DatsunZGuy

I am so sorry to hear about this. I will say a special prayer tonight for one of our brothers.

Michael, This car won the 1997 MSA 'Best of Show'. I have an article on the car that I can email to you if you are interested. It is too big to post here on the site. Ed datsunzguy@yahoo.com

Hi Walter, I just stripped and repainted my front and rear bumper brackets for my 1972, and my fronts looked just like those. Cheers! Ed

Here's an article that features a 240Z with the seats you are talking about. Nice lookin' Z and 510! CLICK HERE

Let's Try This Again :-)

Here's a blurb from the Texas Z Club. Also you'll find a link below to a write-up from Les' Web site. www.classicdatsun.com/zz/nissan.html Happy reading! ************************************************* "Z-Store" Of The Future - 10 Nissan Retailers Selected To Host Z-Stores - CARSON, Calif. (November 20, 1996) - Ten Nissan retailers in the United States have been selected as homes of "Z-Stores", an innovative pilot marketing program launched today by Nissan Motor Corporation USA These Z-Stores will offer comprehensively inspected, Nissan certified, pre-owned Z-cars for retail sale in their showroom, along with authentic Z memorabilia and other items. With only 10 official Z-Store retailers nationwide, consumers in various U.S. regions will have the opportunity to enjoy a piece of sports car history with the confidence of owning a reconditioned car at the following locations: Jake Sutherlin Nissan, Tampa, FL Sutherin Nissan, Marietta, GA Esserman Nissan, Miami, FL Coggin Nissan, Jacksonville, FL Universal City Nissan, Los Angeles, CA Performance Nissan, Duarte, CA Stevens Creek Nissan, Santa Clara, CA Bankston Nissan, Irving, TX Courtesy Nissan, Richardson, TX Brown’s Fairfax Nissan, Fairfax, VA Based on their successful history of posting high volume sales of Z-cars and providing high levels of customer service, these retailers will work with Nissan to begin fully reconditioning Z-cars. "Through our new Z-Store concept, we are partnering with select Nissan retailers to demonstrate our heritage and prove our commitment to the consumer by offering reconditioned Z-cars - a model line that is legendary in the automotive world," said Tom Orbe, vice president of marketing for Nissan and Infiniti Divisions. "We are really excited about this program because it allows us to offer consumers what they are requesting in a imaginative new way. We hope consumers and enthusiasts alike share in our excitement." Individuals that purchase Z-cars from Z-Store retailers will receive a number of amenities including a special-edition bronze badge, decal and certificate as well as easy access to purchase Z memorabilia. This program will be implemented in two phases; the first featuring "Classic Z’s," which include 1990 to 1996 300ZX model pre-owned cars, followed by pre-owned Z-cars from the Z’s 26-year history including early model Z-cars beginning with the 240Z ("Vintage Z"). "Classic Z" Kicking off Phase I of the Z-Store will be the offering of "Classic Z". Differentiating this program from other off-lease programs is an intensive 120-point inspection that each vehicle must pass before being offered for sale in a Z-Store. These cars will also carry Nissan’s Certified Pre-owned Limited Warranty and "Classic Z" badging. "Vintage Z" Cruising into Z-Stores early next year will be reconditioned "Vintage Z’s". These restored early model Z-cars will also include a limited warranty and should prove to be collector cars in the future. Z Heritage Japanese native, Yutaka Katayama, a.k.a. "Mr. K" and the "Father of the Z", brought the Z-car to America in 1970 after seeing the need for a sports car to match the zest for life he found in this country. He began the Z model line with the Datsun 240Z and it continued through the 1996 300ZX. The Z not only became the fastest-selling sports car of all time, but also established itself as a classic in terms of automotive styling and performance. Additionally, the Z-car was the first Japanese-made breakthrough vehicle in the United Status for Nissan (then called Datsun), beginning a new chapter in American automotive history - a chapter Nissan plans to continue starting with the Z-Stores. "With Z-car production for the United States recently drawing to a close, Nissan is answering the call from enthusiasts and Z-car aficionados. We are proud of our roots and are demonstrating this through our Z-Store program," stated Orbe. "Throughout the lifetime of the Z-car, we witnessed a strong commitment to the car from enthusiasts and ‘Z-Zealots’ because of its illustrious style and performance. We’re proud that we can continue this commitment." In North America, Nissan’s operations include styling, engineering, manufacturing, sales, consumer and corporate finance, and industrial and textile equipment. Nissan in North America employs more than 20,000 people in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and generates nearly 75,000 jobs through more than 1,500 Nissan and Infiniti dealerships across the continent.

Guys, Many thanks for the kind words of support. I am so lucky to be part of group with such great people. Ed

I see a lot of people using their pet photos as avatars, which I interpret as them being special members of the family. Today, I had to put my dear Bulldog Tibbs to sleep after a long bout of kidney problems. It is never easy making a decision like that, but his quality of life was so poor it was for the best. In the end, he began having seizures and refused to eat and could not even keep down water. I will miss his easy-going nature, and how he always stayed by my side while working on the Z or raking leaves in the yard. Working on the car will not be the same now that my helper is gone. Sorry for the non-Z related ranting. It is just the house seems very empty now.

Hi Jason, Sorry, I can't help you with your request. But could you please post some new picture of your awesome ride in the making? That color is stunning!

Hi Tom, Here's a piture of the wheel that I sold on ebay about a month ago.

Too Intense Restoration advertises a 240Z steering reconditioning service that ranges between $85.00-$110.00. CLICK HERE - Too Intense Restoration I recently sold on ebay an extra steering wheel that I restored myself. The winner emailed me back very satisfied and complemented me on my work. I wish I could quit my job and do this sort of thing for a living from the comfort of my home. Here is a reprint of the restoration steps I had posted on ebay: I stripped down the black spokes by machine sander, and not chemical stripper as not to harm the rim’s finish. Then, the center was masked and hub/spokes were painted flat black with a semi-gloss clear coat added. The faux wood was stripped, prepped, and finished using the following process: 1. Wood was thoroughly cleaned with a citrus degreaser and a mild Teflon-safe scouring pad to remove all accumulation of old varnish, grease and dirt. 2. I applied a single, light coat of red mahogany stain to revive the color. 3. Multiple coats of clear urethane were then sprayed to seal and protect. 4. The wheel was wet sanded with 600 grit sandpaper to smoothen the surface. 5. Polishing compound was then applied and surfaced was buffed by hand for many hours to achieve a glossy finish.

That interior looks like the inside of a pimp's casket. This should be a warning to all to NEVER perform upholstery work while smoking crack.

My '73 had a splash pan, and it was 98% stock (even the braided top radiator hose) when I purchased it in Denver back in 1992. I hated the pan because every time I would drop a screw or nut while working on the engine, I would hear it impact the against the splash pan and it would be gone forever. I like my pan-free '72. Any dropped nut or bolt falls nicely to the garage floor.

I tried the Eastwood Gold Cad paint system on my anti-backfire valve and good portion of the paint flaked off when I had the engine steam cleaned. :mad: Furthermore, you have to purchase the gold, red tint and green tint all come in 12 ounces cans. Invariably, you will most likely end up going through 10 cans of gold before you even start to run out of the red and green tints. This is because you are just using the red and green to lightly spray on to simulate the gold cadmium (a.k.a. zinc dichromate) tinting. Needless to say, I wish they would sell the the reds and greens in smaller cans for less money. For the rest of my parts that will require plating, I think I’ll give this outfit a try. Click Here

Here's a link to an outfit that sells some pretty cools looking wheels. I've emailed twice asking for a price quote, but have never heard back. Maybe you have better luck:cry:. Click Here

With the price of a gallon of gas these days, filling my tank will double the value of my Z

A couple of weeks ago, I had a mobile detail service stop by the house and professionally steam clean my 72 Z. I parked the car next to the curb in front of the house, put the car up on jacks and removed the wheels. The guy spent about an hour and a half cleaning the engine compartment and undercarriage. I was amazed to find the original yellow paint marking the bolts, as well as various undercarriage markings from the factory. I spent $200.00 for the cleaning, but it will make from a much cleaner experience pulling out the engine, replacing suspension bushings and repainting the components under the car.

My '72 is 918 (Mexican Orange), and the air cleaner is of a darker shade of orange. You may want to email Ztherapy. They may be willing to give out the secret formula. :classic: Or...have them restore the air cleaner for you. http://www.ztherapy.com/ ZT130 69-72 ½ Flapper or NonFlapper Air Cleaner (restored with decals and paint, no element) . Correct color PPG catalyzed urethane paint over epoxy primer. Very nice. $200.00

This is the best price I've found so far for a 3-Core radiator. Click Here!:classic:

Howdy Cardogman, Many years ago I had a ticking sound just like you described. It turned out that I picked a large screw :dead: on my drivers side tire. Pulled it, plugged the hole and off I went. Cheers!

The big chartreuse machine just sold on Ebay for a cool $10,700. Not too shabby. Yep, I’ve been living large in Lompoc for almost 10 years now. During the week I work in Santa Barbara for a software company, and I’m also a reservist at Vandenberg. Mar2c, I think you work at the schoolhouse. Don’t you? The reason you haven’t seen me around town is that I’ve been keeping the miles down on my Z just driving her around the block every other week or so. Another reason for the short jaunts is the fact that the car has the original wheels and tires back on it, which I really wouldn’t trust going too far on. The odometer is currently showing 41,552 original miles. I bought the car in Kansas last July and had it trucked back to California. I bought the car mainly because of the low miles, original owner, lack of rust, perfect dash and the final good omen…the clock is still working after 31 years! The original owner, Edwin, bought the car for his wife, Donna, on Mother’s Day 1972. It was really great meeting the both of them. They took really good care of the car, but the rest of the world wasn’t so kind. She has her fair share of door dings and other battle scars from encounters with irresponsible owner’s vehicles. I made a pact to myself to restore the vehicle to an original looking condition with only a few exceptions before the odometer hits 50,000. KYB shocks, lower springs, urethane bushings and 15 inch Superlites with charcoal centers will be the major modification I plan. I may also install the BRE front spoiler that came with the car, but the original owner never mounted. So far the bumpers are off the car getting re-chromed down in LA. Last weekend, I took the AC out of the car since all the R-12 was gone anyway. As you can attest, you really don’t need AC on the Central Coast. I’m had someone stop by the house last Sunday to steam clean the engine and undercarriage so I can commence with the rest of the restoration. That’s if the war with Iraq changes my military status and pocket book. Chris, the guy that painted CCZCC member Mark’s 1970 red 240, has agreed to do the paint and bodywork later in the year. From what I’ve seen so far, he does fantastic work. I will most likely join the club once the car has been completed. My goal is to have the car finished and back on the road in time for the MSA show in May 2005.

Mike at Banzai Motorworks sells leather seats for $600.00 a set. I’ve never seen the set firsthand, but I’ve been very impressed with the quality of the items that I’ve purchased from him so far. Click Here You can find a description of them under “Soft Trim”. Another source a list of suppliers would be Memmings Motor News Click Here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2404339586&category=6187 This Z sat on a used car lot in the city of Buellton, on the California Central Coast, for the better part of eight months. If I recall, the asking price then was $7995.00. When I saw the Santa Inez Valley license plate frame, the light came on! I remember going to see the car one Sunday, so I wouldn’t have to worry about being pounced on by a salesman. The car looked pretty good, but I could see the first signs of rust on one of the lower rear quarter panels. I wonder if that has been repaired. I came close to returning on Monday to make them an offer, but I could bring myself to accepting the color. And this is coming from a guy that bought an orange 240. Anyway, interesting to see the car took a road trip from California to “No Rust State” Arizona in the search of a new owner…small Z world. :classic:

that interior looks pretty rough for a car that has under 20K. I wish they would have added some photos of the engine comparment. The contrast of the shiny exterior paint (white no less) against that faded interior makes me wonder if it was repainted. If I were interested in the car, a request for a complete paper trail of documentation would be in order.

I like this guy's alternative of making a replacement glove box out of metal. Click Here It would most likely be the last one you'll ever need. :classic: