What makes a Z a Z? What modifacations go too far to be called a Z?

[TomoHawk]

Our Mr. OJ seems have a great obsession with engines.

BTW- if you look under my username ( look left) you will see the condition of the vehicle.

OTOH, I never lick or taste motor vehicles, so I never use the word 'sweet,' and if anything 'sweet' gets on mine, it gets washed off promptly.

[hls30.com]

Video Screens-Why would anyone want to turn a Z into a living room! A Z is about driving, not lounging, watching a movie, downloading porn-well Mab-NO!
A permanent video screen in an S30 is a black hole for Z points...nothing permanently mounted in a Z should distract a driver from driving..... Similarly, Racing seats and roll bars go in purpose built cars-in most cases putting them in otherwise is called Riced posing...Z owners do not need to pose-unless it is with a babe for a photograph!

I don't want temporary use items taking up my cars real estate on more than a temporary basis. If you have tune-able engine management and the carputer is a part of it-it could make sense, but otherwise-why? The great thing about a laptop is I don't have to a) sit out in the parkinglot to watch a movie, or download po-nevermind....b) watch anything at an uncomfortable offset, c) watch on the screen my five and seven year olds are relegated to. Novelty, maybe, but, I can't think of one movie I enjoy enough to sit in my car and watch on a 7" screen when I could be wathcing it in Dolby Surround sound with my klipschorns up front, on a 46" TV from a recliner with a bucket of popcorn and my favorite "barely flowing it is so damn cold" beverage. I can't think of one movie I would be so interested in that I wouldn't want to wait to see in my living room. Atleast on a laptop I have a larger screen and I can take the movie somewhere and get truly comfortable...

I enjoy a soundtrack with a perfect drive- Listening to Keith Urban "Who wouldn't want to be me" with the top down and the speed up, wind blowing through what little hair I have left, on my way to Nashville...the Blue Ridge Parkway/Dragon come to mind, but car stereo should be heard and not seen. A hidden and convenient usb jack and five buttons on the back of a steering wheel is the perfect answer: volume up and down, source selector and track/station forward and reverse. Great speakers hidden where they are the most flattering. If you have to show them off you obviously don't think they are good enough to just listen to.

Zpoints are about Z styling-as you trade it out for other things, you lose them...Everything in life is a trade off.

[bpilati]

Video Screens-Why would anyone want to turn a Z into a living room! A Z is about driving, not lounging, watching a movie, downloading porn-well Mab-NO!
A permanent video screen in an S30 is a black hole for Z points...nothing permanently mounted in a Z should distract a driver from driving..... Similarly, Racing seats and roll bars go in purpose built cars-in most cases putting them in otherwise is called Riced posing...Z owners do not need to pose-unless it is with a babe for a photograph!

I don't want temporary use items taking up my cars real estate on more than a temporary basis. If you have tune-able engine management and the carputer is a part of it-it could make sense, but otherwise-why? The great thing about a laptop is I don't have to a) sit out in the parkinglot to watch a movie, or download po-nevermind....b) watch anything at an uncomfortable offset, c) watch on the screen my five and seven year olds are relegated to. Novelty, maybe, but, I can't think of one movie I enjoy enough to sit in my car and watch on a 7" screen when I could be wathcing it in Dolby Surround sound with my klipschorns up front, on a 46" TV from a recliner with a bucket of popcorn and my favorite "barely flowing it is so damn cold" beverage. I can't think of one movie I would be so interested in that I wouldn't want to wait to see in my living room. Atleast on a laptop I have a larger screen and I can take the movie somewhere and get truly comfortable...

I enjoy a soundtrack with a perfect drive- Listening to Keith Urban "Who wouldn't want to be me" with the top down and the speed up, wind blowing through what little hair I have left, on my way to Nashville...the Blue Ridge Parkway/Dragon come to mind, but car stereo should be heard and not seen. A hidden and convenient usb jack and five buttons on the back of a steering wheel is the perfect answer: volume up and down, source selector and track/station forward and reverse. Great speakers hidden where they are the most flattering. If you have to show them off you obviously don't think they are good enough to just listen to.

