psdenno

The folks from Google recently came through my neighborhood and photographed my street for their Google Maps Street View project. That's the view you can link to from Google Maps in order to see a panorama street level view instead of an overhead satellite view of a neighborhood. As luck would have it, the Z was parked at the curb (see avatar). Anyone else have their Z caught by Google? Dennis

If hydrogen comes on-line, no more gas? That's like saying they stopped growing hay when the car was invented. I'm fairly certain people with horses can still find fuel for them. Dennis

Only add 25% to the estimate? I suggest, based on my experience, that you double what you think it will cost and double, or triple, the time you think it will take. If it gets done sooner and costs less than anticipated, rejoice! Dennis

"Dring", "Oringinal"....it's an insidious RING virus. Thank goodness you've been able to detect it. Now, if we can only keep it from spreading Dennis 1971 240Z Original Typing Impaired Owner

A Dring would be any beverage that makes your ears ring. When the ringing starts, hand your keys to a sober friend. Dennis 1971 240Z Oringinal Owner

The multi-light set is much better. I'm sure the price is reasonable based on the time, effort, and materials involved. I'm just not sure how many will prefer it to an 89 cent replacement bulb. Good luck with the project. Dennis 1971 240Z Original Owner

I've had good luck using a good quality dental floss - work it under the emblem from one end or the other until you get to a pin and then gently pull toward you. After you lift it a bit, go to the other end and repeat the process - a little at a time, alternating ends of the emblem, working toward the middle. So far, no scratches or broken emblems. Dennis 1971 240Z Original Owner

Regarding the graph of the increasing values of the 240Z, 914, and Alfa moving up into the $13,000 - $15,000 range over 20 years...... According to the graph, all started at $5,000 - $7,000. For comparison, let's look at $5,000 in cash invested at 5% compounded for the same 20 years. It would be worth $13,266.49 today. Subrtact 20 years of insurance and routine maintenance costs on the cars and you probably have a negative number. Keep the cars for their warm fuzzy intangible value, not as part of your retirement portfolio. Dennis 1971 240Z Original Owner 1970 Porsche 914-6 Show Car 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2

This has been said to work: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-aGCRDXeZIQk/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?i=070XC4100 Dennis 1971 240Z Original Owner

Just a little clarification on the Porsche 914 history. The 914 four cylinder and the 914-6 both hit the market as 1970 models. The "four" was $3,595 on the East Coast and $100 more on the West. The 914-6 listed for $5,999 on the East Coast and $100 more on the West. Although the Porsche Club of America, as well as other Porsche clubs around the world, rejected 914 owners' membership applications, the Porsche factory did not threaten to pull support from the clubs. Cooler heads eventually prevailed and after a few years, 914s were accepted. It was during that time that I started the Porsche 914 Owners Association which became one of the largest Porsche clubs in the world. Yes, we were, and still are, factory recognized. Ferdinand Porsche was quoted in 914 ads as saying, "I wanted to design a car young people could afford." I didn't pay attention, and bought a new 1971 240Z instead. I still have it and it's parked in front of my house. I also have a 1970 914-6 in the garage. Dennis http://www.porsche914.org

I just get the message below when I click on your links - seems you've run afoul of the copyright laws. License Required A license is required to play the selected song or video. However, a license for this file cannot be found, has expired or was corrupted. To get a license for this content, please visit the web site or open the software application from which the file was originally downloaded. You may be required to log in or purchase the song or video.

Leno drove his Cosmo to the Japanese car show at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA a few months ago. Neat little car. He was very interested in all the cars on display and worked the crowd nicely. A genuine "Car Guy". Dennis

Since you asked.......Ebay the Libres and go back to what you had before. I think it's a nicer retro aftermarket look for that period car. The D caps are dandy - just make sure they're on tight and watch out for curbs. Dennis 1971 240Z Original Owner

And let's not forget another $600 or so for the headlight covers when they are available. But, as Brando Rambo said above, it makes the Z look "Flipppppiinn Sweeetttt!!!!" I have vivid memories of the ZG I saw on display in the Tokyo Ginza in 1971. Within a month I was back in the States and the proud owner of the 240Z I was just working on earlier today. "Flipppppiinn Sweeetttt!!!!" for sure. Dennis

I agree with the previous comment - ask for pictures and more info and if the seller is proud of the item, you should get an appropriate response. I buy & sell on ebay and have had a "burn" or two, but generally you can tell whom to stay away from by the listing, how long the seller has been on ebay, and any responses to questions. The ebay ratings are not always a good indicator. Sorry about the bad buy. It's a nice day in SoCal, take a long walk on the beach. You'll feel better.

I think those who mentioned the value of the pleasure you'll get out of doing a lot of the work yourself are correct. I'm refreshing a '71 Z, that I bought new, with my son who is approaching driving age. I'm not sure which of us is having more fun with the project. In the past, I bought a better than new 1970 Porsche for pennies on the dollar after the restorer decided to move on to other projects - an excellent way to acquire a great car. But the only warm fuzzy feeling came from knowing I saved a ton of money, not that I had returned a car to fine condition. I think I like the creative feeling more. Dennis

Thanks, Will. I checked the pictures but would still like the dimensions, if possible - especially thickness. I appreciate the help. Dennis

I have a set of headlight covers & trim rings, but no mounting hardware. I'd like to mount them with the factory style mounting plates. Could someone with a set of the original mounting hardware please post the dimensions of one of the eight metal mounting plates that screws to the headlight bucket - length, width, & thickness? Thanks!

Looks like fun! Keep us posted as you work through the project.

Nice job and thanks for the pictures. I've also repaired mine over the years when it broke in half and a mounting stud pulled out. Fiberglass is fairly easy to work with and the results can be worth the effort.

Don't worry about heat in the desert - I live in Palm Springs, CA and it's snowing today. As for some other items, don't forget duct tape, AAA card, spare fuses, a few feet of fuel line, spare fan belt, and the usual assortment of sockets & screw drivers. Have fun!

I avoided the malls and headed to the local Pick-A-Part wrecking yard near the in-laws home where we were visiting. I scored a Z clock, a set of flush mount side marker lighs from a Hyundai that fit nicely on the Z, and a pair of like new 80W Pioneer speakers - all for under $30. Now that's what Black Friday is all about!

newspeed, Point well made about an unrestored car - just about any car - being worth more as parts than as a whole. A lot of people make a lot of money working than angle of the auto hobby. Currently, I'm sitting on a '66 Mustang 2+2 GT for the same reason as you're dealing with your Z.

I just put my factory hatch strut on yesterday - first time the hatch has been held open by the strut sice 1978.

Looks like the rear hatch is from a '70 Z based on the air vents (which seem to be missing). Actually, there are no side vents, so are you sure it's a 1971? As mentioned, bumpers are hard/expensive to come by if not included. Although fiberglass replacements are available if you have the mounting hardware.