daveinc

Roadsters are very cool! If I could find an affordable, decent, rebuildable roadster, I would grab it! Cheers, David

Hi e racer. I'm not a european car snob or anything, I love anything with wheels. Just didn't know much about Japanese cars. I was very lucky that my Dad was in the army and I spent 10 years out of the first 18 in Germany. Including those formative high school car lust years. Most of my friends and older military guys I hung out with had a BMW 2002, Alfa, Porsche, etc. (Poor me had a 50cc motorbike . Befriended a older guy (more like made a nusaince of myself) and shadowed him, asking questions constantly whenever he was working on his MGB/GT and Mini Cooper. Finally to shut me up he handed me a wrench and gave me some chore to do. He also wrenched on a Formula Ford racer and I ended up helping him at races all over Europe, often on some old airfield, but sometimes we were warm up races for formula one weekends. Heaven on earth for a 16 year old! Famous drivers and hot umbrella girls. Got in a bit of trouble one time during the 1975 Austrian GP, rolled my 50cc motorbike out on the track at 3am and did one "hot" lap around the track. Took about a half hour as I burned up the course at 25 mph!!!! Security was waiting for me, but when they saw my bike and my big grin, they just shook their fingers sternly and laughed. (Try that these days!) As I can't afford to buy anything my heart desires, and as usually happens, I got this Z by lucky chance and am quickly learning everything I can about them. That's why it was so great to find this awesome Zcar site. Long way around to answer your question. I would love a Datsun 1600/2000 now that I have discovered them. There was a rolling basket 1600 for sale recently, but was sold before I could even look at it. Oh well, only need one project at a time and Z are very sweet cars! Best, David

BTW, this site rocks. I've learned lots great things about my new baby. David

Hi Chris, Nothing wrong with being competitive. Whatever makes you happy, and if kicking corvette butt is it, go for it. We all have our passions, it's what keeps us going. I'm rooting for you! BTW Flame away on my old Mini, I'm used to it! Sold it awhile back anyway and had been looking for a restorable (cheap) MGB or Triump, etc. Didn't know much about Zs and wanted a convertable. However, by luck & timing a co-worker was going to sell his Z because it was having too many problems. (I have a thing for saving orphaned cars.) Now I am also debating how to (re)build it up. 1. Classic looking almost stock 2. Killer sleeper 3. Custom everything. It's a rusty 78 280 so I don't have to worry about messing up a museum piece . As with every cool old car I have saved, been enjoying getting my hands dirty and fixing it up. Like you (and most everybody), finances and time dictate what I can do. Right now just getting the basic running and body problems taken care of so it can be a daily driver. Best of luck on your "corvette killer" and let us know how it's going. "Starving Artist" David

Sorry to butt in on your thread, but this struck a nerve for me. I agree with "enjoy your ride". If they don't get it Sc**w em. It has wheels, it's cool. Corvette guys laugh at my "cute little" 1970 Mini Cooper, till we hit the autocross course. All cars have strengths/weakness. I also see the same issues when I ride my motorbikes, sometimes getting snubbed because I don't ride a tricked out Harley. Most "real" bikers are cool. The a**holes tend to be people that bought their way in with $30K+ custom bling bling machines and riding lessons. You will never change their mind so why bother? Just give a wry smile and say "nice ride", drives them crazy.

I bought my rusty 05/78 280Z, 5 speed, factory air for $500. Did I overpay!

Bubbleguinea, welcome to the Old Zart category! Although 18 hardly seems old. I think we need to up the age limit, 30+ YO? Oh hell no, I feel 18 most of the time anyway. ;-) Love your Z motor! Super clean . . how did you get rid of so much "plumbing"? I also would love to know more about the fusible link upgrade you did.

Zeegs, I like that Pancho. What would we call us old Z farts? You know, the ones over 21 :-) He He I'm old enough to remember when Bill's pimp outfit wasn't "retro". BTW, I like the cleanliness and attention to detail of your car. Even the parts nobody sees or appreciates. I'm just getting started on my rust bucket.

I prefer real girls and real cars. Daily drivers vs magizine covers.

Hi. New member DaveInc here. Was just looking thru the mugshots, is it just my imagination or are all the female Zs drivers good looking?