26th-Z

This is too wierd. I'm looking at a rust bucket in Middleburg, VA. I wonder who belongs to the car. I don't recognize the name. Ben, that was Burt trying to bullshit kats. Yes, it's the silver $30,000 eBay deal, but Burt withdrew the car before it sold. I'll own up to friendship with Burt, but please don't blame me for what he says or does. The guy is completely out of control!!!!!

Yea. Take it down to a radiator shop and have them re-core it.

Good morning everyone! The passing planets in my sun sign coupled with the full moon has me in "electronic karma syndrome" or something. The A/C packed it up at the house two days ago and the CPU in my computer gave up last night! We sm 2 b w..k.ng Ok nw. I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with Matsuo san during the convention. At the car show, Saturday, I was introduced to Mr. Katayama's son and Mr. Takaharu Kobayakawa (Mazda RX-7) by Brian Long. Matsuo san made some comments during the introduction causing some smiles and Brian said Matsuo's comment was something about how particular I am. I suspect we wonder what they think about us as much as they wonder what we think about them. I know the Germans wonder what we think about them. We all recognize the differences in our cultures and I am quite aware of what other societies around the world think of Americans. Frankly, we Americans could clean up our act a little bit. I want to talk about the judging thing. I have some news. I was involved in the judging as well, not as a judge because I missed the meeting Ben refers to as I was out junking and visiting Pierre Z. Trapped in a SUV with Burt (cardogman) and our "Tampa" crowd. Over on IZCC, there is a discussion going on entitled "Concours d'elegance" about judging. Since the last e-mail I sent you, Alan. Carl Beck responded to a Ken Jones thread and Charlie Osborne, Bob Speights, Jeff Fox, Fred Jones, and Jack Saxton jumped in. We have formed a small focus group and Dan Banks has expressed interest. Although I am defending the current ZCCA rules for judged car shows, there is a move afoot to establish "concours" criteria. I think that is what you were hearing, Ben. The split that is happening between "purists" and "general appearance" groups. What the "purists" are saying is that they desire to see Datsun 240 Zs competing at the top ten Concours d'elegance events in America. They agree that the 240 Z is a "modern classic" and that the early cars could be and should be displayed and promoted in such a manner. To that end, they wish to establish and publish "as it left the factory" standards for judging in esteemed events. The premise is that the standards need to be developed so that invitations will be extended from the prestigious shows. A web site is being built and it looks like this train is leaving the station - it isn't going to stop. I used the description "Datsun 240 Z" on purpose because the group is focused on that particular model. American cars at American events. They seem to have no desire to include the Fairlady models. Rather than stand aside and criticize, I am participating with the idea that one vote is better than no vote. I would be honored to contribute comments any one of you have. I am also honored to be able to use this site as a considerable resource of accurate information. I seriously consider knowledge of the domestic cars essential for understanding the Datsun 240 Z. In that respect, I have the opportunity to enlighten American enthusiasts to the value of the domestic cars and cars exported to other parts of the world. After all, it's a world car. Ben, the information about the prototype development and Mr. Matsuo's role is available and you just have to go looking for it. Brian Long's book; "Datsun Z - Fairlady to 280 Z" is , in my opinion, basic reading and the best of all the books. Brian Long published another book with Matsuo and Katayama; "Fairlady Z" which I am in the process of obtaining. I have no pictures I think I can copywrite post on the web, but I'll bet if you search this site, someone has put up jpgs. Finally, some observations. I used to race in SCCA years ago and got used to the harsh reality of the rules. Judged car shows are pretty much the same way. IMHO it's all a game we play and it's supposedto be fun. That thought seems to keep me on an even keel.

Help!!! I'm trapped beneath a dead horse!!! I thought this would be appropriate. From "Fairlady Z" translation by Brian and Miho Long; "Consequently, when Mr. Katayama came back from America and visited my department, the words he said made me determined to follow my dream. He stated that we could go on making cheap economy cars forever, but by doing so, we would never be able to move forward in export markets. Nissan, and Japan as a whole, needed something stunning, something original that would make foreign manufacturers sit up and take notice of us". In the goddie bag from the National Convention was a book, "Turn Around - How Carlos Ghosn Rescued Nissan", David Magee. It contains some good reading about the Nissan corporate management technique. There comes to mind a clearer understanding of the period during Matsuo's tenure. How the design of the S30 may have been influenced by corporate politics and management techniques. You see all sorts of correlations when comparing the story of the Z. So lets get this conversation really rolling and argue whether the Z was supposed to be a convertable and how AMERICAN laws turned the project in a GT direction. My friend, Jim, asked Matsuo why he didn't build a convertable and Matsuo exclaimed; "I tried to"!!!

I have never seen anything like this before. Why would a cover be placed over the light?

That's all right Ben. I'm a dad and a little eccentric. Just ask my daughter. Hi kats!

Hi Andrew! I met the guy who bought the $104 hose at the ZCCA / Nissan National Convention last week. I also met a guy who says he is in the midst of making the fabric. He points out that an original fabric hose is too old to expect to perform and that covered newer hoses were better for a driver than a garage queen. Regardless, we have a move afoot! I personally have no problem glueing fabric to hose for show purposes. Fabric covered hose can be purchased in rolls from various hose suppliers. I have some 6mm and 8mm fuel hose sitting here on my desk. I bought heater hose from Goodyear. The shaped hose is what's trickey including the radiator hose. I pulled a U shaped fuel vent hose out of a 280Z in Long Beach last week. If anyone needs this thing - I'll post a picture - its not the long vent hose, unfortunately. Hose is rated for purpose and I wouldn't recommend running a fluid other than what is specified, but water through a fuel rated hose will probably work. Water hose is rated for heat. If I ever hear from the guy with the cloth, I'll let you know.