Zpoints are about Z styling-as you trade it out for other things, you lose them...Everything in life is a trade off.

You can put the top down on your Z?

[72 OJ]

Did you check the gallery?

I did and ,.......................after all the lines of .......questioning with a challenge,,,show in larger pics,,,what is or is not,,,should have this or that,,pictures on post are for vanity,,,

[72 OJ]

Will, it is a small unit with a built in GPS.........................

[MotoManMike]

Again I agree, I don't really even need a stereo in my car. I don't listen to it anyway. Something about my Z just makes me want to hear the motor and the wind. I agree about the subs, nicely hidden stereo systems are a nice touch but big subs in coffin size boxes, video screens = RICE. I guess we could start a new poll, what is RICE. I believe the logo seats in a slow non sanctioned race car =RICE. Big video screen xbox, tv's =RICE. Neon lights and fake carbon fiber =RICE.

I guess it all boils down to the fact that there are very few of us still participating in this poll that are true "purist" by definition. We have a common base of what mods go a little too far. Now I wonder what catagory my second Z falls in after this poll now that it has an L28ET in it but guess what I built it for me to drive. I am not out there looking for recognition because I don't really care whether anyone likes it or not. Not a soul has helped me build it so why should I? Most do, some don't but either way I don't really care. I'm a HUGE fan of sleepers. A sleeper car to me is the ultimate. I got my doors blown off one night by a kid in a mid 80's cressida with a 2JZ. I was oblivious to what he was packing until the turbo spooled up. To me that is awesome. Just my opinion I know but I like it when they keep it stealth. For a laugh I attached a pic of my wiring bird nest. It has been fun, since everyones talking about engine bays.

THE STICKERS MAKE IT FASTER MAN I SWEAR!!!! .

[72 OJ]

Need help with engine details work ? I am 2 hrs away my friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,just call, BTW you did good, plus done in record time

[hls30.com]

You can put the top down on your Z?

This one of mine I can....

[hls30.com]

Will, it is a small unit with a built in GPS.........................

Don't let that make you feel bad, everybody knows it's not how big it is, but how you use it...

I just couldn't help myself...sorry!

I have a Nuvi that we move between cars-I hard wired in a hidden power cord, to keep it out of the way, but use the suction cup mounts-I must admit I like the radio Updates it gives...except when I am usb-ing it...

[TomoHawk]

I like to use my tablet with the 7 inch screen in both cars for navigation, tracking trips, fuel costs, expenses, reservations, and other car- or travel- related stuff. When I park the car, it comes out with me. I have a TV for watching movies, and the hotel has a TV for movies.

I don't believe in subwoofers because the windows rattle enough without using them. If I need bass sounds, I will turn on my guitar amp.

[bpilati]

Again I agree, I don't really even need a stereo in my car. I don't listen to it anyway. Something about my Z just makes me want to hear the motor and the wind. I agree about the subs, nicely hidden stereo systems are a nice touch but big subs in coffin size boxes, video screens = RICE. I guess we could start a new poll, what is RICE. I believe the logo seats in a slow non sanctioned race car =RICE. Big video screen xbox, tv's =RICE. Neon lights and fake carbon fiber =RICE.

I guess it all boils down to the fact that there are very few of us still participating in this poll that are true "purist" by definition. We have a common base of what mods go a little too far. Now I wonder what catagory my second Z falls in after this poll now that it has an L28ET in it but guess what I built it for me to drive. I am not out there looking for recognition because I don't really care whether anyone likes it or not. Not a soul has helped me build it so why should I? Most do, some don't but either way I don't really care. I'm a HUGE fan of sleepers. A sleeper car to me is the ultimate. I got my doors blown off one night by a kid in a mid 80's cressida with a 2JZ. I was oblivious to what he was packing until the turbo spooled up. To me that is awesome. Just my opinion I know but I like it when they keep it stealth. For a laugh I attached a pic of my wiring bird nest. It has been fun, since everyones talking about engine bays.

