daddz

Dan, I think we have discussed this previously but my friend "240ztt' is the proud owner of HLS30-20425 which is a 01/71 production still wearing what's left of its original silver paint.

Mark, It is interesting that you mention living in BMW's adopted home. I wish Nissan would perform some of the same type of customer fulfillment activities that BMW performs. For example, one can take delivery of their new BMW at the S.C. facility and also experience some track driving and classroom instruction while driving an identical car to the one they are buying. If Nissan had that type of program I would have gladly signed up and even paid for it willingly. As it was when I took delivery I got a handshake from the owner of the dealership and a few laughs when he stated that he wished it hadn't taken so long (25 years) between father's purchase (02/78) and son's purchase (01/03).

Evan, The proportions on the purple Z are just about as good as I would have hoped for. At some point it begins to remind me of the first generation Celica Supra from '79 to '81. At least the headlights on the 350Z could have been round ovoid shapes which would have given the hint at the first generation Z cars. The taillights I feel could have been done a bit better and there are pictures on the web of some 350Z's with part of the taillights covered.

Larry, Just take a look at Chris Bangle's BMW Z4 M Coupe. It is as polarizing as the 350Z but it utilizes a more traditional proportioning similar to the great coupes of the '60's and early '70's. The long hood and cab rearward design ethos have never left the great marques such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Jaguar. Nissan is always seeming to swing like a pendulum from good design to bad; anyone remember the F10? The worst design element of the 350Z in my opinion is the taillights. I had to view a picture from above to undertsand the continuity of line from the quarter glass window and the arch that makes up the top of the fender through the door and back through the quarter panel. If I had it to do over again I would probably have chosen the Z4 M Coupe over the 350Z had it been available at the same time as when I purchased the 350Z.

I have a love-hate relationship with my 350Z. The recalls are becoming annoying (tires, fuel filler hose) and then the first time I went to manually unlock the door from inside the cable snapped requiring yet anothe rvisit to the dealer. The transmission mainshaft bearing noise is not pleasant either especially when it has been noisy since 8k miles. I have mine parked in the garage in Florida at 26k miles and it gets driven last when I visit the other stable mates: '82 280ZX, '81 280ZX, '91 Mustang GT. It is a competent vehicle and on long trips returns surprising gas mileage. On one trip to Pensacola, Fl. from Maryland it pulled 535 miles out of one tank of gas which averaged out to 31-32mpg. It is alot of fun to drive and that is probably its best feature. The styling is not the most inspired as I completed the Nissan survey back in '98 or '99 I mentioned that the new car should emulate the E-type, 2000GT, and 275GTB. I also mentioned that they should dust off the tooling and simply remake more S30 bodyshells.

FWIW, The CEO's name was/is Carlos Ghosn and not 'Goshen' and it is pronounced with the s being silent.

Keep in mind the fact that Peter Brock designed the original Cobra Daytona Coupe. Hmmm? Maybe there's an idea here? BTW, I am smitten with this latest shape to come from BMW (Z4M Coupe). If only they offered this beautiful car in maroon? I think my 350Z would be history. This is more of what I had in mind when I sent in my reply to Nissan's questionnaire circa 1998:

I have uploaded some additional photos of the 280Z which were taken today. As I was installing a different set of steel wheels and tires (the front tires are almost new Yokohamas and the rears are in good shape as well) I took the time to scrub the floorpans and wheelwells with Castrol SuperClean which works very well. http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=3015 I will strive to have the fenders and front airdam installed this weekend.