SFe240Z

I am planning on relocating to Austin, TX around mid-December. I will need enclosed storage for two cars (1937 Packard 115C and 1973 Datsun 240Z). Anyone in the Austin area know of any safe and secure storage facilities in the Central Austin Area? Also, what is the Z-Car activity in this area? Thanks - John

Ron, I enjoyed the Car Crazy program featuring your car. You did great job on the BRE/Morton Z Car. I too have a John Morton story, although it is not as exciting as yours. In 2004 the ZONC (Z Owners of Northern California) had their annual show at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, CA. John Morton was the featured and special guest. He entertained us with stories of his career. As part of his participation, he was asked to select one car from the one-hundred or so that were on display and honor that car as his "Best Pick" award. He selected my original/unrestored '73 240Z. It was an honor to have him select the car and to have the award presented by him. He said he selected the car because it is so rare to find a stock Z Car, and to find one in such nice condition. He is a first-class guy. There are photos of the event on the ZONC site and in the photo gallery of this board. You must be quite proud (and rightfully so) to have your car featured on a national program. Maybe it will result in more interest in these cars. Take care - John

I spent a pleasant Saturday afternoon installing a Monza exhaust system from Black Dragon on my '73 240Z. It went on without any problems, everything needed for the installation was there. The vertically stacked dual outlets are attractive. The sound is nice and throaty, at speed or under load. I recommed it to members who have a basically stock car, but want a different sound and improved appearance. At less than $260US it is a good buy. I was even able to salvage the stock exhaust system and package it in the Monza box. John - Santa Fe

I have an excellent original/unrestored '73 240Z for sale. Go to page 7 of cars for sale in US. John

Michael, I have an excellent original/unrestored 1973 240Z for sale. Look in the classified ads for cars for sale in the US. It is on page 3. It's not cheap at $17.5k, but it is very, very nice. Good luck on your search. John

This is an exceptionally nice car. It is rare to find one that appears to be in such good condition and low mileage. If you are considering this 240Z, then please take another look at my 1973 Z. I recently reduced the price from $20k to $17.5k. Either way, save yourself a lot of time, money, and frustration and get an original unmolested car. Thanks - John

To take this discussion to its logical conclusion I offer the following regarding ZCCA criteria for stock class judging criteria. Let's presume that my 1973 240Z is considered to be an absoutely stock car, as it left the dealership. Given this, the car would - technically - not be able to score the maximum number of points because it is being judged against how it was when it left the factory. To score the most points available I would have do the following: Coat the exterior in cosomline (sp.?); unfasten the seats, wrap them in the appropriate plastic and stow them in the passenger compartment; remove the carpets, roll them up, wrap them in the appropriate plastic, and stow them in the passenger compartment; remove the wheel covers, wrap them in the appropriate wrapping and stow them with the seats and carpet; plus I would have to affix the appropriate wax markings to the windows and windshield. Like I said this is an extreme conclusion to the ZCCA judging criteria about the car being as close as it was when it left the factory. If the ZCCA judging criteria does not have factors for these items, then it is not judging the car as it left the factory. I think the SCCA criteria for stock class would be more reasonable and preferred. That is, the car should appear as close to how it was when it left the dealership. Thank you for your time and giving this consideration.

Oh yes, one more thing. The car was fitted with the "72 Solex-type carbs, using a conversion kit, before I purchased the car. I understand this is a common thing to do with '73s. The car is remarkably trouble-free and is smooth, powerful, and a joy to drive. John

Hello All, I am the owner of the subject 240Z. Thanks to Galaxybj for posting information on the car. I can answer some of the questions you all have asked. The muffler is painted because that is the way Nissan provided it. I recently replaced the primary muffler, connector pipe, and muffler/tailpipe with genuine Nissan parts and they all came painted black. The motor mount brackets that are fastened to the engine block are painted the same color as the engine. I believe this is because they were probably fastened to the engine when it was painted at the factory. The rest of the mounts that are fastened to the unibody are not. I have no evidence from the extensive records that the engine was ever painted. I have no reason to believe that the hood hinges were ever repainted. They look like they have always been this way. The car was advertised in the classified ad section of the current edition of Keith Martin's Sports Car Market. It was not offered at auction. I bought the car in December, 2003. It spent the first 30 years of its life with the same family in the Pudget Sound area. The original owner kept the car in excellent condition, and I have been trying to improve upon it. I entered the car in four Northern California concours in 2004. It won a 3rd in class at the Hillsborough show; a 2nd in class at the Sacramento show; and a John Morton Best Pick at the ZONC meet at the Blackhawk Museum. I am selling it as I want to do something different, and am limited to garage storage space.