2006 Z Car National Convention

[AZ-240z]

This site has been pretty quiet about the 2006 National Convention. Did anyone attend? 26th-z, are you out there, did you judge at the show, have any pictures you can share? It was a pretty big downer when I realized that I wouldn't be able to attend. Still trying to make my '71 perfect for stock competition. It may be too soon after the convention, but it would be great to seen some good pics of the show.

Dan

[26th-Z]

I had a freak'n blast! I ALWAYS have a freak'n blast at ZCCA conventions. I love ZCCA conventions! I'm quite bummed to see such little talk about Dallas on the site. What!?! A few pics in the gallery, a couple of snide remarks and that's it? WTF?

A whole bunch of Ultimate Z Car Club members came over from Japan. Kats was there. We had a cocktail reception for them Sunday night at Mad Mike Taylor's house. They brought Saki and special little cups for us. Tetsu brought his car from Japan. I heard Ultimate came with 2 cars and about 25 people.

I took second place in the rally. First rally I have ever finished. Usually, we happen to find a junk yard with Zs and...that's what happend the last two years.

I have graduated to "Senior Judge" level after three years and was one of the senior judges. I was involved with 34 cars during the show and had only time to buy a 2400 OHC valve cover from a part swap guy ($30) I spotted. Sorry. No pictures to speak of. I didn't even have time to eat lunch! Dan Banks won a Gold Medallion for his Mike McGinnis restored '71. Original paint! Her Majesty the 346th made a visit to the stock 240 class as well as the celebrated Sports Illustrated centerfold car of Bob Speights.

You want to see pictures? Check out www.twinturbo.com Their website joined the ZCCA as a club, came with over 15 cars, and sponsored the track day. Real cool group of guys.

Nismo brought out the 2006 350Z R-tune car that appears in the Shift ad with Arlo Guthrie singing; "Give me a ride...Bbrr...bbrbbrr". Here I am at the autcross drifting with Tim McCormick. I want a 350Z so bad I can't stand it.

There were lots of great friends and celebrities. Although Mr. K was not there, Masataka Usami came. John Parker, Mr. Sanada from Nismo, John Yukawa, Fred Jordan...Mr. K called us at the closing banquette and we talked to him - yes, all 600 of us!

I came home with a couple new books, some great autographed stuff for the Z shrine, and a serious grin on my face.

[Dtsnlvrs]

I took second place in the rally. First rally I have ever finished. Usually, we happen to find a junk yard with Zs and...that's what happend the last two years.

Helps having a retired Navy Navigator for a co-driver. I was at Fred's last night and you guys officially suck....I could only "do" one big event this year and chose ZdayZ. Maybe next year in FLA, however I would still recomend ZdayZ to anyone. Glad yall had a great time there. On a side note....we rebuilt the carbs for Fred's '69 daily driver...the high numbered one...runs pretty good, but I still want to finish a proper tune-up on it for him, maybe next weekend. I am running out of time to help my ZCCNV friends before I move on to my next assignment though.

[ChrisA]

You want to see pictures? Check out www.twinturbo.com Their website joined the ZCCA as a club, came with over 15 cars, and sponsored the track day. Real cool group of guys.

Try www.twinturbo.net instead.

[26th-Z]

Hey! The low VIN guys gotta stick together! Frankly, me and the commander were shocked! I mean it was way cool that we even finished!

I skipped Zdayz to go to the Mitty, but I'll do Zdayz next year. The Florida ZCCA convention is in Daytona October 1 - 5, 2007. Look for lots of info about it soon.

Yea, twinturbo.net, sorry.

[jmark]

Good news on the Daytona Event! Nice to hear you like the 350Z now as well.

[texasz]

Where was it this year? Where is it next year?

[26th-Z]

Now I understand where you were! ROFL :stupid:

It was in Irving and next year's convention is in Daytona Beach. We are working on the web site. I saw the development model a couple of days ago and I'm real happy with how it is going to look, but for now tune in and bookmark us. www.flza.com

Texas was the best run convention I have been to. My serious thanks to everyone who worked on it. Now we start thinking about Daytona. The car show and the track day will be at Daytona International Speedway. The car show will be in the garages and "Fan Park" area. The road course can be viewed http://www.skipbarber.com/locations/daytona_raceway.aspx Click on the view button on the left of the screen. The host hotel is the Hilton and the Atlantic Ocean is 50 yards from the lobby.

I'm in charge of the car show and one of the main guys for the whole event. I am also putting on Florida Z-Fest this fall - October 7th and 8th in Sebring. The car show will be at the raceway. If anyone wants to help me and be a part of these extravaganzas, send me a PM and we'll talk.

