Carl Beck

I passed the local Datsun Dealership, on my way back home, from an unsuccessful attempt to trade my 67 911S on a 70 911E. Seeing that Silver 240-Z sitting on the showroom floor caught my attention as quickly as seeing Goldie Hawn in a bikini in 1970! Man.. what beautiful lines!! I turned around, went back to that Datsun Dealership and wound up buying my first 240-Z. In the process I made a lifetime friend - the Dealer. As well as many others such as Galaxybj (aka Bill) above. Over the 36 years that followed, I've been lucky enough to have owned just about any other car I've ever wanted. From AMX to Z they all came and went with the exception of the Z. Having put close to 68K miles on that 70 240-Z in less than two years, I sold it and bought the Metallic Blue 72 240-Z from the same Dealer and which I still have to this day. On the one hand I'm really happy that I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to have purchased Datsun 240-Z's when they were new; and to have completely enjoyed them for the past 36 years. On the other hand, I sure wish I was 25 again, and just now buying my first 240-Z. The 240-Z is every bit as beautify and just as enjoyable today as it was in 1970.... but I'll never be 25 again.... for that matter I'll never be 60 again!! Darn, I envy you young guys just starting your love affair with the 240-Z.... FWIW, Carl B. BTW - I'm sorry you had to wait so long Bill - but I have to say that your Silver 71 was one of the most beautiful 240-Z's I've ever seen. Lowered with the 5spd and BRE headlight covers (both clean and matching body color)... it was a knock-out!!

Hi Bob: The Yellow 77 in the background is all original and as I recall it has something like 15K or 21K miles on it. He also has another 77 - Yellow with the G-Nose also with super low mileage and in "as new" condition. I personally love that Yellow as well - but it is one of the few colors that either you love - or hate! It just screams "70's Z Car"... We had one on the show room floor when they first starting arriving in late 71 and it was very interesting to watch the Customers reaction to that color... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Rich: I ordered my copy directly from Kai Art International (Shin's company I believe). You can send an e-mail to: KAI@Frazmtn.com - to see if the Book is still available (it was a limited production product)... then Fax or E-mail an order. Of course you can use snail mail as well. Kai Art International P.O. Box 807 Lebec, CA 93243 The book was $100.00 plus $15.00 shipping and they accept Visa, MasterCard or Personal Check. regards, Carl B.

Hi Stephen: I know that a lot of times Automotive Writers have called him "Pete" or used "Pete Brock" and it would be a way of differentiating the two... However; since his Son and Wife refer to him as "Peter", I somehow got the impression that he didn't particularly like being referred to as "Pete". Personally, I've always addressed him Mr. Brock and have avoided the use of "Pete"... FWIW, Carl B.

Thanks Steve You are right on the money... regards, Carl

Hi Bob: Just received the e-mail and I'm dialing your number now... regards, Carl

Hi Chris: It doesn't fit in the Collection and The Collector said to make someone a good deal on it... (the Collector has a 72 240-Z with 16K miles already). The person that it was offered to - decided he wanted to wait for a Silver Car.. so I put it on a Web Site. I told him honeltly he was making a huge mistake... but to each his own I guess. I don't expect it to last too long, anyone that has seriously looked for a clean 240-Z, will snap this one up in a hurry... They are very hard to find East of the Mississippi and getting harder and harder to find out West... A clean 240-Z with an interesting history as well... I called ZRush about it... thought it would go well with their Vintage Z <vbg> FWIW, Carl B.

