jmark

Yikes. Son had ball practice last night. Sorry I didn't make it.

Good stuff.

I have heard the retro concept was floated by Nissan. Ultimately it was voted down. I agree a new 240Z or ZG would sell. The beancounters said no.

Thanks Ron. There will never be another 240Z IMHO. The car put the whole Japanese auto industry on the map. That's why I own 2 S30's. I really like the look of the Z4 M coupe. Could have been the new Z styling wise. Price wise it is $15K higher. As far as the 350Z goes, I think Nissan could easily drop in the 3.8 RS motor in the Nismo 350Z. They are selling the 3.8 RS in Japan now. Problem is the cost would prohibitive. That is what killed the Z last time. 306 HP & a 5.5 0-60 time isn't exactly chopped liver. That's what the Z does with the US motor. The more I look at the Nismo 350Z the more I like it. http://nissannews.com/multimedia/nissan2007/z1.shtml

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=7&article_id=5057 The author writes "The Nismo 350Z is a driver’s car, pure and simple. It’s a car that boasts the handling character of European sports cars — more so than the stock 350Z — at a much lower price. So can it keep up with a Porsche Cayman S or the BMW M Coupe on a racetrack? From my brief experience with the new Nissan, I feel that it’ll definitely give the more-expensive Germans a run for their money. A comparison test in the making? Oh yeah." Isn't that what the 240Z did back in 1970 against the 911?

Well said Jeff. I would love to see a retro Z but that isn't going to happen. The 240-280Z are classic shapes probably never to be duplicated IMHO. I have a 350Z Track & only wish it was more raw like the original 240Z, but in todays market it won't sell enough to make it profitable. I have sold my Track to make way for a new 07 Nismo 350Z. Many don't like the shape either. I love the JGTC look & the Nismo performance bits. At only 1500 copies for 1100 dealers you won't see one on every corner either. I have several friends who race the 350Z in SCCA T2 competition and the car is very competitive against much higher HP cars. The 350Z sat on the pole for the Runoffs this past year. The cars they race against in T2 are the Mustang, Firebird, Evo & Subi. Watch the 350Z in Grand Am Koni Challenge racing. The car is running against the Porsche 996 & 997, Mustang GT & M3 and is competitive. For the money it is tough to beat. Sorry Carl I think the Solstice will just be another Fiero in a few years. The G35 is a nice car but it isn't a Z. FWIW I am 6'2" and 195 lbs. and fit perfect in the 350Z.

Looks great Steve. Congrats.

Thanks Scott.

Thanks Bob. I agree the rear diffuser is a little extreme but when you realize Nissan had to build some many to get the body kit for racing. Then you realize it is more function than form. People I have talked to who have actually seen the car say it looks much better in person. Plus it will be pretty limited at only 1500 copies made. David M. who writes for Nissan Sport mag said this.After attending the launch of the Altima Coupe and '08 truck line this week, I was able to sneak in some seat time with the Nismo 350Z. Unfortunately, it was streaming rain, but that meant no other journalist was interested in taking the car out. First thing to mention is that the production quality of the body kit is first rate- the Nismo Z looks much better in person than any photo can show. For example, the details of the grille on the rear diffuser are lost unless you get to examine the car up close. Now thoroughly wet, I climbed into the cockpit of the Redline machine and fired up the engine. Great throaty exhaust note! Even better was driving it down the deserted frontage roads near the hotel. Strongest NA 350Z I have ever felt and while there were no places to sample its top end power, I did get to sample the Nismo Z's low end torque capabilities. We'll have a nice article about THAT and the Nismo Z's handling in the next issue of Nissan Sport Magazine! As previously mentioned, the cockpit additions for the US-spec Nismo model are limited. Subtle, but well-done, I enjoyed all of the details. You definitely know you are in a different and distinctive Z with this model. There was one surprising detail that I discovered during my brief drive, but need to check with Nissan on it before I write it up. Again, I had only about 20 minutes tops, before I had to return to the hotel and catch my flight out. But those were some memorable moments and I'll have to save the meat of it for the upcoming article. Still, when it came time to hand the keys back, I wanted to just fire that engine up again and head out on the road for home. Forget the flight! I could see my wife's face and my comment: "I couldn't help it honey, it just followed me home..." David Muramoto Senior Editor Nissan Sport Magazine

Do a search? There are a lot of opinions on this subject. Best for performance on a stock 240Z is probably a Stahl header. MSA carries them but they are pricey. Nismo & MSA also make nice headers.

