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Lately i got really interested in the Datsun Switzerland history and i've started to collect a few documents. Luckily it seems that thanks to Covid some people find time to dig through old piles of documents and put them for sale. Thats how i got t his Datsun (Suisse) Information brochure, very similar to this one. It seems to be a bit older since the Z is not listed inside, but it has figure from november 1969, so i think it must be from very late 1969 or very early 1970. It seems to be higher quality than the other one, but the content is very similar. Mainly advertising the Datsun Brand and Nissan Mothercompany, the Datsun Switzerland headquarter under construction and of course the cars. Including some insights into the racing programme of Nissan: The second item from the same seller was a little fold-out flyer advertising the various Cars: Again by Datsun switzerland, both in German and french: On the backside you find the specsheets and the dealer list including the 12 Months / 20'000 km Warranty claim. I thought it's such a nice and authentic piece, i had to put it in a frame and will find a nice place to hang it on the workshop wall. I got more parts today and expect more documents soon, so stay tuned

Shout out to my man Stefan who gave me the Tip on this NOS Front Fender for sale. Actually it said NOS but, i'm not 100% sure. it has a weird Handpainted primer-layer on the outside, but other than that looks prety NOS. it's in perfect shape (aside from a few small storage dents and scratches), has absolutely no rust (Some very small surface rust spots) and looks straight After all that's exactly what i needed, so i don't really care if it was NOS or not and i just believe in it *lol* Had to test fit it of course but nothing seems wrong with it. Looks nice in my growing collection of Fenders. Why another one you might ask? The black set is quite rusty at the bottom and with the "golden" set i realized at some point that some of the previous owner thought it's super-nice to remove the original Line that is in the fenders to make a "smooth" look. And also they deleted the Holes for the 240Z emblem This is the new fender with the original line nicely visible and all factory holes are still there. So finally, one piece more in the puzzle

Over the next week i've planned to bring the Chassis to a Blasting company (more on that in a separate post). But before that i had to remove the installed bodypanels. So the passenger door and fenders came off and we have the naked chassis back. Then i decided it would make sense to drill holes before the blasting and before a primer would be applied, so i decided to prepare the holes for the optional passenger footrest. It took me a while to figure out the "original" position. It appears that the Drain holes and everything are not simply mirrored on LHD and RHD Cars and floorpans. So i had to do a mix of guessing and measuring to figure out the position. But at the end i think i nailed it. And now even the bends on the L-shaped foots make sense. I thought those were bent by accident, until i heard from several people that they've seen those feet with bends before. (ignore the uncleaned welds, those will be cleaned of course). If you get the location right, the perfectly fit with the shape of the transmission tunnel / Floor pans. Also note that measures for the position i had first where made for the two inwards-facing "feet" but my one has two Left-facing feet, so of course the position of the holes are different... At the end i had it all installed and with a nice fit, if you ask me..

I work with CAD Drawings and renderings daily in my work life and always wanted to learn how to draw them. When i realized i need those 240Z Tank rubber pieces redone and probably should make a nice drawing, that seemed like the perfect occasion to download FreeCAD and spend an hour on youtube watching beginners guide to CAD Drwaing. I'm used to electronis CAD programs so it's not completely new, allthough i've never designed something 3D. Until today. I got the hang for simple basics pretty fast and here i have my first design for the rubber piece: Of course this is something stupidly simle. but just perfect for a total newbie like me. And it will give my rubber-shop a better idea of what they have to make for me So after all i'm pretty proud and i hope i can improve my skills in other occasions soon. at least i've got the idea about what the CAD Designers in my company do all day now

More parts arrived. this time a NOS fuel filler neck, straight from Japan: This fits my restored Fuel filler cap and mount perfectly

Since i got a new fuel tank a few days ago, i decided to get all the parts that belong to it. The first parts came today. The Fuel tank sending unit: Including the Seal O-Ring And while ordering parts, i decided to get some random parts that were available too. Like the Battery tray: And the choke lever Handle: More parts are on the way

