. The first and second photos show a '73 switch from eBay USA that is on its way to me. It is quite second hand and cost US$40 + US$7 postage. The '73 model uses a fibre-optic lead to illuminate the switch when the dash lights are on. You can see the light source (there's a bulb in there somewhere I assume) with one fibre-optic lead the hazard switch and another for.. I have no idea what at this stage! (<-- edit - its for the cigarette lighter) The earlier model switches are not illuminated as far as I know. All types were fitted to the lower hole - the upper one being used for the cigarette lighter.

Hi Adam, I know you have some stainless 'firing order' pipes on the way, but you might be interested in this eBay offering; http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400190248259&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3412wt_1026 They are ceramic coated steel but they appear to be of 'firing order' design - now that you have taught me about such things! At US$350 + US$189 postage (about A$545 at today's rates) you could try them out for a while then sell them to me.

Hi Adam, The car is looking abslutely superb! You deserve to be very excited at this stage. Like everybody else, I can't wait to see some pics of it complete and to read your reports on the first drive etc.. Are you, by any chance, thinking of taking the 'Brown Hornet' to the Nationals in Goulburn at Easter-time? I am sure local tourist board would appreciate the extra business you could bring with a car like yours! - Ian

Hi Harold, I suggest that you download the 1976 Datsun 280Z Factory Service Manual. It is available for free at; http://www.xenonz31.com/s30/reference.html

Thanks Paulo, I ordered one and added a copy of; "How To Build & Power Tune Weber & Dellorto DCOE/DHLA Carbs" 3rd Ed - 2006 Author: Hammill, Des Softcover 128 pages 28 x 21cm It was (allegedly) on special for $31.95 marked down from $39.95. So 2 more books for my Z library for $53.85 delivered.

Hi young Loui - thanks for the info guys - I have found Matt's posts here now. Now how do we get him to finish his car and update his website?

I attended the 20th Anniversary event in Brisbane in 1990 - sorry about the drool on your front fenders Mick (zed240au), but that's what you get for leaving your bonnet open! I assume that the Nationals are only held every 2 years - hence the 40th is being held 21 years after the 20th. Whilst my Z will not be ready, I plan to attend and meet some of you people. My daily drive currently wears my 240Z's number plates - so part of my car will be there at least.

In my 240Z related web sufing I have found the following site; http://240z.drago.com.au It's an impressive, if incomplete build log and includes a very useful parts list; http://240z.drago.com.au/?page_id=21 Can someone tell me if Drago is a member here? I would love to see how his 240Z turned out, assuming he kept at it.

I moved to the 'Gong (Wollongong NSW) from Sydney in 2007 - and I love it here! Add a Z and voila - GongZ.

I think it's a stupendous idea Gav! Small issue so far - I joined the Goggle group (as GongZ) but I don't see how I can edit the sheet. *edit - I just figured this out - had to click on 'Log in' button at the top right corner* If the spreadsheet idea is successful it could become a large document and require splitting up into categories. It would be sensible to use the chapter titles from the Haynes (or other) manual as the categories eg.; Engine Cooling Fuel Exhaust Ignition Clutch Gearbox Propeller Shaft Driveshafts and Diff Brakes Electrical Suspension Steering Body I would also suggest that you add a column for genuine Nissan part numbers before the supplier's part number. Obviously this would not apply for Toyota brake bits or non-standard parts like stainless brake hoses, but it is very useful for finding genuine or substitute parts.

Well at least some parts of my car have been clocking up some miles Scoota!