Datsun Forensics

[Randalla]

I'm sure I'm a little weird in that one of the things I enjoy most about Datsuns is tracking down the history of the cars I buy. The first step in doing that is to see what I can find of interest inside the car. That might include service receipts, emission certificates, owner info, etc. The 1975 280Z I just bought had some interesting contents in the glove box, center console and under the seats. I found a receipt from Discount Tire dated 8/1998 for four brand new Arizonian tires with a 60,000 mile warranty. The mileage hand written over the warranty is 139,504. I don't know if that's when the tires were put on the car or when the warranty runs till. I also found a Midas receipt dated 4/2001 for extensive brake and exhaust work done, to the tune of $676.00, with a check attached, which has not been cancelled. It includes the name of the guy who owned the car before the guy I bought it from. Also in the car was a vehicle registration dated 7/2002. The last licence plate tags on the plate were for 2004. I also found a mailer from the Arizona Z Car Club. Based on what I know of that club (I used to belong when I first bought my orange Z), This comes from the late 1990's. I'm sure only the old timers (Doc Gregg, and maybe a few others) will know the names of the following club officers. They include Preston Pratt, president, Dave Oviedo, vice president, Darrel Carey, membership, Dean Tilton, treasurer, Robin Scolford, secretary, Kent Jacobson, technical assistance, Rosemarie Graca, editor and webmaster, Rene Cortez, member at large and Howard Wolfley, board member. Do any of these names ring a bell with any of you? Do you know if any of them are still around? I also did a title search since I bought the car with a notorized bill of sale. The title is clean with no accidents, salvage history or other encumberances. I'll be applying for a bonded title. Anyone else enjoy your Datsun forensics?

[L320-Dale]

It is fun to find out info on a car you purchased. You have had several cars that have had great stories. Some of my Datsuns seem to have some story of their own. But I liked this one best...

My blue 1200 Coupe came from a very interesting man.

His name was Rudy Zvarich, from Portland Oregon. After I purchased the Datsun, I talked with him a few times over the years before he passed away in 2014 at age 87. He bought this blue 1200 for his wife. She drove it little over the years, and it was garage kept during its life. He told me at the time I bought it, that his was wife had been gone for about 10 years and she didn't drive for the 10 years prior to passing. He was down sizing some of his many cars and it was time to sell the 1200 Coupe.

He also mentioned to me a couple times that he had a very low mileage VW bug (not for sale). It wasn't until after his death that I heard the details of his low mileage bug. It turns out to be one if the rarest low mile original bugs in the world. His daily driver was a 1957 bug. In 1964 he bought a brand new bug thinking it would replace his 57 when it wore out. Well, it never wore out and so at the time of Rudy's death (remember he died in 2014), his brand new 1964 bug only had 22 miles. Yes, 22 original miles.

I remember the times that I talked to him over the phone, I always thought what a nice man and fantastic car guy.
Here is a link to his story. If you google his name and VW bug, several stories come up.
http://spicercollectorcars.com/2017/01/ ... e-capsule/

[Randalla]

I think you shared a little bit of that story with me Dale. Enjoyed reading the VW story. Wonder where the car is today???

[L320-Dale]

I'm not sure if it sold or not? It was listed on Hemmings for a "cool million"

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/ca ... 71078.html