So, a few days ago, i had a phone call with Chris from S30.world. We agreed on a deal (soon more) and he offered me one of his new Reproduction fuel tanks in return. Since my fuel tanks both are very worn, who am i to turn such an offer down? This is how the original ones look. They don't seem too bad. But while one of them could surely be rescued with a certain amount of money and time, the other one is beyond reasonable repair, especially if you look inside.... Today the New Tank arrived here, straight from the netherlands. I have to admit it looks fantanstic. The only small downside is that the black coating is slightly too flat and is more glossy on the original product. According to Chris it was due to the production process or something. Nothing that a little respray can't solve. Otherwise it's perfect, down to every last detail. Check out his Homepage where you can see the different versions of the tank and how they are made (inside pictures too). Also he now started offering the mounting hardware for it. He now plans to offer a variaty of as-close-as-possible-to-the-original Reproduction parts in near future. Some very interesting stuff, which he told me, and which is definitely very sought after in the market. Especially with this high quality and so close to the original parts. Thanks again for such a nice piece! Now Since the original rubber-damper / Spacer pieces on the tank are missing, i immediately started to remove the ones from the old tank: A bit of heat from the heat gun and a spatula and they came off very easy: When i started to clean them, i realized that one of them has started to become a bit brittly. So i will definitely have my local rubber shop make for new pieces for me soon. I have ordered all the missing parts for the tank including fuel tank sender, all the hoses and fuel filler neck, etc. If you remember, i already got the protecing plate not too long ago Thanks again chris and see you soon!

Today i got a package from Prague. Jirka who also made these beautiful Sticker replicas here: https://www.jdmjunkies.ch/wordpress/2019-05-06/240z-various-oem-reproduction-stickers/ Posted on Social media about a few sets of Kick panels which he made and were for sale. They're very close to the original, made out of (laser cut) Masonite, with very similar pattern on the back and painted in satin black I wasn't really able to confirm the fitment, but from this first view the look like OEM Fitment and knowing jirka, he does work very accurate. According to his social media post these kick panels are available in the versions, depending on the year of the Car. Thanks for another great product. Nice to see all those high-quality replica parts popping up lately, especially from the not-so-known sources.

OK you might remember i got hands on a "rare" Passenger footrest the other day and then somebody made a reproduction rubber piece for it? Now i'm slowly starting to rework it. But first. I've ordered all the available parts from my local nissan dealer. Mainly the bolts and shims to mount it to the floor: So, aside from the two black bolts that hold it down to the floor (which can easily be bought at any hardware store, i guess) i have now everything i need to complete another part of the puzzle: And also had the old rubber piece removed: And hammered out said bolts (which are sold as one piece installed on the footrest) as i plan to replace them: Then tried to figure out the exact location of the footrest, to drill the holes into the floorpans. but i'm not sure yet... So i tried to figure out something in the manuals. but all i found was a picture mentioning that the footrest exists, in the Japanese Service bullentin book "introduction of the S30" But no drawing or any other information how to exactly install it. All i have to rely on are pictures, like this one below from the Motorfan January 1970 Issue (Z432 Test), or the ones posted by Kats and Alan here. So if anybody has some information on where to exactly install the footrest, please let me know :)

The best source for (mostly) Accurate Information, still are the original Service manuals. At least if you don't have access to the factory documentation. So i got a bunch of documents lately from various sources: 1) The heater manual. Actually it's a free download from the classiczcars.com website, which i just printed for easier access in the workshop. This one covers especially the S30 series Heater system: 2) The Japanese Steering Manual. It covers an array of Nissan Steering racks up to 1978, including the S30 of course, and i've never seen this one before, so i had to get it before it starts to hit prices like the other early Z-related original documentation. It's in near-mint shape too! 3) From Belgium i got a set of 260Z Manuals including the S30 Body and chassis Supplement 1. Which is more or less an add-on to the earlier version and includes the latest updates. I bought them mainly because they were cheap and to have some details on the later S30 Chassis versions. 4) Also from belgium i got this german Datsun Electronic fault-finding manual which is a bit funky and clearly different from the other manuals. It's a bit later too, so it includes the S130 and not the S30, but has a lot of general information, wiring diagram fold-outs and is just a cool little add-on to the collection. I still have a few manuals missing in my collection, and the picture below does not show all the Z-related factory documentation i have. But here's just a little glimpse at some documents in the shelve. What is really missing for me is some sort of factory / supplier made Sumitomo MK63 brakes documentation, which i haven't seen yet. And then the Printed L-drive Parts manual which i have in digital version and as Microfiches, but not as the most detailed printed version. I still have to read through the new manuals when i find a few quiet minutes.

