Zak's Z

I have that very same dream every time I open the garage and work on her for a few hours. Zak

Nice clean look. I really like the red and the whole body looks smooth as glass. Glad you posted a pic! Zak

Post a pic of one if you have it. I think the wheel looks good because of the 'wood', so I wonder what a leather wrapped one will look like. Zak

I posted this one a while back, and theres some pics in my gallery. I think ARNE got it in his list there. Zak

If you do get it done yourself, please take pics, or post a thread and describe step-by-step how its done. I'm sure (myself included) others will have to put their headliners back in after resorations. Zak

I live by Toronto, and theres a few dealerships (Mercedes Benz) for them here, and you see them all over the place. Although I've 'heard' they are designed to be really safe, I can't say Id want to see one after a wreck. My wife's Honda CRV is a smaller SUV, and its funny passing a Smart ForTwo on the highway doing 100km/hr +. As it goes by I have to look straight down beside me just to see it. I can see why they would be popular for a city car - small/cheap on gas/etc. Its hard owning a car if you live in the city. Most people just dont have parking or its too expensive to drive/park when you could just take transit. Zak

I'm going to have to see it head-on when its all together, but that pic makes the rear finisher look pretty good. It look clean, and you still have the metal trim to give it a 'touch' of contrast, but as Escanlon says it is just a tad washed out. From how it looks there, I think it will look really nice when its done. Post a pic of the complete rear so we can have a look at it. Zak

I dont think I could have gotten this far into my project without all the helpful advice. And the gallery helps to motivate me when I see all the Z's. It's nice to be 'part' of something where everyone has a similar interest. Zak

Hey..good write-up. The pics help. Now we just need a similar write up for the EARLY clocks I guess! Zak

Great idea. I wonder if theres any available print ads, or old photos members might have? Zak

Hey, Im just over in Vaughan. I'll look to see if I have a radio switch. I may hav eone packed away. Call Whitehead Performance (use www.toronto.com for the phone number) and speak to MIKE. He would know if theres any of your parts kickin around. Also post an ad at www.ontariozcar.com and that might get you a response too. Like hls30.com said, Charlie at ZEDDFindings will probably have the parts, but he's in Kitchener. He ships and he is a nice guy to deal with. His website is: http://www.datsunzparts.com Are you going to Z-Fest on the 26th? Zak

Heres the link to the ad with directions: http://www.ontariozcar.com/eventz/EventCalendar/Z-FEST2006Rev5.pdf Is anyone going? Zak

I've never been, so I guess I shud go. I wont have a Z to bring yet but it will be inspiring to see a bunch of them. I got the directions from ontariozcar.com. What are you driving? If I see you there I'll say hi. Zak

I bought my floors, supports, and rails from Charlie at http://www.datsunzparts.com/ . They are great. Theres pics of getting them installed in my gallery. Zak

I would have never thought it...but JVC decks are great. I got one a few years back, and I've had one ever since. They have all had at least 4v pre-outs and very low distortion. Like everyone, they make an el-cheapo head unit, but their middle of the road unit is usually better than a more expensive Pioneer/Clarion/sony, etc. Just my 2 cents. Zak

Jeff, Heres the website for importing a vehicle into Canada: http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html Their office is somehwere near Dundas/427 I think. I even called customs when I was going to do it and all they need is a title, and a reciept. You pay tax on the purchase price related to book value which won't be much on a Z. You dont need to meet any standards because its an old vehicle. You'll need a safety if you want to drive it, if not no big deal. Zak

Hey Jeff, It was a good idea posting the pics for other opinions (I had a look at em earlier). I'll call Mike at Whitehead on Monday and see if he know of any shells in the area. Your best bet is still a trip south! Zak

I went through every link...great shots. I'll bookmark that for sure. Zak

How could I look my poor Logitech Force-Feedback steering wheel in the eye after sitting in that rig? Zak

Here is the translation of the text from that Russian site according to Babelfish (its not a great translation): "Russian srednemotornoye sleeping compartment sky will be accelerated to "hundred" in six seconds. Is such the calculated dynamics of the most powerful version of the automobile, at which now works Moscow firm R.A.D. (Russian automobile design). Company is in earnest intended to organize the small-scale production of machine, its full-scale mock-up already could be seen on the exhibitions OF MIMS-200SHCH and Interavto-200shch. Machine is projected on the basis of series, predominantly domestic, aggregates, which will make it possible to hold its cost in the limits of y2000-yshch000$ with the volume of the production of 500-1000 pieces per year. Sky must interest, for example, those, who buy VENYUKOVSKY FITTINGS PLANT 2108-2112, and then packs into tyuning several of thousand dollars, making from the automobile "rocket" - it is numerous such people. Associating with the potential buyers on the exhibitions, drafters explained that machine away not to acquire and the owners of expensive foreign-produced brands - "for the soul". Sky will be proposed with the engines with power of 94, or 145 horsepower, which with the equipped mass of 850-900 kg will ensure very not bad dynamics. The stylistics of automobile, as we already noted, slightly resembles Opel Speedster: the surface of small curvature, the minimum of itemization, the square "ceiling light shades" of backing lamps. But it does not go about the plagiarism of speech, as a whole the design is original and learned, very successfully found the common format of body with the cowling, "broken in two" in the middle. Frontal and lateral glass they are undertaken from VENYUKOVSKY FITTINGS PLANT 2110, this will make it possible to reduce the cost of production, illumination engineering - Hella. The machine has flat bottom and diffuser in the rear bumper, which must ensure a sufficient tightening force even without the use of anti-wings." Zak

Thats a pretty cool piece of Z swag. I'd also be interested to know what watch it came from originally. Anybody out there know? Zak

I just did my '72. In the rear wheel wells it had the coating then paint underneath. Under the spare tire, it has overspray on top of the coating then metal underneath. zak

I am definetly IN for the 'emission control' decal thats in your gallery and the Master-Vac decal. I have a '72, and I'll check the numbers and send you a PM when I get home. Nice work! Zak

My firend had a 280zx, it was Auto, with t-tops, 2-tone blue/silver paint. It was a pretty comfy car and a real nice cruiser. I can see why it may be your favorite. They sell 10th anniversary ones on Ebay every now and then. I dont recall it being very quick or responsive, that wasn't the point of that car. I chose a 240z. The only creature comforts you will find are the clock, cigarette lighter, and coat hooks. I may even leave the AM/FM radio in it because the car sounds so good I want to hear it when Im driving. The 240, to me, isn't about being comfortable, its all about the ride. The carbs and 4-speed really make for a great ride, its quick and feels like youre on rails when youre in it. Good luck in your search, Zak

Well done. That looks excellent. Why not tell everyone how you went about getting it done? Maybe post some pics of the restoration if you have any. Zak