Sweet story: Guy reminisces over Z

[sblake01]

well these cars were popular....and so kick arse any one who was any one wanted one same goes for the 510s when me and my freind cruised around in one he had some many old doods alway remanicing on the days of them owning them

The Z is a whole different mindset. I've owned a couple of 510s and a Roadster in the past. I've no desire to own another 510 and while I wish I'd never sold my roadster, I've no plans to ever buy another one. But the Z, well I'll own that until I'm gone.

[Darbji280z]

Do I get to drive Kharma too if you ever make it to MN? ... or better yet Sylvia?

Of course you can drive Kharma. You can drive Sylvia, too as long as it's straight into a river. Please jump out first

[Cethern]

When I was a kid my family spent a lot of time at Mid Ohio Raceway during the Can-Am days My Dad raced Alfas with SCCA so we spent a lot of time a one track or another.

I can remember the 510's and Z's back then I thought they were cool race cars.:classic: About 1993 I had a chance to buy a 510 but just didn't have the cash after I bought his two 350 Bultaco Alpina's :

Then last year I saw Zahara sitting on a lot and after a couple test drives I just had to have her.

Today I went on a outting with a local Datsun Roadster club there was 5 Roadsters and 4 Z's while I was waiting for the oters to show up I taked with a guy that has a 1960 Austin Healy Sprite him and his wife were on their way to Winter Park to meet up with his club.

A Miata club showed up for a club gathering of sorts but had to park down the street as we had taken over the Loaf & Jug...

Our outting was a trip to the http://www.shelbyamericancollection.org/index.html

If you ever have time this place is where you should stop if you like cars. For me it brought back a lot of memory's from when my Dad raced and when we would walk the paddock's...

Eric

[G78Z]

In 1977, I was on a work trip to San Francisco, finished the job, and had three days until I had to fly back to Atlanta.* I rented a new 78 280Z (had to convince Budget, as I was about 21 and did not have an American Express card).* Drove to Reno, Tahoe, Muir Woods, etc.* Great trip, except I was by myself.* Got back, my 77 Corolla was not so great anymore.* Went to Datsun dealer, 280 was way out of my league.* Years later, 1988, buy 77 280 2+2, fix it up, enjoy, kids got too big for back seat, sold in 1996, bought BMW 535.* Expensive parts and everything else.* Kids grown, in 2004 buy 78 280Z 5 speed. Going to keep this one.

[Ttiger]

I remember when the Z first came out, I was in 5th grade and used to ride my bike down to the Datsun dealer to sit in them. The sales guys used to chase me out all the time. Then my teacher told me he was looking for a new sedan so I rode to the Datsun dealer and got him a 1972 Datusn 510 brochure and the salesman's card. He bought the car and I got to sit in all the Zs I wanted!!

I had a 1969 Datsun 510 in high school and when I graduated in 1977, I bought myself an orange 1971 240-Z. I took that car to college and when I graduated, I bought a 1981 280ZX Turbo. I traded my '71 in on it and used to see it running around Santa Barbara. I kept the 280ZX for 10 years and sold it. I missed a chance to buy it back by an hour!!

Meanwhile my girlfriend (now my wife) had a Mazda that was totalled in a crash in 1983. We found a lime green 72 Z from the original owner for her and she kept that car for 8 years. It's still around and I talk to the new owner periodically.

Fast-forward through a couple of Pathfinders and a Quest. I found an orange 71 Z parked around the corner from work a few years ago and left a note. I got it for $700 and it runs great! I also found a clone to my '81 280ZX Turbo in a driveway. The owner gave it to me (it needed a lot of work). My oldest son learned to drive in the ZX and then "took over" the '71. He has has it in college now. Talk about deja vu!

My next son learned to drive in the ZX but got hit last August and totalled the car. It was sad to see it go. He was devasted because it was a clone of the same car I used to own. He's even wearing the same aviator sunglasses I owned in high school! We found a very clean 1985 300ZX Turbo as a replacement.

I'm going to pick up "my" new toy (I want another Z too) tomorrow. I found a '78 280 5-speed for $500. Dad finally has a project again.

[Bart Hoedemaker]

Nice the man enjoyed the ride in the Z. He knews the car has a sort of feeling with it.

[m4xwellmurd3r]

I recently found out our new worker at my starbucks, Ted, used to own a 77-78 280z. He said it was his first car he bought when he got out of highschool. Pretty funny, because the first car I bought fully with my own money, was my 280z.

I think he'll be pretty happy seeing it when i start driving it.

[59blane]

Great story Darbji! Very sweet of you.

It's amazing how many people that I talk to who have either had a Z, have driven a Z or wished that they had one. I think it's the only car I've ever owned that brings a smile to everyone's face when I tell them about her.

I remember when I first brought her home 2 years ago. My, then 7 year old daughter got in and asked where the backseat was. Then when I locked it with the key, she wanted to know why it didn't 'beep' when I locked it.

Anyway, great story.

[Z Speed]

Since the thread had been resurrected. I too, would like to thank you for sharing that story Darbji. The nostalgia of the story itself brings memories of how I have touched people during some part of their life.

I haven't had my Z on the road (yes it does run) for many many years, but sometimes just the mention of it in passing conversations can induce the same response. A number of occasions, I can remember the subject of the conversation completely change to the Z. Completely replacing the original topic. Never to get back on track. Many are surprised and/or shocked to find I have one. Many knowing me for years. It is funny to watch their faces….

I think Matt summed it up very pointedly, when he stated the Z was in the financial reach of a wider public demographic. It was a entry level coupe that many could relate with, afford, and allow to take to the track and compete with some of the heavy hitters of that time.

I know how the car has affected me and it doesn’t surprise that it would do the same on a broader range. I can see it already affecting my four year old son; hopefully on the same level as his dad….

[Darbji280z]

I have people tell me stories like that every time I take her out, but that one almost broke my heart. I've seen him again since then and got the same reaction. People love the car because it takes them back to a distant time of their life. For me, the car is much older than I am but I can appreciate how the people who witnessed it it feel. I only wish I were there.

[Dtsnlvrs]

That's a great story Darbji, you're a trusting person.

I first fell in love with Zs back in 1975 when I was in kindergarten. One of the teachers at the school drove a blue 240Z and parked it right in front of our class every day. I was hooked, even though it was another fifteen years before I would get to drive one I knew it was the one for me.

My son Nate starts kindergarten in a couple weeks and I think we already have another generation of Z lovers started in the family.

Steve

WOW, I am not the only one. I remember when my dad brought home his "new" 1971 Z in 1973. I remember the drive from Mather AFB in Sactown to Eglin AFB in Ft Walton Beach, FL. I remember the work the guys at Janspeed in England did on the car when we lived there in 75. And i will never forget the first time i stalled that high revving, high flowing, weber fed 2.4l beast when i was learning to drive in 85. I will also never forget or forgive my step sister and her trashy boyfriend for destroying that car. I have owned many cars since then but my pride and joy, and the best wedding gift a husband could get from his wife, sits in the garage and has begun to teach a new generation (Alex is 4 now) about webers and cams and such. With alot of work, care and love, another generation may learn to drive in the car that forced Porsche to go Turbo. Oh and I took Alex to MSA this year...wow is all he could say.