RAZ1

This looks like a good opportunity to let you 1st gen owners (240Z's in particular) that SZM bought a 1973 240Z as a project car for the magazine. Starting in the Fall issue (there will be a mention in a sidebar (along with pictures) of the 280Z SC article in the Summer issue) there will be a regular multi-part article on taking a $650 dollar Z that could go in a few directions, ie: junkyard, parts car or restoration. We have decided to take this car and restore it to a nice daily driver. This is not meant to be a show car by any stretch, but more of a rescue of a 1st gen Z and what it takes to make it road worthy again. Part 1 (Fall 2005 issue) of the project will be to do a visual inspection of every square inch of the car and to list all the plus' and minus' so that we know exactly what we are getting into and what will need to be done to make this a nice daily driver. This project is not about making a high performance car (that will come later after the goal of making it a daily driver is acheived), but more of a how-to on taking a piece of coal and turning it into a cubic zirconia. if I said a diamond, it would be going to far since the intention is not to make a show car out of it. Stay tuned, I've got a lot of work ahead of me. PS: who ever gets the magazines, make sure to hold onto Falll 2002 (it is sold out), Winter 2001 and Spring 2002 (they are on the brink of selling out).

When Troy first spoke to me about having a show in April. I said, just don't have it the same weekend as MSA and I will be there. Well, it's the same weekend and I have to go to MSA and will miss the show in SA. Dang, he's stubborn

Don't put to much stock in an older Z car retaining it's value. Unless it is in mint condition and has all it's orignal parts in tact with no aftermarket parts what so ever, only a handful of older 240's can can claim to be in that condition and can go from anywhere from $16k to 20k. Everything else depends on finding that one buyer who will pay what you are asking for, classic status or not. But then, who's thinking of selling right?

Either series is great to have. The bumpers weigh 113lbs (not including the shocks) on the 280. The shocks are about 15lbs each. Put smaller bumpers on or a aero kit or no bumpers at all and you bring the weight down almost 175lbs (give or take a few). And if you really want to get picky you could probably change out the doors from the 240 to a 280 as long as it's a '75 or '76 since the latch system is the same (they went to a inside latch in '77). You would save some weight without the door reinforcements. Granted the car would no longer have much of a value to a collector, but who cares, I want to own the car not sell it. Bottom line: you can't lose with either one The power steering intrigues me, I'd love to see it since I've never seen one in a 280 (factory that is).

The bar is my point. I like knowing that I can drink as many beers as I like and stumble back to my room (I live a pretty normal life and since my wife doesn't drink it's my chance to remember what it was like-once a year). I can be sleeping in a matter of minutes. I guess I'm just comfortable with the layout since I've been staying there the past four years. Look for me in the bar Carl, I'll be the one not trying to make to much of a fool of myself. I wear a Harley cap and shouldn't be too hard to find.

I stay at the host hotel every year. I book my room from Ramada directly and have always gotten a better price then the discount offered. The Ramada is nothing special. What is nice is all the cars in the parking lot and the chance to talk to people without feeling rushed. The bar on site is a plus as well. Talking from experience, staying at a hotel where only a few Z owners might be staying doesn't have the same effect. To me the hotel is just as much a part of the overall event when coming from out of town. Ask Lonnie Louie, I saw his car in the parking lot 4 years ago and knew that some day it had to be in the magazine. It took a while, but it finally made it in (Winter 2005) and on the cover no less. Chances are I would have never been able to spend the time to really look at his car had I only seen it at the show. The day of the show is kind of crazy for me and I never get the chance to look at all the Z's the way I would like to. Being able to take the time to walk around the hotel parking lot at my own pace helps a lot. For the extra couple of dollars that it might cost, the enjoyment factor is worth it. No matter what kind of problems the show might have, it's still the best Z event to attend. And that's the Z owner in me talking.

When Troy told me about this last year, he said it was going to be in April and I said I'll be there unless you plan it the same time as MSA. I have to attend MSA. He's stubborn isn't he. 1 week before or 1 week after would have been perfect. I'll make sure to slap him when I see him in NY and if I'm lucky the follow through will hit Kellie as well. .

Vicky, I plan on attending this event and since you and your hubby will be there I would like to take pictures of your car to use for a future centerfold article (I'm thinking the Summer 2005 issue). This would be the perfect time for me to get the shots I need. I would also have a writer contact you to do a phone interview. That can be setup for sometime after the event. I read your survey that you mailed to use and saw that you wanted to be in, so here's your chance. PS: Do you know of some good locations in the Orlando area that would make for a good backdrop for the shoot? it would be good to plan ahead and have a place picked out in advance.

You can get 100 sq/ft from Fat Man for $99.00 I have a question to anyone that has done this to their car. How much square footage of material did you use?

John Washington down in Scottsdale AZ sells carbon fiber hoods.

I would guess to say that Sport Z Magazine is 80% there right now. I talk to Mike Wade throughtout the year and we talked about this event last summer. If you really think there will be 150 cars then it sounds like a go. If I needed to, could I setup a booth? Is there a host hotel? Plus I need to talk to some of the local clubs in the area and I'm guessing a lot of them are showing up, so it would be a perfect time for me to kill five or six birds with one stone. I'll be in touch.

What is the turnout for this event? How many cars? Since it is over three days, what are some of the activities?

There is also a couple from Japan. One is from delPrado. Comes with a little book/magazine/brochure. (they have a whole collection of different Z's and skylines) And the other is from TOMY (It's the yellow G-nose of Mr. K's). Both are in Japanese so you can't read much and are small in scale. Quality seems to be very nice, I won't open them up so I can't tell for sure.

Sorry, but your last response is exactly why Kerry lost. You say a lot, but at the same time say nothing. If Kerry had ran as himself instead of trying to be everyone else, he might have had a chance.

I hear Sean Hannity has a deal for anyone that isn't happy with the results of the election. He will start a fund to pay the expenses for anyone that wants to move out of the country. All you have to do is pick a country you think is better and sign an agreement that you will never return and all your moving costs are free. Who knows you might end up living next door to a ex-hollywood movie star.

I have never brought a Z to the MSA show, but I have to say it is by far the best Z (mostly) car show in the country, period. Granted, due to the size there will always be problems. If you are a person that likes to look at Z's, this show is for you. If you are intrested in winning trophies, this might not be the best show for you since it is peoples choice. I don't care if a Z is parked in the middle or the end. I will take the time to walk the entire length of Collins (side streets included). I have been to 9 national conventions and a handful of local shows around the country and I can tell you from experience that this is the best show going. Going to this show is like going to a fair, there is something for everyone. And remember this is more than just about the show. It's a chance to meet new people over a three day period, hanging out in the hotel bars at night, talking to people in the parking lots, autocrossing and doing some kart racing. If I wasn't a part of the magazine I could actually spend more time enjoying the event instead of working it. I understand that MSA will not be able to please everyone, but this event is a must do if you are a Z nut. I know I am.

The National Convention site for 2007 will not be chosen until the ZCCA meetings at the 2005 National Convention. Hosting club always have two years to get their act together.

The braking power of a stock Z is just fine. It's not just about racing, if you plan on adding more power than upgrading your brakes wouldn't be a bad idea. If your car is stock and you don't plan any major hp upgrades, leave the breaks alone. Unless of coarse you are going for looks.

Here are some images of my conversion. It's so easy it doesn't make sense to go into detail. You will need to trim the baffle plates as my before and after shots show. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5524&stc=1 http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5525&stc=1 http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5526&stc=1 http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5527&stc=1 I wrote the how-to in the Summer issue of Sport Z Magazine on the 300ZX vented rotor conversion. It was soooo easy. And make sure to use the one piece steel braided brake line that runs from the strut tower directly to the caliper and eliminate that trumpet pipe (I'm not sure what they call it)

I have an outer and inner shift boot for an early Z (72 to 78) for sale. They are like new and comes with the Inner boot ring and clips. Cost me a little over $50.00 for everything, will sell for $35.00 (includes shipping)

How rare are they? I have a 3 piece rear spoiler. I haven't decided if I want to use it or not. If someone is interested I might sell it if the price is right. Here is a picture of it. I will do some homework to find out just what I have.

Here is the second showing the pass side brake line running across the cross member

I'm in the middle of remounting all of my brake lines so they will be mostly hidden when you look under the hood. They will no longer run up and over the tunnel. I was wondering where other people might have ran their lines and if you have pictures. I would love to see different ideas. Here are some pictues of mine. Kind of rough right now, but I'm working on it. 1st images shows the remounting.

Hey guys, can anyone tell me if there is any value in an original shop manual and an owners manual for a 70 240Z? I also found a workshop manual (book) from Autobooks and authored by Kenneth Ball for the 70 thru 73 240Z's. This is a 30 year old edition. Is it worth keeping? Thanks for any info.

I have the spacers from modern motorsports. I run a 16 x 7 Motegi Racing MR-7 rim (40mm offset). Have never had a problem with the Eibach pro springs and KYB struts.