THE STICKERS MAKE IT FASTER MAN I SWEAR!!!! .

I'm not a true purist, but I don't believe in making the body the only thing left that is Datsun or resembles a Z. If you're going to bastardize your car that much, please remove the badging.

[psdenno]

Summing up the last 300+ opinions and rebuttals, it's probably fair to say....If it looks like a Datsun Z, sounds like a Datsun Z, and drives like a 40 year old Datsun Z, it's a Datsun Z. The more it's modified, the more it becomes less a Datsun Z to many of the members of this forum. Owners of highly modified Zs are probably more comfortable among members of other forums that revere modified cars or race cars.

I doubt that this discussion has changed anyone's mind about what makes a Z a Z. The vast majority of us appreciate our Zs for what they are and tend not to make too many changes to what we feel is a highly adequate sports car. We get pleasure from our Zs by working on them and driving them - not from telling others how much they cost or how many modifications have been made to the basic concept.

For the most part, we play well with others. There are exceptions to that last statement, but that's why there's an "Ignore List" that I've found can make everything all better.
Dennis

[TomoHawk]

Cup holders!!!

um.... not cool?

[GTZ V8]

Zness to me is in the eye of the owner. The shape of the body and the handling is what sold me on the car not what was under the hood. Yes the sound of that inline 6 is awesome but when you are driving at 3000 to 4000 ft above see level and you pull out to pass and the car won't go because it is gasping for air is a big disappointment, these cars were made for the twisty's and mine has logged many a mile in the mountains of California before making it's journey to Georgia. I to like 72OJ have a LT1 under the hood and would not trade it, I tryed to keep mine period correct with the year of the car and retained the original altenator and a/c compressor with only slight wiring modifications.

Regards, Gary

[72 OJ]

Hey, welcome to Z Land, first post and I see that I am not alone, nice ride, love the clean engine bay, naked bumpers and the stance . Give us more details ...

[hls30.com]

Zness to me is in the eye of the owner. The shape of the body and the handling is what sold me on the car not what was under the hood. Yes the sound of that inline 6 is awesome but when you are driving at 3000 to 4000 ft above see level and you pull out to pass and the car won't go because it is gasping for air is a big disappointment, these cars were made for the twisty's and mine has logged many a mile in the mountains of California before making it's journey to Georgia. I to like 72OJ have a LT1 under the hood and would not trade it, I tryed to keep mine period correct with the year of the car and retained the original altenator and a/c compressor with only slight wiring modifications.

Regards, Gary

Gary,
I am very much a minimalist when it comes to change, but I can appreciate well done changes too!

I was hoping to get to see your car at the Coastal Z Club meeting tonight-I had some parts for you.

BTW The complete AC system was a dealer add on-dinna come from Japan with one...only a heater/vent,

Will

[GTZ V8]

Yes I know this as the original ET slotted mags that were a dealer option also.

Regards, Gary

[Diseazd]

Deja vu! Looks just like Frank's car.....

[72 OJ]

Zness to me is in the eye of the owner. The shape of the body and the handling is what sold me on the car not what was under the hood. Yes the sound of that inline 6 is awesome but when you are driving at 3000 to 4000 ft above see level and you pull out to pass and the car won't go because it is gasping for air is a big disappointment, these cars were made for the twisty's and mine has logged many a mile in the mountains of California before making it's journey to Georgia. I to like 72OJ have a LT1 under the hood and would not trade it, I tryed to keep mine period correct with the year of the car and retained the original altenator and a/c compressor with only slight wiring modifications.

Regards, Gary

TomoHawk,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,look at an other clean and detailed engine bay, nice picture ah

[TomoHawk]

The engine is backwards. The distributor goes towards the front. Again, a V8 doesn't belong there, even if it has an old alternator.

[GTZ V8]

The engine swap was done using the Scarab kit, Borg Warner super T10 tranny, The suspension with stiffer/lowered spring from Datsun performance parts as well as quick steering knuckles, sway bars and quad piston frt calipers. Shocks/strut cartridges are Koni adjustables and a custom made drive shaft, still running the original rear gear.

