ggarrard

Zak - Where are you in Ottawa?? If you're downtown I don't envy you getting around with all the snowbanks and unplowed sidewalks. GWGarrard

Ottawa yesterday morning... 50+ cm of snow overnight Saturday/Sunday... We're within 30 cm of the all time snow record this year. (these pictures are not mine...) GWGarrard

Zak - An Ontario Z Car Club member has a totally restored 260Z painted blue with white interior, absolutely beautiful car... I think his name is Tom Malone (???) might be worth seeing if you could have a peek... Just a thought... GWGarrard

Full-House: Hockey is played with "ice skates" (like roller blades) strapped to your feet, as much body padding as possible, a stick to keep your balance , and the desire/need to bump into anybody who's standing in your way. You chase a hard black coloured "puck" around in circles on a large sheet of ice...Teams of six compete for the puck, and the chance to shoot it at each other's goal. Skiing is caused by strapping two boards to your feet, finding a snow-covered hill with enough incline to allow you get up to speed so that at the bottom you either stop or wipe-out spectacularly. You normally ride a chair lift to get back up to the top of the hill to repeat the process. Both sports can be detrimental to your health... I'm of the skiing fraternity, myself... GWGarrard

I agree with Ron that $4325 probably would include any dealer add-ons (and the dealer mark-ups for a new car). Also, Bank Street Datsun was known to be on the expensive side (I used to drive across town to Don Mann Datsun to buy parts for my 510 because they were less expensive). GWGarrard

Mike - The business card in the top right of the second picture wouldn't happen to be "Bank Street Datsun" would it?? Used to be a dealer here in town but they went out of business in the later 70's early 80's. Thanks GWGarrard

GrassRoots Motorsports Magazine also did some comparisons, and noted larger diameter wheels "could" add weight, so if you're autocrossing etc. it might be a factor to consider. I can't remember which issue, but I think it was in the last year. GWGarrard

For what it's worth, I have the Eibach springs with Tokico HPs...I originally installed KYB Gas-just struts, but found it did not lower the car as expected. More than pleased with the ride and handling as it sits... GWGarrard

Jason - link up with your local Z club (San Diego) and offer your services to the racers as a pit monkey. Go with them to the races, and learn firsthand what's going on. Ask lots of questions, be a willing learner - and you'll be on the right track... Best way to learn is by getting involved...even as a spectator if nothing else. Good luck GWGarrard

Carl - Thanks for straightening me out... GWGarrard

From Carl Beck's ZHome site (www.zhome.com) he writes.... The Beginning...Oct. 1969.: The first 534 Regular Production DATSUN 240Z's produced were built in Oct., Nov. and Dec. of 1969. These were all HLS30 series (Left Hand Drive) cars, with the possible exception of HS30 00003. Because of the need for a redesigned crankshaft, production of the DATSUN 240-Z's was slowed greatly in Dec. of 1969 with only 97 produced during that month. Carl's information also indicates that the 500 series numbers were produced 11/69, so process of elimination would suggest #387 was build 10/69, but without the door jamb plate it would be difficult to be certain. Good luck GWGarrard

Here is the setup a friend is using for his track car...scroll half-way down the page... http://www.cardomain.com/ride/563982/2 Pretty basic but effective. GWGarrard

You guys out west aren't helping!! I'm sitting here surrounded by pictures of my Zs, and that's the best I can expect for at least another 4 months. A/C - what's that?? I have the heat set on high in my Altima...and had to scrape the windows before leaving this morning!! GWGarrard

Six Shooter (Chris) - I'm going to assume that you're located in Brantford Ontario, just north of Toronto. I seriously suggest you take Jeff's advice to get a 3rd opinion from somebody close to the car. There are lots of Washington state members here. Otherwise - I have a "72 that fits your description of rotted away with rear suspension ready to fall out that is much closer...:-) GWGarrard Osgoode, ON (Greater Ottawa Area)

Thank you Mark!! GWGarrard

Arne - When I got my drivers license the first shipment of 240Zs were just arriving in North America. I bought my '72 240Z in 1979 to celebrate my first full time employment....(I'm still celebrating). GWGarrard

Tomohawk - The Canadian Auto Sports Club (CASC) http://www.casc.on.ca/ (similar to the SCCA) requires at minimum M2000 or newer helmets for cars not equipped with rollbars and slicks, and SA 2000, SFI 31.1A or 31.2A, or BSI equivalent for cars in the modified classes. These rules apply for both SoloI (high speed time trials) and SoloII (auto slalom) events. GWGarrard

John - I have seen persons store their cars on jack-stands, with the wheels removed, and the brakes wrapped in plastic, but usually they are storing their cars out of doors. I personally have never bothered to go to that much work prepping the car for storage, but I have space in a dry barn with a concrete floor. GWGarrard

Janaka - There is a company based out of Toronto/Oakville that insures classic cars that one of our club member uses. I've sent him a note to find out the name of the company for you... GWGarrard

I thought the 72 and 73 bumpers are the same - but the mounting brackets are different (some one please correct me...) If this is the case....use the 72 brackets on the 73 bumper.... GWGarrard

Dogma240 - My understanding of the spray is that it is basically liquified salt, and the advantage is it begins melting the snow more quickly than regular rock salt. It also is not swept off the road surface the way the rock salt is with traffic. But it is still calcuim, so it will eventually cause harm to your vehicle. Our rule of thumb up here is to store our toys well before the first sign of winter, and bring them out only after a few good rainfalls in the spring. GWGarrard

I used to always had a winter "wreck" that saved the Zeds from the snow (usually cheap beater datsun 510s), but these days my daily driver (2000 Nissan Altima SE) is used all year round. The key is having 4 good snow tires. Much safer turning and braking than just 2. I put snows on all our cars for the winter (Altima, Mazda Protege P5, and Honda van). I'm on a first name basis with the local tire shop!! GWGarrard

I bought my '72 in '82 here in Ottawa through a private sale....with just under 50K miles on it...it now has ~ 106K miles and remains original mechanically (except for the rust). We bought our '83 ZXT 2+2 (family Zed) in '03 from the original owner in Belleville and it came with the original bill of sales from the Belleville, Ontario Datsun dealer (Vader Motors?). I can trace the ownership of the '77 280Z back to '93 when it purchased through a private sale in Hamilton and brought to Kingston. I bought it this past September. Gordon Garrard

My '72 was originally Orange with white interior and 4 spd. Exterior is now maroon. Gordon Garrard

I just use regular high quality(?) car covers (LeBra brand?) and store my cars in an unheated barn with a concrete floor...in amongst 20+ cars, and probably 15 boats... Typical Ottawa temperatures vary from +5C to -15C. I haven't had any moisture problems either(touch wood). Gordon Garrard