260z imports temp suspended

[Fairlineguy]

Flicking through the Glass’s Guide check book I’m intrigued as to why 260z imports where temp suspended
between feb 76 and march 77 ?
From what I can see no other models where affected during this period . Anyone got a 260z registered during this period
or know the reason

 

[Albrecht]

As far as I am aware, this 'suspension' of imports only applied to RS30 (two seater) models and the GRS30 (2+2) continued to be made, imported and sold.

Complex topic. Lots of outlying factors to take into account. Domestic (UK) economics, general slump in 2-seater car sales, new safety and anti-pollution legislation and a model series that was reaching the end of its run (S30 already seven years old and S130 was only two years away) probably all apply.

There were RS30 '260Z' 2-seaters sitting in UK showrooms unsold whilst cheaper, more economical and more practical Datsuns were doing well. Datsun UK franchise may well have appreciated a holiday.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I have a sales brochure of late 70s Datsuns and it shows the range of models on offer but no S30 2 seater, just the 2+2. I wondered why until I read this Thread.

 

[Fairlineguy]

As far as I am aware, this 'suspension' of imports only applied to RS30 (two seater) models and the GRS30 (2+2) continued to be made, imported and sold.

Complex topic. Lots of outlying factors to take into account. Domestic (UK) economics, general slump in 2-seater car sales, new safety and anti-pollution legislation and a model series that was reaching the end of its run (S30 already seven years old and S130 was only two years away) probably all apply.

There were RS30 '260Z' 2-seaters sitting in UK showrooms unsold whilst cheaper, more economical and more practical Datsuns were doing well. Datsun UK franchise may well have appreciated a holiday.

My thoughts as well .
We forget that back then imports would be restricted to a percentage of the uk market .
So the concessionaire would have had to choose the mix of cars to bring in to the country.

 

[DaveF]

Very interesting!

My chassis number is 15185, which seems to be from late 77 or early 78, but the car wasn't registered in the UK until April 79. Probably sat in a compound somewhere for a long time.......

 

[grb184]

Very interesting!

My chassis number is 15185, which seems to be from late 77 or early 78, but the car wasn't registered in the UK until April 79. Probably sat in a compound somewhere for a long time.......

My chasis is RS30-020020 which was registered in late October 77, would suggest 15185 would be mid to early 77

 

[DaveF]

My chasis is RS30-020020 which was registered in late October 77, would suggest 15185 would be mid to early 77

So she really did sit somewhere for a long time before being registered! Near enough 2 years!

 

[Seikoking]

Just for reference and to aid those interested in the timeline, My chassis number is 15134 and was registered May ‘77.

 

[Albrecht]

If anybody wants to try to date the manufacture of their car (ie, the date it rolled off the production line and received its 'OK' QC sticker) then there are numerous component QC stamps all over the car which - cross referenced - can usually get you within a year and month of its 'birth' date.