Bonzi Lon

You are right Gary, I did use the baking soda before primer, just forgot to put it in the post. Bonzi Lon

This weekend the battery tray area got the "rust treatment", using a pink Naval Jelly (NAPA) product. The first pic is the area in original condition. The second pic is after one treatment on the firewall and the right side of the tray where it was just light surface rust. The left side and under tray had more rust so several applications were applied. Put on a thick coat with a foam brush, wait 15 minutes or so, wash off with cloth and water. Let dry completely then a good coat of primer. I found a young man working at a local body shop to come by and take a look at it to see if he would want to paint it (whole car) on the side. He is interested and will let me know next week. Bonzi Lon

The skull and cross bones is also the Universal symbol for Poision, or a band of Pirates. Aye Aye matey, Arrrggg. Bonzi Lon

Sorry guys, I'm not taking it apart any further. Its been apart too long, and I'm ready to get it on the road. It will always be garaged and cared for, not just a driver. Later on I may do a complete resto, but for now I just want it done! I just hope I remember how it all goes back together. Another reason, (excuse) for not going further is it has a crack free dash and the clock still works. I don't want to take any chances with either one, now. Bonzi Lon

Couldn't find edit, however if you are going to be in the area and would like to show and tell, email and we will make arangements. Bonzi Lon

The amount of rust in and around the battery tray is the worst on the whole car. It shows the original condition, no corrosion down the side of the fender, because the old battery was in the plastic tray with drain. All of the metal is solid by the hammer or screwdriver test. I will neutralize the acid then a naval jelly (NAPA, pink) product, then see what is left, then protect. Looking through the headlight bucket shows a band of missing undercoating from road gravel rash the width of the tire or less. The metal showing has surface rust only. The driver side is about the same. The passenger and driver floor pans and frame rails are the same. Both have the famous jack dents, (prolly me and PO), and yes that is original paint and primer on the side of the frame rails. These pics were taken after a complete wire brushing of the underside. Again, any rust is only on the surface. Both sides of the interior are the same also, there is no visible rust in here. The rear fender area shows a smaller amount of missing undercoating, can't explain. Again, just surface rust. It looks rusty because it has a large amount of primer overspray. Lesson learned here? 1 OUNCE OF OVERSPRAY = 10 POUNDS OF OVERTIME!!!:mad: The spare tire area also shows the lack of any rust, although the spare did rub through the blue at the bottom of photo. This car also came with a trailer hitch, brace installed, tounge is 1/2 inch below the fuel tank and is supported by the bumper. The condition of the exterior (see avitar) has been like this for the last 27 years. When taken down to metal there was no rust in the problem areas, if my memory serves me right, rockers, dog legs, door bottoms, etc. The only welding on the car was to fill 2 pencil eraser sized holes on the hatch lip and to add another hatch strut brace to the passenger side. A dual hatch strut 240Z? It is now! After sitting inside all this time the exterior has no problems that I have found, like any rust through or bubble-up, cracks in primer, chips, sand throughs, cracks in bondo, which was VERY minimal because this car has never been wrecked. I have gone over the whole thing with 400 wet and now looking for someone that can run a gun, I have the shop, paint & air, Kellogg-American 2 cyl, 5 hp, 120 gal, 200+psi. I want to have it painted and back together by March of 08, that is when it becomes an antique vehicle according to this state and will be able to run my old 1973 Kansas plate, saved from another car. Its just going to be "a surviving, rust free, antique, Japanese, sports car." There are several oxy-morons in that statement! The story behind the new (rebuilt in 1980) engine will be another day. I hope you all enjoyed as much as I. Bonzi Lon

It wasn't a movie, but on the History Chanel, Modern Marvels, "Cemeterys", the portion explaining headstones and how just about anything could be put on a stone. The narrator asks, "Care for a Datsun 280Z on your headstone?" Then the camera shows a 280Z carved in profile on the stone. Bonzi Lon