[daddz]

Chris,

You don't want a big, fat, heavy 350Z do you? If you decide to get one they can be fun but when you step back into an S30 you will scrath your head and wonder about all of this 'progress' that has befallen us in the past 36 years. I think I may keep mine parked another few years as I seem to like cars when they are at least 10 to 15 years old.

[AZ-240z]

Thanks for following up on this post, Chris. I know that I missed a good show.

Did you see, or judge, the stock 240 class cars? If so, what was the detail quality like? What surprised you most about the originality detail work on these cars? Did you see the class winner; if so, what was your overall impression of this car? Were there any good examples of stock unrestored, and restored frame up 240 cars? Were any of the stock 240 z Gold Medallion winners?

Geez, I really needed to be there!

Dan

[kats]

Hello,

It was a great meeting to you Chris,nice to seeing you again.But I could not have much time to talking with you,it was too bad!But talking with you about Z car at the facilty of Texas Nissan,that was very short but very interesting.We were just before the pre-briefing of the rally, eating sausages and eggs!!Please say my thanks to Rick,Jim,Fred,and other Z friends.

Me and my family had so much fun,especialy my family was so impressed that the convention was great and well organized and the hospitalyty for the Japanese Z members was very nice.For my family they even could not imagine how the car guys were doing there.This time was the first time for my family to attend Z car meeting ever.For me,this time was a 3rd trip so I knew how much the convention is wonderful.I can not expect such a great convention in Japan.Our group Ultimate Z car club of Japan have been hosting a Z meeting every autumn.We can not do same thing but we do as much as possible to have fun!

Dan,I thought I could meet you there,I hope meet you again some day.The stock class was very exciting for me,many nice cars especialy my interests went to 3 240Zs.The one is Bob's car and the other is Dan's(Banks) car and 1969 green Anne's car.Every 3 cars has special things to look at.I had to leave Texas before the closing banquet so I did not know who won the class.Now I agree Dan's car won the gold medalion.What the most amazing thing is,his car's weatherstrips of the inner tail gate.They are so mint,unbelievably good condition.Correct shape for the early cars and they are NLA from nissan right now I think.

Anne's 1969 car is my favorite.I even did not imagine that I had a oppotunity to meet her and her Z before leaving Japan.I happened to see her car in the internet last year.Her car got a seat cushion guard for both seats!!And amazingly crean hood support rubbers for rare 1969 cars.Great story is not it,the car with her from 1970!

Chris,let's talk about seat cushion guards for some time.I am ready for the mission.

Best regards,

kats

[26th-Z]

I had such fun with your son, Kats. We teased each other with our duck whistles. I really enjoyed that moment. Sorry you had to leave early and I didn't get to say goodbye!?!! I think we should meet in Washington - good idea!

Yes, I really DO want one of those fat, heavy rice-rocket-stop-light-smoking-babe machines! I have followed all the conversation on this site about the 350Z. I know how you all feel. I don't agree. Check out the spot right here on my pants! The Fairlady is SO everything I think about Z. I conducted a research with smile photo documentation. My smiles are identical. I think a Nismo R-tune convertable with a chopped windshield and those two little roll hoop bumps over the rear deck would be nice. Red, please.

Dan, I specifically asked to not judge the stock 240Z class because everyone entered is a good friend! I judged 16 cars (mostly engines) during the day. Mostly 350Zs - stock and mod - and 300ZX Z32s. I no more had time to go load film in my camera before I was asked to look at another 18 cars! I probably saw everything, but unfortunately had no time for photographs.

The stock 240Z class had three major contenders. There was a gorgeous stock 280Z and my suggestion to all reading this thread who might want to successfully compete in the stock class is; "260". I am noticing that the 260Z is the rare hen of the bunch. Frankly, I am noticing that the S30s are the rare hens!

Some comments about judging; pretty much the same as I have always said. Clean cars win and dirty cars loose. All this worry about original this and original that is second fiddle compared to "clean". The level of detail? Clean! The "drop dead spotless picky housewife white glove" brand of clean. I deduct for scratches, chips, stains, and don't let me see a spec of rust. I first look at all the cars in the class I'm going to judge. That initial comparison / impression usually tells me who is going to score high and who isn't. It's really fairly simple.

The stock 240Z class was a tough one. Dan and Bob are pretty much on equal turf in my opinion. I think arguements could go on all night about which is better. They are both superb examples. I loved seeing Anne's car. She is the original owner! Her 907 green / butterscotch is just like what the twins will look like. Notice she has Panasports? Oops! But I was just sitting back imagining what my Watanabes will look like on Her Majesty. Dan won the class and a gold medallion. All three were fully restored and nothing really surprised me about the level of detail. To win a Gold Medallion, the car has to look brand new.

Chris