• 240Z: Resurrected classics vs OEM front grille

    My original Front grille was a bit bent in some areas, had rusted bolts and the original outer vertical brackets were beyond repair. I really tried my best to save it, but somehow the results never really fulfilled my expectations. The vertical Aluminum brackets were worn out, i wasn’t able to find the long mounting bolts in an original look and it all felt very fragile and “loose” when assembled. So when i recently stumbled across the resurrected classics reproduction grille, i thought i’d give it a try. Today it arrived, so lets’ have a closer look at it vs the OEM grille. On the first glimpse lit looks very…

  • 240Z: Bodyshop phase 1 Completed + Rollbar Details

    Today marks a bit of a milestone: the 240Z frame / Body / Shell is more or less completed. The rollbar and all the accessories (optional passenger foot bar, etc.) are fitted. And all the panels are installed: The car got new floorpanes, new front inner fenders, rear quarters, rear inner and outer wheel wells, new frame rails, new inner and outer side steps, new roof, a complete new rear-end, new seat-rail mounts, and much more. Many small areas like alle the little brackets got fixed and rectified. I think i can say the car is as rust-free as possible. In the below gallery, you can find some details of…

  • 240Z: R180 Differential preparation, Pt. 1

    Over the easter holidays, i had some hours time to work on my project again. First thing i noticed on the Subie R180 Diff, which i bought recently, was that it most probably got painted at some point. A quick scrub with the wire brush made the original silver surface appear again: Same on the Propeller shaft flange: Then it was about time to remove the nasty grease and dirt buildup around the seals: And then give the whole housing a healthy two-hours of wire-wheel peeling: Right: Original Datsun diff, left: Subie diff. Notice the different flange adapters: Surprzingly, the datsun part came off quite easy. While the subie thingy…

  • EVENT: Japaner Oldtimertreffen, 19.05.2024

    The former Japaner old and – youngtimertreffen has change dit’s name to Japaner Oldtimertreffen this year. Due to limited space and many 90ies cars showing up in the recent years, the organizers decided to make it a pre-1994 year event only for the real vintage Japanese cars only. Even though i can’t show my Honda anymore, i think it’s a good move. This years event will be hosted on the 19.may 2024 at the Meilenstein in Langenthal which itself is worth a visit. It’s an Automotive themed museum / workshop / Hotel, which also hosts a formula one car collection (30 cars), and many other nice automobilia. FInd all details…

  • 240Z / EK9: Various Documents from Japan

    Over the past days various packages from japan arrived with some new reading stuff for me: First a Nostalgic Speed magazine. I bought it mainly because of the cool OS-giken TC24-B1 Blueprint poster, (for their 50th anniversary), but it also includes cool builds with an Billet aluminum S20 block and an OS-giken TC16 build, etc. Then i got this 1984 NISMO 10th anniversary catalogue. I was hoping it includes the 10th anniversary Steering wheel and shift knob, but it does not. however it includes many other useful information. some new details on the MK63 brakes, and maybe the page below might solve my mystery suspension riddle. The two japanese rallye…

  • 240Z: Mizukami Rollbar Testfit

    Just a very quick update from the Bodyshop: I got some photos of the Mizukami Auto OEM optional rollbar replica test fit: Looks good on the first glimpse, but i will go and check out the car close-up in two weeks and see the progress on the other bodywork too.

  • GARAGE: Datsun Banner Restauration, Pt II

    A while ago, i got this original Datsun Banner from Germany. It looks like it has been modified a few times over it’s lifetime. The Logo is printed on some heavy duty Truck tarpaulin type of material. But it also was cut off. so i have no idea if it originally was a big Datsun Advertizing canvas, or maybe came from a truck or something else? Anyway. A few weeks ago i cleaned it, and it turned out really nice. However it still had this odd shape with the diagonally cutoff lettering on the left and the logo not in te middle of the rest. So after thinking about it…

  • PLACES: A visit to the Swiss Car Register in Safenwil

    Yesterday i had the chance to visit the Swiss Car Register in Safenwil. It’s located in an old beautifully restored textile mill on the same premises of the Emil Frey Classics museum but not related directly. So what is the Swiss classic car Register? It’s basically a library of the rich swiss coachbuilding history and automotive history. You will find everything related to cars and transportation. – Drawings, specifications and technical documentation of swiss coachbuilders – Old magazines – Microfiches, glass-negatives, etc. – Parts, owners and service manuals – General information about brands, designers and international coachbuilders – Books about the wealthy people who owned those cars – Books and…

  • 240Z: NISMO 10th anniversary Parts

    Today i got a special delivery from Japan with some rare NOS items. I’ve never been actively searching for these, since i knew they’re sold for astronomic prices and are no different from what i already have. But then this nice set popped up for a fair price, so i had to get it of course. 1) A NOS NISMO 10 anniversary steering wheel. It’s a factory re-issue from 1884 from the Datsun / Nissan Competition steering wheel, to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of NISMO. 2) A NOS NISMO 10th annivesrary shift knob of the same origin. what make the two NISMO parts a bit special are the fact…

  • GARAGE: Datsun Banner + Restauration

    Remember the guy who sold me an old Datsun tool wall and some datsun Clothes a while ago? He recently contacted me again to tell me he found an old Datsun Advertizing banner in his dad’s former workshop. A part of it has been cut off and hi didn’t manage to clean the dirt off. So he offered it to me for 10 bucks plus shipping. I have never seen such a large original Datsun Banner for sale. So i thought i better get it, even though it’s not in the best shape. Today it arrived A gentle scrub with some industrial cleaner and grease remover brought quite good results.…