I have seen some photos on this site that show different ways people have used the headlight buckets from a Z-Car, a dunce hat comes to mind. So I was rather surprised when my 9 year old grand-daughter put both of them together and called it her "Datsun-osaurus, type 240." I cracked up! but must admit it does look like some type of pre-historic creature, animal, or bird. She really likes Poppa's "very little" car. Just had to share. Bonzi Lon

Here are a few of the parts I ordered in 1980 from Jim Cook Racing and they were put in the rafters of my parents garage untill needed. I was up there this weekend and found the following, including the invoice. The rear window louvre outer box is so DATED. I'll include prices just for the fun of it. 1. Rear Window Louvers (no drill) 95.00 2. Front spoiler w/br/ducts fiberglass 55.95 3. Airglide 3peice rear spoiler fiberglass115.50 4. Rear Quarter Louvers (abs self stick) 26.95 5. Quick Steering Arms 61.90 6. Electric Window Lift Kit 142.95 Also have but not shown: 7. Front Grille Guard Chrome 37.95 8. Rear Bumper Guard Chrome 38.95 9. Headlight Cover Set Clear (metal tab)76.95 10. Waterproof Z-Car Cover Tan 99.95 I'm not sure how many, if any, of these will end up in my final project that will be determined later. I need to re-think things now. Bonzi Lon

Very well done, great music and effects, I'm impressed.

I took my seats to a lady in town that restores and re-covers household furniture, she was more than happy to do it. Auto type shop was more expensive. Had thousands of samples, color, material, leather, cloth, plastic, vinyl, etc. I wanted cloth and more padding in the sides and headrest. She took old set apart using them as patterns and I had new custom seats in less than a week for $200 each. Just an idea for you to get what YOU want. Bonzi Lon

My 73 has the metal buckets and as 26th-Z stated they are of 2 peice construction welded up, very nicely I might add, the seam can be seen from the back side only. Bonzi Lon

Just a heads up, my 73 has 6 holes in the floor and 2 in the spare tire well that measure about 1 inch in diameter, 4 larger holes in the floor about 1 3/4 inches in diameter, then the 2 that are in the hatch that are 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Most that I have seen for sale fail to mention the diameter, just say floor plugs or hatch plugs. I have not seen any for the 1 inch holes, yet, still looking. Bonzi Lon

It is misspelled on pourpose because my nic-name at the time was Bones and I got a personal plate for it and it had to have a Z in it. Besides, today's kids misspell everything, so it is up to date. And I do like the little trees. Bonzi Lon

some friends and I were riding around in my 4X4 rocking out to Boston's first album blasting from the Craig Power Play 8-track, when we noticed some loud clacking noises from the engine. The oil light did not come on. Three quarts of oil and 2 cans of STP later, got it quieted enough to trade it in, TODAY. Went by a used car lot and out of the corner of my eye I spotted what I knew was the nose of a blue 1973 Saab Sonnett type III. I had test drove one in 1973, and really liked the looks of it. I pulled in and took a closer look only to see it was a 240Z. It looked great and we test drove it. Leaving the lot I punched it and was amaized from the power and sound it made. All I could scream was "Bonzi!" (thus the name) I had to have it, so did the loan with my bank over the phone and brought it home. In 1980 it needed a paint job so I let a friend talk me into doing it for a loan he owed me. After a while he just gave up on it and I gave up on him. I pushed it into the back room of the garage and just let it sit for the next 26 years. The avitar shows it the day it came out of the garage with all the dust still on it. It has been slow going as I still need to get it painted, cash flow problems. Hopefully will try to have it painted and put back together by the time it is an "official" antique vehicle next year. 35 years for the state of Kansas, also you can register your "antique" vehicle with a license plate from the same year as the car was manufactured. That makes any antique vehicle look from its time. Over the years I've had several chances to sell it but could not even think about that. There is something about these Z-Cars that you just can't explain. It might be love over money. Bonzi Lon

