240Z Project

240Z: Rare early two-button Rallye Clock scored!

Today i managed to find something nice and rare. Something i have been looking for for quite a while and recently one popped up for sale:
An original Nissan “two-button” Rallye clock including the oscillator box in excellent shape:

It consists of a the clock itself including the wires and two buttons. On many used items for sale online the two buttons on the stalks are missing, but this one is completey as it left the factory:

And the adjustable oscillator box:, which sets the clock signal for the clock. also note the “up” marking on the box:

A while ago i got this aftermarket oscillator box From japan on the right side, which i don’t need anymore since i got an original one, but since someone might be curious, here’s a little comparison:

For those who don’t know: The Rallye clock was Standard in some japanese cars, and also available as a dealer option over there. In other countries (USA for e.g.) the rallye clock was sold in the “competition” catalogues as an option as well:

There were two versions. the early one (up to July 1973) with two buttons, and the later version with one button:

On this page you can find some additional information about the different (here three) versions: https://zclocks.com/rally-clock-identification

You can find them in many export market parts catalogues (as the european one from 1973, shown below). Allthough not on the standard “meter” page, but hidden in the  “radio” page:

 

I tried to look up the japanese parts manual to see in which japanese model variants it was originally installed, but the designation “D-S30” didn’t really make me unerstand which cars those came from.

It’s not even in the drawings in the parts manual. At least not in the ones i have.
But luckily you can find this information in the Japanese Version sales brochure where all the interieur versions are listed.
So it turns out it was a standard item in the ZG, Z-L and 240Z-L versions. L stands for “Luxury” and this means the rallye clock was a standard item in the “upmarket” versions.
The  Z432 isn’t listed specifically in this overview, but since it’s the most “sporty” version of the car, i guess it got the clock as well as a standard item:
According to Gavin (see comments),

That’s basically correct, the luxury version of Z-L, 240Z-L and including 240ZG and 432 came with the rally clock. The 432-R was a no clock option car. :).

I know that somewhere in some japanese manual, you can find where to install this rallye clock in the car and that the RHD cars have a designated set of holes to install the oscillator box.
I guess these holes are missing on the LHD cars, but i yet have to find out, when the car is back.
While looking for that information, i found the following user manual and specification of power consuption etc of the clock in the japanese FairladyZ introduction service shuho booklet instead:

When i come across some more information, i might make a specialized blog post about it, but for now, this has to do the job

2 Comments

  • Gavin Doolan

    Hi Nils,
    RE: “I tried to look up the japanese parts manual to see where it was originally installaed, but the designation “D-S30” didn’t really make me unerstand which cars those came from.”

    The -D suffix is often used to indicate the luxury version(s) of S30Z in the home market. As you mentioned “So it turns out it was a standard item in the ZG, Z-L and 240Z-L versions. L stands for “Luxury” and this means the rallye clock was a standard item in the “upmarket” versions.
    The Z432 isn’t listed specifically in this overview, but since it’s the most “sporty” version of the car, i guess it got the clock as well as a standard item:”

    That’s basically correct, the luxury version of Z-L, 240Z-L and including 240ZG and 432 came with the rally clock. The 432-R was a no clock option car. :).

    The rally clock was listed in the parts manual for export markets as something you could optionally order (at least I see It in my RHD (Australian market) parts manual (HS30).

    FYI: Here is a globebox inscription from a Japanese Market Fairlady 240Z-L
    https://imgur.com/a/IkstXr0
    Note: The 240-DX marking.

    • JDMjunkies.ch

      Hey Gav,
      Thanks for your valuable knowledge and input. I really appreciate. Will update the post in a minute.
      Meanwhile also found the watch in the european microfiches. turns out i was looking in the wrong place 🙂
      Also interesting with the DX. these abbreviations are somehow new to me.
      I know the PZR, and chassis codes and al this other HS30U stuff but the “D / DX” was unknown. will do a bit of research.
      Thanks again and have a nice one

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *