Airbag?

[240Zlover]

does the 240z have an airbag from the steering wheel cause the steering wheel look so little?

[240znz]

Unfortunatley, the airbag option was only available via the drivers lungs upon presentation of the chest on the steering wheel. :stupid:

Airbags were not available in the 70's...only lots of hard surfaces to hit...sorry. There are some aftermarket airbag steering wheels available but don't buy one as the seldom work.

The best think you could do is invest in a brake upgrade and a new set of seat belts.

[240Zlover]

whew.........pretty dangerous to go really fast than:finger:

[240znz]

Not really...with all driving...it's not dangerous unless you hit something or you drive beyond the limits of the car.

High speed driving in a Zed can have it's moments. Just read a few posts here and you'll find that the Zed gets a light front end at speed. To reduce the "AWR ****" phrase from arriving , install some new poly bushings up front (those old rubber ones are 30 years old and need replacing). The poly will give you a harder ride as they don't give as the rubber will and you get a better feel.

Also install an airdam under the lower valance. This will divert that unwanted air from slipping under the car by pushing it to the side. The result is the front will say put at speed.

The best example of removing air from under the car was seen on the 1978 F1 Brabham Fan car. Just under the rear wing a huge fan was placed that was mechanically driven off the engine. This fan sucked all the air from under the car out the back with massive CFM. There were side skirts and sprung curtains that sealed the car on the road. The result was that it handled like it was on rails....broke the lap record during qualifying...got pole buy about 5 seconds but was banned by the FIA before the race. Just imagine what would have happened if it broke that seal while cornering...yes a flying F1 car. Turned out that the FIA banned all F1 manufacturers from using a meachanical fan to extract air from under the car. Side skirts and curtains remained OK. Next race Brabham turned up with a new design that bent the rules again. They installed 2 electric fans in each side pod behind the radiators and said that they were for cooling...yes they were but the drew air from under the car in the process...cunning lot...again it smashed the track record and made pole by a mile....yep it was banned before the race. Classic F1 history.

And the old golden rule...cars aren't dangerous...it's the driver who makes it that way.

[hmsports]

I used to have an air bag in my old 240.... but then I broke up with her :classic:

[Doehring]

There was a wonderful Chapparall once in the US using the same system as the Brabham-Alfa F1. One of my favorite race cars, was it in the CanAm ?

Rolf

[240znz]

Rick...you're a sick man but I like that sense of humour..what was her name???

If anyone can make it to this years Goodwood Festival of Speed on the weekend of 12 July, you'll be able to see the Brabham and many more old F1 cars in action on the hillclimb circuit.

www.goodwood.co.uk

This year sees 2002 F1 teams competing. BAR, McLaren, Jaguar, Renault and Williams....all the top F1 drivers will be there. Also this years Le Man cars will have a go. Curent record for the 1.16 mile hill climb is 41 seconds by in a 1999 McLaren F1.....anyone who knows this place knows how quick this is....in places the road is only 5 metres wide and on one side is a 3 metre solid flint wall and the other dense woodland......take the gooles out and go for it they do.

A cracking weekends entertainment in the UK.:beard:

[jcdozier]

I used to have an air bag in my old 240.... but then I broke up with her :classic:

Been there - done that. It's also a quick and good way to remove weight from your Z.

At the time the 240Z was introduced the only air bags here in he USA were in Washington - that's why the 260Z came with boat anchors for carburators.

240znz's post is spot on. Brake upgrades, (I favor 4WD calipers) polyurethane bushings throughout, (not just up front) and a front air dam are all good "improvements in lieu of an air bag.