Looking at a 260Z 2+2 this weekend, anyone know it?

Bazzateer

Club Member
Hi all,
I'm looking at a 1976 2+2 this weekend and wondered if anyone on here knows it?
It was on eBay just before Christmas but did not sell. Reg is OKE 920P.

Google the reg and there's links to previous auctions and plenty of pics.
 

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AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2019-11-23/cars/ref-84-1976-datsun-260z/

If it’s in the same condition as the photos in the above link then that looks from the outside to be in stunning condition with lots of original bits still in tact. Some small observations:


1. what the heck is going on with that steering wheel!?!?

2. That exhaust doesn’t seem like the best fitting item.

3. Choke cable arrangement is a bit strange looking.

4. The fuel rail appears to be replaced with rubber hose. And the overflow pipe is missing on the rear carb.

5. The cooling fan is also absent - has it had an electric fan conversion?

6. Engine inspection lamp is not in working order.

7. Is that battery clamped down!?

8. One horn appears to be missing.

9. Not sure from the photos but that gear lever looks like an S12/13/14 one which is no bad thing if it’s has the gearbox upgrade, but check.


Is the price fair @£19-21k? It all depends on the car itself, it’s condition and history. Certainly worth more than some molested 2+2s that have come up for sale in the past.

Unless the mileage is documented and verified, don’t assume it’s correct. Mine showed 90k miles when bought but the engine told me it was more like 190k ;)

Are you taking anyone with you to see it?

Good luck!!

Ali
 
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Bazzateer

Club Member
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2019-11-23/cars/ref-84-1976-datsun-260z/

If it’s in the same condition as the photos in the above link then that looks from the outside to be in stunning condition with lots of original bits still in tact. Some small observations:


1. what the heck is going on with that steering wheel!?!?

I quite like the wheel, but not the centre badge.

2. That exhaust doesn’t seem like the best fitting item.

It's a Janspeed manifold and system I believe, may need fettling.

3. Choke cable arrangement is a bit strange looking.

I'll check on that tomorrow.

4. The fuel rail appears to be replaced with rubber hose. And the overflow pipe is missing on the rear carb.

Again, I'll check.

5. The cooling fan is also absent - has it had an electric fan conversion?

Yep, twin electric fans I believe.

6. Engine inspection lamp is not in working order.

Noted, should be an easy fix.

7. Is that battery clamped down!?

I'll check, easy fix though.

8. One horn appears to be missing.

I'll check (maybe fit Dixie Horns!)

9. Not sure from the photos but that gear lever looks like an S12/13/14 one which is no bad thing if it’s has the gearbox upgrade, but check.

Will check but I'm not a fan of the wooden knob. Easily changed.


Is the price fair @£19-21k? It all depends on the car itself, it’s condition and history. Certainly worth more than some molested 2+2s that have come up for sale in the past.

From my research I'd say the price would be fair if the whole car was to the same standard as the paint etc. It's going up on a lift tomorrow so I can get under it and have a good poke.

Unless the mileage is documented and verified, don’t assume it’s correct. Mine showed 90k miles when bought but the engine told me it was more like 190k ;)

MoT certificates and some history going back decades support the mileage.

Are you taking anyone with you to see it?

Qualified mechanic friend.

Good luck!!

Cheers!

Ali
 

Bazzateer

Club Member
Ali,

My responses are above after your comments.

Another question, I know I need to check the air tubes but what should I be looking at?
Where are they and what should they look like?
 

Mr Ex Jnr

Club Member
JAG 10n 2+2 samuri not far off the asking price of this Z your wanting to view, have u consider that 2+2
 

Bazzateer

Club Member
The Samuri is close but a bit too much and from what I've read on here may require a fair bit of bodywork. I have no issue with it being a 2+2, looks just as good as the rest to me, and it's rarer!
 

Farmer42

Club Member
Looks a good car to me. The things that Ali pointed out are relatively easy to sort and parts are available. As long as the body is sound you should be OK as the panels are unobtanium if you have marauding tinworm on a 2+2. Look for any repairs or welding. Hedgehogdodger on this forum had a nice JDM Fairlady 2/2 for sale recently that might be worth a look if he still has it.

Good luck.
 

Bazzateer

Club Member
Looks a good car to me. The things that Ali pointed out are relatively easy to sort and parts are available. As long as the body is sound you should be OK as the panels are unobtanium if you have marauding tinworm on a 2+2. Look for any repairs or welding. Hedgehogdodger on this forum had a nice JDM Fairlady 2/2 for sale recently that might be worth a look if he still has it.

Good luck.
Cheers
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Looks a good car to me. The things that Ali pointed out are relatively easy to sort and parts are available. As long as the body is sound you should be OK as the panels are unobtanium if you have marauding tinworm on a 2+2. Look for any repairs or welding. Hedgehogdodger on this forum had a nice JDM Fairlady 2/2 for sale recently that might be worth a look if he still has it.