I happen to like it. People who have seen it in person say it is very aggressive looking. I think it looks very Porsche like. Don't knock it till you drive a new Z.

My 03 Track is sold. 07 Silver Alloy Nismo Z due in July.

That's what I am going to do as well.

Paint the tail the proper gray IMHO.

Some scans off of FreshAlloy.com. The latest Z Magazine Vol. 4 just did a comparison between Cayman S and Nismo 350Z. Around Tsukuba Circuit time attack in dry considitons, Cayman S: 1'08.92 and Nismo Z: 1'06.663 I have a Silver Alloy on order. Anybody want to buy my 03 Track with only 6500 miles on her? PPW with Koni SA shocks & 350Evo sway bars. I put it in the classifieds here.

I just ordered one in Silver Alloy. :classic:

Sam Neave with LNA Enterprises from Franklinville NC builds his motors.

Looks pretty nice. Worth it for sure. John your Z looks very nice as well. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25810

I hope Carl won't mind me posting this from Zhome. I saved it when I was deciding on collector car insurance. I've been insured with the Hagerty Insurance Company for several years now. I can't recommend them highly enough! Their rates are always competitive and their service is top notch. The Hagerty is the only Classic, Collectible and Special Interest insurance agency on our "Recommended Vendors" list. (takes over a hundred unsolicited positive feedbacks for a vendor to be listed there - the Internet Z Car Club's endorsement can not be purchased - as we take no commercial advertising, nor sponsorship from anyone ( the IZCC has been on-line since 1987 and always based on volunteer efforts freely given and information freely shared). Having had all too many Classic, Collectible and Special Interest cars over the past 40 years... I have dealt with several Speciality Insurance Agencies.. and was usually satisfied with all of them. That was because I was comparing them to the normal Auto Insurance Agencies (which is a pretty low bar to meet - so to speak;-). In my personal opinion the Hagerty is head and shoulders above everyone else in their field. They are real Car People and they support our hobby with more than words... The Hagerty was the first to recognize our Datsun 240-Z's for the true Classic's that they had become and the significant place in Automotive History they hold. As such, they were willing to raise the Agreed Values on these cars far in advance of any other providers I'm aware of; and to keep abreast of the current market values. Of our 157 Original Owners of their Datsun 240-Z's - I'm not sure how many of them are now customers of the Hagerty, but I'll bet it is a significant number... for the Original Owners our 240-Z's are all but priceless and we all wanted to carry Agreed Values high enough that would assure our Z's would be restored to original condition if anything should happen to them... (instead of being totalled for some low ball figure) It was the Hagerty that was willing to work with us in establishing reasonable valuations at Agreed Values on our Z's. Speaking of "happening to them"..... sad to say that in 40 years it was the Hagerty that had to pay out the first claim I ever had to file. Sad for them, GREAT FOR ME - the way they handled my claim - is the main reason I'm answering your Post. From start to finish the people at the Hagerty were simply wonderful... You can get a quote on-line from their web site, http://www.hagerty.com/ You can e-mail: "Bob DeKorne" <bdekorne@hagerty.com> Or just call and ask for Bob DeKorne - and tell him Carl Beck from the Internet Z Car Club said to say hello... (1-800-922-4050 ) Bob has taken great care of our Z Car People for many years... I'm sure he'd be glad to hear from you. You'll need some clear digital images of your cars, or you can mail hard copy... For What It's Worth Carl Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Don, Great company. I have both my 240Z & 280Z with Hagerty. You do have a few restrictions such as car must be stored in an enclosed & locked garage etc. Your son won't be able to drive it either.......

You coming to Roebling next month?

Momo Prototipo

Damn. Glad you got back OK. Sounds like the road was out of control. Not a place to act like an idiot.

Mike, Is there still a place to see when the last time a member accessed the forum?

Les at Classic Datsun has all the interior pieces in colors. I bought all six pieces in blue. http://www.classicdatsun.com/