What makes a Z a Z? What modifacations go too far to be called a Z?

[bpilati]

Zness to me is in the eye of the owner. The shape of the body and the handling is what sold me on the car not what was under the hood. Yes the sound of that inline 6 is awesome but when you are driving at 3000 to 4000 ft above see level and you pull out to pass and the car won't go because it is gasping for air is a big disappointment, these cars were made for the twisty's and mine has logged many a mile in the mountains of California before making it's journey to Georgia. I to like 72OJ have a LT1 under the hood and would not trade it, I tryed to keep mine period correct with the year of the car and retained the original altenator and a/c compressor with only slight wiring modifications.

Regards, Gary[ATTACH=CONFIG]55739[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]55740[/ATTACH]

I like the paint.

[5thhorsemann]

Did you check the gallery?

I realy don't want to see Tom's engine bay.

[72 OJ]

I realy don't want to see Tom's engine bay.

I do, in detail and all the Zness that his 280z (stock) has, it must be a real head turner, he is a vivid Z observant.

[bpilati]

I do, in detail and all the Zness that his 280z (stock) has, it must be a real head turner, he is a vivid Z observant.

I don't understand your point here.

[5thhorsemann]

I don't understand your point here.

Yes you do.

[hls30.com]

I have seen Toms engine personally-in his native state of Ohio! I can tell you it looks just exactly like he wants it to-or he'd change it.

He has a Z that he is proud of and loves to drive, what more could a Z lover want?

Will

[TomoHawk]

I just keep it clean and well-maintained.

what more could a Z lover want?

A tall, smart brunette with a job and good navigational skill? Edited August 22, 2012 by TomoHawk

[72 OJ]

What more could a Z lover want, PICTURES............... tons of them, Z PORN

Edited August 23, 2012 by 72 OJ

[DatsunDoug]

if you put in a Chevy V8, a GM transmission, and a Chevy rear end... then is it really a Z? The heart of the Z has always been its engine, so if its got a V-8 in there, its hardly a Datsun any longer.

[Lupica]

If it still looks like a Z and sounds like a Z then it is still a Z...IMO

While mods are definitely cool, staying close to the original is always better. Consider how austere the grille design of the zs are up to year 1978 and better cooling effect on the engine would come to mind.

[5thhorsemann]

While mods are definitely cool, staying close to the original is always better. Consider how austere the grille design of the zs are up to year 1978 and better cooling effect on the engine would come to mind.

Now that you mention it, some mods make the 280's look MORE like a Z, getting rid of the battering rams for instance.

[MotoManMike]

I'm not a true purist, but I don't believe in making the body the only thing left that is Datsun or resembles a Z. If you're going to bastardize your car that much, please remove the badging.

The car i'm currently working on looks strikingly similar to your Z with the exception of the paint hue. Right down to the wheels and the 240z stripe down the sides. I wanted to ask you, it says about your car you are running 65 series tires on your konigs. Did you have any issues with tire rub on the drivers side? I did 55 series tires, same wheels you have on both my Z's and both drivers sides rubbed, not the passengers side just the drivers side, had to trim a little, there is no way i'd tuck 65 series on it. Nice ride.

Back on topic, The poll ends in 6 days. We now have 72 people that have voted and the data still reflects the same results basically in the top 4 catagories voted on. Too many exterior modifications, A non Z engine, A non L series engine, a non Nissan engine. Back to the L28ET, it fits the bill for all, just a different series of Z, obviously frowned upon by many, it should have been one of the questions I think. What do you guys think of a Z with a period correct "turbo Tom" kit on it?