Some History
So, what exactly is this car? This question is not without some past confusion among enthusiasts. Based on my pre-purchase research done in 2014, this car has been previously misidentified as at least three other Works rally cars - one which had better rally history, and two others with only minor rally history. And then there were also a few enthusiasts who have stated that the car - definitely, undeniably, and with certainty - has no real rally history at all, and is not even a Works example. Wow, mass chaos!
With all that potential uncertainty brewing, part of my delay in starting the restoration by so many years stemmed from this dilemma: I could not really restore the car prior to getting a better understanding of it's true history. Based on my prior experience, the act of restoring a car, by its nature, wipes out most of the physical and potentially tell-tale links to the car's past. In the case of this car, some of the physical features, damage, and markings were instrumental in determining a fair portion the car's early history. I'll get more into these forensic details as I go along with the restoration, as they are key markers to the car's past.
Today I'm pretty confident I know most of the big pieces of the car's story. That said, I'm guessing there are still many more pieces to discover. I'll post here what my existing body of research concludes, and if there are any questions, comments, additions (and even rebuttals), I'll take them as they come.
TKS33-SA-986 Rally History
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07/1970 Tub manufacture – 7/1970 to 8/1970
09/1970 Assembly and outfitting (based on wiring harness date codes)
10/1970 Registered with Carnet plate TKS33-SA-986 (approximate time-period)
01/1971 40th Rallye Monte-Carlo (#70 Fall/Wood): 10th Place overall
03/1971 Sold To Rob Janssen – Datsun Nederland (approximate time-period)
04/1971 Zandvoort Paas Races (#61 Janssen): 4th place overall
09/1971 Registered with plate 67-54-RU
11/1971 RAC Rally of Great Britain (#96 Janssen/Dik): DNF - retired
Post-1971: I've got no data that it was ever rallied again. This makes some sense, due to the 1972 FIA rule changes which prohibited the use of lightweight body panels on rally cars.
That's it in a nutshell- a short-lived, uninspired racing career. Given it's somewhat pedestrian rally history, it's mildly ironic that this car should survive to today, while the 240Z Works that finished well in front of it (5th) in the '71 Monte Carlo Rally is currently AWOL*. “The light that burns twice as bright . . .”, as the saying goes! Clearly, the 1972 FIA rule changes rendering the car obsolete helped in it’s long-term survival. In addition, it’s doubtful it would have stayed competitive, given all the advancements coming out of the Works department for the 72 and 73 seasons.
Of note: fellow enthusiasts may possess other facts and data from this period that I may not be yet aware of, both accretive to my own research, or potentially to-the-contrary of it. I'm all too happy to receive them, because I'd rather have accurate information than be oblivious to the truth! That said, my focus now is primarily on documenting the car's restoration, and highlighting some of it's unique features, which are present, regardless of where or when it raced! But please take the initative to contact me if you have and additional information.
* I'm referring to the '71 Monte 240Z-R, Car #62, which finished 5th, and NOT the '72 Monte 240Z-R, Car #5, which finished 3rd (and is safe in the Nissan Zama Collection).