Montezuma

I do attend some events with the Z club of San Diego and some on my own like West Coast Nationals at MSA and the Queen Mary event. My A/C does not blow very cold at all. I just thought it was because it is that it is an old system. I would appreciate it being looked at. I am going to go the event at Doheny(spell) State Beach. I would love to talk to you about the L320 as well...my friend and I are working on Victor's old L320. I am just glad not to have to worry about winterizing, the reason I joined the Navy many years ago was to get away from the snow in Pennsylvania, I love Sunny SoCal.

With the crappy 73 A/C system...I too look forward to this time of the year to really enjoy driving my older Z. Winterize...I feel for you brothers.

Very interesting. Is there a market for S30 and S31s in GCC areas? I would imagine the parts are for the 240ks, C110s and C210s are not that easy to come by in GCC areas. Do most of the cars arrive in country at the Free Port in Jebel Ali? I fear the day that S30s from southern Cali and Arizona become wanted by the GCC. I used to be a British car owner in the 80s, one day I was a British Car junkyard in San Diego and there were these British guys there loading up containers of parts and cars from all over southern cali...before I knew it they cleaned out the junkyard and loaded up over 100 cars from the area. No days you rarely see a nice Triumph TR on the road or for sale.

I sucked....took me 5 tries to park it in front first and never got it backed in. Fun, thanks.

http://www.classicdatsun.com/ Would be your best bet. I know a guy in Huntington Beach CA that has a brand new right hand drive dashboard.

Tracy is in northern California? If so there is a club called ZONC (Z Club of Northern California). http://www.zonc.org/ or maybe this one might be better for you: http://www.centralvalleyz.org/

Then buy a 75Z if you like the Fuel Injection or modify a pre 76 to a Fuel Injected system. I have a 78 that is in rough shape but instead of putting a lot of money into it I instead choose to get another Z. I ended up with a 73 with just under 100k miles. I don't regret the move, the 78Z sits by waiting for the day when either I get more spare cash(two girls in college) or the state changes the smog waiver program. Enjoy the ride.:classic:

I lived in Yokohama/Yokosuka for 3 years and used to attend Nostalgic Garage events and other car events with Flea Markets. One thing I learned was that S-30 parts are not cheap and most Japanese Nostalgic Parts guys know what they have and don't let it go for cheap. You can sometimes find S-30 parts at places like "Up-Garage" but again they are not cheap. I would stop by a old time S-30 specialist up near Atsugi Japan called Auto Zebra, those guys would not let any parts go, knowing that there are not many left. Seeing a S-30 on the road there in the Kanto Plain is like seeing a Skyline in Southern Cally. My point here is: Expect to pay "IF" the part you want is found. As for the 2400 valve cover, I know of a guy in Huntington Beach who is selling a polished one for $160.00.

If you are hot for a 280Z, check out this car: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bob-Sharp-Racing-GT-33-HIGH-PERFORMANCE-RARE-SURVIVOR_W0QQitemZ250035161602QQihZ015QQcategoryZ6187QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

So how did the car look?

I think that you have a very solid idea and plan. It will be a great Father/Son project that will bring a great common bond between you two men. One of my good friends grew up fixing up Z cars in Japan with his dad when his dad was stationed in Japan, the dad still remises about the great times they had working on cars together. The son turned out to be an outstanding mechanic. I think the Z car is a great starting point for the project, there is so many things you can do since you are not in a hurry. Check out the availability of parts from Motorsport Auto, Classic Datsun, and Courtesy Nissan plus others. Enjoy the special time with your son.

How are you sure that it is a complete car? How old is your son and what is his experience building cars? If you are planning on doing a father son project this is a great starting point. Parts are pretty easy to come by and not too expensive.

You might see if one of the guys or girls who chat on this board are near the car you are looking at buying, maybe one of them can take a look at for you for free. Most likely they would do it free, I know I would.

Mine are 12 years old and are grey and thought I was getting blue, but they worked just fine regardless. When you install make sure you put on new bump stops, it helps with bottoming out, especailly with some of those roads you have over there.

I got them from a friend of mine who previously lived in Japan for about 15 years and collected many sets. He has since grown older and no longer cares to keep them....it also helped that I gave him my stock wheels off my 03 G35 MT6 Coupe for his G35 Sedan. The only reason I have not mounted them on my car yet is because I don't have the Watanabe Lug Nuts.

Wow...$1900...I got my 15X6.5s for $500 with center caps painted a dark gunmetal color...I guess my friend really did give me a very good deal. Mine are over 20 years old but don't have a single curb nick on them. I do like the the Yoko casings, 195-60-15s are a little small for a Z.

If you are pulling the engine why not just rebuild it or have it rebuilt if you don't have the where-with-all to do it yourself. You never know what you are getting with the ol "sitting around engine". You will be very happy with the car when you get the engine rebuilt.

Was just up at the shop in Vista Ca on Monday, Les is a real great guy. We talked about my Z, he was able to match my 73 offwhite interior vinyl perfectly something Motorsport could not do. I plan to get my vinyl from him in the next few months, and after seeing the pictures on this thread only makes me want to do business with Classic Datsun even more. Saw your car while I was up there, Ron.

I am running 195/70/14s, on stock rims.

Had mine powder coated in April....it is still on a shelf in my garage....too lazy to craw under and attach it. I had it powder coated gloss black which was a mistake by me,:stupid: I believe it should have been an aluminum/silver color.

I answered "better A/C" now I have to wonder if it is possible. My old 78 had a very nice and cold A/C but this 73's is just a waste of time turning on. I had the valve under the dash replaced and it blew a tad cool...but that is about it. Other things I do expect to add is automatic locks, a set of 15x6.5 Wantanbe wheels, and a fresh L28 with a killer JDM header....no Bond girl but maybe a Tokyo Auto Saloon model would be nice.

For you Automatic Tranny drivers, what are your RPMs at 80 MPH? Mine is at 4000 and I am not sure if that is good. 80 MPH? You might ask; well I live in Southern California so 70-80 is the usual speed.....and "No" I don't plan on replacing the the Auto with a 5sp....if I want to play shifter games I can drive my G35 MT6 Coupe or my rough looking 78Z.

I think the ones with the word "Nissan" on them are easy to come by, they look the same except the don't have the word "Datsun" on them. I prefer using them, I currently have on my 73; it looks exactly like the one the picture but no word Datsun. Nice find.

Rebuild....a warrantee will protect you. I do not believe a used tranny will come with a guarantee nor warrantee.

I know some one who might be interested. What do you think of the car?