Our club has been growing! We are getting to the point where we are busting at the seams and more people are asking, "What kind of Zcar content can we post or talk about?"

Well, here's your answer!!

This site accepts any kind of content about Zcars as long as the information relates to the CLASSIC Zcar. No problem, right?!

Sure, but, the definition of a CLASSIC ZCAR is up for debate and I'm sure our club could talk about it until we are blue in the face.

So, we need to keep in mind that a few simple rules are in place here. They are:

1) Keep all content Z related. The occasional joke, comic, other car companies, and just general 'other' content is also welcome. However, it should be in limited quantity.

2) All content should be useful to an owner of a Classic Z. If you are posting messages about how to add a supercharger to the newest 350z, you should probably take your message to a site that is dedicated to the 350z. Although we do discuss the 350z on this site, we usually talk about the styling, design, handling, and how it compares to the true classic.

3) Keep in mind that our site is a place where ALL creatures are welcome. We don't have any official speakers or representatives and the messages sent and received by other members should be construed as opinions. Whatever you take from this site, we want to make sure that you walk away with a confidence that your car is the best damn thing on the planet. And, that you can work on it knowing that others are here to help you.

4) Remember that our site is a moving target. Although our focus will *NEVER* stray from the Z, our content can change and move according to the people we attract. We want to make sure you get what you came for.

5) Never flame (messages filled with emotion rather than fact) and treat all members like they were your best friend. We are here to help each other and any debate that moves away from factual Z-related content will only harm all of us in the end.

There ya go, if you think we need more rules or changes to the rules please let me know. If you forget all 5, remember this NUMBER ONE RULE... keep all content Z related. You'll be right on track....................

We originally started this club as an email discussion group using a server located at Oregon State University. This started at the approximate year of 1993. The discussion group was created as an alternate location for people to discuss the 240z. We were tired of weeding through the massive amounts of email messages sent through the mailing list in order to get our own content. It worked very well and it made a lot of early Zcar fans happy.

We also had a small website with some general content that I created in my spare time. The site was limited and it was a 'static' area containing small bits of information about the 240z. We also registered the domain name '240z.org' with the financial help of all the members.

In 1997 I added a small forum software package to the website in order to create 'moving content' or an interactive experience. At that time, I saw the need for web-browser interaction rather than just an email discussion group. When this happened, our mailing list members became concerned that they would lose the mailing list software. Therefore, we found a new server (at my house) and moved the mailing list to our control. The website moved with it (along with the forums) and we started to see a lot of growth.

In 2000, I added the custom 'portal' front page that you see today. It's a total interactive interface and provides everyone with a sneak peek at the content we have inside our system.

In 2001 the decision was made to register the domain 'classiczcars.com' and open the site up to owners of the CLASSIC Zcar line-up = 240z, 260z, and 280z. Although this was met with some debate, users finally opened up to it because all three of these model cars share the same basic design and parts are mostly interchange-able.

In 2002, the site was moved to a dedicated server located at a hosting company in Texas. There were various reasons for the move, but, the biggest being the need to control the site w/out relying on a single internet connection at my residence.

In 2003, we are met with the question about what kind of content is really allowed.....

And in 2005... we continue to be the best classic Z club on the web. Our content continues to be related to the best Z ever and our membership continues to grow into a close family with the same interest!! Let the classic Z live forever. That's why we are here.

Thanks!

Mike

mike you mack a damn good point when i first got my membership i started strat away on what i set out to do and that was to find a brake booster for my baby and i got sum complants about me "jacking threads" and i do have a short temper so i lashed out at them and i would just like to apolagies for the way i akted it was imachoua and stuped so "SORRY".

No worrys mate . I heard that somewhere ! Mike , I hope our members read this . This time , many are no longer active because of the personal flaming and childish posting. This web site can be a even better sorce of information if we treat one another as friends , stay on topic and keep it to Z cars . Mike , how about bringing back the chat room . Maybe that would help to keep the forums on topic . Thanks for all the hard work over these years. Gary

Mike,

Thanks for this post(and everything else you do!), I think if we could keep the people who don't realy want to read or post something Z(or atleast automotive)related out of the threads, we would get closer to the robust and helpful membership that you have planned. I am not sure what it would take, but I am game to help. We have too many terrific members who genuinely want to share knowledge, to let the "members" with nothing better to do than instigate trash talk take our Z swept area. Unfortunately those instigators want to be somewhere their rabble-rousing will be the most effective-right in the middle of our threads! I have chosen to ignore those members who post only large volumes of heated air, and never a Z bone. Without at least the occasional the Zbone, their posts simply don't belong here. They should be invited to ghost, and not post. Easy to write, difficult to do.

