CDM

Thanks for all the kind words and I know that I am horrible at trying to do so much different stuff so much of the time and I don't always go on this site to check to see what is going on. So I will update everyone about the issues at hand for both Jerry and Steve. Some you may know that we are in the preliminary stages of starting the restoration of the Electamotive 280Z a little known racecar built for the 1978 season to get Don Devondorf comfortable with a bigger car since the new 280ZX was coming in 79 and he had just spent 3+ years in the B-210 winning everything in sight. So when we purchased this car it was in the Dominican Republic and came with a bunch of extra parts which we could not seem to get shipped due to the busy racing shop they were at in FT Lauderdale Fl had no time to measure,weigh and count all the junk so that coupled with the rest of the parts for the Fitzy 280ZX we also bought and whose parts were stuck in Ga due to the same circumstances it was decided that we would do a road trip to pick all of that plus an nice east coast 510 vintage shell and a ton of spares that again would have been nearly impossible to ship some (30boxes) we flew to Virginia and picked up the 510 and parts in a 26 ft Penske truck and headed to Ga and then to Fla and then back to Ca and that trip took 11 days total and got to see some cool racing and Airplane related stuff that was on our way. We also picked up a trailer and brought Adams new 510 racecar back with us as well so all in all a long but worthwhile trip. But all that being said I need to say that most of my vintage racing customers do not normally race in the early part of the year opting to start in April usually and surprise this year it seems we have had to be somewhere every 2 weeks and have been to 4 events not planned into the normal workload for this time of year. My normal after the holidays schedule is to work on all the projects we are trying to finish up until april. But I have to say that we got Jerrys car up on the wheels and finish up the engine detail and did a ton of Zinc plating and powdercoating etc during this period as well as Dashboard work and finding discrepancies in the dashes put away for several different project we are doing. now with all that going on Before leaving on the trip I found a couple small flaws that I missed on jerrys car and decided to take it back to fix them while I was traveling so we would not lose time and that worked out well as we were able to finish the correct dash for Jerry as well as Our new batch of correct glove boxes came in so we were able to give him a better one. The issue with Steve's flare became an interesting deal as he was correct about there being an area of the flare that looked bad so last Thur before leaving for the track again early fri morn I looked through about 7 different front flares both our old and new style and sure enough there was a flaw in all the left fronts and going all the way back to the originals I bought from a Japanese guy at the MSA show many years ago that he brought over from Japan. Some of you may know that I first made these available and then MSA used to get them through me and then they decided to copy mine or bought their own and made their own molds at the same shop that was making mine and we started to get couple complaints about 1 flare that was kind of more splayed out so it looked longer(they need to be pinched up while riveting) so we replaced that flare with the older one that was the same length and they now have an area that looks concave versus convex so They are currently repairing that flare and will be fixing the mold. We will be sending out Steves replacement flare asap. I will both call and e-mail him to let him know now that I am back from another race weekend. Thanks again for putting up with my ridiculous schedule and I am trying to communicate better but it has been no fun dealing with all the issues since losing my office manager Dennis in late 2009 and the fallout from that is still haunting us and will for a while still. This is for David and others waiting but the new Japanese front spoiler is now officially at the moldmaker and we will have new parts very soon. It has been my goal to redo the ZG flares but I have to have a car that I can mount and drill to make them more perfect in fit and finish so I may try that soon as I am currently going to part out the body from the 74 260Z new body for the Electramotive car and we will post seperately about this car as I would like to see all the good usable parts go to someone who needs them. We will be cutting off the rear 1/4s and are only planning to use the main shell and doors so we will take these parts and make the new flares on them. Thanks for the response and sorry for the long post. Les

They are hard to reach these days and you have to call between 9 AM and Noon most days to reach someone. You should however be able to leave a message and it should get returned. If you continue to have issues call me and I will be going by there in the next few days and can relay a message for you or get Don to call you back. Les

The 510 which is Bill Pritchard's car and the 610 which is Adam Carolla's were at the Coronado vintage race and the Z is Dave Stone and the 23 roadster is Steve Link and of Course the BRE 44 roadster is Adam again and these are at the Monterey historics. Les

When you called I had stated that it is best to re-core or repair and I should have made it clear that that is only the case if you have a decent original radiator. All the aftermarket rads are so cheap and the tanks are so thin and the brackets are so crappy looking as opposed to original. The shop will be able to tell you if your tanks are still good and not corroded from the inside and if your brackets are good I get them sandblasted before re-soldering them on. If they have been rebuilt before we remove any old shop tags. Also the core it self has to be painted with a special paint that rad shops use and you can request that they do not paint your tanks and brackets and do it your self with a good quality semi-gloss paint. A new style high efficency core will be some of the best money you can spend on cooling along with a heavy duty T stat and I alway cut a small pie shaped piece out around the edge just so it can always get some flow no matter what happens. Les

Guys When we did the Nissan program cars I was fairly well shocked when the first car was shown to me by that other shop that did the cars. This car became the press car and when he showed up at my shop to advise us about the master cyl problem(another story) he looked at our car and we had all these areas blacked out. He said what is all that black paint and I asked him if they photographed the cars as they were disassembled and he said no. I took him over to his car and had him look through the grill and see all that shiny silver paint. So for what it is worth if you look carefully you will see that the behind the grill area is blacked out as are the 2 holes in the b pillar where your emblems go, as well as the area beneath the seats as well as the front and back edges of the door openings and a circle inside the b pillar, and the grill brackets and lower center grill mounting bracket and there may be more that I have forgotten. The paint was as stated brushed on and should be a semi-gloss or chassis black paint,Low Lustre whatever you wish to call it. Do not use flat black as it is not easy to clean when it get dirty or dusty. I have photos somewhere of all the areas from one of the cars I did for the Z program. This is an important detail often overlooked and you really lose the great look of a fresh grill if some bright color paint is showing through. Take care! Les

Finally figured out how to put a few of these pictures up.

been wanting to post some comments and photos for this thread and I finally have something to add. 2 famous Z cars that have not been out for close to 10 years just came out of hiding and were at an event at Laguna Seca last thur and fri being invited to a private event. Both cars showed up and both did well and it was great to see the Brad Friselle IMSA GTU car and Fitzy's 280ZX C-prod and IMSA GTU car(see above posts) and even thought the Fitzy car is now in the same paint job as the Electramotive and Logan Blackburn cars in the photo above it is the Designated Hitter car as I am now prone to calling it. Both car are on track to race 3-4 races this year including Monterey and possibly Sonoma. If I can figure out how to add some photos I will.

Thought I would wish everyone a happy and safe new year and since I do not post too often I thought I would spread a bunch of end of year good news regarding Z car interior stuff. I can once again provide Butterscotch interior vinyl and leather and can again do complete interiors and we still have some of the matching vinyl dye/paint for the plastic panels as well. We are also going to start offering some Z car seat covers that look original but have full size pockets on the lower seat backs so you can have some simple storage options and we will do them on both seat backs so you or the passenger will be able to reach to opposite seat for maps or whatever you may wish to store. Also we are going to start offering some new touring seats that will be a set of modified stiffer foams similar to the Miata style seats with better bolsters and more support for those who like some spirited driving and we will produce some covers that will go with the new foam to make your original seats into something better for those driving enthuseists or those who just want more support but want to keep your Z cars stock seats. I may try to include an opening in the seat backs to fit a set of shoulder belts through the backs if you have a rollbar with a provision for seat belts. Also I am currently working on some seat covers for the Miata seats that duplicate as close as we can the 240Z style covers and these allow for the speakers as well as leather and we will have them sewn to look more like the 240 seats and install the vents as well. This all came about for a customers car we are doing for a repeat customer in Indianapolis who we did a roadster and now a series 1 Z car and being an audiophile who enjoys his driving experience we are doing a beautiful silver Z with the rare red interior using a serious audio system hidden away with Miata seats in red leather and way upgraded speaker systems and it should kick arse like his roadster does. BUTTERSCOTCH IS BACK if you were waiting. Thanks everyone and be safe and now to find other forums to update with other news of new products. Les

The spoiler that I sell is the same one that Kats shows as it came on my RHD Z many years back. But the brackets inside seems a little flimsy so when we made the mold I opted to put a bottom plate on ours to strengthen the brackets and help keep moisture and dirt from getting under and laying on the paint. I am fairly sure that this spoiler was the model that BRE used and refined for their needs because my real BRE spoiler is slightly different. So we are going to be finishing the new mold for the BRE spoiler soon and again Our rear spoiler that is availible now is the same one Kats shows but with a bottom cover on it. Les

Thanks for the kind words I think!! My apologies for both being slow to communicate and slow on some of the items. Being a smaller shop I cannot afford to inventory everything in every color and hope that someday I may sell it. Which leaves us dealing with vendors who also do not communicate well with us sometimes to tell us they are moving the factory and will be down for 6 weeks. All in all I try to create the best stuff possible and only stuff I would use on my restorations is what I would consider selling to my customers. We have been through a tough many months since thanksgiving when I nearly lost my sister and then lost an uncle 2 days after christmas and my aunt on feb 4th so all is better now and I will empty my answer machine and try to catch your calls as we finish a new orange 72 240Z. Les

Guys Sorry I never posted back about the hood bulge but the mold is done and I have recieved the first part and we modified it slightly so it could be mounted easier. I am currently working on the pricing which I hope will be very fair. Please contact us at Classic Datsun if you are still interested. Thank You 760-940-6365 Les

Guys I will try to answer all the questions that I have heard. The new kits are done and have started to ship and I believe the 1st 10 kits may have gone out. Maybe only some of them have been done as Randy has had a few issues putting the kits together himself as he recently got hurt. Randy worked with PRP originally on many other projects and when the 240Z kits ran out and they told randy that it would be at least a year before they could do anything Randy went ahead and started his own project. he made all new molds using Nissan original parts as well as a few of the better fitting pieces that were in the PRP kits. As you may understand to make new models and molds with proper corners and profiles takes much time and costs huge money. Randy also worked with me and another shop closer to his home to check fit of all the products. he even made new proper door rubber but at this point I am not sure if the welting strip that pushes on is included at this time and I will check as I am supposed to see my first couple kits tomorrow. As some of you know I have alway sold an aftermarket door rubber that I always use and it is not original but it works extremely well and fits and is easy to install. I was trying to convince Randy to offer the kits in several levels as the price went up to help pay for all the new molds and tooling and the fact that it is all American made and not from somewhere overseas. As of right now the kits would be best purchased from Randy at Vintage Rubber and they will be $525 from him or myself at classic datsun and they will be a little slow to start with as things get finished up. Kits will be availible from now on and new product will follow. Les

Hi Guys The dream garage was the second big thing I worked on for Nissan back in 96 right after the Z car rallye around america. We were asked to round up about 10 -12 cars that are in the dream garage set. I was there many days and was amazed that I could drive right onto Sony studios lot and go right to the sound stage to help or advise or just hang out and watch. My friends and I actually got paid to put our 4 roadsters and 1 early 212 fairlady 1 patrol, 2 510s(besides the BRE car) the 1962 bluebird,Johnnies Z,Herve's Z and they came to my shop and started grabbing many items to put on all the tables that you see in the backround and the new 2000 engine for the Bob Bondurant Roadster is sitting there on a stand. Lot's of little things in the office area. This commercial was designed to have the 3 lead up 30 second spots spaced out several months before the main spot which was at the time the longest commercial at 2 minutes slated to be shown during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and there was talk the kid in the spot would be the next big star. never heard of him again. The story was also that Nissan supposedly purchased the set dressing and was supposed to put it all back up in the Peterson Museum where they had the top floor but who knows if it was ever true to begin with. This whole episode turned into one thing after another including the Dream garage poster and they sent a professional writer down to my shop and we discussed all the older cars and I told some of the stories that even the people at Nissan had no idea of about Mr.K most of the writeups about the older cars came from these discussions and I am now wondering the truth about the company starting to use Mr K after seeing him at his american birthday party in 1994 where he told the president of Nissan not to let the fairlady Z become the fatlady which of course is what happened. Also during the shooting of the commercial I was standing on the steps of the phony office looking out into the dream garage and was suddenly surrounded by 3 guys all were presidents of Nissan North America and infinity and they started to conversations about whether we could do the Z car program and I said yes but it would be dependent on the parts situation and they asked what do you mean and I said that you have been crushing slow moving parts for many years and they looked at each other and said can we do anything about that and I kinda shook my head. The next week I was invited up to Nissan to give an overview of what it would take and we set up an outline of the program. Those were the good old days when we used to host parties at my shop with all the famous racers, early Datsun employees and Mr K was there for 4 of our parties until he started attending the Z conventions in 98 we sure had it good back then. Oh Well just thought some of you may want to know the truth about some of the story. Les

I see lots of talk about the weatherstrip situation and I can finally safely say the new version of the old kit is coming together this weekend. Some of you may know that I have been working with Randy at Vintage rubber to get a better kit and solution for the problems that plagued Precision since they were bought out a couple years back. As some of you may also remember this is not the first time precision has not been able to provide products for extended periods of time which really hurts all of us. Randy came to me quite a while back to tell me that he was moving forward with his own ideas of the Precision Kit and it would consist of all new molds and all new rubber made in America and any issues with the former parts would be addressed with the new products such as fit and finish issues. I loaned Randy all the new factory Nissan rubber I could find in my stash for my car and of course when you offer these parts up they get sacrificed for the cause. Anyway the full kit plus more parts are finally done and will be introduced at the JCCs show this sunday if all goes well. I am not sure of the pricing yet but it will be a little more than the Old kit but should be much better. I have suggested to Randy that we consider making an economical kit much like the precision kit but with better door rubber that actually works correctly and then also create a master kit for those doing the full resto and have the master kit have all correct original style part for the guy wanting everything absolutly original. That kit of course will be more complete and more expensive. It will take a little tweeking to get all this finalized but Randy has been working on this everyday for the past 3-4 months trying to get it right and it will be worth it if all of you guys who have been waiting will consider talking to me or Randy at vintage rubber for your Z car rubber needs. Thanks for listening and I hope this will fill the void left by the other guys. Les

Have you not checked out the great inexpensive car covers that BRE is selling for the 240Z and they are only about $165 and fit like a glove and have the logo on them as well

Very cool that you got this car as the lady who used to own it called me about 4-5 years back and offered me the car for $2800 and after sending photos I thought it was cool so I called Bob Sharp to ask him about the car and he told me they came in a variety of color schemes and option choices. He did not seem too interested at the time and I was on the left coast so I eventually lost interest myself but tried to find a buyer in hopes that I might be able to do a resto on it for the right person. I later heard she donated it to the transport museum who then sold it and I think that is when Craig ended up with it. Bob seemed to think that she did not order the Minilight wheels or the valve cover but that most everything else was there. Very cool that it is now in good hands. Best of Luck with the resto. Les

Guys as I seldom post messages I thought I would at least let you know that we are currently finishing up work on the BRE #46 510 for John to drive and we hope to have the fresh #44 BRE Roadster almost done and at least a fairly complete roller.I just got word that 2 nd owner of this car Gene Felton who now restores many Famous Nascar car will be attending as well. I am trying to get the #89 baja 510 that Peter drove in 1969 to 4 th place finish ready for some exposure. May try to bring the factory lightweight as it has a BRE backround as well. We are very much hoping that A new IMSA Z will be re-introduced at the Mitty as well and it has not been seen in many years. So if I am able to finish most of this I may end up sleeping through the Mitty. Take care !! And yes Adam will be attending as of right now. Les

I am in the san diego north county area and I look at cars all the time for customers. So if I am not too far out of your way I am willing to help. I presently have my lift tied up so I may not be able to put it up in the air but I can show you where to check for damage and rust issues and it would be a free cursory look for you unless you want me to go deeper into things. Best of Luck in your purchase and you can feel free to call me at the shop. Les 760-940-6365 Classic Datsun Motorsports

You could always go with the brand new BRE car cover which is a perfect and a very fair price $160 I think and has the cool BRE racing logo as well. I am buying them for all the cutomer cars in the shop and highly recommend them to friends. I do not get any kick backs for endorsing the Covers but we did bug the hell out of Peter to see about bring back a similar cover that they sold many years ago. Just my 2Cents Les

I am sorry but at this point I only have the one shown on the yellow car in the earlier post but I plan to see if there would be enought market for some 280 fiberglass items and maybe Carl can be talked into loaning his spoiler for a mold. I personally preferr ducts as the brake cooling is an important part for me and I like functional parts. I have one 280 Ducted spoiler in stock at this time. Thanks Les

We sell the 280Z BRE style spoiler and even though it is no in our site yet it is the one in your photo. They cost $185 plus shipping and have the ducts just like your photo and fit the later much rounder lower valance of the 280Zs. Les 760-940-6365

If anyone needs a car moved from west coast(San Diego) to anywhere as far east as new hampshire area or the midwest somewhere let me know. A good friend just won a very cool car on Ebay and is leaving very soon to pick it up in The North east and has a large empty trailer going back. For a small fee to help with gas someone could have that rust free Z car they always wanted moved from SoCal to the rest of the US. Call me and and I can arrange contact. Thanks Les 760 940-6365

The Panasports cannot be widened as i have seen suggested but we do have a 12MM offset in the 16s but it is for guys who have converted to coilovers. Remember that the panasports are forged wheels and cannot be repaired and unless you have the 3 piece wheels you most likely would have to change wheels to move them. Les

I cannot speak to the subaru 180 diffs but I can tell you having been a seller of the Quaiffe diffs that they are no longer availible in the US unless more than 10-15 people want to order. I have not heard very much positive feedback on the other 2 you mention but I can tell you that with the vintage race cars we set up and working with an excellent rear end builder we have been very impressed with the new OS giken diffs and were easliy able to modify for the smaller ring gear on the recent 3.90 we did for a street car. Part of the dilema of using an old tired LSD unit is that sometimes there will be no parts to repair them which is why we have told customers to run the old LSDs at tracks that we only run once a year. I would think since the Nissan and Subaru LSDs were both made by Fuji Heavy Ind that maybe some repair parts from subaru could be used to fix the Older tired Nissan units. I know everyone thinks it is too expensive to buy a good unit but remember you get what you pay for and it is a one time deal to build the diff if it is exactly what you want you should never have to mess with it again. The quaiffe was cool because it was torque biasing and warranteed for life and every year you could send it back to them and they would refresh it for a small token fee and I am thinking that the new OS Giken is the same price range and the reviews have been outstanding and of course replacment parts should be availible for a long time to come. Just so there is full disclosure I am so impressed with the Giken products that I have become the dealer for their products but that being said I have to say I would be doing my customers a big diservice by having them pay several times for the same service to rebuild or change diffs. We have been very fortunate to find a good setup guy and have built over 20 diffs in the last 4-5 years some for street and some for race. Remember done right it is a one time investment for a good diff.

Guys Even though I sometimes sell the parts you asked about most small shops like me do not sell enough to afford the buy in they require to get good enough pricing to be able to make enough money to cover the costs so here is my advice for you all. Call Bruce at Suspension restoration and he ships the same day and has a very good stock of Nissan kits I believe if you tell him that I sent you that he will treat you pretty good and he will deal with you personally and not some huge corporate phone system where you are a number. Bruce can be reached at 209-578-5101 and you can see the products and pricing at www.suspension.com and tell him Les at Classic Datsun sent you. Take care!