While the Z is at my place, my Bodyshop gave me some homework: To completely strip the chassis from all the seam sealer, undercoating, bondo and paint so that it's easier for him to remove old welds and weld new stuff... started by removing the biggest chunks in the front inner fender area with a spatula. but after an hour i realized i need a faster solution. After a bit of research, i found this tihng called Turbo-Igel (Turbo Hedgehog). The name comes from the "hook" style spikes that remind of a hedgehog This thing works absolutely brilliantly and isnt really agressive to the metal due to it's unique shape. The problem is, after 10 minutes the effect really starts to weaken since the hooks get dull. but you still can u se it totally for about 30minutes at a maximum speed of 3500 rpm. then all the hooks are gone With two disks i managed to get this much done in approx. 2 hours of work: Well and while the car got cleaner, i got dirtier And i removed approx 3-4 kgs of Bondo / Paint, underbody coating, seam sealer etc.. Still a lot to do. for me and the bodyshop. can you see all those terribly cheap repair attempts from previus owner? And rusty spots? And dents where there shouldn't be? Well... i've come too far to stop now, i guess

I'm still looking for two (prefereable NOS) panels to complete the 240Z Chassis. IF you have those parts and are willing to sell, or if you know somebody, please contact me by any possible way!! thanks in Advance. 1) The Front air Channel LH. Nissan Part No: 64151-E4100 superseded by 64151-N4501 2) The rear inner fender LH: 76713-E4150 Superseded by 76713-N3450

As usual, progress is slow but steady. So this week something arrived which i've ordered over two months ago, but was delayed due to COVID-19. I mainly bought it because it had a slight water-damage and was almost for free. and it's still nice enough to work with in the workshop. Just another piece of documentation ready. Looking forward to get back into the project soon.

Today this little panel arrived: It's there to protect the fuel filler neck that goes to the tank And is installed in the RH wheel housing. Just a small little bit that was missing and another piece of the puzzle:

Yeah it has been a while since i worked on the car myself. but i decided it's time to assemble all t he small bits and pieces into "subassemblies" whever possible. Last week i worked on the moustache bar. So here we got the puzzle in single pieces: The powdercoating company also coated the inside of the bushing shells, so i cleaned them with the dremel tool Added som fresh Bushing grease: And in with the new bushings And all hardware combained. ready for installation. It looks like a simple thing, but if you think what work went into it: - Everything had to be disassembled from the car first - The moustache Bar got sandblasted - The bar got primered and powdercoated - Old Hardware fasteners got cleaned (in the rattler), zinc plated and yellow passivated - New OEM Nissan Locking nuts and washers ordered and added - New Polyurethane Bushings with bushing grease Hope to find some time for some other work again soon, it's fun after all