That is one of the most humorous video's I've seen...ROFLMAF! That "Red Neck from Canada" made a huge mistake when he picked up that baseball bat!!! That baseball bat is considered a deadly weapon... I don't know where this supposedly took place, but here in Florida, if a guy came at you with a baseball bat and you were in your car - you could quite legally shoot him in the head, and not fear malicious prosecution by the D.A. The guy in the BMW was smart.. in that he put himself in a position where he could not flee... ie. he "found" himself on a dead end street with them blocking his exit... so he would have a right to defend not only himself, but the girl with him. That would be another factor that the Police and D.A. at least here in Florida, would have to consider.... and given that circumstance they could not prosecute the guy.... Here in Florida we now again have a right to defend ourselves, and no obligation to flee from any place would we otherwise consider our private and safe space. (home, car, office, place of employment etc). They are quite lucky that all they lost was their camera and keys... the bottom line is - you have to be a complete moron to follow a total stranger to a remote and secluded site... In my personal opinion - if we had more guys like the guy in the BMW running around - we'd have far less chance of being harassed by red neck Road Rage'rs... but that's just me... Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Hi David: If you are tempted to bid.... you have to be one of the people that love the process of refreshing or restoring a 240-Z. Count me in... I've done several over the years. However I have to say that it's getting to be far more expensive to enjoy this hobby than it used to be. Complete Front and Rear Bumpers now cost as much as I used to pay for a 240-Z 15 years ago!! Start with that car and you'll have at least a couple of years of hard work to enjoy and the fun of spending at least $12K to refresh it to a presentable condition, or $25K to restore it... It doesn't get any better than that does it ? That is if we just assume it's a good solid car, and that the engine isn't shot, the tranny and rear-end are fine etc. etc. On the other hand, for less than $12K you could drive this one... while you worked on the fine details.. and five years from now it would be an $18K car. <a href=http://zhome.com/Jaffe72After/Jaffe72Yellow.htm TARGET=NEW> A Very Nice 72 </a> Funny that the cheaper the car is to begin with - the more it winds up costing us. But then it's only time and money... right? You've got to spend both on something.... FWIW, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Hi daddz: The text in my copy, has both the English and Japanese on the same page in most cases. Factory Brochures - from Japan are presented and not translated, as are some Ad.'s from Japan - but for the most part the book is written in English. Contains some very interesting chapters related to Carol Shelby and Peter Brock as well. While it is a relatively expensive book - it is worth every penny IMHO. 352 pages of Very High Quality Printing... and mostly filled with wonderful photo work... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Gang: Needless to say that when I first read the "Subject" of this thread... I was more than a bit shocked!! Then as I read the news article referenced in the first Post... I realized it was not my friend Peter, but rather the famous Australian Peter Brock. I received the following from Gayle Brock, - the USA's Peter Brock's wife, and I reprint it here with her permission. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- To: Carl Beck From: Gayle Brock Subject: Peter Brock - Australian It is with great sadness we have learned the Australian race driver, Peter Brock, was killed in a crash in the Australian Targa Rally today. We had just seen Peter last weekend in the UK at the Goodwood Revival, commenting on the ever-increasing confusion between the Australian Peter Brock and the American Peter Brock with the Australian’s latest foray of driving a replica Cobra Daytona Coupe in competition. Although the American Peter Brock is not associated with this Australian-built replicar, he is known, amongst other things, as the designer of the original Cobra Daytona Coupe in 1964 and the Superformance Cobra Daytona Coupe in 1999. At Goodwood last weekend, the Australian Brock drove a Corvette Stingray, a car the American Peter Brock designed while at GM in the late 1950s. Further confusion has occurred with news reports stating Peter Brock had just returned from Goodwood and was killed in a rally in WA (referring to Western Australia). The American Peter Brock had just returned from Goodwood to his US residence in WA State. The Australian Peter Brock was a racing icon in Australia and New Zealand winning the Bathurst touring car race a record 9 times. The American Peter Brock had great respect for the Australian driver and interviewed him almost 10 years ago for an article in Racer magazine entitled “Brock on Brock.” It is extremely sad to see the end of such an accomplished career although it is colored with the thought of how the Australian went out doing what he loved. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family. Peter and I want to thank the hundreds of people who have contacted our offices today to check on the American Peter Brock. We always feel very fortunate in life but maybe just a little more so today. Sincerely, Gayle - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FWIW, Carl B.

If you just bought, or plan to buy an Optima battery - just to get you on the road for now...... Basically the Optima Height Adaptor can be placed under the battery, or on top if your using the side mounts for the battery terminals. So if you put the height adaptor on top - and still want to use the top mount terminals..... you have to cut the area around the top terminals out of the height adaptor.. Since the Red Top Optima is smaller (length and width) than the original battery - I simply cut the plastic height adjustor into a couple of pieces... then placed them around the top of the battery - to fit the OEM battery hold down frame.... While this solution works fine, I have a "custom bracket" on my long list of "things to do"... BTW - that Red Top really cranks an L24 over!!! FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Jeff: The looks of the Weland air cleaners - cost you performance. They do not have enough room for the air horns that the SU's need for proper operation. You are far better off with the stock air cleaner, which does have the air horns built into the base. Go or Show.... your choice.... FWIW, Carl B.

I'd like to see a close up of the brackets (if that is what they are) on the front fenders - looks like they may have been there for fender mounted mirrors...??? I'd also like to know the VIN and Original Engine Serial Number (stamped on the block)... No way to tell if it is a 240-Z or just a 2.0L Fairlady Z. Also interesting to see that it has the Flat Top's... were they OEM in Japan for 73, or added to meet US Emissions Standards?? thanks, Carl B.

