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Hey everybody, I'm new to the forums and owning a Z car. I just bought my first one (and hopefully last, but we'll see where that ends up), a 71 series 2 car. At least I think July 71 is a series 2. Anyhoo, I hope to learn a lot from some Z veterans and hope to help anyone with the experiences I have with my car. It's rust free (ha), or as rust free as I'd like it to be. Got it from California and sent to my home state in the rust belt. We got our first snow acouple days ago so my new Z I've driven twice now will have to sleep for most of the season in the garage. In the mean time I'm doing some basic fixups and cosmetic changes. I've taken out all the carpet and padding to clean and replace some bits so far. I think I'll need to replace the padding with new stuff. Thanks for the read and I hope I can help where I can! I'll post pictures as soon as I'm able to. Will

FWIW, For the 1973 blue car on the 'We're Bringing Back the Flat Tops' thread I used the blank sticker and went to a Hobby store (Trains and RC cars) and found a transfer stencil that is pretty dog gone close to the original font. I was very happy with the results. No points deducted at ZCON, no one noticed.

Damnit Jim, I'm buying as fast as I can.

A redesign is finally coming for Nissan's iconic sports car, and it sounds promising. By Joey Capparella JAN 21, 2020 Illustration by Radovan VaricakCar and Driver The next-generation Nissan Z sports car is finally on the horizon, and here's what we know about it. It will be the long-awaited replacement for the ancient 370Z, which has been on sale since 2009 with few updates. We expect the new Z to debut sometime this year as a 2021 model. The wait for a new Nissan Z sports car is almost over. As we approach the arrival of a replacement for the long-in-the-tooth 370Z—finally!—the rumor mill is running at full capacity, giving us some exciting tidbits about the new two-seater's powertrains, platform, and design. Here is what we expect from the new Z. Twin-Turbo V-6 Power The most powerful engine currently in Nissan and Infiniti's mainstream lineup (apart from the GT-R) is the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that makes up to 400 horsepower in the Infiniti Q50 and Q60. This is the logical choice for the new Z, then, and sources within Nissan dealerships told Autoblog that this powerful mill will indeed be under the hood. A seven-speed automatic is the only transmission choice for this engine in the Infinitis, but we're hoping and praying that a stick shift will be offered as well; remember, Nissan did hint that this was possible by bolting up a six-speed manual to this engine for its modified 370Z concept for the SEMA tuner show this past year. Hinting at the New Car's Engine? This engine's displacement calls into question what the new Z will be called. 300Z would be rational (or 300ZX, for nostalgia's sake), but we'd guess that Nissan will instead choose a number corresponding to the car's output rather than its displacement, like 400Z, to clarify its superiority over its predecessors. Rear-Wheel Drive, as God Intended A front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout is the only real way to set up a proper sports car, and the Z will continue on with a newer version of Nissan's FM platform and share many components with the Infiniti Q60 coupe. That's from an earlier report from Autocar, which also said that the new car is code-named Z35. Proof the New Z Is Real All-wheel drive is within the realm of possibility, given that it's offered as an option on the Q60. But we don't think Nissan will go this route, as none of the Z's intended competitors—the Toyota Supra, Ford Mustang, and Chevy Camaro—offer the option of four driven wheels. Retro Styling Although the Nissan Z test mule we spied testing at the Nürburgring last year wore the old car's bodywork, we're pretty certain that the new model will have completely new styling. Autoblog's sources suggested that the original Datsun 240Z would serve as a styling inspiration for the new Z. We hope that means it will present simple, clean lines rather than the angular, tortured look seen on some Nissan concept and production cars lately. Roundish headlights and 300ZX-style taillights will reportedly serve as the key retro touches, as seen on our illustration above. Got Datsun Nostalgia? We doubt that the old-school theme will extend inside, however—and that's a good thing, because the 370Z's cabin is in need of a modern makeover. The cabin should retain its cozy, two-seat atmosphere, but we feel confident that it'll benefit from the latest Nissan infotainment system and a fresh dashboard design. Hopefully Still Affordable The current 370Z starts at just $31,015 and remains a decent performance bargain today despite its age. While there's no doubt in our mind that the new model will see a significant price uptick, we're guessing (and hoping) that the new Z will start somewhere in the $40,000 range, which would undercut the Toyota Supra by a few thousand dollars. All signs point to the new Nissan Z's arrival being imminent. Our suspicion is that it will make its first appearance sometime later in 2020, going on sale in the U.S. as a 2021 model either at the end of this year or early next year. We can't wait to see it for real. Source: Car and Driver - https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30586109/nissan-z-future-2021/

