v12horse

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I am glad to hear that your car is going to be on the road and it really sounds like its going to be a beauty. After all the car has been through, I am sure that it is even more special for you to see it come together so nicely. Congrats. I look forward to seeing pictures of your car soon. Take care, Ben

Hello Dome, Welcome to the club. It is always nice to get some more members from other parts of the world. Your KGC10 looks great. I am a big fan of these cars. If you have any questions about old skylines and Z's, I am sure you will get the answers you are looking for here. Take care, Ben

I like 2+2's. Yours looks beautiful. -Ben

You should try Yahoo Japan auctions. I don't know of anywhere outside Japan that these would be availible. That doesn't mean they are not availible elsewhere. -Ben

I think that is great John. I should have not been so stereotypical. I just meant that the greater majority of enthusiasts interested in new imports are not interested in old Japanese cars. -Ben

Most of the kids (and adults) that I see driving these cars don't know/respect the older Japanese cars. I think a lot of them are speed and "for show" freaks and that is it. They buy what is trendy and new. When I was at the D1 championship, people were cheering when the cars would go out of control or almost crash. Are those people that would respect a classic Japanese car like ours? Maybe they would later buy a classic Integra Type R with orig paint..., but not a 71 240z. This is a stereotype I know, but it seems pretty much the same across the globe, except for Japan. Just look at the tuner magazines here. Very few ever have a classic Japanese car in them. I agree with what a lot of people have said here, and I think original cars will go up in value because as time goes on, there are fewer and fewer original Datsuns, Toyotas, and Honda's. Personally, I hope the Z increases in value, but I hope it doesn't become a car that is so unattainable that we enthusiasts cann't afford them. One of the things so great about the Z/510/roadster etc. is that they are attainable. Most of the enthusiasts/owners of these cars do not have deep pockets so I don't know how they are going to increase in value that soon. The majority of the people that like these cars and will continue to purchase these cars are the same people that like them today. I am a sucker for original cars, and if and when I do buy another Z it does not have to be perfect, but mostly original. I like a bit of patina. Most US buyers of all classic cars in general must have everything perfect. What is wrong with a little patina here and there? For one, it is original, and two, it shows the life that the car had in the past. I guess this is too deep for most. Cars are just cars to them. In Japan and Europe, originality is preserved as much as possible, even when it is not perfect. I am not sure what the difference between a #1 and a #2 car is, as they are probably very close in condition. I understand that a car that is original and unrestored is worth more than a restored car, but as time goes on a #2 car is going to be a #1. It is nice to have original paint and other hard to have original parts of the car, but as time goes on these cars are either going to be put in museums or collections to preserve their originality or they are going to be refreshed to keep them on the road. What is better? Museum or street car? I would like to see more on the road and the prestine original examples in the museum for reference. This is all opinion and please if I offended anyone, I did not mean to. -Ben

These things are unfortunate, and I am glad nothing permanant was done to my car. I am sorry to hear what has happened to some of your peoples cars. I will never understand why people do any type of vandalism whether it is to a car, house, etc. I know that these things happen, but I am now even more paranoid about parking my car in public places. I know it is just a car, but like all of you, I like it as much as anyone could like a car. This is the first time anything has happened to my Z, but I have had a few other cars get broken into for stereos. I am so paranoid about the Z getting broken into because it is so much harder to fix, and not as many people are willing to fix it. This is off topic, but over my winter break, one of my neighbors ran into my car while it was parked. The damage was not that bad, but I had three estimates and two places said outright that they would not fix the car. I had to go to a restorer to get the dent fixed and painted. I am not sure how much the car is worth to my insurance company, so I have no idea how much it would take to total my car. I daily drive it, so that is a scary thought at times. I don't think about it much, but that is why I am so careful with this car and where I park/drive it. I cannot stand driving my car in San Francisco during rush hour. People seem to not care about their cars and other peoples cars as much as they used to. So many people are in such a rush these days. I don't know how I got onto this tangent. -Ben p.s. The fender is fixed and it does look a little different in color compared to the rest of the car. Overall, I am happy with the work though. p.p.s. Ken, the Allante was an extremely hot car when it first came out. Its impact was bigger than the XLR at the time. I still have a respect for the Allante's. The body was designed by Pininfarina, and weren't they partly assembled in Italy? I have only heard that they are not that reliable. Is there any truth to that? It is still a very nice car.

That is a great story and a beautiful car. -Ben

I am really sorry to see that. Have you fixed it? That was a few years back no?

