halz

No I didn't see it. I always check the quokka online but I'm starting to think that their website is not a complete listing of whats in the weekly paper. I'll check out the ad at lunchtime...is it in the current edition?

If you decide to repaint your car in the future put it back to that blue colour - it will make the car far more valuable. Besides, that blue colour looks fantastic with all of the badgework neat and tidy, especially the 'Datsun' badge on each guard. Didn't get a chance to look thru my records last night but I will try to find my notes on your car.

260z, Ari is well know by Australian motorsport enthusiasts as the guy behind the wheel of the Peugot 205 in that spectacular 15 min video "Climb Dance". I never get tired of watching it!

I've been watching the ads for Zs in WA for a while. The guy (wouldn't admit it to me) bought that car off a lady in Safety Bay in 2001...(I saw her ad too!). The car originally came from Melbourne. She had it advertised at $5k so I'm guessing the guy you bought from paid that or a little under. Time has passed, prices have moved, you didn't do too badly. I'll try to dig up my notes and hopefully I'll have the lady's number. You should be able to track down the car's history with a bit of luck (I think she bought it from her brother who was the original owner..?) As I recall, the car seemed mechanically OK but needed cosmetic attention. Not sure of Z parts people in Perth (I'm still looking for a car!) but one of the others might be able to point you in the right direction. You need to post some pics of your car on this site and then let the Z-less sould amoungst us live vicariously through your restoration etc...!

Wow, where did you find the car? In Perth? Yes I'm in Perth too... so is LEE240ZPERTH, Mr. Camoflage and 26ounce. Z's are rare in Perth so you have done well to find one. Just a question... Is it red (with a blue engine bay)? I looked at a car a while ago down Cannington way that an old guy had for sale. It needed a little bit of work but it was an early model and he said it had a close ratio box... There is no Z-club of Perth that I'm aware of but there was an attempt recently made (http://203.59.29.72/wazregister/index.html) but I think the site has died. Stay in touch and help keep our little W.A network alive!

I've only previously heard 'rocker' when used in the term 'rocker cover'. ie the valve cover at the top of the engine. 'Sill' is the term I've always used to describe the panel you call a rocker panel... and everyone is correct, this panel comes in for more than its fair share of moisture, sand, gravel and other abuses that cause rusting.

Thanks - great answer!

I need a translation please... Several U.S. posts mention that the 'rocker panel' is a rust prone area. What is the rocker panel? Is it the sill? So... Hood = Bonnet(AUS) Trunk = Boot(AUS) Fender = Wing(UK) = Guard(AUS) Rocker Panel = ??

Looks to have all the braking and handling capabilities of a Harley too...

...I'am weeping quietly into my beer...in Australia...so far away...

1. Buy a Z.

That's a very nice car... does is have the original 240 engine?

As ben said, the rules were changed: instead of being a technology showcase (with production cars that were 4wd, turbo, twin cam, multi valved etc), it bacame a Ford vs GMH battle of the dinoaurs (2 valve, pushrod, rwd behemoths). True production races (such as the new Bathurst 24 hour this year) are far more interesting to the unblinkered race enthusiast. But lets not corkscrew this thread away from Kat's debate...

I'm in W.A. so it would be a case of buying sight-unseen. However, it seemed to be a sound car that basically needed about $AUD1500 spend to bring it up to scratch... $500 for the diff mount and uni joints and $1000 for derustification of the guard and bonnet nose. I'm all for orignality in these cars and this one came close: original engine and gearbox, badgework complete and the interior redone in original materials. The drawbacks were the lack of books, the 260Z bonnet and the owners vague memory when it came to how many kms he'd put on the car. He's had it since he was 18 (for 14 yrs or so) and its showing 57,000 Miles (not kms like it says in the ad). My guess is that its been around the dial. I had it checked out by Z16 (a Datsun workshop) and the guy said that it was definitely not the worst he'd seen. The only thing that stopped me was that I offered $8k which he would not accept. That plus the shipping and work to be done would have turned it into a $10.5k car on the road in Perth. If you're interested, I have a more complete set of pics... just give me your email address...

There is one on www.carsales.com.au which I had checked out. Recently repainted but with some bubbles coming through and a bit of bog in the LH guard. Also needs the rear diff mounts replacing. Is that the one you've looked at?

Hmmm 33%

So tell us what that head is really from.... I'm guessing a Lancia V4 or one of the square 4 British motorcycles.

Did it finish the race? I tuned in after about 3 hours to see the 350Z limping into the pits with a blown front right tyre... presumeably that was the cause of the damage in the last picture.

Ok I apologise unreservedly to all of the P-platers I offended out there. I guess I'm feeling frustrated at living in the middle of a Z-desert. And hey, is 34 an old fart? One day you might be 34 too...!

A P-PLATER! Why do I bother? I bet he doesn't appreciate what he's got.

You should talk to Cuong - he offered me a 260 not long ago... you can see it in his gallery.

Well I guess everyone else has said it by now... My old 950cc Moto Guzzi was a twin cylinder bike with a single Dellorto 40mm carb for each cylinder. So thats one big carb per 475cc. 475x6=2850cc ie slightly larger than a L28. So.. a set of these carbs would be able to easily flow enough air for a L24... smaller carbs would probably work too. The only downside would be HS30-H critisizing the choice of Dellortos on account of their ugly appearance . I have to say that on a bike like a Guzzi, Dellortos are a perfect choice.

How the hell did it happen? The whole side is stuffed - were you side swiped?

Heh, heh... you painted very good picture. Well done on not losing control of your Z - that's the sort of minor event that major prangs can be made of!

Nate, Its a Moto Guzzi 1000S, a twin cylinder 1000cc, shaft-drive Italian bike. Alas I sold it late last year ...all funds raised go to the "Z for Hayden fund!" :classic: The pic was taken on the day the new owner picked it up and that's my 3 y.o daughter standing next to it. The same daughter who said "I like your bike Daddy, don't let that man take it away!!"... Interesting fact for you: the California Highway Patrol used Moto Guzzi bikes extensively in the '70s (?) before swapping out to (you guessed it) Harley Davidson. That brief association was the origin of the numerous Moto Guzzi 'California' cruiser models.