Bad Dog Parts has gotten our hands on a set of 280 ZX2+2 NLA set of frame rails and we are in the process of making replacement rails that could be put over existing rails or as a complete replacement. A 2 + 2 ZX rail is only a few inches longer than ones for a coupe so we will be able to make coupe rails as well. Production rails will be made from 13 gauge steel while our prototypes will be made of 16 or 18 gauge to allow for easier trimming during rough fitment. If you are interested in helping us we would be happy to provide you with a free set of "production" rails. We ask that you test fit our prototype rails and report back to us any modifications or changes that would allow them to fit correctly. Note that like our 240 and 280 rails the ZX rails are made for owners who have added more HP, drive their cars hard like me, AX or race so if you are looking for a set of rails that are more stock like we always recommend Zeddfindings. Please PM me if interested. Thanks

Frame rails....

Hey again! Thanks for the welcomes. As promised here are two awful pictures of the car. I need to take some good ones once I get the seats and carpets put in it again... and maybe for it to be above freezing outside.

Done, I am attaching the last video, see parts 1-8 if you are interested in some of the details

Riiiiiiight. What's a cubit? * Truly sorry for the non-topical response to the thread, but some things are just mandatory.

Well, not quite the reply I was expecting as the interweb seems to provide an instant reply to the question of thickness for those who either remember this stuff or have a chart pinned to the garage wall. That said 13 = 0.072inches or 1.83mm Many of the body parts in our Zs are made from varying thickness and many are very thin. A bit unsettling when you doing 138mph up the hill at Watkins Glen and you remember your car's body overall thickness is no more than 1.5mm. I have fiberglass parts thicker than that. 16 gauge = 0.052/1.29 18 gauge = 0.040/1.02 20 gauge = 0.032/0.81

Paint your car, they said! It'll be fun, they said!

Over here.. we call that: eenheidsworst!! (translated: all look the same?) It looks to much like a KIA or other coupe... not for me.. thanks!

Don't want to dash your dreams, but it will never be over ? . As anyone here will attest, owning a Z is a bit like Hotel California except that the fun never ends! Like you, my OCD needs to be fed on a regular basis and I can't think of a better meal than a Datsun. ? Really enjoying your progress and that Green is Gorgeous!

The Doctor is now in. Finally. Today’s news is about rebuild kit pricing. I have actually found a cheaper source for the Bk104WS kit. Rockauto! I found the kit when looking for 200sx parts (don’t ask, it’s what’s been keeping me ‘occupied lately) ZMBK104WS is the part number. Was looking under 1980 200sx. $87.37 CAD ($66.76 USD) and about $25 CAD shipping. Expecting to be buying cheaper quality parts, I waited until they arrived. Well they are here. Everything in the box appears to be identical to the other kits from drivetrain.com and transpartsdistributors.com. Okay, one bearing is a Koyo rather than a Nachi. Everything else appears identical. Got here faster than the other kits too. One week vs two. Now if I can just store away of a few thousand 510 parts that just showed up, MAYBE I can actually rebuild one of these dang transmissions! Arggghhhhhh!!!!

Here you go. 2 of the cover, the second to last one is one of the wiper bushings for the FC rx7, last one if a printed shift knob for my 280. On the cover I still want to do a few more refinements and make a stamp to put in the writing on the front, but did not want to spend the resources if there was no interest from the community; which is why I am asking for the feedback. with the printer I can also put in the writing permanently as part of the print and it can’t ever be erased or fade away, but don’t know if the community would like it since it won’t look as original. Example, the last picture of a shift knob I made for my Z with the sunk lettering. Let me know. thanks.