This is not funny, but I was not about to start a thread in the Z open discussion! So I needed to vent and here I am. It could have been a lot worse. My car could have been vandalized in a more permanent way, but instead it was pooped on. I know when I see human feces. I went out with my girlfriend to San Francisco to have dinner and a movie. I parked at the corner of Van Ness and Clay street, and we got back to my car and there smack on the front bumper was a huge poop. I did some pretty mischievious things when I was younger, but nothing like this. The perpetrator must not have been a car person, or they are and just lack respect. I cleaned it up, and I am now fully disgusted. Hopefully, this will be funny in a few years. I really don't think so. I am out:sick:

They come in 15" and 16" for nice fitment on a Z. Check out the website. It is in Japanese, but find the eight-spoke style and you will see the sizes and offsets. There is a fitment page and scroll to S30 and it will give you a list of the recommended sizes. EricB is a member here and he has some really nice 15" Watanabe's on his car. He has over-fender flares though, so his wheels are DEEEEEP . www.rs-watanabe.co.jp Thanks for giving me the JDM street cred Victor. You got JDM street Cred too X2. I am not sure if I will be at MSA. It all depends on my schedule. I would love to go again. -Ben

Hello Dave, 1. I got them actually off of ebay about a year and a half ago from a guy on the east coast who imported them from Japan. 2. I had them done at a shop in Walnut Creek (Northern California). They are called Riteway Wire and Wheels *They bead blasted the wheels. * Machine cut the back of the wheels to factory spec. (made the groves like a record on them.) * Primed the front and backs(the Front wheels had original paint, so I had them just paint the front side of the front wheels.) * Color matched the paint as best they could using a computer. This was to the original flat Watanabe gunmetal paint. The wheels are slightly more shiney, but I am really happy with how they came out. * They balanced the wheels on the tires using a machine. They put the weights on the reverse side of the lip. * They fitted the wheels to the car and balanced the front wheels on the car. * And they did all this with a hand jack and a hand wrench to be as careful as possible. NO lug nut guns!!! 3. All this was done for 300USD even. 4. As you would guess, I am really glad I chose Watanabes over the other 8-spoke style wheels. I can guaruntee that the Watanabes were a little bit more money than Panasports or Rewinds, but I was in no rush. The Pans and Rewinds look very nice, but my ultimate goal was to get Watanabe's. It took me 1.5 years to find the right set (offset, condition, size), but it was well worth it. I am sure that I would of been happy with Panasports or Rewinds, but I am interested in Japan in many ways and it was only natural for me to get these. If you or anyone wants to get a set of Watanabes, but is worried about price, availibility, just talk to me and I will try to help/encourage. I thought of buying Pans or Konigs while in search for Watanabes, and money was an issue for me. I don't have that many connections, but I would like to think that I know where and what to look for. I have a certain pride for these wheels, that I don't think I would have had for another wheel (besides Kobe Sieko wheels). I know that Panasports are excellent wheels, and I have heard Konigs are pretty good too, but I went with Watanabe for the look, Japanese influence, excellent quality, and its heritage with Nissan. This is just my opinion, so it is neither right or wrong. I am not trying to offend anyone on wheels either. It is just different strokes for different folks as many would say. Please, whether you want Panasports, Konigs, 14 by 7 slots, steelies and caps, Watanabes, Libres, etc. Please get exactly what you want, even if you have to wait because you will be so much happier with your choice. Thanks for the complement Dave, Steve, Ron, Chris, Chris, and Pete for the compliments. I still have my steel wheels and caps in a safe spot in storage. -Ben

In my 260z, 70mph in fourth is between 2100-2400rpm. Welcome to the club. I have a stock suspension, and It does just fine in the twisties. It could be a little tighter, but it still gives me thrills. -Ben

Welcome to the club. I love the G-nose and the wide wheels. Take care and enjoy this forum as it is extremely helpful and the members are great. I owe this club much debt. -Ben

I cannot believe that they are moving their NA headquarters from Gardena, Ca to Tennessee. It is just a shame. I am sorry to hear about you possibly not bringing your car to the event Ron. Hopefully something will work in your favor. -Ben

I am so sorry to see what happened to your beautiful C110. Hopefully, their insurance company will come through and pay for you to get it back to as good as new condition. I am crossing my fingers for you Mike. I really feel for you. Somebody hit my car, but it was not quite as severe. I got it fixed, but they payed out of pocket. -Ben

Thanks for telling me that Lachlan. Are the ones on your C110 the ones that would work on my car?