I have a set just like them. Had them installed in 1980 and they have yet to see a drop of rain, rubber is still soft and seals tight. I regret putting them in now, but a roof is out of the question although I have really thought about it. Bonzi Lon

I did what you are about to do in 1980, however I kept my Z car (because I could), and boy am I glad I did. That 1975 Vette was a peice of crap. Had a hopped up motor and all but was not the car the Z is. The Vette did not have the leg or luggage room of the Z, every thing squeeked on it from the hood, seats, doors, the T-tops and and they leaked along with the back window. The newer paint cracked within months and after a re-paint it started to crack again. Blew 2 water pumps, and boy that was a chore. I gave 7K in 1980, owned it for 3 years put 2K in it and sold it for 5K? had it on the busy hi-way for months before it sold. Bad economy, remember? Out of all the cars I have every owned the Vette was the biggest mistake. I am so glad I kept the Z, twice the car at half the price! Paid $2600 in 1977. Anyone can drive a Vette, everyone knows what they are and about what they're worth, but take an older Z and some people are left scratching their heads, and I like that. This was MY experience with a Vette, it will be up to you to regret buying or selling. "Memories of what we once had are stronger than memories of what we could of had." unk Bonzi Lon

I did what you are about to do in 1980, however I kept my Z car (because I could), and boy am I glad I did. That 1975 Vette was a peice of crap. Had a hopped up motor and all but was not the car the Z is. The Vette did not have the leg or luggage room of the Z, every thing squeeked on it from the hood, seats, doors, the T-tops and and they leaked along with the back window. The newer paint cracked within months and after a re-paint it started to crack again. Blew 2 water pumps, and boy that was a chore. I gave 7K in 1980, owned it for 3 years put 2K in it and sold it for 5K? had it on the busy hi-way for months before it sold. Bad economy, remember? Out of all the cars I have every owned the Vette was the biggest mistake. I am so glad I kept the Z, twice the car at half the price! Paid $2600 in 1977. Anyone can drive a Vette, everyone knows what they are and about what they're worth, but take an older Z and some people are left scratching their heads, and I like that. This was MY experience with a Vette, it will be up to you to regret buying or selling. "Memories of what we once had are stronger than memories of what we could of had." unk Bonzi Lon

May I suggest as an "EXPERIMENT ONLY" to get several scrap lengths and bends of exhaust and put on what you have. Try running curved down fully behind bumper (street sweeper), curved pointed to the curb, straight to extend beyond bumper different lengths. I know, it may look ghetto during this time. but you just may hit on something. I know you have had some problem with this so just trying to throw anything out there. Bonzi Lon

Did anyone catch in the description it was a Tan 4 door with a Tan interior? Bonzi Lon

Turpentine works wonders because it is a solvent distilled from pine sap. A chain saw works wonders on offending trees. Bonzi Lon

I read or heard somewhere the the Fastenal (sp?) Company have these in all colors and sizes. Might be worth taking some in and seeing if it is true and report back. I will need some soon also. Bonzi Lon

I would suggest getting a new clutch hose also. This rubber hose fits the slave cylinder to the hard line. They tend to crack and weather rather quick in my opinion. Check your brake lines at the wheels because they are of the same material and subject to the same environment. Braided stainless steel lines all around would solve that problem and look nice at the same time. Bonzi Lon

In my opinion it is like duct tape and bailing wire, they all work in a pinch if nothing else is available, but don't expect too much out of any one or all of them. Or look at it this way; if it is a non essential part, why repair it. If it is an essential part, why not repair it the best way possible or replace it? Bonzi Lon

You might try Black Dragon Automotive in Lenexa, Ks. They send free catalogs on request 1-888-789-DRGN or order on line BlackDragonAuto.com comparable prices and close to you. Will it be ready for Branson? Bonzi Lon