Regards, Gary

[GTZ V8]

The engine is backwards. The distributor goes towards the front. Again, a V8 doesn't belong there, even if it has an old alternator.

To each his own !

[72 OJ]

The engine swap was done using the Scarab kit, B&G super T10 tranny, The suspension with stiffer/lowered spring from Datsun performance parts as well as quick steering knuckles, sway bars and quad piston frt calipers. Shocks/strut cartridges are Koni adjustables and a custom made drive shaft, still running the original rear gear.

Regards, Gary

Nice set up, looks fantaZtic,,,,,,,,,,,,,,another Z with an ATTITUDE

[TomoHawk]

No Ford 9 inch punkin?

I usually tell airplane owners that the engine is upside down- the carburetor goes ON THE TOP

[bpilati]

Zness to me is in the eye of the owner. The shape of the body and the handling is what sold me on the car not what was under the hood. Yes the sound of that inline 6 is awesome but when you are driving at 3000 to 4000 ft above see level and you pull out to pass and the car won't go because it is gasping for air is a big disappointment, these cars were made for the twisty's and mine has logged many a mile in the mountains of California before making it's journey to Georgia. I to like 72OJ have a LT1 under the hood and would not trade it, I tryed to keep mine period correct with the year of the car and retained the original altenator and a/c compressor with only slight wiring modifications.

Regards, Gary

I like the paint.

[5thhorsemann]

Did you check the gallery?

I realy don't want to see Tom's engine bay.

[72 OJ]

I realy don't want to see Tom's engine bay.

I do, in detail and all the Zness that his 280z (stock) has, it must be a real head turner, he is a vivid Z observant.

[bpilati]

I do, in detail and all the Zness that his 280z (stock) has, it must be a real head turner, he is a vivid Z observant.

I don't understand your point here.

[5thhorsemann]

I don't understand your point here.

Yes you do.

[hls30.com]

I have seen Toms engine personally-in his native state of Ohio! I can tell you it looks just exactly like he wants it to-or he'd change it.
He has a Z that he is proud of and loves to drive, what more could a Z lover want?

Will

[TomoHawk]

I just keep it clean and well-maintained.

what more could a Z lover want?

A tall, smart brunette with a job and good navigational skill?

[72 OJ]

What more could a Z lover want, PICTURES............... tons of them, Z PORN

[DatsunDoug]

if you put in a Chevy V8, a GM transmission, and a Chevy rear end... then is it really a Z? The heart of the Z has always been its engine, so if its got a V-8 in there, its hardly a Datsun any longer.

[Lupica]

If it still looks like a Z and sounds like a Z then it is still a Z...IMO

While mods are definitely cool, staying close to the original is always better. Consider how austere the grille design of the zs are up to year 1978 and better cooling effect on the engine would come to mind.

[5thhorsemann]

While mods are definitely cool, staying close to the original is always better. Consider how austere the grille design of the zs are up to year 1978 and better cooling effect on the engine would come to mind.

Now that you mention it, some mods make the 280's look MORE like a Z, getting rid of the battering rams for instance.

[MotoManMike]

I'm not a true purist, but I don't believe in making the body the only thing left that is Datsun or resembles a Z. If you're going to bastardize your car that much, please remove the badging.

The car i'm currently working on looks strikingly similar to your Z with the exception of the paint hue. Right down to the wheels and the 240z stripe down the sides. I wanted to ask you, it says about your car you are running 65 series tires on your konigs. Did you have any issues with tire rub on the drivers side? I did 55 series tires, same wheels you have on both my Z's and both drivers sides rubbed, not the passengers side just the drivers side, had to trim a little, there is no way i'd tuck 65 series on it. Nice ride.

Back on topic, The poll ends in 6 days. We now have 72 people that have voted and the data still reflects the same results basically in the top 4 catagories voted on. Too many exterior modifications, A non Z engine, A non L series engine, a non Nissan engine. Back to the L28ET, it fits the bill for all, just a different series of Z, obviously frowned upon by many, it should have been one of the questions I think. What do you guys think of a Z with a period correct "turbo Tom" kit on it?

[5thhorsemann]

Modifying an L motor is the way to go, a turbo is a welcome addition, a V8 fusion is only welcome in the cup holder. The cup holder is also a welcome addition.

[72 OJ]

..................

[5thhorsemann]

.................................................lol

[72 OJ]

..................... Have a happy Z day

[hls30.com]

.................................................lol

What! Not a Six pack like in the Z? AS to a cup holder-there is a great and adjustable(by removing the durable metal liner with the chrome finger pull) one in the car-some moe-ron in Nissan literature translation though it was an ashtray and just like the Goertz myth, here we are!

I use a poll to start conversations not to get check box answers-if all of the questions addressed every answer I though would come out, where would the conversation get its kick start from?

[5thhorsemann]

Well, you did kick start conversation, just never can tell where those conversations will go.

[TomoHawk]

What! Not a Six pack like in the Z?

I suppose you mean a straight-6 of V8?

[bpilati]

..................... Have a happy Z day

.................................................lol

Will you two quit with the creepy winks and get a room.

[72 OJ]

Will you two quit with the creepy winks and get a room.

nope, I am a vagi lover,not a member of that club .......BTW , today I had an e-mail from a guy in Oslo Norway ,no idea how he got it, he has looked at this thread and ask if I consider on selling my Z , seems like a legit note, I hit him with a crazy figure and he mention that he will study the trans cost.....

[zbane]

I think most would agree that the sunroof addition is simply an abomination, but what about the hatch window treatment? At first, I thought someone had simply rigged up a venetian blind but the second photo seems to show a specially made unit.

(pics from this ebay listing)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-...item2a21f20b56

[zbane]

Interesting.... not everyone feels the need to cover their v8 engine with bright plastic covers, though in this particular case, they did feel the need to leave the Thunderbird emblems on the tail light trim.
However, the person who re-imagined this car did place a re-manufacturing plate in place of the original door jamb data plate.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-...item416992cbfe

[5thhorsemann]

Reminds me of the old AC/DC song........A touch too much.

[72 OJ]

Interesting.... not everyone feels the need to cover their v8 engine with bright plastic covers, though in this particular case, they did feel the need to leave the Thunderbird emblems on the tail light trim.
However, the person who re-imagined this car did place a re-manufacturing plate in place of the original door jamb data plate.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-...item416992cbfe

FWIW................ the covers on the GM LS engines are there from the get go, there is no need at all to cover.http://www.ebay.com/itm/271015858158...#ht_7116wt_913

[72 OJ]

I think most would agree that the sunroof addition is simply an abomination, but what about the hatch window treatment? At first, I thought someone had simply rigged up a venetian blind but the second photo seems to show a specially made unit.

(pics from this ebay listing)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-...item2a21f20b56

.....................Agree on the sunroof but the louvers are a very neat add on IMO, any idea if they are still available.

[zbane]

Re post 349: In all fairness, the v8 in the car I posted about has obviously had much work done to it. Even if it had been built with covers, I doubt they'd be usable for such a modified engine.

Re post 350: No idea if those inside mounted louvers are available at all, or if they were homemade. This is the first time I've seen such a thing. Pretty neat idea...functional, and seemingly removable.

[5thhorsemann]

Bolt on things like the louvers don't really count as a modification as it relates to this pole. You can un-bolt them and put them on the shelf if you so choose. A complete power train or fiberglass body kit on the other hand completely and forever turns the car into something it was never intended to be.

Some kits are better looking than others, but they all mutate, or in some cases mutilate, the S30 look.

There is a slight difference, or a line in the sand if you will, between georgious restyling, and just plain gaudy bulk when it comes to spoilers, flairs and air dams.

[72 OJ]

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...229890235.html......Here a radical Z...................maybe, we all have our own palate and we must accept , tolerate, as we do to the things we eat and wear. So to take an object and make changes to it, where is the crime ,I ask.............

