dmorales-bello

I have searched for improved alternatives to the OEM starter on the forum and there seems to be no information on the subject. California Datsun advertises a starter: " LIGHT WEIGHT AND HELPS START YOUR ENGINE FASTER. NO MORE SLOW CRANK ON COLD DAYS WHERE IT ALMOST KILLS YOUR BATTERY, THIS IS YOUR ANSWER! NO CORE REQUIRED. NO MODIFICATIONS NEEDED THIS IS A DIRECT BOLT ON. PLEASE SEE OUR OTHER AUCTIONS FOR THE STARTERRELAY KIT THAT ADDS TRUE 12 VOLTS TO EXTEND YOUR STARTER LIFE! " It certainly looks much nicer than stock but is there any functional advantage over OEM? The starter relay they mention is an extra $15. Opinions from more experienced members would be greatly appreciated.

I'm drooling........absolutely gorgeous.

It certainly looks correct: color, stripes, louvers, mirrors and window sticker. Seems to check off all the right boxes.

I purchased that car new in '77 from Fred Schuler's Datsun in Wilkes-Barre, Pa for $7,995. I do remember at the time the salesman mentioning it was some sort of special package but I was not aware of the existence of the ZAP package back then. With the passage of time I simply assumed it was a "ZAPpish" 280Z, i.e. a fully accessorized yellow Z that the dealer took some "artistic" liberty with.

I had a yellow '77 which I bought new at the dealer and I've never been able to figure out what it was since it had stripes, logos, left and right black racing mirrors, rear hatch louvers and a 5 speed gear box BUT it didn't look like a ZAP. Unfortunately I only have one old photograph (taken at the Snowy Owl Inn in New Hampshire in 1978 ) but you can see what I mean. Conclusion: not all yellow "77 280Zs were ZAP.

Definitely go for it. Your Cherokee will be worth very little soon.

In my case it's Tokico blues on all fours.

Thanks, pal! I did add MSA front and rear sway bars and Techno Toy Tuning tension control arms. In conjunction with the Eibach springs and Tokico struts the ride is quite controlled and very comfortable. After all, it is meant strictly as a street ride.

HaZmatt, thanks for your honesty. You expose the exact reasons why I can't convince myself to change to coilovers from my Eibach lowering springs on Tokico struts. I enjoy my ride quality now so much that I'm willing to put up with 1 more inch of ride height. At least for now

I supplied the windshield, rubber and trim and had a professional do the installation for $85. Took him about 20 minutes with no issues at all.

Beautiful job, John! I actually painted mine with a fine modeler's brush and aluminum paint. Took about an hour just for the dash plate and many tiny touch ups to achieve a good result. I gave it 2 coats of a satin (semi-gloss) clear made by a very reputable Japanese hobby paint manufacturer aptly named "Mr. Hobby". Not only is the work protected but also gives it a subtle sheen similar to the original which wasn't really totally flat. I think that satin coat would protect and look great on your excellent work. I'll certainly try the foil for my next jobs.

Very nice job Greg. I used aluminum paint on my dash plate and covered it with two coats of clear. Looks a little brighter than Tamiya chrome silver.

I had my '78 280Z front and rear bumpers chrome plated at a small local shop here in Miami. I shopped around and the estimates went form $1000 each () to $300 each. I took the latter and I would say the job was a 9/10. The inside surfaces were prepped and plated as well but I sealed them with 2 part anti-corrosion black paint before putting them back on the car.

+1 on the front grill in SS, 240, 260 and 280 variants.

Any updates with the speakers finally fitted? Sound quality?

There's a cool aviation museum very close to Orlando called the War Bird Museum. Beautiful vintage fighters and you can go up in a open cockpit biplane that's a real treat!

Outstanding workmanship!!

Great write up! One detail regarding the center vent. You can remove it from the front avoiding removal of the glove box to push the vent to the side as you did. All you need to do is remove the 4 Phillips head screws that hold the two metal arms (one on each side) onto which the faceplate and center vent screws attach. Once these 2 arms are removed, the center vent comes out by carefully maneuvering it toward you.

Love that look as well Duffman and (very surprisingly) I think I prefer the "smaller diameter " chrome trim fitting inside the edge of the of the bucket and flush with the body than the original JDM trim ring. Didn't expect that at all! My only suggestion would be to paint body color the portion of the mounting bracket that sits on the bucket. That would camouflage it nicely.

I think those look really good, Derek. They should blend in and look OEM in a nicer car. I will measure the depth of my speakers when I get back in early July and hope I have enough clearance. If I do, I will definitely buy a set of pods from you. Nice work.

Very nice job on those panels. I have 5" speakers that I would like to fit in there but I would have to measure their depth. I suppose 5" diameter will fit, right? Also, can you show us a couple of pics of driver and passenger sides from a bit further out? Thanks

Don't you have an issue with water seeping in through those gaps when you wash the car?

Whichever way you look at it, the picture it paints of the "legendary" Z is not very desirable.

Got all my brackets and even a tow hook from Chas today. Everything in great shape and excellent quality in manufacturing. Front bumper mounting will be a breeze with these brackets but I need to wrap my mind around doing body work and paint on the back of the car to properly mount the rear bumper. Maybe this summer.... Regardless, thanks Chas for taking on the fabrication of all the versions of the mounting brackets and your outstanding customer service!

Excellent idea with the chrome door trim for the covers. Easy, simple, looks so much better!