Finding historic Information on the Nissan Motor corporation Japan and USA is relatively easy, since there are archives full of information and a lot of books around it. Finding specific information on smaller countries history regarding the "Datsun" Brand is a bit trickier... So when i found an old Swiss information document for sale on a local website, i had to get it. From Todays point of view it's fairly funky with it's cut-off titles and different fonts used throughout the document. PS, full document for download at the end. It is an information brochure to the new customers advertising the efforts and advantages of the relatively young Datsun (suisse) SA. I guess it must have been from around 1071 up to 1973 or something like that, Proudly stating that they've sold 5000 Cars in the countrly total over the last few years. The first page is an introduction to the brand including a rendering of the (then beeing built) new car storage warehouse in Urdorf (Zürich area) and including a signature of the then-Director of Datsun (Suisse) SA, Ernst Pfister Page two introduces the Japanese mother-company including some nice pictures of the Factory, test-tracks etc. Including some informatino about their (then) current efforts to develop a new Rotary engine, Electric cars (!) and a Steam-powered engine. Quite a bit funny. On Page three there are pictures from the (mentioned above) Storage warehouse in Urdorf under construction and the Headquarter at the Stauffacherstrasse 45 in Zürich. As well as the old spare-parts warehouse in Switzerland: A quick Google streat view image shows that the building still exists and looks pretty similar with the windows and entrance-door position and shape. The next few pages show the car lineup and their advantages (mostly the solid quality): A dealer list, the motorsports-effort (Including Nissan R382, R280-II and East african Safari rallye cars) and press reviews follow on the next pages. And also the (quite a bit hilarious in todays context) superb 12 Month / 20'000km warranty On the back page you can see the slogan "DATSUN - Brings new values" I really like this document. It has a lot of character and some nice information and photographs rarely seen otherwise and something that is a bit more specific compared to the information you find usually. Oh and along the document above, there was also the swiss Datsun 1400 Dealer Windshield sales document that were put in the windscreen on the showroom floor for the Datsun 1400 aka Datsun 510 aka Nissan Bluebird. I have no useage for it, but will keep it of course and try to give it to a swiss 1400 owner who likes to have it Click here to download the full Datsun (suisse) SA Document as a high-res pdf: 1972 Datsun Suisse Information Leaflet

A while ago i found an used optional passenger footrest for the 240Z and got it. Unfortunately the original rubbers were beyond repair. Lucky that's where RIP260Z stepped in and offered to have them re-printed, since he made some of those in the past. Luckily it appeared that some others were on board too and it ended up in a small batch production. A few days ago the two-piece item arrived here This is how they look assembled. You can install them in an angle that the "split line" won't be visible when the footrest is folded up or down. Compared to the original item. The material is harder compared to the original rubber pieces, but the looks is 99% the same and it will definitely do the work and look batter then the damaged original one: He also sent me a long message explaining in detail how to install it. Thanks a lot! I will have the old footrest sandblasted and powdercoated after i made some re-adjustments when i have the next batch ready for powdercoating! Thanks for the great service and great item!

A week or so my buddy Stefan asked me if i'm interested in a NOS multifunctional steering wheel switch for the Z. Don't ask me where he found it. I wasn't really planning on buying such an item, but who am i to turn down an offered NOS part? Especially when the part number matches with my car? So yesterday it arrived in my mailbox, complete with original bag and partnumber-label. Thanks Stefan for offering me this sweet item! More new parts arrived here and i will show them here tomorrow

Last week i got a bit of en unexpected Phone call. My bodyshop got himself a personal project which he wants to finish and needs the space, so i had to get my car back to my home temporary. So first i cleaned the whole garage and made sure it's nice and tidy when the old lady comes to see it the first time Went and picked up the car with the help of some nice guys from the road support team: After a short ride home The car now is in it's new home: That doesn't mean the project is stopped or paused, though. I have some parts arriving over the next few days and i made myself a little to-do list and also got some tasks from the bodyshop to complete before it goes back. Im sure it will stay with me for a few months before panel beating starts again but im fine with that. It gives me the chance to have a closer look at some details:

So with every day the small bits and pieces at the house are more and more finalized and slowly i start to have more time (and money) for the car again. I rather do one thing, but that right, instead of having 10 different projects at one time. So the car was a bit on hold over the last two years, but i really hope that i find more time now. Before i start work, i decided i need to get a better overview of all the parts, so i went through all the boxes, labelled them (I will improve that) and made sure all parts are in the shelve and away from the shop floor. Picture does not show the finished state. I also sold a big box to germany, which gave me some additional space on the shelve. Then i decided to remove some "bolt-on" weight from the engine which is stored on the engine stand. Makes it look a bit better in the corner and avoiding me hurting myself while i move around itwhile working around the Lift. Before: Alternator gone Heater hoses off Engine mount brackets off: Oil filter off: Oil pressure or temperature sensor (i guess) off: Fan / Waterpump pulley off: Nasty old water pump off: And this is how it looked at the end. still ugly and dirty and greasy as what, but at least all the bolt-on parts are gone. since i don't know yet when it will be rebuilt, i decided to keep it assembled together to protect it against damage or corrosion. It was the first real work performed in the new garage and it's so much better with proper lighting, all tools in reach, air pressure tools on hand, etc... took me probably two hours including all the shop cleaning, compared to maybe two weeks for the same work in the old garage....

