Zvoiture

Why did Nissan label the 240z HS/HLS30, label the 260z RS/RLS30 and then turn around and make the 280z HLS30 again? steve77/71 ps: Thanks for the book Alan. It is really nice to see all this stuff side-by side.

Strut braces front and rear absolutely make a difference. Pitch the car into a corner and instead of the body-tweaking surges you used to get, you get this flat-tracking, predictable, 'you can tell exactly when it is going to let go' feeling. And if you let if 'let go' it slides nice and flat and the throttle controls everything. Best $200 I ever spent. steve

Yeah.

>>>>I will most likely join the club once the car has been completed<<<< Now that's a bad idea. Especially since the club is basically a Central Coast Z registry than a 'club'. Send me your e-mail address and I will put you ont he list. you will get 2 or 3 e-mails a month from me with updates and schedules. That's it!. Then you will be up-to-date. Victor, there most likely won't be to many of the CCZCC people at the Solvang Roadster thing. Several who are attending are attending for the entire weekend. I am thinking about stopping by on my way south Saturday. steve

Interesting comments all. In attempts to address the original question, some of the side-bar opinions really surprise me. The whole automotive world has changed. With litigation, labor and vehicle code causing R&D to go off the scale, auto manufacturers can't just bang out a pet stand-alone project and remain fiscally viable. They must mix up the beans a bit. You want a car that doesn't share any other chassis? Get out your checkbook and go buy a Viper or a NSX. Those are the kinds of prices you will be expected to pay. The 350Z could NEVER HAVE EVEN BEEN PRODUCED without production-line merging. Nissan was going to lose money on each model sold unless it streamlined its production. Renault/Nissan is not in a position to lose money to keep a few purists happy. So now we have the best of both worlds: A world-class automobile and worthy continuation of the line and successor to the Z and a happy parent company. AND THEY ARE DOING IT STARTING AT 26,000US$!!!!! So it shares a few platforms. I find it interesting how they have managed to keep both the 350Z and other sister vehicles so unique in spite of all the parts sharing Different HP's(280 vs.272 hp?), different drive configurations (Maxima is F/F, G&Z is F/R?). I think they did an esteemable job building some personality into the different cars. The other thing which seems to come out strongly is a sort of implied vehemence towards luxury car owners even to the point of suggesting the cars they buy are 'rebadged'... 'marketing ploys', useless fluff...etc. etc. First of all, there is absolutely no comparison between a Maxima and an Infiniti or a Camry and an Lexus. It is not a re-badging. To suggest otherwise is an admission of ignorance. And what's wrong with owning a luxury car? And not modifying it? How egocentric is that? Of course I am not going to modify or EVEN WORK ON my LS. That's not what I bought it for. Is that wrong? Way off topic, I know.. but hey! steve

That's what I do too! I wouldn't do it if it were annoying to others, but I have checked several times and my hi-beams don't come anywhere NEAR the back window of a Ford Expedition. steve

There is a member here and personal friend of mine who can answer all of your questions, including power source, relay and switching issues for these new light systems. H4LIGHTS.com steve

I think it's totally worth it. What's wrong with making a profit? Some of us are in business to do so. the difference between $430 and $700 gets a lot smaller if you figure in: The 'core' of the calipers. 20-30% profit. The elimination of R&D. How much is "Hmmm, I wonder if this will work?" worth? steve

I was recently presented with an issue I would be interested in hearing some other opin's on. I know the majority of those here are strictly 1st gen fans and another huge chunk (but getting smaller) of you are totally ANTI-Z33, so if you don't have anything constructive to say...just look the other way! Should G35 coupes be invited/allowed in Z clubs? steve

Yup. I looked at it too. Right next door to the gas station by the 101. Still have the guy's card from Tri-county. Steve somethingor other. I didn't think the job was all that well thought out. But then again, "completely restored" is pretty subjective. I don't want to see completely restored 240's with funky shift knobs and clamp-on pedals. There were several other issues also, not to mention the rust that was visible. I just felt it was a bit overpriced. But then, I never went and offered him $5000, so we will never know. DatZguy, have you always been in Lompoc? I seem to recall your signature showing some other city in CA. Have we met? are you at V? Do you know about CCZCC? We have a ton of members at V. If you are not on our e-mail list, go to the site and join or send me an e-mail. steve (director, Central Coast Z Car Club)

