halz

I have a buddy in Melbourne who has restored several cars over the decades. He mentioned a shop to me that he knows of which specializes in period car accessories...he mentioned it because I asked him exactly the same question. If you like, I'll find out the details of the shop...

So...reading beteen the lines Mr. C... are you planning on frightening the paint off your new car by putting in a turbo donk?!

Cot of living my friends... My brother lived in London for 4 years and the only way he didn't get seriously depressed at the cost of living was to pretend that AUD=GBP. By that he meant that if the weekly grocery shopping cost him AUD$100 in Australia, it would cost him GBP 100 in London! At that time the Aus/UK exchange rate was 2.5:1 so his London groceries cost would convert to AUD$250!! Now... the other side of the story is high salary (or hourly rate) which was also about 2.5 times higher than he would have made in Australia. As I said, he was there for nearly 4 years and only money he really 'made' was that which he sent back to the 'Land of droughts and flooding rains' which benefitted from the generous exchange rate (in the reverse direction it is very generous!) So...what is the cost of living in the US? I'm sure that you'll find the difference in salaries can be accounted for there Mike... Besides, As I keep telling my expat friends who live in Perth, even if they 'take a pay cut' and work for local dollars, there are still lots of intangible benefits to living in Australia: Miles of unpopulated beaches and countryside, clean, safe cities, low gun-related death rate, better than even chance of seeing blue sky on most days, low chance of dying in a blizzard, etc, etc... just a pity the cars are so expensive :tapemouth

:cry: OK ok ok! They're expensive, I admit it But dammit, its the world we have to live in...please don't rub it in...

Two things: volume and tax. Our market in Australia is smaller than the U.S so high-end sports cars are usually regarded as low volume units and therefore low return on investment for an importer. 2nd thing is tax, The Australian government is merciless on cars deemed as 'luxury' which turn out to be cars over $50k. When you hit the $50k price, the import tarif jumps by a disproportinate percentage. So, yes we cop it all ways and most of us end up living vicariously through our Amrican cousins who live in the land of cheap cars and even cheaper fuel...

So... did you drive one????

Welcome ecash! Just when I think all of the Perth guys have bought their Zs and the market is mine... you bob up! It would be worth knocking on his door (the Ocean Reef guy) to see if he wants to sell... you never know - especially if the cars appear to be in good condition.

Alas, the tape is dead. My copy was a copyofacopyofacopy... so it was pretty scratcy. You can get an original video from the Pitstop Bookshop in town... worth the investment if you ask me!

...interesting... I'll have a look at this car and see if it has an original 'feel' about it.

Did 240Zs only ever come with vinyl seats? Was there an optional cloth insert in vinyl? A guy selling a car in Australia claims that he has 'original' seats in his 240z but they have cloth inserts...

OK here's the scoop. Spoke to the guy. The car has a L26 but thats about the worst of it. Interior sounds very good but with cloth inserts in the seats (non orig seats?). No cracks in the dash. Very little rust (minor spot in the hatch). The suspension has been replaced with stiffer springs and nolathane bushes. Colour is silver (orig colour)and the paint is 2 years old. He probably has the original owners manual but is unsure about toolkit. I cannot see the car this weekend but I'd like too at some stage. For me, the big drawback is the engine. He apparently replaced it himself (d'oh, why choose an L26?), originally it had an RB-somethingorother. If either of you guys see it (Mr. C, W.A.Zed), drop me a pm please...:classic:

...and on the eighth day he created another world, one all his own, where the music was nicer..!

Guys (esp Perth guys), the Classic quater mile sprints being held at the Sandalford winery in the Swan Valley this weekend will feature a few Zs amongst the assorted interesting cars. There will also be a "1972 Datsun Skyline GT-R". I will try to take a few pics and post them on the site. In the meantime, have a look at this: http://www.classicrally.com.au/classic_quarter_mile_sprint.htm

Hey! Ease up on us one-legged boogie boarders:tapemouth

Mr C, Alfadog might be interested in your 240K box for his latest acquisition... when you have a replacement that is...and if he sticks with his K engine...

Take him back? Geez, he may be an Aussie but you guys had him 1st. He's only appeared in the last year or so downunder...(or have I missed him by watching too much of the Wiggles, B1 and B2, Simpsons, Southpark, etc, etc.?)