Jeff - add about 1 inch to your measurements - to get to the bottom of the rocker panel - as I recall the pinch weld is about 1 inch lower than the bottom of the rocker panel.. TomoHawk is measuring to the bottom of the rocker panel.... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Ed (everyone): We had this discussion some time ago, in another thread. I recorded the information everyone reported then, and I'm trying to add any additional data I can from this thread. "Ride Height" as reported by Nissan for our US Spec. 240-Z's was measured from the front part of the frame rails, just behind the point at which they meet the floorboards. In stock form that is the lowest point to the ground and that is supposed to be 6.34 inches (161mm). However - given that point can be and in all to many cases is - damaged or bent up... we were using the more consistent measurement points from the bottom of the rocker panel to the ground at the front and rear jacking points. (bottom of the ROCKER - NOT the bottom of the pinch weld under it. The pinch weld sticks down about an inch farther). STOCK at those points on the bottom of the rocker panel - is 8 1/2" front and rear for the 240-Z. I believe that the 73 and forward to 78 Z's sat about 1/4 inch higher to meet the 73-78 bumper height standards for the US. (still trying to verify that....) Where it was reported, I also noted everyone's wheel/tire combinations... From the reported data - it would seem that the newer High Pressure Gas Shocks rise the ride height between 1/2 and 1 inch. A 1 1/2 inch lift has been reported.... So... back to Ed's original question.... Ed.. if you actually measured the distance from the frame rails, just behind the point at which they meed the floorboards to the ground - and that is 5 1/4 inch, it would seem that your car is sitting about 1 inch lower than stock. (if your running close to stock tire/wheel sizes). Most of the earlier "performance springs" for the 240-Z claimed that they lowered the car between 3/4 and 1 inch.... so that sounds normal. HOWEVER - you said "jack points on the framerails"...... There are no jack points on the frame rails, but there are places where jack stands can be safely placed. On the front frame rail that would be just under the point at which the compression rod meets the frame rail... and that point would be a couple inches higher.... so I hope you didn't mean that... There is no way I know of - to determine who make/sold your springs. At best some people might guess based on their "blue" coatings.... On top of that, even if you knew who made them, it is unlikely that you would be able to find out what the original spring rate was.... as many re-sellers didn't provide that specific data about the springs to begin with. FWIW, Carl

Hi Guys: It's truly a sad day for the world. I'm sure that I was just 1 of his 400,000,000 fan's here in the US. As one of the "men on the street" said in a news interview from Australia "he died doing what he loved"... but that we could all be so lucky... I feel like I lost a personal friend.... Crikey.... Heart felt sympathy to his wife and children... Carl B.

Hi Jay (everyone): GT SEATING vs. RACE/Competition CAR SEATING: Important to consider what your primary use or intention is for your seats. As Jay, the duffman and I found - with aging bodies ourselves... we wanted a Grand Touring style seat, that provided more leg, hip and back support on longer trips - without being as restrictive as Racing/Competition Seats are intended to be. For competition you may need a Racing Seat for a 4 or 5 point harness. For a GT seat, you may prefer an adjustable/removable head restraint... easier to gain access to items in the rear deck, better sound from rear mounted speakers etc. etc. For a competition seat you will find that the high back, built in head restraints are more common and stronger... Most speciality seat manufacturers (Recaro etc) make several different seats.. narrow to extra wide, Touring to Competition designs... Best if you can actually set in the seat before you buy. FWIW, Carl

The last thing you should see in the article is - "That's About It For Now"... So - when you have the metal braces in place on the seats, and the original seat tracks bolted to the braces (as in the last picture) - you're done. Except for bolting them back in the car of course... they are the stock seat brackets and bolt back to the stock position... I have not yet recovered them, nor added the memory foam... as they have been fine just the way they are... and just too many other projects got in the way. regards, Carl

Hi Jay: So far here's the best I've found. <a href=http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/AcuraSeats/AcuraBeck.htm TARGET=NEW> 96-98 Accura Seats </a> I've now put thousands of miles on the car with these and I've been very happy with them. FWIW, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

See: <a href=http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/GearRatios.html TARGET=NEW>the Z Car Home Page</a> If you can't find a rear end locally call Idaho Z, they are not too far away, in Napa,Idaho..(208) 466-0004. Tell em Carl Beck said to say hello... FWIW, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Odd.. usually if it's only one side - its the Left Side of the hatch area that is damaged first. Look at this: <a href=http://zhome.com/Classic/CommonZRust/RustPrevention240Z.htm TARGET=NEW> Common Rust Area's Of The 240-Z <a> Pin holes on the outside mean big rust on the inside of the dog legs. You may want to order the Patch Panels for the Dog Legs and replace them while you are at it. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Adam: Given that you said you are using it against a painted surface, using a flange bolt with a lock washer should be no problem. It might be a problem if establishing a specific and/or critical torque on the bolt is necessary for it to do its job. If it's a body bolt or one with a relatively low torque spec. (say something below 25 lb/ft) I don't see any problem. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Geoff: It is believed that Logan's yellow Z racer, which was Red, White and Blue in prior years.. and before that it was the BRE #3 Z. It is still being raced in Vintage events, having been restored to it's original BRE #3 colors etc. I say "it is believed" because many people believe it. Dan Parkinson doesn't however, as he is convinced that he wrecked the #3 BRE Z years after he bought it from BRE in 73. Others believe that Dan actually bought the #46 car and wrecked that one.... At any rate here's a picture of Logan's car in the late 70's... (thanks to Clark Lance of New Jersey for sending them to me). FWIW, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

Hi Tom: If the engine was left in the car and car stored inside - I wouldn't give up on it too soon. Especially if it ran well and didn't burn any oil before it was parked. I'd sure try to save it if possible, it's hard to get a better engine than the one the factory put together in the first place. You might want to read/follow this thread.. See Post #8 and forward.. at: <a href=http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22619 TARGET=NEW> "Waking the sleeping beast"</a> good luck, Carl B. Carl Beck Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com