[Zedyone_kenobi]

What was that wooden thing in the console?

that may as well be a bricklyn as much as it could be a Z.

[5thhorsemann]

What was that wooden thing in the console?

Its a Billy Club, I think he needs it to shoo away all the people ooohing and aaahing around his car........................( * )

[MotoManMike]

Maybe its for his ooing and aahing baaahahahahahah

[72 OJ]

Buford Pusser Jr.

[Mike B]

Hey OJ, here is a Cor-Z to go with your "Z-Vette" .

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/3233974474.html

For sale to highest bidder, Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Stokes auction. Go on-line at ..www.stokesauctioninc.com for details, times.

This is a Corvette Kit Car on a 1978 Datsun 280Z. It is fun, fast and attention-getting. receipts and pictures of the build are in the car to view. It runs and handles very well. We are selling only because we have 8 cars between us and the insurance is killing us She sold one so I have to sell one.

It has a small hole in the whale-tail, took a branch in the windstorm. Come out to the auction and bid. You could get very lucky.

5 speed, custom wheels, B F Goodrich tires, fuel injection, many new parts. About 17,000.00 invested. It is red with black interior.

[psdenno]

That one may be pushing the envelope when it comes to the poll question of "What Mods make you question whether a Car is still a Z". Lots of work involved and I'm sure the results made someone happy and proud. Just not my cup of sake.
Dennis

[72 OJ]

Mike B,,,,,,,,,,,,,,That is an insult, how can you even think that my Z can relate to this red GT ''kotex'' ,please have your eyes examined not at the discount eye care at the mall but by a real optometrist . Also get your bearings in line . FWIW that kit car had a creator , his or her taste and heart at play, but hey to each its own. The next thread to fallow this one should be....''.what mods are in good taste and what mod are in bad taste'' that will be a circus on opinions..........

[madkaw]

Not sure how I wanted to comment on this issue, so I have procrastinated .
After putting 300 miles on my car this last weekend I have decided that the L6 has to been in the car to remain a Z. I have had a lot of nice cars, but the Z motor is the best sounding engine by far of all of them and makes the Z car what it is.
As far as body mods, as long as the original lines are not altered -maybe just extenuated ( i.e. Spoiler, airdam) .
The classic lines are to nice to alter.

[EScanlon]

Hey OJ, here is a Cor-Z to go with your "Z-Vette" .

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/3233974474.html

For sale to highest bidder, Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Stokes auction. Go on-line at ..www.stokesauctioninc.com for details, times.

This is a Corvette Kit Car on a 1978 Datsun 280Z. It is fun, fast and attention-getting. receipts and pictures of the build are in the car to view. It runs and handles very well. We are selling only because we have 8 cars between us and the insurance is killing us She sold one so I have to sell one.

It has a small hole in the whale-tail, took a branch in the windstorm. Come out to the auction and bid. You could get very lucky.

5 speed, custom wheels, B F Goodrich tires, fuel injection, many new parts. About 17,000.00 invested. It is red with black interior.

It's PERFECT!!!
And it has mud guards!

[72 OJ]

http://coolmaterial.com/roundup/clas...t-define-cool/Well it is the final day for the poll,,,,,,,,but look at this list and see if you spot a familiar Z.............

[JonnyRock]

5 speed, custom wheels, B F Goodrich tires, fuel injection, many new parts. About 17,000.00 invested. It is red with black interior.

Yea, INVESTED...

[72 OJ]

http://coolmaterial.com/roundup/clas...t-define-cool/well it is the final day for the poll,,,,,,,,but look at this list and see if you spot a familiar z.............

look at this...................

[TomoHawk]

I would wonder what hasn't been modified on that car. The person would have been better off just buying a corvette to start with. It's worse than the car in the movie Corvette Summer.

YUK.

[TomoHawk]

Stainless Steel bolt kits, for the engine or the body or interior..... Modification or 'upgrade?'

IMO, it's an upgrade in most places, especially places that will get exposed to the elements of Mother Nature, a long as they are not polished to a chrome-like sheen. Also, stainless steel bolts aren't needed for the interior of the S30, and aren't even exposed, so the original or hardware-store fasteners are adequate.

[72 OJ]

It's PERFECT!!!
And it has mud guards!

yes Mr. E, this mud flapped red kit/Z will look nice on your drive way, go grab it before some one else takes this in your words ''PERFECT'' specimen away from you. Your ISCA group will love to see you in this ride

[TomoHawk]

You'll need the big engine to put that snow plow front around on the highway.

I would keep it in the garage. .. With the door CLOSED.

[72 OJ]

Will, Aug the 29th, can you please give us the results and conclusions..............................

[Mike B]

Will, Aug the 29th, can you please give us the results and conclusions..............................

Can you not look up at the top of the screen, view the responses, and draw your own conclusions?

[72 OJ]

Mike B ,the OP of this thread, out of respect to him and his input in this topic deserves the action to conclude, please be polite.

[hls30.com]

Hey OJ, here is a Cor-Z to go with your "Z-Vette" .

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/3233974474.html

For sale to highest bidder, Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Stokes auction. Go on-line at ..www.stokesauctioninc.com for details, times.

This is a Corvette Kit Car on a 1978 Datsun 280Z. It is fun, fast and attention-getting. receipts and pictures of the build are in the car to view. It runs and handles very well. We are selling only because we have 8 cars between us and the insurance is killing us She sold one so I have to sell one.

It has a small hole in the whale-tail, took a branch in the windstorm. Come out to the auction and bid. You could get very lucky.

5 speed, custom wheels, B F Goodrich tires, fuel injection, many new parts. About 17,000.00 invested. It is red with black interior.

Mike,
You have a dark side...I find quite funny! OJ, Mike has beat me up far worse than this and with good reason, if this was a continual barrage that would be one thing, but this is paint trade in a vintage race-no crash, just a good poke in the ribs...

[hls30.com]

The results may take a while-I allowed multiple choice answers and some people answered mutually exclusive questions in a contrary way. Off the cuff 40% think anything but a Z engine has no business in an S30-while only 1/3 thought only an L series engine belongs in an S30. Roughly 3/4 of us think the exterior of the S30 is close enough to perfect to leave alone. 20% think the interior is close enough to perfect to leave alone.
I actually expected more staunch protection of keeping S30s-specifically 240Z essentially original.

[72 OJ]

So ,in a group of ten people ,,,,,,,,,,,,4 will look away at whats under my hood, 6 will give me the Zness OK ,,,,,,,,,,,

[TomoHawk]

the poll may be ending, but that only refers to the voting. The discussion may continue, unless the topic is closed.

[hls30.com]

;More to the point, 4 will flip you the finger just because, 5 more probably won't really care one way or the other, and the last one will do or say anything to get you to let him drive it...using the 80/20 rule for those that did not express actual contempt...80% of 6=4.8 rounds to 5...leaving one...I hate it for you...now pass me your keys....

[hls30.com]

I don't normally close topics, that makes them so Latinesque

[5thhorsemann]

OJ, as usual you miss the entire point of the conversation. No one is saying that a hybirdized car isn't cool, they are saying it is no longer what it was designed to be. Your car for instance is now a Chevzy, not an S30, not that it's not cool, just not a Z car anymore.

When I lift my hood people marvel at how a 40 year old power plant can still run so strong and how I keep it running so well. When I see any old car with a new engine, I see someone that has no respect for the original design, or someone that lacks the skills required to keep that old dog in the hunt.

There is a difference between improving the original design, and tearing it to the ground and resigning it totally. The Z body is more than just a shell to cover any old motor, the Z is a package.

I really don't care what anyone else thinks about my car, it makes ME happy when I drive it. And it never gets parked with the hood open and a sign that says "look at my zness " it gets driven, hard and often and on the twistiest roads I can find. And when I break something, I fix it, and if I don't like the way something works, I modify it to make it better. And if we both enter a car show we will not be competing against each other, they will put you in a catagory with street rods and other highly modified frankinstine monsters.

