daddz

Alan, I have read in previous magazine articles about the "Old Woking Service Station" (usually in Classic and Sports Car or Practical Classics) and it is usually when Kevin Brisotw's car is mentioned. If I am not mistaken High Street runs through Woking? (A funny tidbit is the branch office where I work for M & T is located at 87 High Street). Maybe this year I shall be lucky enough to visit that particular part of Great Britain. A friend of mine is proposing that I tag along to attend the Banbury Run in June so that he may acquire additional parts and knowledge for a 1928 Triumph motorcyle that he had shipped over from Australia this past January. As his wife does not quite appreciate such things (he foisted a Citroen 2CV "truckette" on her last year) she has granted permission for him to travel with friends for this event. Who knows, maybe I can meet up with some fellow Z owners whilst the weather is favorable? Thanks again for the information!

Alan, My question still stands with regard to that LHD 'works' car: the handbrake appears on the driver's side of the tunnel in the LHD 'works' car, was that performed at the factory or at some point later after it left Nissan's manufacturing plant? Thanks for any insight into this.

texasz, Thanks for putting all of that Z stuff on the web! I haven't had a chance to look through all of it as of yet. I did have a question about your 240Z though, was it titled as a '71 or a '70? The reason I ask is I am attempting to convince the owner of an 08/70 240Z that is in her best interest to sell her 240Z. The car in question is an 08/70 and I do not have the chassis number as of yet. Her Z has been off the road since late '78 or early '79 as best I can tell and the engine is seized but, the body is in solid shape and the structural members are sound. She took it to a shop to get an estimate of what it would take to bring the car back to life and I think she is in sticker shock. Thanks for any info.

I have been found out! Actually, Bob has a new car which is off limits (lots of hand slapping) and it is a Z32 silhouette with another L28 which has titanium valves installed along with alot of other equally expensive bits. I was poking and prodding on Bob's old car which is now in a couple of pieces. I would really like to pilot that beast. Since it hadn't been started in a couple of months Bryan let us put some racing fuel in it and warm it up on Saturday! I highly recommend stopping by after hours or on a weekend as it really is a treat to play with until it finds a new home. The 510's are pretty serious as well. There is one in the shop at the moment which is receiving a newly fabricated rocker panel to get it ready for this season. There is also a bare RB20 block sitting upstairs in the storgae area that would like to find a new home as well. The RB20 block looks to be very strong with the ribbing and I would imagine that it would stand up to much more abuse than a simple old VG block.

Thanks to everyone for another history lesson. Alan, Thanks for the detailed pictures of the works rally cars. I noticed that the left hand drive works car had the e-brake re-located to the left side of the transmission tunnel? I can't imagine the sterring linkage and such to have been re-located as that would have been vastly more work? I would have to agree with a statement made by Guus earlier regarding the 120db of a competition prepared engine. After having experienced just such an animal this past weekend you would never get a road car confused with a track car. Even the racing 510's at Datsun Dynamics are almost obscene in the way they invade your eardums. Even the dedicated Z car publications often have trouble getting their facts straight, so why should we be surprised? In some of the recent Z car books I have noticed grammatical errors that surely should/would have been cought by the editor(s) before going to print. Much like what happens in the business world these days it seems to be a case of LCD (least common denominator). If a job can be completed more cheaply it often happens that way.

Why waste a great engine on a 350Z? (I feel justified in saying that as I own a 350Z :classic: ). The RB series (not just the RB26DETT, etc...) deserve to be installed in a light weight application like the S30,S13 to reach their full "raping" potential. The Z31's had RB engines installed in them back in the eighties and it is somewhat like putting silk stockings on a pig (I own a Z31 also..:classic: ); the engines didn't really make the Z31 more desirable some 15 years on and I think a 350Z would look about the same to us in 15 years. As a brief aside I got to listen to and poke and prod an L28 racing engine this past weekend at Datsun Dynamics and it was absolutely spine tingling to hear a fully race prepped (300hp N/A w/ triple Mikuni 44's) reaching for its rev limiter. Just a small nudge against the throttle linkage and in less than two seconds the tach is reading 5000+ rpm's! The headers were custom made by Stahl and they snake out form the engine in an almost horizontal fashion. The transmission is really sweet as it's sequential 5 speed unit. If only I had the 20k for the engine/transmission combo.! It would "rape" alot of unsuspecting street cars.:stupid: (I'll be posting pics of that engine soon)

Gregg, This might help in your quest to find some Z owners in your area: http://www.whiterosezclub.com/ In May of every year alot of Z cars gather in Carlisle, Pa. for the import and kit car festival. The weather can be hit or miss and the event has gotten a bit better since the "ricers" have their own show scheduled on a different weekend.

Tomohawk, I couldn't agree more with that sentiment! I would extend it to 1983 however.

Stephen, Amen to that! Anytime you can't buy the sheet music be suspicious.

Stephen, For $2000 the A/C wouldn't be a priority but, there's alot of ads that mention stuff that if it was only minor then why wouldn't it just be fixed? The fact that the 260Z has a sunroof would be a detractor for me personally but, some people like them. On one of the 350Z forums someone had a sunroof cut into the roof of a new 350Z and they thought it was cool! I think Saylum will find it tough going out here on the East Coast trying to find a 280Z for $2000 that you wouldn't be scared to drive for fear of the seat falling out of the body. The term "restoration" got mentioned in this thread with regard to finding the ideal 280Z. It is amazing how many people will throw that term around without understanding what "restoration" actually entails. I think Saylum is actually looking for a driver/beater that can respond to bits of "reconditioning" here and there. If that is the case I would recommend spending the $2000 out towards the West Coast and then save a bit more for a plane ticket to drive said car home. I think there's enough members here that actually enjoy the "hunt" and wouldn't mind helping to locate a solid/sound car.

sblake01, All the kids are doin' it? (sarcasm) As far as drinking alcohol in general (not in the car as that has become too expensive and too dangerous) I don't mind a good whiskey sour or cold beer but, that's a personal decision. I realize the car isn't listening to the music; I just choose to listen to different types of music no matter the car's production date. In order to assimilate what was happening at the time your Z (fill in your year here) was produced can be interesting in terms of getting a perspective. It is sort of like looking at a scrapbook and trying to make sense of what came before. For example, if one happens to be sitting in a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette and you wanted to imagine what might have been emanating from the car's radio at that time you may choose to listen to something by the Beach Boys or Dave Brubek (if that happens to be your thing). Unfortunately, most of the time we here in Washington, D.C. have to subject ourselves to the bland homogenized corporate crap radio stations that seem to cover the country nowadays. At least there's NPR and the local jazz station that plays good Blues on Saturdays. Oh and I forgot to mention the "Repo Man" soundtrack and Warren Zevon's "Send Lawyers Guns and Money".

I have to break the "period" songs by which Z I happen to be sitting in: '78 280Z- Blue Oyster Cult--Godzilla Electric Light Orchestra--Do ya? The Who--Who are you? (the car will see 100mph if this is playing and no cops around) The Talking Heads--Take me to the river Aerosmith--Sweet emotion The Rolling Stones--She's so cold Eric Clapton--Cocaine (live version) The Cars--almost anything from Candy-O The Doors--L.A. Woman (damn car went 100mph again) or Peace frog AC/DC--pretty much anything from the catalog but, Long Way to the top if you want to rock n roll (never thought bagpipes could sound so good?) Traffic--Mr. fantasy Steely Dan--Deacon blues (make sure your six pack of Budweiser in cans is behind the seat) Mountain--Mississippi Queen Blackfoot--Train (goodbye bread mama..get yourself a money man) Gerry Rafferty--Baker street '82 280ZX- By now Bon was dead so anything from Back in Black The Vapors--Turning Japanese Devo--why not Whip it good Led Zeppelin--Carouselambra (In Through the Out Door) Billy Squire--anything off of Don't Say No (The Stroke) Missing Persons--Destination unknown (she really did look good in that see through plastic dress) The Rolling Stones--Start me up or anything from that release Yes--anything from 90125 (a year early but, who's counting) INXS--Shabooh Shabah in its entirety '86 300ZX- The Cult--pretty much the whole damned catalog--She sells sanctuary Child's Play--It's my bottle L.A. Guns--The ballad of Jane The Alarm--again, the whole catalog esp. Devolution working man's blues INXS--Kick in its entirety Simple Minds--again the catalog is good The Kings--Switchin' to Glide ("nothing matters but the weekend") Slaughter--Up all night Enuff Z Nuff--Fly high Michelle The Bullet Boys--Smooth up in ya (a lot of imagination here) '03 350Z- all of the above for ludicrous speed No Doubt--Underneath it all (who wouldn't want to get underneath Gwen Stefani?) :D

Saylum, Here is a Z car worth looking at: http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/2/0/66388420.htm Although it is not fuel injected (conversion to f.i. is possible) this car fits in your price range.

Yuppie69, I may have already posted this link but, if for no ther reason but inspiration check these Z cars out: http://www.s130.net BTW, I ended up buying those 16in. Epsilon wheels from San Diego, Ca. The springs are made by Quickor and the struts are Bilstein units. I have no use for the springs and struts and will be posting an ad in the for sale section soon. IN April I hope to have completed the purchase of an '81 280ZX "Blackout Edition"--this is my nickname for the car as it is a special edition but nowhere is there any official documentation from Nissan available. The cars were painted a charcoal gray with blacked out window trim and equipped with roll up windows and no power steering. It also has the tall backed bucket seats (pre-81 style). Here are pics of the car: http://www.zcarclubnova.org/events/events1999/zcc_show99.html It is the seventh car up from the bottom on the left hand side. I might sell the wheels off of the car?

