New and looking for a Z

[d240zx2]

"Christine" was the 1957 Plymouth Belvidere in a movie from the Stephen King novel, "Christine." Scary bitch, she was....

[sblake01]

Wasn't Christine the Mustang in the movie 'Gone in 60 Seconds' I could be wrong.

That would be Eleanor. In fact, the the remake (Nicholas Cage version) all 50 cars on the list to be stolen had a name. I'd link to the list but I'm already off topic enough;) So back on topic. The reason I sold my Datsuns was because they weren't being driven enough and I live where you can drive them year round. I agree with Dave. DRIVE it! I wan't doing that so it was time to go in a different direction. The newer cars are better equipped to sit for long periods. (I do enjoy running mid-12 second 1/4 miles but that's a whole different story). Edited February 3, 2011 by sblake01

[rxsleeper]

Hi Christine, glad you found your way over here. You will find lots of good advice and help on restoring an old Z. It will not be the same as driving an RX8.....it will be better

From one RX8 and Z owner to another

Paul

[CobraSix]

Creature Comforts are what you decide to put into the car.

I would agree.

My 65 Mustang Convertible is a daily driver until the first snow. I will admit it has seen the snow occasionally, but after having to tear the car apart to replace the mid section of it, it's rare that it does anymore. I do tend to avoid the rain as well, but mostly because I need to replace the weatherstripping on the front windshield as it leaks onto my lap.

Now I've done a lot of things to make it safer and more comfortable while still keeping the classic look and some sense of no frills power. Upgraded to dual MC, electronic ignition, and a 5 speed transmission along with getting more power out through various modifications. Hid a radio in the glove box and hid speakers around the car so everything still looks stock. Still have the old AM radio in the dash (and it does work). This summer I plan to install a homemade MPFI. No one makes a MPFI set up for my inline 6. While I don't mind the carb and it's simplicity, I want to make life a little easier for daily running. Carbs when tuned for the most power can get finicky when the weather changes more that 10*.

[Kuro]

Wow, you guys are great....

Living in the midwest can be challenging at times with the weather, but I fully intend to drive the car (unless there is salt on the roads). I understand what happens to the bodies of older cars if you are not careful.

That being said, I really would like to add some of these "Creature comforts" to the car over time. It sounds like I'm in the right place to learn what it takes.

I know it's going to be a long haul and I accept that. Why else would I sell a car that is already in that place for one that is not?

You'll be seeing alot from me on this forum, and I'm sure my questions will be elementary at first :paranoid: but I hope you'll be patient with me... .

Anyway, back to the subject at hand... the list of the car names stolen in Gone in 60 seconds:

1 1999 Aston Martin DB7 - Mary

2 1962 Aston Martin DB1 - Barbara

3 1999 Bentley Arnage - Lindsey

4 1999 Bentley Azure - Laura

5 1964 Bentley Continental - Alma

6 1959 Cadillac El Dorado - Madeline

7 1958 Cadillac El Dorado Brougham - Patricia

8 1999 Cadillac Escalade - Carol

9 2000 Cadillac El Dorado ETC (El Dorado Touring Coupe) - Daniela

10 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible - Stefanie

11 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - Erin

12 1953 Chevrolet Corvette - Pamela

13 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Big Block - Stacey

14 2000 Ford F350 4x4 modified pick-up - Anne

15 1971 DeTomaso Pantera - Kate

16 1969 Dodge Daytona - Vanessa

17 1998 Dodge Viper Coupe GTS - Denise

18 1995 Ferrari 355 B - Diane

19 1997 Ferrari 355 F1 - Iris

20 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB4 - Nadine

21 1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello - Angelina

22 1987 Ferrari Testarossa - Rose

23 1956 Ford T-Bird - Susan

24 2000 GMC Yukon - Megan

25 1999 HumVee 2-Door Pickup - Tracy

26 1999 Infiniti Q45 - Rachel

27 1994 Jaguar XJ 220 - Bernadene

28 1999 Jaguar XK8 Coupe - Deborah

29 1990 Lamborghini Diablo - Gina

30 1999 Lexus LS 400 - Hillary

31 1999 Lincoln Navigator - Kimberley

32 1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL/Gullwing - Dorothy

33 1999 Mercedes Benz CL 500 - Donna

34 1999 Mercedes Benz S 600 - Samantha

35 1998 Mercedes Benz SL 600 - Ellen

36 1950 Mercury Custom - Gabriela

37 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda - Shannon

38 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner - Jessica

39 1965 Pontiac GTO - Sharon

40 1999 Porsche 996 - Tina

41 2000 Porsche Boxster - Marsha

42 1961 Porsche Speedster - Natalie

43 1988 Porsche 959 - Virginia

44 1997 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo - Tanya

45 2000 Rolls Royce Stretch Limousine - Grace

46 1966 Shelby AC Cobra - Ashley

47 1967 Shelby Mustang GT 500 - Eleanor

48 2000 Toyota Landcruiser - Cathy

49 1998 Toyota Supra Turbo - Lynn

50 2000 Volvo Turbo Wagon R - Lisa

and last, but not least here's Christine, from the movie Christine:

-Christine

Edited February 3, 2011 by Kuro

[kenz240z]

Hi Dave, please forgive me if it seemed like my post was directed at you, because it was not. Believe me, as an engineer and a DIY'er, I admire what you have done with your car and the products you have developed and offer to the Z car community.

My thoughts are that a car, especially a Z, should be driven and should be modified in whatever fashion the owner/driver prefers. And the Z lends itself so well to that. As I've mentioned in other threads, I'm an old skool busted knuckle gear head. Up to now, my primary Z has been my orange '73 which sports an L28/5-speed/3.90 R180 which I swapped in to the car to satisfy the urge for a little more peppiness. I hope to finish my V8 Z project this Spring, which will satisfy my personal urge to mate Chevy V8 power with Datsun sport car looks. By no means anything novel, new or revolutionary, but for me, the sound of a Chevy V8 with glasspacks emanating from a Japanese sports car is just too freakin' cool! It has nothing to do with speed, horsepower or torque...for me it is simply the sound! And with the V8 car I do plan to add a few ameneties, like AC, MP3 sound, Recaro seats and maybe electric windows.

I also admit I am a fan of quality of workmanship in any form more than anything else. A "restored' car that has been done in a shoddy fashion turns me off, whereas quality custom work, even in a car may still need a little work, gets my respect and often motivates me in the work I do on my cars (Z and non-Z alike).

Christine, keep us posted on your quest for a Z. Once you find it, keep us up to date on your progress towards making it the car of your dreams, or nightmares if it turns out to be more like the Steven King version!

[Zs-ondabrain]

No need to apologize. Hense the . I meant it though, if you're ever in the area, you're more than welcome to Stop By and say hi. You're welcome in my Garage ANY time Ken. And Thank You for the Compliment. That's why I do what I do. It's more for the Z community than for me.

Christine.

Like Ken said, Please keep us up to date, post pics and progress. Inquiring minds need to know. I guess we're nosy like that, but it's for the better good. I promise.

Dave

[Kuro]

I will.

It looks like things are finally progressing with my sale, still keeping my fingers crossed though. I'm not going to rush (even though I want to), when the right car comes around, I'll know it and it'll be mine. Then starts the journey.

-Christine

[grantf]

When you do find youre Z will it be red with a white roof?

[CobraSix]

My thoughts are that a car, especially a Z, should be driven and should be modified in whatever fashion the owner/driver prefers.

I think this is very important. I also think its something that is forgotten by a lot of people. I get it a lot with my 65 mustang. It's an original 200 I6 car. I've spent way too much money upgrading it over the years. I've put a lot of money into the engine just to put it on par with a normal run of the mill V-8 that would have cost me 1/3 of the money. I'm even going a little further as I've found a great deal on a ford inline 6 that was only produced in Australia. I plan to put this in my 65. The rest of the car is V-8 equipment now. Front end, steering, brakes, T5 transmission, 8" rear. It's basically ready for me to drop in a 302 and be off for more power. But my motto has always been "It's not how fast you go, but how go you fast" (pilfered from my old soccer team). But all of my modifications keep the outside appearance of the car stock and original.

But the concours crowd give me crap because it's not original. But at the same time, I can't understand why they like to spend years restoring something to original just to put it in a garage and try to win trophies. But hey, to each their own.

[Kuro]

My Z got delivered today!!!!!

No Brakes, the pedal just takes a dive. And, apparently the locks only lock, but don't unlock.. these will be my priorities for now.

[Gary in NJ]

apparently the locks only lock, but don't unlock..

Well that's a good safety feature..now you don't have to worry about the brakes.

Congratulations. Now you're down with the sickness.