The covid crisis apparently gives me too much time to browse the online classifieds for nice stuff. so i stumbled upon a german Ex-nissan dealer who had a lot of old manuals for sale. Luckily he had a set of Transmission manuals for the 240Z for sale. I own a FS5C71A transnmission but he only had the B-type and Automatic transmission manuals. But the price was great and they're rare to come by. Especially the german language ones (for automatic at least), so i thought i'd grab them to put them in my knowledge collection. maybe they'll come in handy at some point. I also have plans to update my big transmission knowledge post whenever i find time and motivation. More stuff is on the way, so stay tuned

I stumbled across some cool parts once again. This time in Germany (online, since borders are closed due to the COVID crisis). Luckily the parcel-services still work international This time i found a set of NOS splash panels / Mud guards, for a nice price from a guy who knew my project. He got the panels with his car when he bought his personal Z from a Nissan-dealer a few years ago, but didn't need them. First i thought that i didn't need those, but after looking for the original items from my car, i realized (and remembered) that those were completely missing on my car. I guess since they're not really important for the car, and probably prone to rust at an area so exposed to water and salt, they're something that people just used to remove when rusty back then. So i'm really glad i found a set of those. Just another missing piece in the puzzle. And finding old treasures of NOS is just part of the whole fun of restoring an old car, i guess

Lately it seems like more and more companies are making panels for the 240Z and other japanese classics. great :) A while a go a guy contacted me to discuss the market situation and i suggested to make some panels for the 240Z which aren't available yet. Well - turns out he followed my suggestion and now KFvintagejdm.com is offering the first batches of panels for the 240Z. They're also known by the brand KlassicFab for many years in the classic Volkswagen community. The owner is living in the US, but he is originally from Bogota, where also the factory is. The parts where shipped from there. I still have to see the fitment and i guess they need to be a little adjustment here and there, as usual with aftermarkte panels, but overall they look good and solid. the Packing was nice, the shipment really fast and the contact by mail very nice and supportive. Lets see when i bring them to the bodyshop as soon as the COVID lockdown is over. Also i'm expecting a set of NOS panels to arrive here soon :) PS: I read rumors that someone sent a complete NOS rear quarter for the 240Z to tabco for scanning and future reproduction. don't need them anymore now, but sounds very interesting for many Z-owners i guess. the future is bright :)

Thanks to the Covid-19 crisis my Bodyshop had to close for the time beeing, since he has trouble getting all the stuff he needs atm. Nevertheless i was able to visit him today, deliver a few small bits and pieces and test-fitted some parts. This is how it looked a few days ago, before the shut-down: And this today when i visited him. still a bit of work needed, but keeps on looking better and better. Frame-rail is welded on too, but forgot to take a picture. Instead of bringing a whole seat i brought the bride seat rail which has the same pattern to test the bracket location (will be in original position). The brackets will need some touch-ups too. if you look closely, you can see the front one has some rust holes... We also had a look at the new taillight surrounding panel brackets. We didn't figure out yet how it is intended to paint those brakets or the area around them. Probably bend them up a bit?. but at least they fit perfectly and look good We made a little mock-up with one of the taillight surrounding panels. The position is not correct in the picture, but you get the idea And the trunk is on there too. The damper and the rupper-pockets and spacers are missing at the top yet. but i brought them along today so he can adjust everything nicely and make sure are the panelgaps are straight and tight.

A few weeks ago my Bodyshop guy asked me if i could get him the now-missing taillight surroudning panel mounts, which he had to remove during repair of the rear-end. I researched a bit and found that JDM-Car-Parts makes them. They weren't cheap but well... Today they arrived in the mailbox. And while shipping stuff anyway, i decided to add a few small bits and pieces to the order. Like the chain that holds the Fuel filler cap in place: The rubber piece that goes behind the fuel filler cap: And some headlight gaskets, since my original ones are completely toast: