Bonzi Lon

I think the original concept for hiding the plates could be summed up in a line from "Dragnet". "The plates have been changed to protect the innocent." I for one, am very proud of my antique plates and have no problem with showing them. Bonzi Lon

I know exactally how you feel. Mine had been sitting idle (no paint) for 28 years. When it finally got all back together and first fired up, I was shaking like a leaf. I couldn't beleive I did it. It runs like a sewing machine with an attitude. Haven't been over 4500 rpm untill I have a few more miles on it, 850 miles so far and only spirited in town driving. Every time I get in it and go for a ride, you just can't slap the smile off my face. I am so glad I saved it all these years as I had several chances to sell it unpainted. It is an old friend that makes me feel 28 years younger, those wonderful college days. Bonzi Lon

When I got my 73 in 77 it had two "hooks" in back and two of the flat brackets in front. Somehow after 26 years of being apart I still can't find the other "hook" for the back, need one to make it complete. The dealer must of been "very busy" as it never had mags, side moldings or bumper bars. Bonzi Lon

My car was purchased with a trailer hitch installed. (so why not use it?) It was employed to move me 750 miles back home from college. Rented the smallest enclosed U-Haul, about 4 foot square, packed it about 3/4 full, ballanced it like a tight rope walker and took off. Pulled real good but got a little squirrely about 55mph. Lets just say it was an interesting trip home, but then I was young and dumb, 1978.:stupid: Do not try the above stunt at home, trained proffessionals were used. Bonzi Lon

Even though mine is not an early model, 7-73, these date stamps can also be found on the very top of the gas tank and the back of the steel evaporator tank. Both have to be removed to be viewed. I also would like to know the exact day in July of 73 mine was made as I have always wondered (and hoped) it was made on my 18th birthday, the 6th. My VIN number and the highest number from a 73 I have seen, seem to be about 3 thousand cars difference. There are differences in what number is the "Last 240Z". From my understanding they made about that number (more or less) each month, so that would put mine at the first part of the month yet past 7-3 which is on the gas tank. The evaporator tank has the earlier date and the gas tank has the later date. Bonzi Lon

Very interesting... My (mostly) stock 7-73 came without any fuel line insulation, radiator shroud (except for the small shield on top), or any other heat disapation device put on by dealer, but it did have the belly pan. Now in primer and on the garage wall waiting for paint and instalation. The stock radiator was gone through, boiled and rodded, at the time of overhaul. I've changed water in it 3 times now and ready for the anti-freeze. It now has 400 miles on it and everything is A-OK. No heating issues yet. Bonzi Lon

I was very lucky in finding vintage plates for my 2 Datsuns. A friend of mine is a plate collector and just "happen" to have a very low number for the Z, county and last name letter correct. The 81 BONZI plate (car's name) was the first year personal plates were available in KS, thus being very plain. KS is also a "one plate State" except "vanity", so any plate can be up front if the legal one is on the back. He also had a county correct 1968 for the Roadster, in the right colors. Just got my paperwork from the State, both are legal and Antique. Bonzi Lon

Well guys, I'll be about the only one on here to say I really like my original steel wheels and wheel covers. I refurbished mine in graphite with a matt finish, and painted the faded red center emblems to match the car, not stock, but I like what I have for now. Bonzi Lon

Battery tray is toast, but I've never seen one on an original 35 year old car that isn't. This is an original 35 year old battery tray that is in very good condition, light surface rust, some spots deeper, that cleaned up rather nicely. Bonzi Lon

I've put 335 miles on my newly rebuilt engine, (1980) head work, cam #13001-N3626, round tops (new sig?) and used 87 octane, no other "treatments", and have yet to hear it ping, and it has only been SHELL!!! Bonzi Lon

Great to hear. New paint is always exciting. I was lucky enough to help with the entire painting process as "Painter Ray" allowed me to help with just asking, and a little begging. It was an interesting part of the project, biggest change in looks. Enjoy!!! Bonzi Lon

Welcome, I'm just a half hour west of you. From my understanding the 390 cfm is about the right size for these engines. Most owners have the round top SU carbs that came with the 70 to 72 Z's as opposed to the flat tops of the 73 models. When running right you will LOVE this car. Again, welcome and a PM has been sent. Bonzi Lon

My (new to me) 68 1600 roadster has the hand throttle but didn't know it could be twisted and locked. Haven't driven it much and would be a little nervous to use it as a cruise control, just a warm up feature. Bonzi Lon

I did nearly the same thing but used Dupli-Color wheel paint and left the inner scallops chrome and painted the red center reflectors to match the car. And yes, it does take alot of time and patients doing four, or five in my case, gotta have a spare. Bonzi Lon

steves72z: Give Black Dragon a call in Lenexa, KS 1-888-789-3746 they have a new catalog out now or visit them online at www.BlackDragon.com they have about everything you could want/need. Bonzi Lon

Thank you all for the compliments and comments. sblake01: I guess I will change the avitar and put it in the signature box, still like looking at what it WAS, dust and all, like before and after. The seats I would like in black would be in cloth as the brown ones (custom made) are, an upgrade from vinyl, but white cloth seats would (imo) would be a bear to keep clean, but then the white vinyl would be original and am now leaning that direction. They weren't that bad to start with. Mayby my "Economical Stimulas Package" will be going that way. MikeW: I will crawl under there and see if that is the problem. It did haul a trailer once and still have the hitch. I tried to put it on last week but when a bracket smashed my ring finger I said "@#$% it" its not going on now. Was real close to scratching the paint, not good. gogriz91: I wanted the original "alkid enamal" but my painter did not want to do it. We got real close with a 1992 Mitsubishi "import only" Fiji Blue Metalic, with a little more pearl and metalic. It is very close and brighter with base coat clear coat. When viewed with an LED light the pearl and metalic really glow!!! zhead240: You are right. Did it myself with a small bottle of "Tester's" paint. The red was really faided and wanted to be a little different and it matches the rest of the car. Only a real zhead would know they should be red. The interior door chrome was pealed off and the blue plastic stripe showed through and now compliments the exterior. Again, I thank all of you for the kind words, compliments and comments. Without this forum and the knowlege contained within, I don't think I could of done it. Bonzi Lon

About the seats: They were redone with more padding back in the 80's when the car was to be copper but things changed and I couldn't afford to have them torn apart and done in black. I'm thinking of selling these and having a new set made in black, with more padding of course. Thanks xray, I am proud of it because I never thought I could ever get it done. It was done with all the advice and knowlege of this forum. Bonzi Lon

I got Bonzi on the road about 2 weeks ago, the day I was questioned by the Secret Service, but still have a few problems to figure out. Rear shocks have been ordered, after 35 years I think they should be changed, it seems to jump around when I hit a bump. Turn signals, horn and back up lights are not working, more digging there. The engine has lots of power, much more than I remember, but the carbs have been changed to round tops and they (dealership) put in a 'high performance' cam, #13001-N3626, makes a very nice tone out the 2 1/2 inch exhaust. I've put about 225 miles on it so far and you still can't slap the smile off my face. I tried to get photos of my "crack free" dash but didn't turn out. Enjoy and all comments are welcomed. Bonzi Lon

I had the same problem, but they wouldn't turn on. Take the switch apart and clean the contacts. I think MikeW did a write up. I used the search "combo switch" to find it. Sure would like to be taught how to post links, I'm so computer stupid. Bonzi Lon

When I changed out the fluid in my masters, after sitting 26 years, rather than pushing it ALL through the lines I used a plastic syringe (about 6cc without needle) to suck it all out of the reservoirs, available very cheap at the local drug store. A turkey baster from the kitchen would work also, but you better replace it before the wife notices it missing. Bonzi Lon

I used the 3-M 77 on my vinyl, and it says on the can about half way down, "do not use on poly-styrine (sp) foam or automotive headliners." It is good suff as I was stuck to the vinyl several times. Bonzi Lon

Carl Beck's story is EXACTYALY why I didn't want to say anything or ask any questions of them. I'm old enough to have read, seen or rememberd others that have opened their mouth saying the wrong things at the wrong time that got them in a heap-o-trouble. And now days they are a "little" bit pickier than in Carl's story and I was only 60 miles away and 4 hours from the fly-over. However, they started it and I made sure the conversation was related to my car. I really wanted to know and see what was in that "black box" though. Bonzi Lon

My 73 had the gaskets that fell apart in my hands when I took the (metal) buckets off. Made new ones out of an old inner tube. Bonzi Lon

I knew I did nothing wrong, they were real freindly and "car guys". The shades were a little much, but it was sunny out. Bonzi Lon

This morning I took Bonzi to the local Gas-N-Go (crazy over the price) to get a sip and was approched by several Men in Black. There were two large black Surburbans all blacked out and a 4 door Ford truck all blacked out with a very large black box on the back with antennas and a dish on top, all had "U S Gov." tags I knew right off who they were and what they were doing there, but went about my business not wanting to start 'anything'. One of them came up to me and asked if I wanted to trade him straight up for the Ford truck. I said "Sure, but just for the day." He was very surprised by my answer and then proceded to back out of the deal as "His Boss" may not approve of the deal. We both had a good chuckle then another MIB came over and said he had a B-210 a long time ago that his cousin blew up, he loved that car. Then another MIB came over and said he hasn't seen one of these (240Z) in years and mine was a real gem, I thanked him for the compliment. Then another MIB came over and asked all kinds of questions about how long it took to get this way, parts availability, what kind of engine, four speed or five, whats the color name, all kinds of car questions, answered truthfully and with a smile. They were still filling when I left, but left with a heavy right foot and screeched it in second to get a little tire chirp. That really made my day, and hopefully theirs. They were on their way to Greensburg, KS to prepare for President Bush's visit. I then drove by our school parking lot only to see another fifteen or so more "black" Sruburbans and trucks waiting on the others. Not very often does one get questioned by the Secret Service and walk away unscathed. Bonzi Lon