'Nuf said.

[TomoHawk]

As for numeric the Poll specifics, you should look for trends, not the individual percentages or ratios. To me, it says that people aren't happy that the engine was changed, or the interior was changed, or the body was changed. the specifics of the changes is another topic to discuss.

[72 OJ]

....5th I have not miss the point, the points are, we are connected to this cars, we care for them, we brag about them, we enjoy driving them, we fix them, we wash them, we refer to them as "she'', we talk about them, we come to this forum to seek info on them, we like when people came to us and ask question about them,we take pictures of them, we call them money pits, we like to see pictures of them, see the Zness is magical ...its in them

[72 OJ]

Tom,,,,,,,,,,,,,the engine transplant,that is in a Z guy type group...4 out of 10, in a diverse group that number is 100% ''nice Z''

[Mikes Z car]

Some would say this goes too far but I say balderdash! If you look closely you can see a stock Z car shift knob in the gentleman's right hand.

[hls30.com]

I knew there were some bad knockoffs out there-wait-is that a 260Z Radio...

[Bonzi Lon]

Here would be 2 examples of extreme 'Z'-ness, both ways.

Bonzi Lon

[5thhorsemann]

I would point out that both of the above were likley saved from the crusher, and are no longer Z's.

[dgcamp58]

I gotta agree. I think the inline 6 is as much of the Z character and charm as the sleek styling lines of the body.

[bartsscooterservice]

OJ, as usual you miss the entire point of the conversation. No one is saying that a hybirdized car isn't cool, they are saying it is no longer what it was designed to be. Your car for instance is now a Chevzy, not an S30, not that it's not cool, just not a Z car anymore.

When I lift my hood people marvel at how a 40 year old power plant can still run so strong and how I keep it running so well. When I see any old car with a new engine, I see someone that has no respect for the original design, or someone that lacks the skills required to keep that old dog in the hunt.

There is a difference between improving the original design, and tearing it to the ground and resigning it totally. The Z body is more than just a shell to cover any old motor, the Z is a package.

I really don't care what anyone else thinks about my car, it makes ME happy when I drive it. And it never gets parked with the hood open and a sign that says "look at my zness " it gets driven, hard and often and on the twistiest roads I can find. And when I break something, I fix it, and if I don't like the way something works, I modify it to make it better. And if we both enter a car show we will not be competing against each other, they will put you in a catagory with street rods and other highly modified frankinstine monsters.

'Nuf said.

I agree. I like reading forums like HybridZ, but personally I would never do that to any classic car. Although Japanese like the tuning scene alot, bet they never thought of Americans dropping v8's in there. Maybe the biggest threat asides rust to a classic Z is people doing hybrids.

[hls30.com]

Good point! Of the few rust free Zs still left, how many have been cut up in the name of "improvement", and then called "restored" to keep the nostalgic connotation instead of "modified" to properly term what was actually done.

[bartsscooterservice]

Good point! Of the few rust free Zs still left, how many have been cut up in the name of "improvement", and then called "restored" to keep the nostalgic connotation instead of "modified" to properly term what was actually done.

Yeah..isn't it a sad thing...

Look how they molested this old girl ( it's not a Z but the same point.. ):

http://www.wired.com/autopia/wp-cont...ct-detroit.jpg

[TomoHawk]

I had a Yo-Yo that lights up like those wheels!

You could never drive that car where the Z's go, or the wheels would fall apart, so what good is a trailer-queen like that?

[guaro]

This is a fun THREAD . BTW check this out RockyAuto - ?????(?????????????????Z?GT-R)???? ??????? OPINIONS

[guaro]

BUMP>>>> look at what is going in Japan with the early Z's RockyAuto - ?????(?????????????????Z?GT-R)???? ??????? 6 figures in US $ WOW , I will like to see reactions on this interesting market on this Z site ( use the Google translation feature in order to get their description on these cars)

[bartsscooterservice]

I know there are still enough 240z's in the USA, but I would leave a 240Z alone, mod the 260 and 280z's...