halz

I need a translation please... Several U.S. posts mention that the 'rocker panel' is a rust prone area. What is the rocker panel? Is it the sill? So... Hood = Bonnet(AUS) Trunk = Boot(AUS) Fender = Wing(UK) = Guard(AUS) Rocker Panel = ??

...I'am weeping quietly into my beer...in Australia...so far away...

1. Buy a Z.

That's a very nice car... does is have the original 240 engine?

As ben said, the rules were changed: instead of being a technology showcase (with production cars that were 4wd, turbo, twin cam, multi valved etc), it bacame a Ford vs GMH battle of the dinoaurs (2 valve, pushrod, rwd behemoths). True production races (such as the new Bathurst 24 hour this year) are far more interesting to the unblinkered race enthusiast. But lets not corkscrew this thread away from Kat's debate...

I'm in W.A. so it would be a case of buying sight-unseen. However, it seemed to be a sound car that basically needed about $AUD1500 spend to bring it up to scratch... $500 for the diff mount and uni joints and $1000 for derustification of the guard and bonnet nose. I'm all for orignality in these cars and this one came close: original engine and gearbox, badgework complete and the interior redone in original materials. The drawbacks were the lack of books, the 260Z bonnet and the owners vague memory when it came to how many kms he'd put on the car. He's had it since he was 18 (for 14 yrs or so) and its showing 57,000 Miles (not kms like it says in the ad). My guess is that its been around the dial. I had it checked out by Z16 (a Datsun workshop) and the guy said that it was definitely not the worst he'd seen. The only thing that stopped me was that I offered $8k which he would not accept. That plus the shipping and work to be done would have turned it into a $10.5k car on the road in Perth. If you're interested, I have a more complete set of pics... just give me your email address...

There is one on www.carsales.com.au which I had checked out. Recently repainted but with some bubbles coming through and a bit of bog in the LH guard. Also needs the rear diff mounts replacing. Is that the one you've looked at?

Did it finish the race? I tuned in after about 3 hours to see the 350Z limping into the pits with a blown front right tyre... presumeably that was the cause of the damage in the last picture.

Ok I apologise unreservedly to all of the P-platers I offended out there. I guess I'm feeling frustrated at living in the middle of a Z-desert. And hey, is 34 an old fart? One day you might be 34 too...!

A P-PLATER! Why do I bother? I bet he doesn't appreciate what he's got.

You should talk to Cuong - he offered me a 260 not long ago... you can see it in his gallery.

Well I guess everyone else has said it by now... My old 950cc Moto Guzzi was a twin cylinder bike with a single Dellorto 40mm carb for each cylinder. So thats one big carb per 475cc. 475x6=2850cc ie slightly larger than a L28. So.. a set of these carbs would be able to easily flow enough air for a L24... smaller carbs would probably work too. The only downside would be HS30-H critisizing the choice of Dellortos on account of their ugly appearance . I have to say that on a bike like a Guzzi, Dellortos are a perfect choice.

How the hell did it happen? The whole side is stuffed - were you side swiped?

Heh, heh... you painted very good picture. Well done on not losing control of your Z - that's the sort of minor event that major prangs can be made of!

Nate, Its a Moto Guzzi 1000S, a twin cylinder 1000cc, shaft-drive Italian bike. Alas I sold it late last year ...all funds raised go to the "Z for Hayden fund!" :classic: The pic was taken on the day the new owner picked it up and that's my 3 y.o daughter standing next to it. The same daughter who said "I like your bike Daddy, don't let that man take it away!!"... Interesting fact for you: the California Highway Patrol used Moto Guzzi bikes extensively in the '70s (?) before swapping out to (you guessed it) Harley Davidson. That brief association was the origin of the numerous Moto Guzzi 'California' cruiser models.

Yep, I'm north of the river too... the Swan that is... are you talking about the Brisbane River?

whitegoods: washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwave ovens, clothes driers etc. In other words, mass produced utility goods with a fixed life expectancy that we all have just to add a little convenience to our lives. So you can see: Daewoo, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Daihatsu...etc... producers of 4-wheeled whitegoods that clutter the roads!

I don't feel bad. As they say, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask... I've been playing quite a guessing game with the locations people give on this site. 'socal' The county of southern california? This would be equivalent to me saying I'm from W.A. or Vic and expecting everyone to know that these are states in Australia. I'm learning...

OK.. here's a dumb question from a non-American: what do you mean by 'Bay Area'? This world of our has a lot of coastline with a lot of concave portions (bays) and lots of those have cities on them. Do you mean San Francisco Bay? (I'm guessing but there seem to be lot of Californian members). Enlighten us...

They're not cars, they're whitegoods.

actually I've got to agree with you Alfa. They've taken a fairly bland shopping trolley and made it look like a fun weekend toy!

I thought it was on a mondeo platform... or was that some Jag afficionado mouthing off about 'real' vs 'new' Jaguars..?!

Looks like Jag to me too. As for the Taurus... the most horrible thing to do to them was to let them sit a bit too long in front of the fireplace - how else can you explain that droopy yucko styling!

I'd love a set too (1973): hayden.long@bhpbilliton.com Thanks!

So after all that you forgot the most important part: how good is your braking now?!?