Happy 50th to my car

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
10/12/2020 at 19:46 • Filed to: Datsun 240Z

This month is the 50th anniversary of the manufacture of my beloved Datsun. It was assembled in Japan in October of 1970. Set on a boat and sold in Northern California shortly after arriving. My dad bought it from the original owners widow in 2005 for $2,000. It came to me in May of 2019 as a “gift” running but needing a lot of little things like shocks and every single rubber bushing. My dad already has a 1971 Datsun 240Z so this one sat neglected and was only driven a few hundred miles a year. I think I’ve put 2,000 miles on it since it’s been with me, amazingly I’ve had zero issues while driving the car over those 2,000 miles.

My plan for the car continues to make it a very solid and reliable driver and fix up what cosmetic issues the car has without doing any paint or body work. The car still wears it’s original coat of 904 White. There is some minor rust bubbles in the front fender rockers but it’s not that bad. I “properly fixed” the battery tray last year so that’s not escalating anymore. This is a car that gets driven, and it gets driven hard. It hits 6,000+ rpm every drive. I have no issues letting other people drive the car as long as they can drive a manual. Future Heap Owner has the pleasure last summer.

Let’s review 2020 work on the Datsun.

1. Replaced tie rods and steering rack bushings.

2. Replaced brake master cylinder and driver’s side caliper, the imbalance was shit in the line...

3. New wheels and tires.

4. New seat vinyl and foam.

5. Plugs and wires.

6. Rubber vacuum and egr hoses.

7. All the heater hoses, all of them.

8. New rubber fuel lines.

9. Lower radiator hose.

10. Another polish and wax of the paint.

11. Sway bar bushings and end links.

12. Strut tower brace.

DISCUSSION (13)

jminer > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/12/2020 at 19:53

Happy birthday to your datsun! I quite like seeing it around these parts, it is a good looking car.

Nom De Plume > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/12/2020 at 20:15

What, no Gold wrap for the anniversary celebration?

You did some good work this Summer. It looks very nice for being a half century old.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Nom De Plume
10/12/2020 at 20:20

I will give it another quart of premium 10w-30?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/12/2020 at 20:24

Happy Z-iversery! Good in you for showing an old Datsun the love it deserves!

sony1492 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/12/2020 at 20:53

So its ready for some more serious mileage?

arl > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/12/2020 at 20:56

Great progress! The Z is looking good.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > sony1492
10/12/2020 at 20:58

Yep. I would have driven it to Canada and Seattle this summer if it wasn’t for the ‘ Rona.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/12/2020 at 21:18

Your car was sold pretty close to mine, mine was Santa Rosa. Aren’t the heater hoses fun!? Have you ever gotten into all the crap in the fuel filler to tank area? That is also a PITA, way more shit than you ever thought about.

Chariotoflove > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/12/2020 at 21:33

Such a sweet ride. Love the blue interior.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
10/12/2020 at 21:39

The heater hoses under the dash were extra special. They are done now, thank god. I haven’t touched the fuel vent hoses, I’m just going to enjoy the free fuel vapors.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/12/2020 at 21:49

I had a leak under the dash and then out by the engine, we had to just gut them and redo it, but now they are all modern good hoses. The fuel vapor got to be bad too, I could only fill it up half way until we got to that, it’s a hidden mess in there, you picture a simple system but there is quite a lot going on there!

Stef Schrader > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/13/2020 at 10:36

Beautiful car. I love the idea of a car birthday.

Dr.Jeckyl > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/13/2020 at 21:11

Beautiful pics. These are in my top 10 affordable dream cars.