I was on my way to a car show last week and stopped to fill up with gas. I came back out to my car with an older guy walking around her. I greeted him and asked how he was. He immediately began to tell me his story. "Is this your car? Man, it's gorgeous. I remember when these first came out. I was 17 and I wanted one so bad. My neighbor had one and I went over there everyday to see it. I loved that car. I always wanted one but could never afford it." I could see the love and pain in his eyes. I said "be my guest if you want to sit in it." He answered, "Really?" He got inside and fell in love with it. I could have swore he was almost in tears. I could see all the years of memories come rushing back to him. All those hopes and dreams that had been lost as he'd grown up. "I bet these things are quick aren't they?" he asked. "Can you drive a stick?" I asked. He just looked at me speechless and nodded his head. "Start her up" I said and jumped in the passenger seat. The man was beside himself. We drove it around the block or so. I think there was something he wasn't telling me. Some fond memory that was almost bringing him to tears. When we got back to the gas station, he thanked me a thousand times and we said goodbye. I was late for the car show but it was so worth it.

I had no idea these cars had such an impact on the people who owned them, let alone the ones who didn't. What an icon.

That's a great story Darbji, you're a trusting person.

I first fell in love with Zs back in 1975 when I was in kindergarten. One of the teachers at the school drove a blue 240Z and parked it right in front of our class every day. I was hooked, even though it was another fifteen years before I would get to drive one I knew it was the one for me.

My son Nate starts kindergarten in a couple weeks and I think we already have another generation of Z lovers started in the family.

Steve

That is a great story, and you tell it well! You can almost see the guy...

When I was 17 (in 1978), I had a choice between a 1969 Firebird, and a 1971 240Z. I bought the Z. And except for a period between 1989 and 1993, I've owned an S30 of one sort or another ever since...not always running, but I had one! And now I have two

Darbji:

You earn my vote for Z friendship exemplified.

Your comment:

I had no idea these cars had such an impact on the people who owned them, let alone the ones who didn't. What an icon.

sums up so much about owning a Z...and yearning for one, that it deserves repeating.

For many of us, owning a Z was a delayed joy....to some it was a completely unfulfilled dream.

Don't be surprised at the number of people that will approach you with their memory still poignant and fresh in their minds. It truly is a wonderful feeling to help someone relive and remember those memories. Letting him sit in your car AND drive it....you earned some angel points.

Thanks for sharing

Enrique

P.S. Don't mind Billy Bob....he still doesn't have enough blood in him to supply both "heads" at the same time, as a result....

Besides he's married, take a look at his wedding pictures, see post number 4:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22587

Dude no..... You didnt go their... Its more like this

I had mine at the shop the other day and the guy I bought it from saw it and turned aound to check it out. He was the original owner and said he thought that was his old one even though it has different wheels he spotted it and new it was his old car. He hadnt seen it for awhile because his son who is my good friend had the car in his garage since probably 90-91.

Wont let me post full sized pic.

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=13184&cat=500&ppuser=5338

I was on my way to a car show last week and stopped to fill up with gas. I came back out to my car with an older guy walking around her. I greeted him and asked how he was. He immediately began to tell me his story. "Is this your car? Man, it's gorgeous. I remember when these first came out. I was 17 and I wanted one so bad. My neighbor had one and I went over there everyday to see it. I loved that car. I always wanted one but could never afford it." I could see the love and pain in his eyes. I said "be my guest if you want to sit in it." He answered, "Really?" He got inside and fell in love with it. I could have swore he was almost in tears. I could see all the years of memories come rushing back to him. All those hopes and dreams that had been lost as he'd grown up. "I bet these things are quick aren't they?" he asked. "Can you drive a stick?" I asked. He just looked at me speechless and nodded his head. "Start her up" I said and jumped in the passenger seat. The man was beside himself. We drove it around the block or so. I think there was something he wasn't telling me. Some fond memory that was almost bringing him to tears. When we got back to the gas station, he thanked me a thousand times and we said goodbye. I was late for the car show but it was so worth it.

I had no idea these cars had such an impact on the people who owned them, let alone the ones who didn't. What an icon.

well these cars were popular....and so kick arse any one who was any one wanted one same goes for the 510s when me and my freind cruised around in one he had some many old doods alway remanicing on the days of them owning them

Bill;

IIRC from the original thread where you posted that picture, wasn't that you in the sandals?

I know we credited you with the hat, but .....

:devious:

E

Wow, that's an amazing story.

I remember once letting a guy sit in my car. He owned a 260 back in the day apparently and just wanted to briefly relive his experiences...

I didn't let him drive it though... my stick is wobbly and sloppy because of bad bushings and finding third is tricky enough without someone who doesn't know how... but you get extra bonus points for going that far.

That's probably the one-up we have on more 'exclusive' car communities... The Z was within financial reach of far more people than say, Corvettes ever were so they managed to affect more people.

Do I get to drive Kharma too if you ever make it to MN? ... or better yet Sylvia?

I always wondered what happened to little Billy!

thxZ

I've told my story befor so I won't bore you guys only to say that both my brother and I had 71s when we were Darbji280's age and I had to buy another (like Stephen). My brother came home last fall and was likewise smitten when he sat in it, drove it and got pictures by it and in it.

It's not just the car that affects us old farts - the car drags back memories and emotions of prime time. The smell of my Z was exactly the smell I remembered from my 71 (exhaust related - no doubt) and that just took me back thirty (or so) years to people and places buried in the back my old noodle. sob sob. The smell was almost as illuminating as the appearance for me.

I suspect the Z does that for many others as well - "that takes me back" or "I had one just like that in 197?" with hand on chin/shaking head from side to side - are common responses. Of course there are only two on the road up this way, so they truley are only memories to most.

By the way - KD, I'm with you on the "drive em policy" - you can sit but only I drive. I have done it initially when I got her going, but not anymore - too risky.

well these cars were popular....and so kick arse any one who was any one wanted one same goes for the 510s when me and my freind cruised around in one he had some many old doods alway remanicing on the days of them owning them

The Z is a whole different mindset. I've owned a couple of 510s and a Roadster in the past. I've no desire to own another 510 and while I wish I'd never sold my roadster, I've no plans to ever buy another one. But the Z, well I'll own that until I'm gone.