g260

George, You may be interested in this excerpt from the 7/2/03 SMH writeup of the 350Z on its release. As a comparison with the new car they also featured the white car in your pic and its owner; To own the one car for nearly 30 years requires a certain amount of faith in the product. Bruce Richardson has that faith, in spades. He possesses one of the most desirable of the Datsun Z cars: the two-seater 260Z, a 1975 model, which he bought in 1976. Since then, he and his wife have driven it 188,000 km, but you wouldn't know from looking at it. As our pictures of Richardson's car show, it's immaculate, and very original. It still has the original paintwork; according to Richardson, even some of the original light bulbs remain. A life member of the Z Car Club, he reckons the appeal of the 240Z and 260Z lies with their reliability and practicality; he and his wife have driven the car to Perth with their camping gear in the back. "Together with the reliability, they are comfortable," says Richardson. "And unlike the British sports cars of the time, such as the Jaguar E-Type and the big Austin-Healeys, they had good ground clearance and good ventilation - our model has big vents in the footwells, a bit like the old Ford Falcons had." geoff

George, My early information is that Simon De Groot won modified 240 and Vince Harlor came second. Two members LES260 and BAZ260 came first and second in 260 2+2, as well John Hewit, (the silver 240 in the car park after last weeks club meeting) got second in the standard 240 and another member got third in that class. Judd Smith got an award in the 260 modified with his RB25 car. I believe also that Vinces' son Tim got an award for his silver 260Z with 280 EFI motor and his other son Graham got an award for his nice green Datsun 1600 wagon with FJ20 turbo. Geoff

Hey George, Did you get a pic of Vince Harlor's car. It came second to Simon in their class and was taken up on a trailer as it is still unfinished. It's a great car with RB25 Neo motor and suspension. It will be fantastic when it's finished. It is a champagne sort of colour with chrome wheels. Geoff

I understand the Sydney Z Club members did quite well in Qld, returning with a number of trophies. Well done guys!!! g260

It gets better, he has just finished 3rd in the 2nd free practice session. If only he can carry this momentum on into the final qualifying and the race. Shows what a bit of Aussie talent and Ford power can do!!! g260

At the finish of the first qualifying session at Imola the 2 Ferrari's are on top but more importantly, Mark Webber continues to display his talent with a fine 5th position behind the two Ferraris and the two Williams cars. g260

I have eased off in recent years and only buy the odd Aust Classic Car , Auto Action(Aust), Motor (UK) and/or motorcycle mag now. I believe I would qualify however on the basis that I have a large cupboard in the garage full of 1950-1970+ car and cycle mags, including (US and Aust Hot Rod, US Cycle, Sports Car Graphics, Motor Cycle (UK), Motor Cycle News UK, Practical Motorist, Motor (UK), and Aust Sports car World, Wheels, Aust Motor Sports News, Racing Car News, etc. If I had the money now that I spent on these mags I could spend more on the Z!! g260

Tex, The head code is on the sparkplug side between no 1 and 2 plug at the base of the head where it mates to the block. The engine code is on the exhaust/inlet side just to the rear of the engine mount. Regards, g260

George, Correct, you picked it in one. Ben gave it away. Cheers, Geoff

Hey George, I understand it may be your birthday today! Is it the big quarter of a century? Will that help you with your insurance? All the best, g260

For your info Warren at All Z Parts in Sydney (02-94848257) I believe sells Z door skins. I think they are locally made and can't comment on the quality, but it might be worth exploring. HTH g260

Gee, I have run 215 60 14 tyres on 7" rims on the front of mine without any rubbing. Where does it rub? Is it on the outer edge of the guard when the wheel turns out or is it rubbing on the inside edge of the frame. You may have to go down to a 60 series tyre. g260

Alan, I agree entirely with your comments. It was only my warped sense of humour getting out of control. I will try and be more serious. I must say that I greatly enjoy your dissertations on the history of the Z car. Regards, Geoff

Rick, This link may be of some assistance if you haven't already seen it. http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/ The ratios in the five speed in my 260 correspond to the box listed as 32010-N3130 Factory Competition (close ratio) g260

Alfa, Actually I was only being tongue in cheek! The Daytona is a beuatiful car and representative of its time. I was just intrigued by the similarity in shape but that was where the comparison finished. Cheers, g260

Went to the Sydney Ferrari club drive day at Wakefield Park about 200km from Sydney last Sunday and amongst other cars there was a 365 Daytona. The similarity in shape with the Z is amazing. Those Italians are very good at copying!! At least I had the right number which made some of the Ferrari drivers envious. g260 http://www.wakefieldpark.com/site/frameset.cfm

Carlos was at our Sydney Z club dyno nite the other week at Stewart Wilkins Motor Sport at McGraths Hill with his red/orange rally car. It is fitted with Injection Perfection throttle bodies and put out about 120 something kw at the wheels. I think the best on the nite was a 300 Fairlady that put out 225kw at the wheels. The best 240/260 was about 125kw at the wheels. g260