psdenno

If Quentin Tarantino made music videos, this is what they'd look like. Dennis

Haven't been in the "dating scene" for decades. Merely trying to help you make a decision with an analogy based on my 42 years as a Z owner - some of the early ones in the dating scene. Dennis

No, however you seemed to imply that the 260Z wasn't you 1st choice in the title of this thread " Extending my Z hunt to include the 260 version, opinions welcome". And, since opinions are like belly buttons - everyone has one, I offered mine. Opinion that is. Dennis

Buying a Z is like dating. The more you expand your search parameters, the more likely you are to score. However, just like dating, if you settle for second best and hope you can change the things she does to annoy you, you're in for a BIG, perhaps costly, disappointment. Dennis

I've had a BRE front spoiler on my '71 for most of the 40+ years I've driven it. It did wonders for keeping the front end planted, especially in strong cross winds. I never installed a rear spoiler as it seemed unnecessary. For a couple years, I lived in Kansas and experienced extreme downforce when plowing through two foot winter snow drifts on the highway with the spoiler. Dennis

A few issues, but a generally nice looking Z. Dennis

Here's a link to more than you would ever want to know about the o-ring & seal. Just scroll down through the messages to find procedure and part numbers. http://tinyurl.com/cf4yvcc Also, see details below. Dennis

Looks like it removed quite a few years of crud & corruption from the bottle - a nice DIY project. Dennis

As you noted, compared to "typical everyday stuff... it looks tiny". However, compare it to current sports cars (Miata, FRS, Boxster) or sports cars from the early Z production era (MG, Triumph, Volvo 1800, Lotus) and it just fits in nicely. Well fed Baby Boomers are taller and wider than earlier generations - just like the cars they/we drive. The Z is a sports car, it's supposed to be smaller than most cars around it, whether now or 40 years ago. No mystery, no surprise. Dennis

Let's hope the new plastic in the dash holds up better than the plastic they used in the '70s Z dashes. Dennis

In addition to the current safety mandates noted above, the "mine is bigger than yours" mentality probably has a lot to do with the greater number of larger cars today - vans, Escalades, 4X4 crew cab pick-up trucks. Although, park your Z next to a '60s Cadillac and it will also seem quite small. Dennis

Nice looking exterior, except for the wheels. It's curious that there are no pictures of the engine compartment or upholstery, seat covering appears modified in picture through the windshield. Hard to tell if that's a good price, or not. Dennis

Out of curiosity, why don't you want to use the power antenna? Dennis

Probably because you never put one on before and I put mine on 42 years ago Dennis

If there's no guide hole in the air dam to get you started, just use "C" clamps to hold it in a place while you center it and drill mounting holes. Dennis

Welcome to the Group! Always good to see another '71 getting back on the road - especially one that's almost 20 years older than its owner Dennis

The original plastic ones in my '71 Z lasted 40 years. If the replacement set of plastic ones from Nissan last as long, I'm sure I'll never replace them again, either Dennis

Shouldn't be a problem at the local dealership. The parts counter guy looked up the parts and had the top two bushings in stock and the bottom pivot within 48 hours. Dennis

Second link doesn't seem to work for me either. Lots of "http://"s in both links. Dennis

Have you tried contacting Nissan to ask about what they did with the early Z metal stamping dies? Here's a link to an article about a company that stamps out all the sheet metal parts for the '57 Chevrolet - a bit pricey. How to Retool and Build New '57 Chevy Bodies for Fun and Profit - Column - Car Reviews - Car and Driver Dennis

I'm guessing a call to MSA could answer that question since they sell the wheels and the various caps. When I bought my 15" Rewinds from them, they didn't suggest any of the other caps as a suitable fit for the front dust cap problem. Perhaps they have something new since then for the 16" wheels if clearance is a problem. Let us know what you find out. Dennis

For many years, I had the expanded metal mesh in place of the stock grille when I had fog lights behind the bumper. It was cut larger than the stock grille mounting points and then the edge was folded over all the way around to make a double layer. Then screws were put through to secure it to the stock mounting points. I painted it flat black. It sat back a bit so the fog lights could sit on a panel mounted to the back side of the bumper - kind of a shelf. It looked good IMO. Good luck with the project and be sure to post pictures of the final install. Dennis

Check your local metal supply house, or Lowes/Home Depot for this: http://www.industrialmetalsupply.com/products/expanded-sheet Dennis

Expecting auto manufacturers to store and maintain the dies for the sheet metal of every model from every model year is probably a little unreaalistic. Dies wear out and are discarded. As mentioned above, auto manufacturers make their only from making new cars. Aftermarket companies find a niche based on enthusiast demaand and fill it with offshore parts of varying quality. When the demand is there someone will eventually fill it if there's. a buck to be made. Denis

So, how much should an autograph add to the value of any car? I know there are a lot of "signed" Shelby Cobras that are probably worth more than the "unsigned" variety. Dennis