Summer 07 issue of Nissan Sport

[Art@NissanSport]

I hate to say it but we/I expected a drop from the S30 crowd of about 500 subscribers. It wouldn't have mattered how much early Z coverage we would have had, once the word in the magazine said "all" Nissan and Infiniti products, there was going to be a drop off from the hardcore guys. And thats ok. When we do have major coverage on a 240Z you can always go buy that issue on the newsstand. The way I look at it is there will always be more stuff on earlier Z's in our magazine then all the others combined. Will it satisfy everyone, no, and that's ok since I know that could never happen. I have a hard enough time keeping my family happy.

But one thing that has surprised me is that Nissan Sport across the board is getting more kudo's from the Z community (as well as Nissan North America) then when it was Sport Z Magazine and nothing but Z's. It seems that no matter what Z we covered in SZM, it wasn't enough and we got lots of hate mail from it. And the Datsun roadsters, 510's and 240SX's are starting to check us out.

Maybe someday in the not so distant future we'll be a monthly rag with 200+ pages and everyone will be happy. But my guess is I will be six feet under (or in my case, sprinkled over the waters of Aruba) when the word "happy" pertains to everyone.

I can easily except 2 negatives from all the positives. Heck this site should be our toughest critics.

Just keep in touch with this forum and I'm sure people will let you know when there is a must read article in the magazine and that is when the newsstand comes into play.

Thanks for letting me know when your magazines arrived and keep the comments coming. Good or bad, its what will help to make us better.

[EScanlon]

Art:

Don't put too much weight on Bill's post.

I'm not sure he received the magazine through the U.S.P.S. on a SUNDAY.

E

[Fun_in_my_z]

It came yesterday. My mistake i didn't get my mail until today.

[Art@NissanSport]

I don't, but it does give me a chance to soapbox. I also realized he was 19. Dang I wish I was 19 again. Well maybe not. Our average readership age is around 43. Now thats more in my ballpark.

I like the fact that he enjoys my project car article. The Fall issue should be of more interest to this site since I will be referencing it in a sidebar as well as say thanks to some that have helped me out in a behind the scenes kind of way.

I adjusted the valves today and tomorrow I check the timing chain. Its almost ready to become a daily driver. Wish I could drive it to Daytona, but thats just too dang far this early in the game.

The Carolina Z Club donated a powdercoated valve cover to the project Z and it sure will look nice. The only problem is it might look too nice compared to the rest of the engine compartment.

Looks like Montezuma is going to help out as well and send me some stock airhorns that have already been cut up so that I can make the chrome air cleaners work better and help to complement the new valve cover. This way I don't have to hack up my perfectly good stock air cleaner.

I love this job, I just hope one day I'll see money to go along with it. I can dream can't I?

[Fun_in_my_z]

So just because I'm 19 means my opinion doesnt count?

[Zs-ondabrain]

Couple things..

Got the magazine on Saturday (7/28)

I do agree with those of you pointing out the fact that there are very few S30 Articles, And that things on the original Z's have slowed quite a bit. The previous magazine had GREAT articles on the S30's, especially the cover story on the gentleman with the 3 almost PERFECT Z's. LOVED it!!. But please keep this in mind, The magazine, though being available for Many years, is still in its "Infant" years. Your subscriptions and opinions are what will help the magazine become what you would like it to be. They don't have a million dollar backer throwing cash at them to do what the Subscribers want. They (NSM) do what they can, with what they have available.

I do agree that there are PLENTY of early S30's out there to fill at least 2 Major articles per Issue, along with the project car. Between ClassicZcars and HybridZ, there are hundreds of FINISHED project cars that can fill the void, for years to come. If the Magazine asks for cars to cover, they will be overloaded with everything from True classic rebuilds to Hi-tech swaps in a classic updated car.

Take mine for instance........ (not to put me in the spot light but as a simple biast suggestion)

I have a beautiful engine Bay with Triple Webers (40-DCOE's) hand polished valve cover-fuel pump-and other aluminum items, Stage 2 cam, Mallory Unilite distributor, MSA Ceramic Coated 6-into-1 Header, 2 1/2" exhaust, MSD 6A, Mallory ProMaster Coil, Stainless Steel Braided Hoses everywhere, and many other stand out Items.

I make and use the.....

(HLH) Headlight relay Upgrade Harness.

(PLH) Parking Light Upgrade Harness.

(ZXP) 280ZX alternator upgrade Plug

LED rear tail Light Conversion.

LED Side Markers

LED Dash Lights, Dome light and Map light.

H4 Conversion Headlights

Full Alarm System, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Hidden Subwoofer Enclosure In The Wheel Well, 6) 2-way mid-range Speakers thru out the car, 2) 400 watt amps making 800 watts. Custom kick panel Speaker pods for 2) 6" 2-way speakers

New paint, Toyota Brake conversion on the front, CUSTOM Cowl Induction Hood, XENON front Air Dam with driving lights in the vents. Custom front grill, BRE rear Spoiler molded into the rear hatch. Hatch lock inverted to the body and off the hatch.

These are a FEW of the mods to my 70' 240Z. I love my car (like a brother should be loved) and I'll have it for the rest of my life, and I'm only 36.

