Hi all,

Just a note to tell you how much fun I had at ZCON.  My son Bill and I were there Friday and Saturday.  We got to drive my "RedBird" 280 Z in the parade lap at the track.    That was exciting.  Then we lined up for the areal photo.  My car is number 35, counting from the top left.  So cool, she is in posterity forever for the 2018 ZCON.    We met some members there, Capt. Obvious, Charles, Zup, Cliff, Mark and his wife Kathy, Greg, and others I can't remember all.  I just wish I had been able to be there all week.  A great time was had by all.

First photo lining up for the parade lap.  Second, driving in the lap.  Third, aerial photo of Z's, #35 is RedBird.  Fourth, Mark Maras and Lissa Sunday ready to go home.

Edited November 18, 20186 yr by Redwing

 Among the fondest memories, I have from ZCON, was the drive to and from Saturday's show at Coolray Stadium. Jai hands me the keys to RedBird and says, "I'm going to ride with Bill (her son) and you and Kathy follow us to the show". Since it has been a good number of years since I had been back in a Z and never driven a 280, I jumped at the chance. The adventure started crossing lanes of traffic to get to I-85. Quickly discovered that RB's turn signals were intermittent. Hoping that modern drivers would recognize archaic hand signals, I found that Southern Hospitality was also in effect on the roads. Being in a beautiful bright red 280 probably helped. We managed to stay behind Bill but as we started down the ramp onto I-85 he takes off like he's being shot at. As the smile starts to spread across my face I shift into 3rd and then 4th gear and put the gas pedal to the floor just to keep up with Bill and Jai. Soon I think, OK, time for 5th gear. Slip it into neutral over to the right and up. Goes in easily, I let out the clutch and immediately realize that it was in 3rd and also realize this is a 4 speed. (trans is in excellent condition, btw, but could use some shifter bushings) Pull it back into 4th. As we gracefully weave our way through the slower traffic I look down and realize we're going 90 mph. Ah, this feels good.  As I settle back in the seat the memories and feelings of driving a Z at speed come flooding back in a huge wave. Does Bill realize that the I-85 signs aren't speed limit signs? Who cares, I'm back in the 1970's when I was was bulletproof and much like back then, I just want to go faster. Much too soon we safely pull into Coolray Field and find a parking spot. When Bill gets out of his Xterra he has the biggest $hit eatin' grin on his face I've ever seen. Come to think of it, it probably matched the one on my face. After thanking him for the experience, we got to know each other better. He wants a 510 for the street and occasional track use. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. Good work Jai.

 The other great memories are of meeting Y'all and putting faces with names. Being able to talk with Matsuo-san, Cliff coming down for the day and providing transportation for us (thanks Cliff) and the warmth and hospitality of everyone we met in and around Atlanta. We wish we had more time to bench race with the other members but we're grateful for the memories we have. Thanks to all. 

4 hours ago, Mark Maras said:

 Does Bill realize that the I-85 signs aren't speed limit signs? Who cares, I'm back in the 1970's when I was was bulletproof and much like back then, I just want to go faster.

Mark, as someone who drives on Georgia 400 every day, I can assure you that Georgians believe those are the speed limit signs. You should see how crazy it gets on I-675.

 I'd love it. I did notice when traveling on I-85 doing 90 mph that no one seemed to notice or care. I'm assuming that as long as there isn't too much carnage on the highway the State Patrol turns a blind eye to the speed?

Cool. Must be the road! I had a memorable I-85 experience while on the way to the show at Road Atlanta as well. Goes like this:

I was riding shotgun with @Zup in his flat-top powered 73 and we were following behind @S30Driver (who was our navigator) in his red 280.

Out on I-85 while we had the opportunity, Zup decided to put the pedal to the metal and show me what the boat anchors could do. He pulls out into the left lane and punches it. We pass S30driver and are gaining speed rapidly...

Zup is counting off the speed tics as I'm watching the "slow" traffic in the right lane quickly fall behind.

ninety-five.
one hundred.
hundred and five.
hundred and ten.

At that point, he lets up on the pedal. The car had more to give, but he just wanted to guarantee "over a hundred" and figured that an extra ten would account for any errors in measurement. Anyway, so we're slowing down and are about a half mile in front of our navigator...

As our exit for the track peels off to the right!!

So after we slowed down, we tucked back into the right lane and let our navigator catch up and pass us. "Re-calculating!"

@Captain Obvious

Something Bruce neglected to mention in this diddy:

We passed a non-descript modern green Mopar while we were at acceleration.

Bruce says'' You just poked the bear!"

Not seeing any Smokies, I don't know $hit about what he means.

He says----"That's a hellcat and I know the guy!"

About then the hellcat screams up to the right and disappears into the exit ramp as C.O. is waving out the window at the driver.

He had made up about a mile in 6 or 7 seconds.

Haha!!! Don't poke the bear!

I’m jealous, I was in the salt mines working while you guys were playing and racing to ZCon. Next year maybe I’ll get a kitchen pass from my wife and call in sick for work.


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19 hours ago, SteveJ said:

Mark, as someone who drives on Georgia 400 every day, I can assure you that Georgians believe those are the speed limit signs. You should see how crazy it gets on I-675.

Yes!  It's I 85 and U 85 or I'm driving up your muffler.

Mark and Kathy had gone from an airplane to my Camry with an Alabama tag.  We're talking and trying to navigate to Braselton.  It was a hoot.

 

Edited November 19, 20186 yr by siteunseen

Just to be completely clear... There was no "racing" on the street. We were road testing the carburetor rebuild quality.

On ‎11‎/‎19‎/‎2018 at 1:58 PM, Av8ferg said:

Next year maybe I’ll get a kitchen pass from my wife and call in sick for work.

And maybe you'll have a Z ready to drive?

1 hour ago, Captain Obvious said:

Just to be completely clear... There was no "racing" on the street. We were road testing the carburetor rebuild quality.

Didn't I see you & Zup borrow those 2 helmets from the PLN car in the hotel lobby prior to the trip up there....

These are not the helmets you're looking for.