I think reviews of a Zcar are pertinant, this site is about Zcars. Reviews of a Z related transaction are also covered, but only the facts of the transaction. What was offered, what was delivered(or available for pickup), and what was done in support.

I agree that if everyone treated every member as someone who would be spening time under their hood, in their garage and at their dinner table, the posts couldn't get too out of hand. I post as if the person I am posting with has just given me a free way of getting an extra 30hp hout of the Z, and a set of NOS taillights to boot! Everyone who posts as the site intends is giving every member a gift-some are the sort you got when you pulled up the carpet for the first time-small change. Some are more along the lines of the NOS taillights-a inexpensive way to keep the fuse box from melting down, or the lower front fenders from rusting out, or the headlights and wipers working through the next rain.

How much are you expected to pay for all of this knowledge?

The price of admission is absolute courtesy in the threads, and the occasional donation or purchase of a club item.

I don't know of a better deal anywhere, thanks for making it available to me.

Will

Good post mike, Ive wandered off in some of my discussions and posts but i usually like to keep it 100% Zcar related. If i have ever put someone down ( i dont believe i have on this site) i apologize aswell.

Sometimes it's just human nature to respond harshly to a harsh response. Especially when it's directed towards you. I try my best to stay out of threads that potentially have that type of content but in some cases it's hard to know until your're into the thread. At 55 years old, however, some things just aren't that important in the total scope of things. A lot of those things that fall in that category for me seem to be what gets argued on this site. The concept of arguing on the internet is somewhat moot anyway. We're pretty much anonymous if you really think about it. With the execption of those of you I've met, I don't really know who any of you are other than in the keyboard typed word. That's even more impersonal than a phone converstation with someone you don't know. At least you can hear your voice and they yours but even arguing under those circumstances makes no sense to me. We've lost some good members over this. It seems like such a needless, sensless shame.

Life's too short to sweat the small stuff. At least that's how I've always looked at life. Don't let the inane ramblings of a few ruin it for you. Just hit the BACK button and read another thread. Don't worry, be happy now.

Great post Mike. Thanks again for all your hard work you do on this site.

I couldn't agree with you more about how this is the best damn Z Car Site around. I left another Z site about a year ago cause crap was just getting out of hand. too many teenagers turning it into there own personal Instant Message and a handful of people NOT following the simple rules for example, posting general chitchat in the tech forums which really drove me nuts. I felt sorry for new people that tried to use the search feature for tech help on there Z's over at that other site.

I was relieved when I found this site. Despite a select few that have raised hell, this site is by far the best when it comes to staying on topic (Z Related) and everyone here is really good (I've noticed) about posting topics in the CORRECT forum.

In my opinion, the best way to keep this site "The best Z site" is simple. When you go to view a new post and you easily see the poster is seeking attention by posting worthless dribble and comes across as an insulting dickless prick (excuse my choice of words) DON'T REPLY When these kind of individuals get NO response and are avoided like the plague, they go away. Why? Because they're not getting the attention that they are looking for to boost there pathedic ego's. Just my 2 cents

Anyways, keep up the hard work Mike. It's much appreciated by all of us Z'ers

Props to my main man, Mike...

I have gathered SO MUCH useful information, not just about the Z, but about cars in general. Basic mechanics, bodywork, paint, etc. I tend to lurk more than post, and my personal posting rule is "Am I adding value by posting"--hopefully I have to the degree I am able.

If I ever make to the West Coast for MSA Nationals or something similar, I wish folks had CZC.com name tags so I could thank them personally, and attach faces with names...

Ignore the flamers.

Keep up the good work, Mike. I (like most of us) really enjoy what you've got going on here...

Steve

It seems we go through this every once in a while. I've been here almost five years and I've lost count of the flame wars. Like some of you said "Best thing to do is ignore them" I do, and it keeps me sane and coming back. There are more good guys here than bad guys. Keep up the good work Mike. I hope this web site is still this good when I give my Z to my daughter in 5 years.

You're giving your daughter your Z?

That's one lucky girl.