Marty Rogan

It's funny how Nissan inventory works. Last year when I re-did my suspension, NOS stock springs were NLA from everywhere. I would be surprised if Courtesy could get them, but would love to see it happen. Let us know if you can get them. The only other option I could find to get stock springs (and I looked EVERYWHERE) was from Banzai Motorsports: http://www.zzxdatsun.com/ As I recall, they were aftermarket springs made to Nissan specs and were around $360. Good luck, and let us know what you end up with. Marty

Hi Capt, Glad to hear it drove well on the way home. Sounds like you will have a fun project to improve over the next few years. As far as I know, 5spds were on option till they became standard on the 280ZX. They only thin I am not certain about is the Black Pearl model. It may have been standard on that. You can check out http://zhome.com/ They have info on a few special models and collectable Z's. Congrats on your purchase. Marty

Where in WI are you located? Can you forward some pictures and give us somemore detail on the condition of the car? Is it running? How bad was the deer damage? Thanks, Marty

26thZ, Sorry if that was confusing. I meant to say that the AMCO rubber floor mats were meant to go on top of the OEM carpeting to protect it. I would like to get a set of those, but they are getting very rare. Marty

Hi Kats, I have a Z that could be the twin sister to yours. It is HLS30-05341, blt 6/70. It is blue with the blue interior. The side sills are covered in a thick black vinyl material. US spec cars did not have carpet in that area. I also have an early 71, HLS30-18420, which has the same material on the side sills. Actually every US Spec 240Z I have seen, has had this same vinyl material on the side sills. The floors and the rear deck rear had carpets. Rubber front floor mats were available as a "Dealer Option". I believe they were actually manufactured or sold by a company called ADCO. They had a few optional accessories for the 240Z back then. 26th Z, do you know of a US source for the jute material? Marty

Mark, There are actually quite a number of us Z nuts in Illinois. The WCZC June show had a little over 50 cars show up! That was the largest show we have had. Hey, now that you have a running Z, a couple of hours cruise north for some of these events would be fun. I usually drive down to Indianapolis each year for their show, and that about twice as far. There are at least 3 other guys that I know from around here that frequent this site also. Next summer maybe, I'll cruise down your way for a visit. I would love to see haow you are doing with #215. Of course you are welcome to drop by my place if you are ever in the NW Suburbs. Marty

Hi Captn, Welcome aboard! The looks pretty good from the pics. Did you buy it locally? How many miles on her? Was that the original color or a re-paint? If that is original black fromthe factory, you have a Black Pearl Edition there, which is collectable. If you haven't already, you ought to join the Windy City Z Club: http://www.windycityzclub.com/default.asp It's a great group of people. Marty Arl. Hts

MArk, That's a really nice looking Z, even if it is a 280Z. Love the wheels. What brand are they? Are they 15's? By the way, in Illinois, you are legal to drive the car if you have the sellers title and bill of sale with you. Also, you can register, license and re-titel the car at a currency exchange. That's what I did with the 71 I bought recently. A few extra dollars in service fees was worth it to me to stay away from the DMV long lines. Have fun with the new Z!!! Marty

I am not sure on NGK wires, but the Nissan wires for a 280Z have a shorter coil wire. If you are running the stock air cleaner, it won't reach around the snorkel and fit into the holder on the wheel well. I would think that would be the only difference, if NGK followed the OEM design. Marty

You need to look here: http://zhome.com/ This site has a lot of good info. Good luck. At least you are in CA, the land of plentiful Z cars! Marty

Banzai Motorworks has the rear panel for $110. http://www.zzxdatsun.com/ Marty

Mark, Congrats! It's great to get those impossible to find parts. Like the blue interior drivers door panel that I have been looking for for 6 years. Some day I might get lucky. We'll turn you into a concourse guy in no time! Just curious on what you paid for the hup caps? I got a set of unused ones when I bought my 71. Marty

Greyghost, What did your friend use to cut the springs? It seems that it woudl be hardened steel, which could be a real job with a common hacksaw. What do you do at the new end. The stock design has the last curl mating into the previous one. Seems like, if you just hack off an inch or two, you would have a rough end, which may not mate up well with the upper perch. By the way, I just posted some pictures of the car in the gallery which shows you what I am talking about. Marty

Zme Fly, Could you give me more details about the plastic disk behind the brakes? Where exactly does it go? How is it installed? Is it a Nissan part? Where do you get one? Thanks, Marty

Thanks Daniel. I hope they do settle. It will have 6 months to sit and settle starting in about 3 weeks, as winter approaches up here. So how do you like the euro springs? What shocks are you using with them? Marty

It looks like it is mostly there and solid. Just remember that it will cost you a bundle to get it looking and running good. In general, you are money ahead paying a higher price for a running car with good paint, than trying to buy it cheap and work on it. You will spend way more by the time you are done, than buying a car that is already finished. Believe me, I have done both. Unless you are buying it because you want to rebuild a car for the experieince of it, then that is another matter. Go see the guy with 15 crisp $100 bills and put it on the table in front of him. Like they say, "money talks". Good luck, Marty

I don't think the springs were replaced on the 71. I checked the log book that came with the car. It details every gas fill-up, oil change or any maintenance or upgrade done to it since the day it was bought. I guess it may settle a little over time. It just looks a little odd right now. Marty