26th-Z

Writing in to clarify a couple of points. 26th-Z is NOT being acid dipped. I consider acid dipping destructive. I have no intention of letting 26th or 27th (restored) go for anything low like $30,000. Any car is only "worth" what someone is willing to pay for it at any given time. Thank you.

My guess is 919 sunshine yellow.

Cloth insert seat upholstery has been a popular aftermarket item for decades. This is because they are more comfortable and the original vent buttons used to tatoo people before it was fashionable.

Alan, My first, from the hip, thoughts were to not allow ourselves to get caught up in the lingo, but you bring up a good point. Actually two points. Is it fair to equitably consider all the HS30 variants? Is it fair to group the S30 variants with the HS30 variants? After all, distinction is made between engine size of the American exports. Perhaps the ZCCA rules are American oriented, but what blame can be cast? HLS30s are simply too common in the States. I might suggest that - for example - a Japanese HS30 (2.4L) or S30 (2.0L) would have a uniqueness edge, all things equitable. Another example; a Fairlady Z-L 2 by 2 (GS30, 2.0L 5sp) and a Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (GRLS30, 2.6L, 4sp). Both were produced during 1974 - 1975. No question in my mind over the presence of a PS30. Thus the subjective nature of judging. I must agree that clarification should be addressed. I might also suggest that written clarification be given to what constitutes a modification. Aside from the obvious, do the "allowances" in the class descriptions make for a considered visible modification, or are they assumed modifications beyond the limiting number of visible modifications permitted? A friend of mine just bought a low VIN car and called the other night to ask about the choke cable. He has an original braided wire type and I told him about the service bulletin that replaced those with solid wire. The ends are clearly visible at the carburetor linkage. Personally, all things equitable, I would have to go for the braided cable. However, I wouldn't normally deduct for the solid wire type. The conversation resulted in the preservation of the braided cable. I'll also take this opportunity to stress the cleanliness oriented aspect of the current rules and how it keeps the format light and fun. The whole affair is clearly subjective and is probably more competitive on these pages rather than on the showing field.

TomoHawk, Stock means stock. If a part is replaced during the life of the car that is not exactly like the original, then it is not stock. That goes for everything on the car. People spend fortunes and hundreds of hours replicating the exact assembly "as it left the factory". It takes a lot of training and knowledge to discern between model years and types. There are informational resources that will tell you what month a certain part was changed, for instance. It can get that picky. Did you know that original spark plug wires were dated? They can't be replaced! But we seem to spend too much time belaboring the stock idea. The stock guys know what stock means. Alan, I might suspect you would ask how the foreign irrelevant cars might be treated. :laugh: We had such an experience in the Stock 280ZX class at Z-Fest last February. A 1981 280ZXT in silver and black. 20,000 original miles. As I understand, one of three exported. Fortunately, it was clean and there was no real need to pick at it. Won the class and was one of five contenders for “Best of Show”. I don't think there would be head scratching over a Fairlady. More like total delight! Think about this: a "stock" 432R. gnosez, Your comment about engine paint points to the need for more clarification in the rules. Exterior body color is open, but engine color is a mod? Lets say I put an L28 in a 240Z in Street Modified. I get penalized with a mod because the engine color isn't correct? WTF? Let me try to start an argument, please. Wheels and tires are 0 mods.

I understand that the gold car was a clay and only 3/4 completed. Almost thrown together for the 1998 Nissan "Road Show". That was the "Field of Dreams" promotion photographed in a corn field. Development of that prototype incorporated a DOHC four cylinder engine. But Z cars have six cylinder engines! The new 350Z incorporates all sorts of design technology that the S30 didn't have. Mid-ship design and the flat ride concept have been brought to the new Z. The wheels are on the corners to emphasize squat and stability. There is 4" less wheel overhang than previous models. The corners are tapered so that the body overhang is diminished from the quarter views. The top is concave to appear lower and sleeker. The 350Z presents a contrast between soft body curves and sharp geometric accent. It is an expression of current automotive design theory. In contrast, see the pictures below showing concept cars from the period of the S30. Notice some familiar lines? I contend that the original S30 was intended to have headlight covers and the characteristic scoop we Americans have come to love is peculiar only to the States. See my picture of the P2 prototype. By expression, the 350Z headlights mimic the original. I love the 350Z. Ok, trivia question: what do the three squares in the new Z logo signify? Suggestion: read "Lust, then Love"; Ron Sessions, Publications International, Ltd. 2002

Nice! Congrats!

Good to see you, gnosez! You might want to comment about modifications in the Street Modified Class (up to 15 visible modifications). I think that class is where there is a lot of interest and attendance. When the rules say something is OK, does that mean it is not counted as a modification? For instance, any exhaust system with mufflers is OK. Does that include headers? Any exterior paint color is OK, but what about engine paint or suspension paint? How do you consider chrome plating and special polishing?We need a better example than wheels and tires. They are allowed in all the modifed classes. Let me clarify that for 240Z stock, dealer installed A/C is allowed, however the hardware is pretty well defined. Why don't we make some comments about presenting a car for judging. Common car etiquette. Talking to judges during the event. Displays. What tips could car owners do to help judges? What do you find, gnosez, that helps a car / entrant during a show? Thanks for jumping in

Marty, I cruised your gallery and looked at the blue car. I'll bet it is close to stock - you and I have competed for parts! The car looks real nice. Real nice. As I said, judging is very subjective and I don't know what you might encounter in the stock class. I think the front spoiler would kick you out and the wheels might do it as well. The best I could say is that I know plenty of guys who are better at it than me! Judging is a great way to look closely at cars. For me, it is quite the restoration education as I get to see many different techniques and treatments. You pick up all kinds of tips! Read through the ZCCA manual and you will see the ZCCA program for getting certified. The more we become involved and educate ourselves, the more fun we can have with our cars.

Zedd Findings is my choice for floor replacement / sheet metal products. I don't think you will be disappointed. I suggest that before you buy anything you find a welder to do the work and discuss what needs to be done along with your expectations of the finished product. Your floor may just need a metal patch. Is the rust over the frame rail? What does the frame rail look like? have you cleaned the area to see how much damage there really is? All of this will help you decide.

Marty, Stock says "as it left the factory". Whatever that means. Stock has to be the most impossible class to judge. No one really knows how it really left the factory. We can get pretty close, but "what part went on what car" is a trivia game we all get stumped on all the time. IMO Stock Class allows no modifications, you just get point deductions. Everyone, In other classes, I think it is appropriate to ask for a modification rather than take the point deduction on certain items. Read those rules very carefully. Take the scoring sheets and judge your own car or get some friends to pick at it. I wish more of the judging guys would jump in here. Judging is so subjective. You have to be picky. There are really nice cars out there and deciding which one is nicer is quite difficult. It is a lot like racing competition in that for any given show, your car may win depending on the competition.

Didn't they look up under your dash, too? Zweet! Ed, Your examples are modifications.

I judged the stock class with Jeff Fox at last year's national convention. I have judged a number of local car shows and I was once a Chief Scrutineer for the SCCA. My local Z club gave me the honor of being Lead Judge for the past Florida Z Fest. I plan to judge this year's national convention. ZCCA has a judging certification program and I am not yet certified. Plan to do that at the convention. "gnose" is a certified judge and I talk to him quite a bit. The Street Modified Class allows up to 15 visable modifications and the Nissan Modified Class gives you 25. Page 7 of the ZCCA manual outlines each class. I feel that the ZCCA rules are liberal enough to allow everyone with a CLEAN car to win. If I could make any comment it would be that in order to win, one must be CLEAN. Really nice cars loose all the time because they are dirty. We could go on about what part belongs on what car and how the rules don't address this or that, but I really feel that the conversation is mute because the cars we are talking about are dirty and who cares about a dirty car at a car show! And here, let me get on my soap box. I like the ZCCA rules and think they address just about anything that can be done to a Z and win a car show. I've seen guys play the classes to get a trophy rather than put their car in what might be considered the proper class. There are all kinds of ways to win a car show - even Stock Class. I've seen guys "fabricate" original parts, alter incorrect parts to look correct, all kinds of things. Know why they won? Their cars were clean. Look at the way the scoring works; 0 point deduction for brand new / 10 point deduction for junk. What's average? Dirt. No rips, no tears, no smudges, scuffs, cracked spoiler, bug remains, oil spatter, sand, brake dust, smears, stone chips... Shall I go on? C L E A N Thanks for letting me bleed. Clean cars are 5 mph faster than dirty cars and that's a fact!

Most all cars designed in the late '60s did not have provisions for fog lamps and extra driving lamps. Bulb and reflector technology was different as well. Extra lights had to be hung on a car and they were usually big. It was a look you had to like in order to like the look. Now, lets not make a mistake and confuse the headlight covers with anything modified. The headlight covers I showed would be considered stock. They were not imported on HLS30s because of American laws at the time. But they are authentic.

The trouble with kids these days is that they don't know the difference between glass and plastic. The correct optional headlight covers are plexiglass. These are the real deal - like EScanlon's - and everything else is aftermarket. Furthermore, I contend that the original design of what became known as the 240Z iintended for the use of these covers over the scoops such that the fender line completes the arch around the hood. Now before you start throwing rotten oranges at me for being such a smart-arse, remember that I can still lift 120 pounds after drinking 18 beers which makes me king of Mt. DAT.

They look real good, Ben. Never took you for a hubcap man. But you're right. Everyone needs a couple of sets of wheels at least!

Zhead was asking me about that car last night. It appears to be an aftermarket ZG nose added to a later model Fairlady.

Thanks Patrick, I'll call and find out more about it - 1971 Vintage Z apparently. BTW, I'm still working feverishly on my Vintage Z resarch project. Got into a discussion on the IZCC forum and learned a lot about the general perception / car shows of Vintage Zs. I'm getting close to a photo collection of half of them. Tracking down VINs is another story.... Will be writing more soon.

Hey there, terd. Have fun with your Z!

907 green with a black interior is a correct combo for early HLS30s. I seem to recall that Kats has a color code card from 1969. Both of my 907s have the butterscotch interior.

Greetings! This picture came to mind. From "Nostalgic Hero", Vol. 96, April 2003.

Zthing, You have an early engine in your car and I was going to mention it in the other thread. The 2400 valve cover is not very common and usually sells for over $100 on eBay. I would recommend repairing yours with parts from the more common OHC valve cover. Also, your engine should have the eight counterweight crankshaft http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4959 which is nice. Evidently someone took your original engine out and replaced it with the earlier one, probably not realizing what they were doing. In my opinion your engine is more valuable and I would recommend keeping it in good repair.

MAKE ME LAUGH, Victor...PerrierZ! Wha ha ha ha! Can use that in my compendium? Or do you think he would be insulted?

Finding the 11/69 sub harness for the heater fan was a big surprise to me. I think it is also interesting to find the October 15 date on the dash. If we look at your production records, Kats, this date would be significant - meaning 26th could not have been assembled prior to mid October. I will do more research with the cars in Tampa the next time I visit.

Here are the tags from the wiring harnesses. Notice the different colored dots on the tags. After the part numbers, there is a number inside a little triangle. What is that? Also, what is the black triangle to the left of the part number? The last photo is my surprise. Never expected to see the 11. But it corroborates the door tag!