driving the Zed

[sjcurtis]

I made it.

Went on a cruise to Hawkesbury Heights, over 3 hrs (down in daylight) from home and 3 hrs (back at night) to home no breakdowns. Got on the motorway north of Newcastle set up in 5th with the rpm at about 3700 on the Tacho all the way to Hornsby (used minor bursts of throttle to separate out from the occasional traffic). joined the moving car park on the roads thru Pennant Hills, Thornleigh, turning for Castlehill, Kellyville and thru Windsor to Richmond. Short run towards Penrith on Castlereagh road to Agnes Banks, cross the Nepean on the rickety old low water bridge at Yarramundi , then of exorcising the suspension up the pass to top of the escarpment to Hawkesbury Heights lookout. That is one place the Zed excels up tight winding steep climbing roads. Sat around with friends for a few hours. Then back to the drive the thrill of the drive started well descending rapidly from the lookout to the coastal plain, short high speed run back towards Richmond then pedestrian rate of about 55-60 kph through to Hornsby half a tank of cheap gas 97 cents a litre for the run home. Back on the motorway with virtually clear road in front as it is already after 8pm start running with some faster traffic at about 3800-4000 rpm for a good 100 KM towards home get passed by two cars at that speed just before a fixed speed camera, I am sure they achieved a citation if the camera was fitted, moved back to the earlier speed after clearing the speed camera zone. got home feeling very happy with the run all systems worked well. the exception was the beam light circuit threw the light switch, I had made a jumper lead with switch before the trip connecting from the tail light circuit fuse to the RH headlight fuse supplying power to the relays in my beam circuits and gave me faultless lighting It is a good get around.

I am happy that I can travel long distances now.

how is your Zed going for reliability

Cheers

Steve

:classic:

[That Ozzy Guy]

Steve, that sounds like an excellent drive. Hope you had fun and your mind wasn't on the reliability issue all the time.

Longest drive I've had in my Z was up to Palm Beach and back a couple of times. Had no problems either time.

[24OZ]

Hi Steve,

thats sounds like one hell of a good drive. I havent done anything like that as yet. The factors against me are not the Z (well maybe now as the suspension is in bits)

but:

1.) The British weather and its ability to turn a z into an alka seltser when water is added.

Now the weather is really good I had better get this suspenion fixed.

[That Ozzy Guy]

...oh and I've been to Wollongong once too. The second time I set out to go my alternator died the night before. Lucky it didn't leave me stranded on the freeway.

[Zpeed]

damn that sounds like a nice ride...

i live in melbourne and always go for drives down great ocean road without a hicup, only hicup is having to look for a petrol station i feel isn't dodgy with there fuel...

love the whindy mountain roads, but hate getting stuck behind slow cars

[sjcurtis]

The thrill of the drive. I must admit when I started down the coast I was a bit side tracked by all the failure possibilities on the trip, but then as we all Know the Zed draws you in as you drive and the mind set changed, well there ended any chance of Zed failing on this road, up went the rpm and out stepped bullet proof Steve, and made for most enjoyable run to Hornsby.

As for the weather, I just spent hundreds on new seals all around so I felt super confident. Annette packed our rain coats in the back, didnt see a drop of rain when we were on the road.

I think European weather would be very trying on even on the most dedicated Zed owner, good luck.

cheers

Steve:classic:

[sjcurtis]

240Z,

Hope you can get your suspension up to scratch shortly. As for British weather, I thought it was always sunny and warming this time of the year( thats what the ADDS say and they are in colour).

That Ozzy Guy,

I think you are just having a few little teething problems with your Zed, it should all come good and your reliability will get better as you go . Just keep focused it will happen.

Zpeed,

I think we all live with the dread of bad fuel, as for passing slow traffic I find if I come up quick enough on the freeway its good they see the bright 110 red coulour and move over, the wife siad they just stare as though it must be a 350Z replacement. Ah sounds good. I would love to drive up to Mt Beauty from Lakes Entrance, that would be a good climb.

Cheers

Steve

:classic:

[g260]

Hey Steve,

When we went on the drive to Orange last month (about 280klms/170miles) for the 50th anniversary of the old Gnoo Blas racing circuit we had 10 cars from the club with 9 old (240/260's) and 1 300 and they all performed well with no break downs or any problems.

Apart from the rain it was a good drive.

A few pics attached.

g260

[g260]

Our accommodation in orange

[g260]

Although it rained at least 2 men and a dog were interested in the Z's.

[1 Bravo 6]

:love:

Longest drive I've taken "Precious" on was Brisbane to Rockhampton.

She took the bends as though they were not there.

Motor purred all the way.

Rick.