Good luck.

I agree with the above, especially the JDM Fairlady alternative.

The airtubes are in the front wheel arch just under the top of the wings. There is a ledge between the airtube and the wing which can 'hold' damp road-dirt and therefore rust. You will need to get your hands dirty and feel up there. The chassis sections everywhere need checking.

Steering wheel - is it the camera lens that makes it look bent?

I suggest if you like it don't buy it without coming back on here with pictures and concerns. I don't think it will sell whilst you 'hold on' because they are after 'strong' money.
 

Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
The airtubes are in the front wheel arch just under the top of the wings. There is a ledge between the airtube and the wing which can 'hold' damp road-dirt and therefore rust. You will need to get your hands dirty and feel up there. The chassis sections everywhere need checking.

'Airtube' photos for reference. Technically speaking, the 'air tubes' are upper chassis members, very much structural items and essential for the integrity of the unibody. We call them 'air tubes' because they are cleverly dual-purposed to carry fresh air from the front of the radiator support panel to the ducts in the footwells, with flow controlled by Bowden cables.

The 'air tube' here is the grey panel:
 

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Bazzateer

Club Member
Thanks for the info and pics re the air tubes guys - had a good rummage and they feel solid.

Regarding Ali's comments earlier:

1. what the heck is going on with that steering wheel!?!?

Turned out to be bent/weakened/broken - seller has just purchased an original wheel to replace it with.

2. That exhaust doesn’t seem like the best fitting item.

It's a Janspeed manifold and system I believe, may need fettling. - Confirmed Janspeed, works fine, sounds decent.

3. Choke cable arrangement is a bit strange looking.

I'll check on that tomorrow. Looks weird but works - can be easily sorted if necessary.

4. The fuel rail appears to be replaced with rubber hose. And the overflow pipe is missing on the rear carb.

Looks like this is the result of replacing the old flat top SUs with proper ones - can easily be sorted if I wish.

5. The cooling fan is also absent - has it had an electric fan conversion?

Yep, twin electric fans.

6. Engine inspection lamp is not in working order.

Noted, should be an easy fix.

7. Is that battery clamped down!?

No, but will be.

8. One horn appears to be missing.

O/S horn has been replaced with a non standard one - easily fixed

9. Not sure from the photos but that gear lever looks like an S12/13/14 one which is no bad thing if it’s has the gearbox upgrade, but check.

Will check but I'm not a fan of the wooden knob. Easily changed. Knob looks better in the flesh (that's what she told me anyway.....) Gearbox believed standard, has been rebuilt in the past - works well.


Is the price fair @£19-21k? It all depends on the car itself, it’s condition and history. Certainly worth more than some molested 2+2s that have come up for sale in the past.

From my research I'd say the price would be fair if the whole car was to the same standard as the paint etc. It's going up on a lift tomorrow so I can get under it and have a good poke.

I did find some localised rot underneath, where it had been jacked on the chassis rail. Seller will strip floor and chassis of underseal etc to expose any rot and weld new metal in properly - some previous repairs were nasty over-patches. Whole process will be photographed.


Unless the mileage is documented and verified, don’t assume it’s correct. Mine showed 90k miles when bought but the engine told me it was more like 190k ;)

MoT certificates and some history going back decades support the mileage.

Are you taking anyone with you to see it?

Qualified mechanic friend.
 

Bazzateer

Club Member
Seller and I agreed on a price on condition all the work is carried out, car gets a full service/tune-up and 12 month's MoT test.
The agreed price is less than the asking price and if you factor in the likely labour costs for his staff to complete the work, add in parts and materials I believe it will be a fair price to pay in the current market.
It will still leave me with lots of little jobs to do to further improve it as I go along.
 

Bazzateer

Club Member
I suggest if you like it don't buy it without coming back on here with pictures and concerns. I don't think it will sell whilst you 'hold on' because they are after 'strong' money.
Sorry Rob,
I saw this too late but am happy with the arrangement with the seller.
 

Bazzateer

Club Member
Can anyone educate me on this badge and whether it could have been fitted by the factory or dealer back in 1976?

z12.jpg
 

Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
Can anyone educate me on this badge and whether it could have been fitted by the factory or dealer back in 1976?

View attachment 36418

Nothing to do with Nissan or any dealer.

In fact it's quite recent, and totally bogus. It attempts to connect Martini and the Targa Florio race in Sicily with the '240Z, 260Z and 280Z', which is utter nonsense. Embarrassing, even.

Hopefully it will be easy to remove...
s-l300.jpg
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
Nothing to do with Nissan or any dealer.

In fact it's quite recent, and totally bogus. It attempts to connect Martini and the Targa Florio race in Sicily with the '240Z, 260Z and 280Z', which is utter nonsense. Embarrassing, even.

Hopefully it will be easy to remove...
View attachment 36419
Do you know who IS responsible for it Alan?
 
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