Hello all,

Can I ask for opinions on the following?

Are you happy with the positioning of the Emergency Brake on your early Z car?

In the UK, we have traditionally called this the "Handbrake" ( is that true for Australia / New Zealand too? ) and I know in Japan it has mainly been known as the "Side Brake".

Some owners will realise that the positioning of the Emergency Brake on the right side of the trans tunnel ( from the viewpoint of the driver sitting in the car ) was the same for both Right Hand Drive and Left Hand Drive versions. As far as I am aware, the only time that the positioning was changed to the OTHER side of the tunnel was in Factory-built "Works" competition cars ( specifically, in SOME of the Works rally cars that were Left Hand Drive - but not all of them ). I think this was only performed on a handful of cars after the Works drivers complained.

As the owner of more than one RHD early Z car, I have always felt that the position of the handle on the right hand side of the tunnel was perfect. When I drove an LHD early Z car for the first time, I was shocked to find how awkwardly positioned the Emergency Brake seemed.

I have in the past owned a fair few non-Z LHD cars ( American, French, Italian, German ) and I think I remember that the handbrakes were usually centrally-mounted or were otherwise easy to get to and use effectively and sportingly ( especially for the odd handbrake-assisted turn ). The early Z cars seem to be unusual in the way that they kept the same position on both LHD and RHD cars.

What do you think?

Alan T.

Anybody find those prototype pics interesting? I thought it was worth noting that they were ( perhaps naturally ) RHD-oriented.

Alan, I found those pics particularly interesting. The blue car (1st pic) is especially attractive... something about the increased glass area around the cabin and the slight 'swoop' in the shoulder line...a bit of 'E' in there..?

The motorshow pic is also a good one. I like seeing cars in their 'new from the factory with extra spit and polish' state. That the shot includes a 432 is even nicer!

Originally posted by carguyinok

little snip

I know that not many of the Zs I have seen still have that choke knob(even after a year old). I did like it but they would catch then people would force them till they snap. Or they would get hooked or crushed when leaning over for the pass side door lock. :mad:

For the use its nice when it not a metal stub. But they are just in the wrong place when leaning.

Ahhh, thats one we RHD's have over you.

Very few where broken due to catching as the handbrake protected the driver from this.

What have you used after it was broken?

Yes that blue drawing is nice, however I prefer the rear end of the real Z. The front however is much more refined - say goodbye to the huge rectangular intake!

What have you used after it was broken?

When I had my driver I used a small rubber superball. :stupid:

I cut a small slot in the super ball then pushed a pin in the hole on the rod. It sound ugly but it was the only thing I could do that would last. If it was left as a metal rod you could count on torn jeans at some point.

Please keep in mind at this point the Z was not seen as the car it is today. I dont want to think about the cars I had in the mid 80s none the less what I did with them.:sleepy: Hindsights a bitch.:sleepy: and I know her

>>>>Yes that blue drawing is nice, however I prefer the rear end of the real Z. The <<<<

Sure...love the concept drawings...but the blue one is just a little too Opel Gt for me.

steve

What side is the handbrake on in the LHD 350Z?

In the RHD version it's on the LEFT of the trans tunnel....

Food for thought!

On the LHD 350Z it's also on the left side

Whoops! Looks like the worms are escaping from their can again!

Anyone with interior shots of both?

Only a mental picture from my dealer yesterday here....

:classic:

I fear that the designers have taken their revenge my good sir, [says he as they help him into a straightjacket] hhhhhhh.