Z Speed

Wow, you have to post a pic when done. That sounds like a pretty good upgrade. What model BMW? E30? Good luck with it all....

One question. Why? That doesn't seem right in my book, but to each his own....

Thanks for the info Arne. I will look up the Appliance Wheels. I may want to buy a set in the future or go a completely different way when it's time for wheels....

mmmm, door panels....

Hehe, I have that site bookmarked. Great job Michael! You did an outstanding job on your 280....

Congrats on the new purchases Dave. What a great deal. What's even better is it's another Z saved....

First off, sorry Michael. I didn't mean it to come off that way. I only meant it exactly how you put it last; some things good and some things not. My intentions weren't to come off mean or snobbish. I apologize for sounding that way.... Dave, I really am going to try and make it, but I very seriously doubt the Z will ready to take the road. If I do come it would have to be in the BMW..... Arne, come to think about it, you may be right. I could be thinking of my Uncles old MGB. He had the true knockoff's and they may have been the Dunlops. I will have to look on the backside of my wheels. I could have sworn these where made by Dunlop, but being as how I haven't look at the wheels up close in so long I could be wrong.... Gary, the floors are pretty dented up from the road racing the car had seen in it's early years. I know the pass. frame rail needs serious attention (by the firewall), but I'm not sure if it extends under the pass. pan. The funny thing is from the inside it looks to be in better shape than the drivers side, which only really looks bad in the front area. Both, from the inside, look decent under and behind the seats. I understand where all of you are coming from with regards to certain aspects (looks/accessories) of the car. I guess it's an acquired taste.... I look forward to meeting you as well Gary.... Arne, you are correct about not being in a hurry to replace the floors. Believe me, I wont if I don't have too. I really wont know until I lift her up, pressure wash a bit, and take a closer look. I will try and have someone who really knows take a look as well. I'm sure they would be able to point out things I would miss. Arne, you're welcome anytime. Just let me know when you are available or in the area. I use to live in Lakewood for many years and I know Tacoma pretty well too. I would love to meet you and value any insight you may have. I know you, as well as many others here, have already been down this road. Your suggestions/pointers are truly valued.... Thanks again for everyone's input. That's part of what make this such a great board.... Scott-

Well, thanks for the comments folks. Like I stated the car is in decent shape, but needs work. I already stated it needed at least one frame rail replaced maybe more. The floors are too bad, but are dented so I will be replacing them as well. The windshield tent was purchased and applied back in the 70's. I wish I can find it again too Arne, because I would like to replace the windshield. The car in current shape was painted and built in the 70's. You are correct Stephen, the light covers are the original factory Datsun covers/rings that will not be sold. I like them a lot. I don’t' consider the car a mish-mash. It's just a different look. It's not unlike having painted bumpers. Some like them some don't. I don't prefer them, but I think they look decent.... The wiper arms as Arne mentioned are factory originals and they’re not chrome. The mirrors were purchased in Japan in the late 70's and applied. A bit different then the Fairlady mirrors, but I like them. I know most of you don't like the hood/bonnet, but I do. I have given thought to replacing it at some point with the original, but the hood goes with the overall look. It was installed the late 70’s as well and It also completely cleared up any/all vapor lock issues..... Like I stated, the car was painted by the OP in the 70's. He was a Fencer. I don't really like the Fencer graphics, but I do like the pin striping. I may just go with the thick pin stripes down the side and roof line and leave off the hood/light bucket/rear spoiler graphics when repainted. You have to remember, this car’s paint/setup is period original (i.e. common during that period/time). Back in the 70's the thick pin stripe and design was common. However, It's not to popular by today’s standards. Many of the younger generation isn't use to seeing or even understand it this style. It disappeared many years ago.... The wheels where produced by Dunlop. I happen to love the wires with the knockoff looking center caps. I am thinking of trying to find another set (thanks for the tip on Appliance Wheels) or go with something else. I do love the Panasports, but maybe something else entirely. The duel moon roof was a dealer install. I am not sure if I would have ordered the car with one, but I find I like it a lot. The two roof panels are removable as well; nice on a sunny day. I know many like the non-sun/moon roof look and frown on cutting the roof, but many of the Z's sunroofs were a dealer install. I have never had one leak.... I do appreciate all of you giving your opinions. It’s always nice getting other perspectives. All opinions are valued. I expected the hood/bonnet to receive the welcome it did, but I had hoped the period, which this car was built would be considered. It wasn’t built/created by a teen, in the 90-00’s. Much of the look was common when this car was built and raced. Even the hood/bonnet. With that said, and taking the originality mindset into thought, I do understand were all of you are coming from. I too, struggle with the decision to take it back to original (not far off) or keep it slightly altered. Once I began the project I will have more time to decide. I do like it's current look, sans the Fencer and hood graphics and other small changes. Time will tell and I am sure changes will be made when all things are said and done. Thanks again people. I can never get enough info/opinions/comments…. P.S. Arne, I’ve been reading your blogs. Great read. Thanks for taking the time to detail most/all the steps on your Z’s continuous progress. It is very insightful. I hope to meet someday at an event or other happenings. Sorry for the long rant….

FWIW, here it is. Be gentle; she's old and far from perfect. As some of you may know, the car's been garaged for quite a while. I am planning a long restore. I want to get her running again first. I need to drop tank, blow lines, go over the hoses, oil the cam/cylinders, and all the other things that go with getting a car drivable..... I pulled the floorboard carpet to inspect, but I never cleaned the interior. It's really dusty/dirty. I need to replace frame rails (pass. for sure) and floorboards. The pass. is not really rusty, but both are dented really bad. I have a few spots of surface rust. I won't know the extent in other areas until I pull her apart. The paint is thirty years old and the clear coat is trashed.... Here a few photos; if you like you can check out my gallery for more. This car has been setup like this since the late 70's. Hope you like....

No problem Mike. I just wanted to clearify. We're all here to help.... P.S. Love your sig....

This is true. My statement was from the belief, judging from his Avatar quote, that he does not own a Z. Therefore, reducing the cost of purchasing a red interior after the fact. I do agree it may be easier to just buy a Z with any color interior and then changing it to red at a later date..... Good luck Kevan.....

Very nice mull. I've been following your project like many here and I am impressed. Your car is going to be one-of-a-kind when your done. Look forward to more updates.... P.S. I love the 16" wheels....

Kevan, as John stated it's not a waist if it's what you really want. I would suggest looking for a 240 already with a red interior. I have to admit, I haven't seen many around. I love the White/red combo. It's one of my favorites too....

Nathan sorry, but I do not know the guy, nor have I seen the car in person. I have only seen the craigslist add for the last three weeks. You're right it does look to have a lot of engine mods. I wonder what methods the owner used to made the finder flares. The car looks clean from the photos listed, but we all know photos can be deceiving. The car does look to have had a lot of work done to it.... You should really go over this car good, especially for the 6.5k asking price....

If that is the case and you do "punch the screen" I wouldn't rely solely on an in-line fuel filter. The should only be used as a backup last resort of keeping crud from entering your engine/carbs etc... via the fuel lines. I would def. pull the take and re-clean or replace if need be. I wouldn't take any shortcuts with your fuel system....

Nathan, is a red Z with the black 240 stripes on the lower door/fenders? If it is, it's hard to tell from the couple of night photos I've seen.... Good luck and hope it pans out....

Here are few of mine. Pardon the dirt. I just pulled the carpets out of the driver/pass. floorboards. I haven't dusted/cleaned the interior yet. I have some work to do....