It could be her, although she was a blonde at the show last night and her bio says nothing of the Kiwi Ballet... steve

There is at least one 510 wagon around here on slicks. You never knew what hitcha! steve

Totally NOT worth it. steve

>>>>But you americans are used to Big Ugly 4WD's so youv'e been desensitized to them. <<<< Somewhat... one one hand, yes. They can not build H2's fast enough, and they are sublimely UGLY. But other than that, what else is ugly? Are 'Burbs, Explorers, Cherokees' 4-runners and Pathfinders ugly? Are Land-cruisers and Range Rovers ugly? If anyting, the last two are of an 'International' pedigree, no? The original FJ and Range Rover are the grandaddies of boxy, ugly utility vehicles. Sylish to a tee and icons of design, but boxy and ugly none-the-less. But, back to the H2. Put this new FJ style alongside an H2, and the FJ will show very well, I am afraid. (personally, I think it's gorgeous, but it is just a concept, so am not expecting it or anyting like it to actually see the streets.) And where do you get those tires?!?!?!? steve

God, that's a horrible picture... It really doesn't do her justice...A fairly deep search of the web has turned up no ...um... um......you know... better pixs of Larissa Wright. Seems her dancing career has been rather wholesome... I guess somewhere I expected to find her personal website... At the show last night, some tall skinny guy from Des moines or something was playing Henry the Octopus, so Larissa was on stage most of the night just as a dancer in 'normal' costume.

Just got home from the show, and I must say...It's a hell of a ot more entertaining than the TV show. These guys really put a lot into it. but the BEST part: The back-up dancers! Oh Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa Larrissa! Do all Australian women look like this? It made the whole show worth watching.... She needs her own show. steve

>>>>post to wrong thread????<<<< No! Those are lovely little Wiggles ditties. Theya re permanently engrained in my head..... I think 'Fruit Salad' refers to the make-up of the group. steve

How about, Hot spaghetti, Cold spaghetti!? then we could all finish up with a nice round of 'Fruit Salad' steve

What is this, Godamn recipe trading ladies lunch hour? I have forgotten now which it was: are we eating to stay awake or eating to go to sleep? Or are we just eating weird crap? If we are trying to go to sleep, what ever happened to a nice glass of Cream Sherry, Vintage Port or Drambuie, Yukon Jack or B&B straight up? Works everytime. Oh, I'm sorry...enjoying your mid-night 240z.org surfing? Well then the doctor orders: Small can V-8 (preferably low sodium) tsp horseradish dash Lee & Perrins dash Bitters Numerous shakes of celery salt squirt of anchovie paste healthy jigger Absolut Shake violently on crushed ice Oh, and REALLY bored and munchie? In small saute: butter garlic fresh, soft mango, peeled and halved salt pepper chicken stock Karo syrup marsala Frangelico 12 YO bourbon triple sec allow to flambeau on high heat reduce and serve beside premium vanilla-bean ice cream with a fresh mint leaf garnish and small chunks Societe roquefort. In the morning: Brains! (cottage cheese and ketchup) Peanut butter? Don't you guys worry about prostate cancer? steve

>>>>Good one<<<< Seriously...the bad part is 75% of the business is Z31's Z32's and very soon, Z33's. Butcha gotta work on ALL of 'em! steve

>>>>a hot reverse oil flush<<<< Mmmmmmm...You could probably get thrown out of Joe Millionaire for doing that. steve

The absolute altime most incredible truck ever built is returning! Check this baby out. Talk about retro and 'returning to roots...' (as a little progress study, compare a picture of a '69 240 and a 350Z and then compare a pic of this to a '69 FJ). steve ps..though I'm gusessing it dosn't come with a straight 6...

>>>>Move or get a new job. <<<<< Know anything about Z's? I'm looking at a Z shop and Lord knows I don't know anything about them. Need somebody to run/work the shop. steve

How long ago was that? Harvest is coming up over there, isn't it? The vines look mighty healthy. Are they irrigated or dry-farmed? Are they head-trained? Either that or the smallish vine at the end is hiding the anchor-post of the trellis. Do you have any more pix of head-trained shiraz? Try not to get them so blurry! At LEAST include the name of the vineyard next time! DOHHHHH! steve

I'm taking my 2 year old to see The Wiggles in Santa Barbara Wednesday evening. I can't decide whether to dress like Murray or Cap't Feathersword. Any suggestions? steve