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Have both my E-type and 240Z with Hagerty - didn't even consider anyone else, I've been more than happy with them.

71datsunZ - where are you? I am central NJ as well...

Hey - another NJ guy! We don't have enough Z's or board members from NJ - welcome!!!

I had my first drive 2 weeks ago - my car hadn't been started since like September last year...and it was having problems. Imagine my surprise not only with the weather, but that my car did start and ran like a champ! It was fun driving it around...even had a neighbor (in his Porsche Cabriolet) checking my car out! Good stuff!

Jim nailed it - sorry for my late response! It allows you to bypass inspection, and since I have Hagerty on my cars, I can get them. They no longer require you to go to Trenton, you can now mail order, but it takes 6 weeks. The issue with QQ plates is that you are supposed to only drive the car to shows or club events - neither of which I really do. So technically, if you are caught driving the car for pleasure on a nice day, you could get a citation. I know NJ has a bill in place to allow up to 1000-2000 miles per year pleasure driving for "QQ" plates, not sure if that's passed yet. Therein lies the crux of the question - should I expect to be hassled by cops if I have QQ plates on the car while on a casual cruise with nowhere to go? I am thinking no, but my concern still stands. For those who haven't been through a NJ inspection, you'll know why QQ is an attractive option

I've heard Sunbelt can get close to 200HP at the crank with stock bore/stroke...

Rebello is well regarded, as is Sunbelt - they are in the Atlanta area.

Yowch! It's definitely the aluminum with rubber insert...I guess I won't be taking them off any time soon Thanks for the input - at least I know what I am up against!

E - Thanks! I never did like the way it looks...my preference is to remove it. Any ideas on how to do it?

Is the rub rail / side molding on the outside of the 240Z OEM or was that an add on? I see some pics with, some without - just curious...

Hey thanks! Yes, among the best money spent, certainly on a car IMHO. Like I said, the coupe is a steal since most enthusiasts opt for the open-top!

Any of our NJ contingent have success/advice with the historic vehicle registration? I have made a move to get "QQ" plates for my Z. I know I am limited to going primarily to shows and club meets, but I think NJ is trying to allow up to 1,000 miles of "recreational" use per year. As my Z would probably not come close to that, I am wondering if there are any pros/cons to QQ plates and what others' experiences have been...

Arne, for your viewing pleasure, although I'd guess most E-type fans like the convertible over the coupe. So you know, I got this baby for a song - the coupe, if you like the shape (it's much nicer IMHO - very period, sort of GTO-ish), is an absolute bargain. I bought this car for less than $20K only 2 years ago

I'll take the Ferrari F1, thank you Also, what are the square-shaped brackets on the side of BRE used for?

Damn, there's just too many! Unfortunately for my poor family, nothing short of Jay Leno's collection would satisfy me! However, not unlike Carl - Ferraris have long been my passion and what I dreamed as a kid. My first car memories are of my Dad's 1966 Austin-Healey...a beautiful car that hooked me on European qualities (e.g., small, light, usually smaller displacement, higher revving engines). As my family are Italian (my Grandparents immigrated to the US), I quickly discovered Italian cars, and Ferraris were it to say the least. I'd say the GTO and the 275 GTB were my favorites, although as I've aged the list has grown considerably.

FWIW - some people aren't fans of Keith Martin and Sports Car Market. I find his information useful, if not slightly biased towards Italian marques. He's also honest to his own detriment - he was in a failry public row with Barrett-Jackson, and I lauded his openness about some improprieties there. For Martin to cover the Z tells me it's arrived. A few years back, he had the Z rated as investment grade "D". It's now up to a "B" because the market for these cars is warming up. That doesn't mean a "1" rated car is going to be worth a specific value, but it does mean that interest is increasing and should be healthy moving forward.

NJ here - but I am not going to WV anytime soon...why can't we organize something at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park? That's pretty close to NY/PA (and to me!! )....

Looks good - thanks!

Arne, Can you post a pic of your stereo? I have had a devil of a time finding the correct stereo for my car, but I recall the Pioneer you installed looks period correct. Rich

$3,500? That's not bad for a shop with a reputation like Rebello - DAMN being in NJ sucks for this, I'd have to add a few hundred bucks for shipping...

No worries, an honest mistake Someone (was it you?) correctly pointed out some early Ferrari 4-cylinder race cars. Also, the ASA Mille (1000) GT is a 4-cylinder model that is essentially 1/3 of a 250GT motor. The car was introduced by Enzo himself in 1959, and it was dubbed the "Ferrarina" (baby Ferrari!)... Anyway, no more hijacking, I promise...it's the Italian blood in me!

The Ferrari Dino was 6 cylinders, not 4 as has been stated. Originally a 2.0 liter (hence 206 nomenclature, 2.0L, 6 cylinders), later bored to 2.4L (246). For those that aren't Ferraristi, many of the non-12 cylinder engine cars in the Ferrari lineup (both customer car and Scuderia cars) were labelled "Dino" in honor of Enzo's son Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari. Alfredo studied Engineering in University, and it's long believed he suggested use of a 1.5L 6 cylinder engine for participation in F2 back in the 1950's. Unfortunately, Dino was stricken with MD, and died in 1956 at the age of 24. Hence, many of the smaller displacement/sub-12 cylinder cars were called Dinos. In fact, the original customer Dinos (the 206 models) were not intended to be Ferraris at all. Rather, they were a sub-brand, not unlike Toyota's Scion. The intent was not only for the 206/246 models to be Dinos, but the successor 308GTB/GTS! However, that changed for whatever reason and the Dino name passed into history. Today, the Imola circuit is named in honor of both - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Sorry to hijack, but I am a tifosi, had to correct there!

I think the comment made about small displacement sports cars may have led to the natural comparison to the 911 of the time (2.0 / 2.2L engines around 150hp). So a 2.4L, 150hp straight-6 sports car makes it easy to compare. However, I am with Geezer. While I was too young to remember the press around the Z in the early 70's, as the owner of both an E-Type and a 240Z, the similarities are amazing. Straight-6 engines, SU carbs, long nose, hatchback, etc. It's clear that in that regard, the 240Z could be termed a "poor-man's Jaguar". Where I do have a tough time of that is the styling - the Jaguar is simply STUNNING. The Z, while beautiful, seems more no-nonsense and small, not unlike what a small bore sports car of that era (Triumph, Opel GT, 911, etc).

2 years in a row I planned, but did not get there. I have family in the Orlando area, and my wife and I drive down 2-3 times per year with our young children (Disney!). This is an event I so dearly want to attend...nice to see Datsuns there! Any other good photos?

Hey man, welcome - congrats on the birth of your child, too! I have 2 rugrats, they're the best! Sounds like you are starting on the right foot...heed your words - buy the best example you can find!! A Z is an easy car to work on, and relatively high quality. However, the tin worm is a problem and finding a pure car is getting harder by the day! BTW - I am also a Scooby fan. Darn near bought a Legacy 2.5GT 5-spd, but the dealer wouldn't drop a few bucks. Bought a Lexus GS400 instead. I don't regret it, but I do miss rowing the gears and that turbo motor was a blast! Good luck!