Carl Beck

Hi Everyone: I know a few of the guys that are listed in the 75 Champion Spark Plug - Road Race of Champions I posted at #88 above, and located a couple of the guys that were driving the 911's - So I thought I'd drop them a line.... Dennis Aase responded today - he started racing his Porsche in SCCA B-Production, in 1969 running a mechanically fuel injected 911S. He raced that car to and including the Run-Off's at Atlanta in 73 as a C-Production 2.4 Liter. Dennis said that Porsche increased the displacement to 2.7 liter in 74, but because Porsche Motorsports Director Joseph Hoppin refused to inform the SCCA of the displacement increase, {because Hoppin was having a dispute with the SCCA over the 917 in Cam-Am} Porsche was forced to use the 2.4 liter until 75 or 76. In an earlier discussion, about a year ago - we learned that some C-Production Z's {regardless of how they were listed ie as a 240Z or 280Z } - did keep running the L24's in C-Production, because if they ran the L28 they had to carry additional weight. Don Kearney finished 4th that year and he is here in Clearwater. He is listed as running a Datsun 280Z - but I know his car was always a 240Z body - I'll call him Monday to see if he was running the L24 or L28 that year, and see if he can shed any additional light on the subject. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Alan: See - edits above... Actually I am still trying to find answers to some of your earlier questions related to the actual engine sizes that were allowed for the Porsches in C-Production. It seems that cars listed as 911, 911T and 911S - were all allowed the same equipment in racing form.. Still don't know if the Porsche's were allowed the 2.4L after it came out late 72... Have a Marry Christmas.. Carl

So Alan Johnson wasn't really driving a 911 in C-Production in 68? Nor Milt Mitner in 69 ? See 1970 ARRC Entry List below - 911's were entered, but didn't make the cut. See 1975 Champion Spark Plug Road Race of Champions C-Production results. It looks like 911's were both entered and ran against 240Z's in the same SCCA C-Production class.. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Guys: Interesting discussion. A little history... 356 and 911 Porsches had been racing in SCCA's C-Production Class and were wining Championships each year at the SCCA's American Road Race Of Champions {ARRC} in the C-Production Class 1966 thru 1969. The reason it was called the ARRC - is because SCCA Divisional and Regional Champions and as I recall the first runner-ups from across the nation - were invited to the ARRC at the end of the season, to determine what was in effect the National Champions in the various SCCA Classes. There may have been two or three drivers from each division invited... it was a long time ago.. NP Northern Pacific SP Southern Pacific RM Rocky Mountain SW South West MW Mid-West C Central GL Great Lakes NE North East SW South East Porsche drivers dominated the ARRC C-Production Class in 1966, 67, 68 and 69. As you can see from the results from the various years {URL below} - 356's, 911's, 911T's and 911S's were all in the running across the US. They competed against the Triumph TR 4/6, Lotus Elan, Alfa TZ and Datsun 2000's during those years. See: http://zhome.com/ARRC1966:1973.jpg All attempts to level the playing field in terms of equipment within each SCCA Competition Classes were made; because the SCCA was all about the club racers aka DRIVERS. The SCCA had always been filled with Engineers and they came up with all manor of "equalizing formulas" so that no marque or specific model, held any real advantage over any other in any competition class. At least that was the Goal. {forumlas and rules were always argued and politic'ed about - usually changed year by year to some extent} Of course the various Manufacturers had other desires. By 1970 SCCA's C-Production Class was all-but an all-out war between the Manufactures. It was GREAT RACING if you were a spectator, but not so much if you were a competitor not heavily supported by a manufacturer or their distributors. Why then were the Porsche 914/6's representing Porsche at the 1970 ARRC? Because drivers driving them had won the most Regional Championships or accumulated the most points - beating the local 911's and all others for top regional honors. Many if not most, would argue that was because Porsche-Audi of North America funded and fielded teams of 914/6's - MONEY!!! The end result was the 914/6's were the fastest Porsches in that class going into the 1970 ARRC. See: http://classicmotorsports.net/articles/porsche-914/ Scroll down to "Competition History" The "Ad People" were just as busy at Porsche-Audi USA as our friends at Datsun - just not as successful. Anyway I look at it - for Datsun to take the top three positions on the podium first time out with the 240Z was an amazing accomplishment. Followed for many years there after as well. FWIW, Carl B.

Wow!!.. that must mean that the Collectors in N.Y. are reporting far high purchase prices. {of course many #1/#2 examples are sold at $18K to $25K+} See Attached; FWIW, Carl B.

Insurance companies here in Florida - get their "average sales price" from the State of Florida Sales Tax records. We all know how accurate they are .... almost every 240Z sold here is sold with a reported sale price of either $100.00 or $500.00. So if you get lowballed - you'll have some idea where they are getting their numbers. Second source is NADA's Classic/Collector Car Price Guide - You should look that up and print a copy out for your adjustor. Keep in mind - if you have a injury and thus medical claims - - - -getting you to sign a Medical Waver will be the Adjustors primary objective. Under NO circumstances should you ever tell anyone that you are "OK", or that you weren't hurt. Under NO circumstances should you agree to sign off on a Medical Waver BEFORE you have a check for your car. Personal Injury is the ONLY thing that gives you any leverage with insurance Claims Adjustors - and Personal Injury is the ONLY thing that Lawyers will get involved with - - - You said you were hurt - stay that way and keep going for medical treatment.. until they come up with a figure for your car and they agree to pay the medical bills.... FWIW, Carl B.

Note Also: The "how to" originally Posted - is done on a 260/280 rear axle. If you are doing a 240Z - there are washers{shims} on each end of the "spacer" between the bearings. Part Number 43211-N3400 which are NLA. These washers {shims} "MAY" have been eliminated in production even before 8/73. You'll know when you take the assembly apart. If they are present - keep the washers and spacers together as a set, for each axle. FWIW, Carl B.

I like this definition - to define Classic Cars. CLASSIC: Of lasting and timeless beauty. Think Venus de Milo. We don't know if a car is a Classic until at least two decades have passed to see if it will pass the Test Of Time. If the car is still considered to be a beautiful automobile by 94% of the automobile enthusiasts - it is most likely going to be considered a true Classic Car by all serious Collectors. Milestone Automobile: One that revolutionizes peoples thinking in terms of Style, Performance and/or Technology. The automobile that can be pointed to as a benchmark of change that was carried forward into the future. Just a thought.. Carl B.

I need to get a new air galley - but have been unable to find one. FWIW, Carl B.

Someone at the Z Car Convention this year - had 7" LED Headlights installed in his 240Z. I ask him to send me a picture of them taken at night -so I could see how bright they were and what the light pattern looked like. Haven't received the picture yet... I didn't ask him how much they cost.. FWIW, Carl B.

If he saw it in Publix - and it had a 240Z on the cover with a note about the 40th Anniversary - it was most likely Classic Cars and Parts. The car on the cover is HLS30-00048 FWIW, Carl B.

If you used LED Headlights - would you still need the relays etc? Carl B.

I had to go out to the garage anyway - and it's warmer here. Here is picture... FWIW, Carl B.

Tomorrow is the day - and we should have beautiful Florida weather. Looking forward to seeing everyone there. Carl B.

Just as a point of interest - someone running a 240Z at Sebring, Florida a couple years ago - was using a B/W World Class T-5. Any reason that can't be used in the Vintage racing scene? Secondly - some of the race teams in the early 70's also ran 4 speeds in the enduro's because of the weak 5th in the 5spd.'s. FWIW, Carl B.

Why No Headlights? FWIW, Carl B.

That could be - but the difference in price between cheap plexiglass and high quality Lexan can be 4X. Just suggesting that you be carefull when you "specify" the materials to be quoted and/or purchased. My suggestion was to reproduce the most common type sold here in the US - make it hard to tell the difference between the originals and reproductions. FWIW, Carl B.

I would reproduce the 63901/63900-E4126. They are the most commonly sold in the US, so if anything happened to someone's originals, they could also be used to replace the originals or any part of them. Secondly - if they were the same as the originals sold here - it would be harder to spot "replicas". Secondly - the originals have pre-drilled holes in the Plexiglass. If you don't have the proper type drill bits and/or experience etc - it is very easy to have these lenses CRACK thru the edges - while being drilled. Thirdly - you better learn all you can about the various quality levels of Plexiglass {generic name} that are available. As I understand it - which is very little - you would want to specify Lexan or some equivalent quality level of polycarbonate to assure durability etc. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Guys: Alan's Post re the E4100's rang a bell... The first Datsun Competition Parts Catalog here in the U.S., May of 71 lists them as: 63900-E4100 $52.74 No pictures in this catalog 63901-E4100 $52.74 By 1973 the Datsun Competiton Parts Catalog list them as: 63900-E4126 No price sheet included 63901-E4126 Can't find the 72 issues... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Mike: I think you actually missed the joke. While they were talking about the "improvement" - - the viewing audience was shown the actual "improvement" - Mr. Matsuo's signature on the underside of the access panel. The tape on the underside was just a Joke... that the owner was let in on after the shooting.. 918 Orange!!! ....Da...I'll have to fix that. FWIW, Carl

Hi Guys: I hear you. I'm sure that Alan will tell you as well; having attempted to help one automotive writer or another along the way - no matter how hard you try - no matter how clearly you communicate certain facts - automotive journalists still get things twisted at times in the reporting/repeating. I too cringed when any mention of Goertz and the Toyota 2000GT were made.... ugh.... On the positive side - with only a short video - only a couple main thoughts can be presented in very simple terms - with the hope of anyone retaining them. While I understand what some of you are saying - I think we have to keep in mind that this video was more about the 40th Anniversary of the Z bracketed by the two men most responsible for first and latest. I too would love to do a History Channel Documentary with a more singular focus.... but maybe later. ;-) Of course my main goal was to get Mr. Matsuo as widely recognized publicly - as the designer most responsible for the original Z Car. In that regard, MotoMan helped a great deal and his video will be viewed by perhaps more people on the Internet today, than all the previous books published {containing the Goertz myth}. It is also good that so many people will actually get to see Mr. Matsuo - to put a name with a face. George {aka MotoMan} spent about four hours with Mr. Matsuo, Dr. Youchi Matsumoto and his son Jordi interviewing Mr. Matsuo and covering Mr. Matsuo's background, education and as many specific design details as possible - before the video was shot. {Youchi's Grandfather was the President of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd after WW-II}. Yoichi was born and raised in Japan, then came to America where he went to College - though to his Ph.d in Mechanical Engineering. Even so... only certain themes could work their way into such a brief video. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Gang: Jim Frederick ask me to Post the following here. = = = = = Our club's annual Christmas party is next Sat Dec 11 from 11am till dark. This is an open invitation to anyone who is not a member of our club who would like to attend. The club will provide food and drinks but asks anyone who will attend to rsvp to Jim240z@aol.com and to bring a covered dish or dessert. This is a great year end event and for all you snow birds who want to get out of the cold weather you will enjoy 70 degree sunny blue sky weather. Here is a link to view last year's party. http://zhome.com/Dropbox/ZMecaChristmas09/Jims09Christmas.htm Please email me with any questions or for directions. See you there. jim240Z@aol.com Jim Frederick Lutz {Tampa area}, Florida = = = = = = = = = = = == = = hope to see everyone there Carl B.

The MotoMan interview with Mr. Matsuo and Randy Rodriguez can now be seen at You can also find at: Apple iTunes http://www.CraveOnline.com Boxee DivX TV Roku Samsung HD TiVo Verizon FiOS OnDemand Vizio VIA I think everyone will enjoy this... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Ron: Here is another picture from the 69 Tokoyo Motor Show.. at 1200 dpi you can see the screw better - I've marked it in the picture below. It might just be the angle of the photos - but the Orange 432 seems to have the front mounting screw lower, or closer to the bumper - than the front view Alan posted. What we need is picture taken at the same angle as the two I copied above - of Alan's lower trim ring in his picture of the pair together. FWIW, Carl

In or around Albuquerque - you should be able to find good rust free doors with good guts.. Even at $250.00 per door, it would be far better than keeping/fixing yours. FWIW, Carl B.