SO... in conclusion, The magazine is Great but Lacks in certain area's. It's called NISSAN SPORT, Not Datsun Sport. nuff said.

Keep up the good work on the magazine.

And for those who wish to cancel your subscriptions, You won't find another magazine with as many S30 articles (few though they may be) as NSM. But it's like they say, if you can do better, by all means, have at it. Take charge, not offence.

Dave.

[hls30.com]

Art,

I have yet to see a magazine be self-supporting while limiting coverage to one make and model of car-let alone a span of four(70-73), or nine(70-78) model years. Some people would rather bitch about something than work on it-glad to know you aren't one of them!

Will

PS, My car is going to be at Daytona ready or not, so tag, you're it!

[Art@NissanSport]

Fun_in_my_z, your opinion does count. When I said that you are only 19, I was going by what our demographics are. Most (and remember I said most not all) Z owners under the age of 25 don't have near the interest in a paper magazine because of the internet. Most in that age bracket feel that everything they need can be found on the web. And to some extent that is true. I get a lot of information from this site that the manuals just can't explain nearly as well.

In todays computer age, the magazine is more then just about Z's. It's about awareness and getting the general public to see that these cars are still around and that they deserve some respect. Early Z owners want their cars to have more value and to have some form of "classic" status. That can not be compeletely achieved on the internet alone. There is a reason why there are still 100's of magazines on the newsstand racks today.

Ask most older Z car owners or for that fact any classic car owner what it is like to have their car published in a national publication that has the potential to be seen and held by thousands of other Z owners. Exposure is everything and that can not always be had from the web.

Can we cover S30's heavily in every issue, no because remember there are 4 other generations of Z's that are looking for their 15 minutes of fame. So we have to have a good balance of Z articles for all. And the newer cars are what will keep the magazine alive. Look at BWM, VW, Ford, Chevy, magazines for example. They have the same format.

Can my basic little 240Z project car keep the entire Z community on the edge of their seats, no way. Anything that I do to the Z has already been done in one form or another. But if I can get to a handful of people and let them know that the pile of metal sitting in their backyard is worth saving and they won't send it to the scrap yard to be crushed because the wife is tired of looking at it, then I've done my part (little as it may be).

Zs-ondabrain, is correct in saying that we have more then enough S30 articles lined up waiting to grace the pages and that on its own could fill an entire magazine for years. But it has already been proven that it just doesn't work. There are not enough Z owners or aftermarket parts companies to support it. Heck, even Nissan wouldn't support.

It makes me feel really good when a Z owner writes us just to say how excited they are that their car was in the magazine. Even if it wasn't much larger then a postage stamp. Its also nice when I go to a Z event and people get excited that we are there to cover the event (as well as sell subscriptions). And ask the person that gets his car featured in the magazine and then uses it to help get more money for their car due to the exposure. All of these things help to create more awareness and that is what its all about.

Fun_in_my_z, the one thing you did say in your comment/opinion was that we (Nissan Sport) have gone "completely" away from classic Z's and thats just not true. You'd be amazed at how many people will read that and take it as the truth. Now Walters comments were based on fact. One, yes we are quarterly. We have never hidden that. How he didn't know that when he first ordered, I don't know. And a lot of the stuff seen in the magazine can be found just as easily somewhere else if your willing to spend some time searching.

Criticism is good. Its what makes us better. All I ever ask is that its based on fact and not perception. Like I said before, this site should be our toughest critic.

[26th-Z]

Art,

Mine just arrived in the noon mail and I thought of this thread. Please DO take the negative comments with a large dose of salt. From my perspective, I think the magazine is quite nice and entertaining. I like some of the things you have featured this issue and I can't be any more complimentary about your club coverage. The poster featured on the last page and contributed by Dan Banks was a delight to see. Dan and I have been discussing posters for some time. I have some things I could contribute for that feature if you desire. I also took great delight from the archives page featuring the 1958 Datsun 210 "Fuji". The AWD 350Z project was interesting. From the listing of clubs and partner web sites I was reminded to send a link to a friend who just purchased a Z32. I'm glad to see your good efforts and I wish you all the best in the future. Never mind that you feature that Infidel G37 on the cover!

Chris

[e_racer1999]

another thing- i've read articles about how nissan "disowns" the S30, and how newer model nissan owners fail to recognize, respect the S30. with NSM putting out info for their cars, and sneaking in the occasional tid bit of S30, more and more people/nissan owners will be intrigued and excited over the S30!

[Art@NissanSport]

e_racer1999, how dare you call my 240Z project car a "tidbit". A piece of junk maybe but a tidbit, never. =)

Chris, we are always looking for stuff like that. Email us your ideas and we will work it in or talk to me when I'm in Daytona (I'm guessing you will be there). I take everything with a grain of salt. In fact, what were we talking about. =)

[zbane]

Art, I ordered/paid for a subscription at ZdayZ on May 19, and have not received the magazine yet. I live in North Carolina (zip code 28717) and am surprised at not having gotten it yet when members in neighboring states/cities have.

Was my subscription processed? I paid cash, so there is no way for me to check.

That issue aside, I think the magazine is quite nice, and I find the member rides section to be rather interesting.

BTW, I see that you don't have any S130 project cars to work on. I just happen to have a car in mind (mine), but I will want it back when you are done:laugh: