FloridaZ

I have finished updating a 1978 280Z 2+2 that my dad bought new. He drove it until May of 1982 when illness forced him to put it in storage in his Michigan barn. It sat there until last June when I returned to MI to settle the family estate. I made arrangements to have the car towed to the junk yard as it was sitting under 6+ inches of racoon crap. A closer inspection showed that the car was worth restoring and after a considerable investment it runs again and runs like a swiss watch (or a Datsun 280Z). It has Dayton Wire wheels (a real mistake on my part as they are near impossible to balance). Also of note is that the interior of the car looks like it did when it was parked in 1982. It is pristine and every single switch, knob, lever, dial (yes the pheumatic antenna also) works. What a hoot it is to tune a radio the old fashion way; I'd forgotten how inaccurate that mode is. Hopefully the attachment made it to this post. Don Stiver Merritt Island, FL

Michael, Thanks for the pics. The difference between G'year and G'rich is what I was looking for. Don

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll post a pic when I get the bumpers and wheels/tire project finished. Don

Attached is a photo of my "78 280Z. The normal tire/wheel is 195 70-14. The photo shows the car with a 195 60-14 The car had been in storage since 1983 and the original tires were obviously no good. I got this set from a junk yard to get the car from Michigan to Florida. Now here's the issue. I'd like a tire that more fills the wheel well. It is my intention to buy a set of Dayton wire wheels. I'm not well versed on "tireology" nor "wheelology" for that matter but you guys are. So what do you suggest that would give the car a more robust appearance? I've read the threads that relate to tires etc but I can't get the info I need from that data. I am also aware of the lack of power steering on this car and it is a real delight to maneuver around the parking lots a low speeds. And yes I know a larger wheel will make it somewhat worse. thanks much, Don Stiver

Last summer my mom's estate willed me my Dad's 1978 280Z which he dearly loved. It was put in our barn in Michigan in June of 1983 when he became critically ill. The car has ~79,000 miles. Except for the bumpers, wheels and some reasonable engine aging the car looks new. Every singe switch, dial, instrument works. The interior is pristine. Now comes the bad news. I had the car mechanically gone over, repainted (original DAtsun orange (110) and shipped to me in Florida. The A/C doesn't work. I discovered that the pressure switch has retired (like me) and there just isn't one to be had. So I come to the folks who have either already solved this issue or know where I can get a surrogate pressure switch. BTW, the last resort alternative is to wire around the swithc but then you have defeated the purpose of the switch. I don't know what the probablity of catastrophy is w/o the switch but.... Oh, once I have the new wheels, and the bumpers rechromed (that's being done in Melbourne, FL and there is a 2 month waiting list) I will post pix of the car. Any help will be deeply appreciated. Don Stiver donstiver@eartlink.net