Hi my names Stan and I'm a Z-aholic

[Z CAR 77]

It all started in early Spring of 1977. I was 23 years old, married (still married to the same lady), and had a big pile of $ from working a ton of overtime. I was driving a 1974 Nova and dreamed of having a two seater sportscar. After researching what to buy I settled on either a Fiat X-19 or Datsun 280Z.

I started by going to the local Fiat Dealership, but after trying to sit in the X-19 (I'm 6 4 220#) I knew that was not the car for me. Next I went to the local Datsun Dealer to check out the Z. I walked in the showroom and spotting a 280Z, I opened the door and jumped behind the wheel. In less than a minute my life was changed forever ... I became a Z-aholic ... forever a slave to Z-Car.

Out of the corner of my eye I see a salesmen making a bee line over to the car. He opens the door and says "I'm sorry but this car is sold and you'll have to get out of it"! He quickly explains that they had no 280Zs on the lot for sale, but he would be "glad" to put me on a waiting list. To make a long story short, wait for 3 to 9 months and this Dealer may sell me a car ... for a few grand over lists. This started my "quest" to own my dreamcar the Datsun 280Z.

The quest finally ended on 09/10/1977 (more than 6 months later) at a small Datsun Dealership 60 miles away from where I lived (and I paid list). During those 6 months, I had made a weekly call to every Datsun Dealer within 120 miles of me ... nothing, nothing, nothing ... until finally paydirt. Benson-Reiter Datsun of Peru, Illinois had just got notice of a delivery of 3 Zs ... the two 5-speeds were already sold but the 4-speed on the order was available. It was the 1st year for 5-speeds so they were the hot ticket. After sleeping on it over night I call them back and said I'd be there with a check in hand when it came off the truck ... and I was!

Fast forwarding over the next 31 years ... we've raced it in hillclimbs and autocrosses ... driven it all over the US and Canada ... babied it like the true classic it is ... and plan to pass it on to our Son when we die. However, we're planning to put a bunch more miles on it before our Son gets his hands on it.

I could write a bunch more, but I want to head out the the garage, take off the car cover, and start up my dreamcar. I would take it out for a drive, but there's salt on the roads, and my baby don't see salt!

Happy Motoring, Stan Norton

[mgood]

Welcome Stan always glad to see another 280. Thanks for adding your car to the Original 280Z owners list.

[Z CAR 77]

Welcome Stan always glad to see another 280. Thanks for adding your car to the Original 280Z owners list.

Hi Michael - Thanks for the welcome ... and thanks for hosting the "original 280Z owners list" ... it really look nice!