psdenno

I upgraded to BMW seats which have far better lateral support that my original '71 Z seats. You're on your own for fabricating rails and mounting. I used a spare set of factory Z seat rails and bolted together the mounting hardware to mate the rails to the seats from flat stock and angle iron available at the local Big Box hardware store. Details can be seen at: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/album.php?albumid=357 Dennis

I think I'd certainly want a sleek and curvy design, convertible hardtop for open air driving, great exhaust note, all of the modern creature comforts, adequate HP......... Oh, wait a minute, I just described my Infiniti G37 convertible. To me, it's what the Z 2+2 could have become. Dennis

They lost me in the fist sentence of the ad when they stated "original looking Z". Wrong wheels, added side "bump" strip, interesting exhaust pipe, no bumper over riders, outside mirror....... Might be a good deal, but there are probably better deals. 2¢ Dennis

Wake me when they get there. There's also a '73 Z and a 510 in the adventure. For a list of all entries, check: http://www.londoncapetownrally.com/entries.html If you want to cheer them on as they skirt Somalia, here's the route: http://www.londoncapetownrally.com/gmap/lc2012map.html Dennis

According to their web site, they've only raised about $50,000 in pledges. Seems they have a ways to go - both literally and figuratively. Dennis

I used a silver Sharpie on the silver trim on my '71 center console a couple years ago and it has held up well. Link below: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/album.php?albumid=177 Dennis

Welcome to the Group. There are some significant differences between the 240 and 280, so study up and feel free to ask questions as you search for your "perfect" match. Dennis

Check the price & availability of the rubber trim strips that are missing/need replacing on the early style bumpers. All things being equal, and they never are, I think I'd pass on this one unless I had always dreamed of owning a righthand drive Fairlady 2+2 with questionable history. In which case, I'd be there checkbook in hand. Dennis

Welcome to the Group! Good to see another '71 being appreciated. My first Z is also a '71, although I've owned it a bit longer than you've had your Z. Dennis

The intangible part of the Shelby Cobra, Cosworth Vega, Scarab equation is that the Scarab lacks the mystique of a legendary name association i.e. Shelby or Cosworth. Either of those names on any vehicle, even a Yugo, would tend to jack the collector appeal and subsequent value to some degree. Unfortunately, the Scarab lacks that heritage/lineage and usually is priced accordingly. As a general rule, Datsuns shouldn't be a large part of your retirement portfolio. We should enjoy our Zs for what they are - an exciting and pleasurable means of transportation and a great place to pour copious amounts of spare dollars. 2¢ Dennis

Nice car! On the placard, you may want to change one word. You note that the drivetrain work was done to INCREASE reliability, performance, and the cost to maintain. I don't think you mean it increases cost to maintain. Perhaps IMPROVE would be a better word choice than INCREASE. Just a thought. Dennis

Looks good - hope the pricing looks good, too! Dennis

The Dorman M/C catalog link you posted indicates it fits the '77 280Z. Is that not what you want? Sorry, if I'm confused by the application you're seeking. Dennis

Good luck! Glad to hear that there's a "legal" resolution. Keep us posted on the outcome. Dennis

Correct me if I'm wrong...... You bought a car from someone who didn't own it. You're looking for a cheap similar car with clear title and VIN plates. This is heading down a very dark road. Can you contact the person who holds the title to the Z you bought? Dennis

There are probably dozens of members of this forum who have the old original A/C kit pieces sitting on shelves in the garage after converting to modern rotary systems. Sooooo, finding the missing pieces you need shouldn't be too difficult if you want to maintain the "vintage" look. I'm not an A/C expert, but I'm guessing the old condenser can be cleaned and reused if it doesn't leak. On the other hand, a new system with a rotary compressor and modern refrigerant is smooth running and easier to service than the earlier R12 systems. It will keep your Z cool, especially if you have rear window louvers. Good luck! Dennis

The rear quarter can probably be pulled/pounded out without too much effort or expense. I think I'd be a little more concerned about the sprung rear hatch. Getting that to fit and close properly might be a bigger task if the hinges and hinge mount points are bent. The hatch, itself, may be a candidate for replacement rather than repair. Let us know what you do. Dennis

Not exactly ZG flares, but flares nonetheless. Dennis

Guaranteed Chick Magnet! Nice job. Dennis

Welcome to the Group! Good luck with your search. You may have to save a bit more before buying and don't forget to budget for the parts and services the Z will no doubt need once you find it. Keep us posted on your progress. Dennis

A stock 240Z can go fast enough to get you in trouble quite nicely, so no real need to transplant a 370Z drivetrain. As for getting better gas mileage with the 350 or 370 motor, any financial benefit realized would have been more than spent in the conversion process. Perhaps buying a cheap 240Z and a used 350Z would be a nice compromise and give you plenty of projects to tinker with. Dennis

Just curious...anyone here ever have a flex fan disintegrate or personally know someone who was injured by one? I'm not advocating for flex fans, but it seems that there's a great deal of second hand information about them and little first hand experience. The term "Urban Legend" comes to mind. As far as being more dangerous than the factory fan, I have first hand experience with my factory fan augering through my radiator that leads me to believe it wasn't too safe, either. Dennis

What would be the advantage of removing the return line? Not sure that I follow your line of thought on this. I installed an electric pump on my '71 35 years ago and left all plumbing in place. That same pump is still pushing gas to the carbs. Dennis

Car Show for me.....so far. Top Gear America is too contrived and poorly executed - very little chemistry between the hosts. I realize that the BBC's version of Top Gear is also contrived, but it's far more entertaining and the hosts more likable. Dennis

I had one on my Z for years. I installed it after my original fan went through the original radiator and i didn't have access to stock replacement parts. I upgraded the radiator and installed a flex fan and spacer. The only issue I had was that it slightly "ticked" the A/C hardware at a certain RPM range. I ignored it and had no problems - ran it for years. When I pulled the Z out of storage a few years ago, I pulled the flex fan off and replaced it with a stock plastic fan & clutch. There were no signs of fatigue or damage to the flex fan after tens of thousands of miles. Dennis