TeranfirbT Be careful as the Fox body Mustangs use a 4 on 4.25" (4x110mm)bolt pattern and the Z uses 4 on 4.5" (4 on 114.3mm) bolt pattern. If you want to try a FWD style wheel the following website contact may be helpful: http://www.wheeladapter.com/ As for finding wheels (both used and new) I usually search on google with something like: "enkei 92 for sale" I currently run the following on my Z's: '78 280Z (avatar): 15x7 ARE mesh wheels w/ zero offset & zero backspacing and P225/50ZR15 Dunlop SP8000. The Tokico Illuminas and Tokico springs add to the "look" with a 1" drop. '82 280ZX hardtop: 15x7 Enkei 92 mesh wheels w/ same offset & backspacing as above and P215/60HR15 BF Goodrich T/A HR4's. This car looks better than it should thanks to the Tokico HP's and Tokico springs giving a 1" drop. '86 300ZX hardtop: 16x7 ARE 3 piece mesh wheels (BBS RS imitators) w/ black centers and P225/50VR16 Yokohama ES100's. This car looks a bit cartoonish since the Tokico HP's and Tokico springs lowered the car more than I expected. The front is obnoxiuosly low although the measured drop was 1" it gives the car a rake. ....and the latest as yet to be installed on the Datsun Dynanics '78 280Z: 16x7 and 16x8 Epsilon 2 piece mesh wheels w/ P225/50VR16 up front and P245/45VR16 out back w/ Tokico Illuminas and Tokico springs (1" drop) If you plan on installing any type of lowering springs do so before finding your wheel and tire package. If you plan on using any type of spacer I would opt for longer wheel studs so that you have more threads to lock your wheel and tire package to the hub. Good luck on your wheel and tire odyssey.

Jim, Bravo. I wish I had more time to attempt something like that on my Z's. A friend of mine bought a Miller ten years ago and has been happy with its dependability and low operating costs. He used it to convert his rubber bumpered MGB to early chrome bumpers (lots of fab. work) as well as to weld in new floors and rocker panels. It has also done duty under a few of my old Z's. It is a bit tricky for a novice when it comes to learning wire feed speed and adjusting amperage to avoid blowing through that which you are trying to renew. When I was serious about learning the craft I used to practice writing obscene words on sheet steel and I thought it helped out quite alot. I would also recommend using 3M's weld through coat and always remember to clean back to bare metal before beginning a new weld. If you can swing it a plasma cutter will do wonders for saving time cutting out all of the old metal. A friend of mine at Datsun Dynamics has such a beast and it does amazing things. He removed the entire floor and floor supports from a 240Z in less than one hour. Good luck!

Okay, Since I am a relatively "old" fart here are some of my favorites that you may or may not remember: "The Seven Ups" with Roy Scheider (1973) set in New York City it is based on a true story and while it may seem alot like "The French Connection" it has a great chase scene that ends abruptly when Roy Scheider's Olsdmobile Omega (a.k.a. Nova) stops under the rear of a semi. The chase scene must be about 7 to 10 minutes long with no stupid music to get in the way of hearing those V8 engines rip snort through New York. "The French Connection" (1971)--who can forget Gene Hackman's chase scene that takes place under the elevated train. While it is not Gene driving, the director filmed it at speed which is almost as impressive as the driving that unfolds. Roy Scheider also shows up in this movie; maybe he's a car junkie like the rest of us? "The Driver" (1978) Ryan O'Neal plays a driver for hire and this movie delivers alot of smashed cars which were new then. The best scene is the parking garage scene where the Mercedes Benz is taken apart piece by piece by Ryan O'Neal as he "auditions" for a job. He smashes it into concrete pole after pole while holding the driver's side door open only to let one of the poles "remove" it for him. Towards the end a fairly new Pontiac Trans Am is reduced to scrap metal in a loading dock area. "Brannigan" (1975) This is a great John Wayne car chase movie set in Great Britain. It's deplorable what they do to a nice Series 1.5 E Type Jaguar at the end of this movie. The chase scene with the Ford Capri Mk II is awesome and the Jaguar Mk II sedan gets away as you'd expect. "McQ" (1974) Another John Wayne movie but the Trans Am with the Super Duty 455 HO and 4speed sound really good. It's a shame how they treat this dark green beauty. At least Steve McQueen let the Mustang live after his chase scene. "52 Pickup" (1986) Yet another Roy Scheider movie... but, the Jaguar E type is like the second main character in this movie because Roy Scheider boobie traps this car when it is exchanged, along with money, for his wife. There is a scene that depicts him tuning the carbs on the old cat before its untimely demise. "No Man's Land" (1987) Charlie Sheen plays a car thief and it is not really a chase movie but it is good fun to watch. One of the great pieces of dialogue from this movie is when Charlie Sheen is asked by his protege "Why don't we steal this Ferrari?", Sheen replies: "I don't steal Italian trash" and proceeds to keep pinching Porsches instead. "Whose Life Is It Anyway" (1981) Not really a car chase movie but, Richard Dreyfus destroys a nice '77 or '78 280Z in the beginning of the movie and the rest of the story deals with his paralysis. If you hate 280Z's you'll love that scene; I don't and it was painful to watch. You can console yourself with old reruns of "The Six Million Dollar Woman" with Lindsey Wagner as she drives a silver '75 or '76 280Z throughout the series. "THe Hunter" (1980) Steve McQueen is a bounty hunter and this movie is best remembered for throwing a perfectly good (?) Monte Carlo out of Marina City in Chicago only to have it land in the water below. What Steve does to the Trans Am is also pretty memorable. "Le Mans" (1971) Another Steve McQueen film and although there are no car chases unless you count race cars "chasing" one another around a track for 24 hours this film is alot of fun too. and the last three (let's beat a good horse to death...): Ronin, Bullitt, and The Blues Brothers.