Hi mimzey! Here's another shot of Ben's car at the Hilton. C.David took it with his digital when Ben was out hotrodding. It's a lovely car with very tastefully unique accessories. Wasn't Matsuo-san easy to converse with? Just one-of-the-guys standing around looking at cars! Matsuo designed a wristwatch for himself in the mid sixties and had one made. It is spring wound - typical of the technology at that time. The watch face became the clock in the S30. Ben's clock is more like the Matsuo watch. The standard S30 clock face is simplified. I was hoping for a Japanese experience at the convention and I found more than I expected. Experiencing the different cultures of the world is a wonderful treat I discovered years ago through my travels in Europe. Now I was curious about the Japanese. One of the books we got at registration "in the goodie bag" was a book about Carlos Ghosn and how he turned Nissan around in 1999. Reading that is another insight to the Japanese culture. The Japanese come bearing gifts. They are formal like the Europeans, but present gifts as an expression of their respect for the meeting. Mr. K gave me a Gt Racing commemorative pin. Kats had gifts. As a matter of fact, I noticed a lot of people brought gifts. I think this is a way cool idea. There is a great amount of honor and dignity to the Japanese spirit. You notice it along with the enthusiasm and energy. Nothing stuffy - just a great amount of self respect and respect for others. I got a kick out of how social everyone seemed to be. It was one big party for days! With the attitude of; "I'll sleep on the plane"! Of course, there was no shortage of things to do. Or people to meet. Thanks to Alan, I met Len and the Tampa crowd had a lot of fun with him. You'll find Len in the British Z car magazines and web sites. You should see the pictures of his restoration. Ten years in the making and comparitively, we Americans whine about rust. Oh! This is important. Mr. K signs autographs on behalf of the Make a Wish Foundation and it is way NOT cool to sell anything with his signiture. Mr. K was at track day and the car show along with his wife (Okusama - honorable) Mrs. K. Although his presence seems promotional, you can tell from his enthusiasm what a good time he is having. He is quite old now, celebrating his 95th in September, yet it is remarkable to see his energy. He walked up to the stage at the awards banquette and spoke briefly to a standing audience. The man is phenomenal. I was struck with the idea that Mr. Matsuo was 31 or so when he worked on the S30 project. When I think about what my life was like at 31, an instant realization and understanding comes over me. I have a design education and background. Before I knew it, during our evening conversation, the pens came out and we began speaking the designer's language of drawing. Matsuo is animated and fun to talk with; he got up to show me how he would work the clay and sight down the body line to get the exact look he was going for. How every prototype model was not only some new idea, but refinement of the last model. How he prefers a distinct, sharp line to the contour and fold. Ever notice how the fender line seems to follow out in to space at the headlight scoop? Matsuo. That whole detail was something that couldn't be made in metal at the time so he went out and had a stadium seat manufacturer mold it in injected fiberglass. Headlight covers over the scoop look so good because they were intended to be that way. So what was it like? Probably like meeting any one of you out there and just immersing ourselves in 240Z for the moment. I'm still pumped. Next year's convention will be in Syracuse N.Y. with a track day at Watkins Glen and the 2006 convention will be in Dallas.

Yea, Ben had a blast. I'm here to tell ya! Yes, I think it was the first time any of us met each other. Kats and I drove his car up to MSA for the afternoon. That was cool. I met an English friend of Alan T.'s and we took him to Hooters for his birthday. I ended up dancing on a table with balloons stuffed in my shirt covered in "I Hooters stickers. Rick got a ride around Willow Springs with Bob Bondurant. C. David got a ride / drift with Kazama. The picture of me with Mr. K is privately in the lobby. He signed a couple of books for me. I was blown away that he got out of his wheelchair for the picture. I met Matsuo-san and spent 2-1/2 hours with him talking about the design of the Z. I have some of his sketches. We did two junk yards and I have a bag of hose clamps. Saw a really nice Corvair somebody should rescue. I took on to the judging team early in the show, but left to cruise the rest of the show as soon as the forms were turned in. I didn't catch much of the "gold medallion" judging. And, I sat with Brian Long and Mr. Kobayakawa "Koby", chief designer of the Mazda RX-7, at the awards banquette. I flew out Wednesday morning with three other Tampa Z fanatics and we flew back Sunday afternoon. We had Sunday brunch on the Queen Mary. I worked out in the hotel gym / spa / sauna. I met all kinds of people - in the bar - at the restaurant for breaskfast. AND WE DRANK A LOT OF BEER. I'm horning in on Ben's thunder. I have more to say, but I know what a blast Ben had and I want to hear his impressions. I'll be back with my impressions. I had a blast.

Well it looks to me as though the mirror has been flipped. Can that be done? I gotta have the checked carpeting. Whoever buys this car please sell me the carpeting.

Yes... I'm still working on my Masters Degree in Confusion. Thanks - you know what I mean.:classic:

In the last two messages I got from Chloe: "... but it's just been crazy the past couple weeks." "It's been slightly overwhelming...but these things happen. I'll pull through it." MidwestZ is a full blown business as far as I know. I can certainly understand being in business for myself. If I have a problem or go on vacation, the whole place virtually shuts down. I have been explaining my whereabouts last week for the last three days! If Chloe's operation is anything looking like MSA, I could understand even more. MidwestZ probably needs a few employees at this point, eh, Chloe? :classic:

Thanks Alan. I have never had that explained so well and have been confused as a result.

I would love to see a picture. My very early lamp does not have the slotted screw mount cut on one side - rather two screw holes. It fastens the same to the body, but you have to pinch it a bit to get it to fit. The stampings are called "ken" and they indicate quality control marks or marks of manufature date. I think 1972 would have a 43 date? Take a look for it.