CoastGuradZ, If you like the little Toyota, then you are sure to enjoy a look at the Honda S600: http://www.hondas600.com/ Both of these cars are so scarce that you would probably be afraid to drive one for fear that if it something broke you would have to modify or custom build the needed part.

pdxvento, Here is a useful link to what the Black Pearl is all about: http://www.zhome.com/History/BlackP.htm It is (was) a really neat car for its time.

I know the feeling all too well. My avatar is sitting at Tidewater Z awaiting the new floors and floor supports to be welded in. My '82 280ZX is starting to blow out on the passenger side toe board and driver's side rocker panel. The '86 300ZX is in Randallstown with my father who prefers to leave it coated with salt as some sort of courage badge whilst his '77 280Z slumbers in the garage. My Datsun Dynamics '78 280Z is sitting happily in a gargage awaiting a minor bit of repair to the right rear quarter panel thanks to my neighbor's son who is a Saturn driving fool that has trouble placing his car in the driveway. My junkyard Z is waiting on a part-time ex-Nissan Senior Tech. to finish an engine swap. The '72 Celica needs a bit of rust repair on the trunklid and it sits while I trackdown a brake master cylinder and clutch master cylinder (the originals from '72 are still functional but, I wouldn't trust them for long distances). The '77 280Z is over at Banzai Motorworks having a few minor issues dealt with since my time is so short these days. So, I am left to drive the '03 350Z as everyday transport while all of the others get the attention they need. If that wasn't ridiculous I went to see about an '81 280ZX last evening that might find its way into the collection. It's a series that is unoffical as a special edition but, it is a charcoal grey with blacked out window trim and the "tombstone" bucket seats (typical for '79 or '80) and roll up windows without power steering. Like Bill Clinton..."I feel your pain":D

2ManyZs, That sounds great, I know Dan is anxious to obtain one of these tires for the upcoming show season. One of these days I'll have to make a pilgrimage to see your Z collection. My friend Russ "Buck" stated that he had a great time looking at your collection of Z's. I am working on obtaining an 08/70 240Z at the moment and if that comes to pass I will need to learn much about the early 240Z's in short order as this car is basically sound but, has been sitting since 1978.

Greetings Everyone: I am writing this want ad for a fellow Z Car Club of No. Va. and Md. Z Car Club member, Dan Banks. First check out his car at the following website: http://www.mdzclub.org/gallery/94/dan.html and for that matter here are more pics: http://www.mdzclub.org/gallery.html Dan is in need of a like new condition Bridgestone RD-150 tire for his 1971 Datsun 240Z. Any information would greatly be appreciated and Dan may be reached at the following email address: dlbanks1@cox.net Thanks for any assistance that you may be able to provide.

It's a shame the owner didn't take better care of this car. He probably didn't know what he had or he would have taken better care of it. I would guess he's not the original owner.

While I was checking the http://www.traderonline.com/ website I came across this car: http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/1/0/65769510.htm It is HLS30465577 and to my surprise when I opened the pictures it is a Black Pearl car. If you check out the ad pics (the rear of the car) you can see the stripes and the factory (dealer most likely) louvers. The front end pictures also show the factory stripe kit. It looks as though the owner doesn't realize what he has. It's a shame the car is on the West Coast.