260GT is finally on the road - another new Brissy member

[lambertbrosracing]

Hello,

My name is Gary and I am a Z addict.

I am new to using forums but thought this would be a good place to start.

 

My first Z was a Burgundy 280ZX.  I've owned my current ride, the 260GT (a 260Z 2+2) since 1993.  So far I've only done a couple of thousand k's in it - here's why.

I acquired the car in 1995.  At the time it had a well detailed L26 and a great set of Simmons 16 inch wheels. A bit of effort went into cleaning it up and I showed it for a short time, taking the 2nd Most Desirable Z trophy at Macleans Bridge in 1996.

In late 96 the car was involved in a small head-to-tail on the way back from the Noosa Car Classic - nothing too bad, was able to drive back to Bris from Coolumn. The depression didn't last long. A plan was hatched on the way home for a quick rebuild of the L26, installation of a set of triple dellortos, a respray, and to replace some of the old trim.  Well, we know now these things start! That was 15 whole years ago. I just got the 260GT enginerred, registered and back on the road on 30 September 2011.  In all I guess it didn't really take 15 years - during those years I discovered the wonders of travel, living in the jungle with elephants, and was also severely sidetracked helping others along the way crewing for Landspeed racing and Top Fuel drag teams.  My Brother and I also spent a bit of time on our other love, restoring our late grandfathers fully stock LH Torana. But still, at some stages it felt like my own project would never be finished.

 

Anyway that 'quick' 15 year rebuild included:

Full strip down of the mechanicals and bodywork, every nut, bold and rubber - OUT.

Onto the rotisserie for a full underbody strip, repair of all rust (including replacing chassis rails) and paint.

Full suspension strip down and powdercoat and rebuild.

Rebuilt Koni's all round.

Installation of coilovers.

Strut bars.

Ventilated rotors and 4 spot calipers on front.

A repaint, new spinnings and a rebuild for the Simmons, then shod with new Kuhmo Ecsta V70A's (Front 205/50/16 F, Rear 245/45/16)

Chev 350 V8.

Turbo 350 with B&M Pro Stick & 2000 stall (yes I'm a dragger, not into the roundy roundy's anymore)

Full custom cooling system.

100 litre drop tank.

Full ceramic coated twin 2 inch exhaust.

Customised ZG nose.

Fluted front fenders (GTR torana flutes)

Removal and replacement of front fender indicator lamps.

Removal and relocation of fuel filler to behind number plate.

Full hand crafted rear with Skyline GTR HR32 tail lights.

Hand rolled flared & reinforced wheel arches front and rear.

Monza M Spec Racing seats.

Battery relocated to rear.

 

There's heaps more but I just realised the list was getting a bit long and boring.

My concept was to retain the classic lines of the Z but to also modernise the look where possible.  I wanted it to look as if it came out of a factory.  There's still a couple of small things left to tidy up on the bodywork. Performance was also an issue.  At the moment the engine only weighs about 15kg more than the L26. With alloy heads it will weigh almost the same.  As you can see, the engine is set-back a long way - the harmonic balancer sits over the top of the front x-member.  This gives it a great front-to-rear weight bias.  There is actually enough room to safely stand between the radiator and the engine, while the engine is running (not that I've tried it).

 

Although it's now registered I still have plans for the future including:

Quaife diff centre (it's already got an R200), 13 inch ventilated brakes (F&R), Arizona Z Car rear end, Modern Motorsport hubs, Alum heads and a bit of time on the dyno.

 

I have enjoyed looking at some of the great builds and restos on this site and look forward to being involved in the forums. I'm sure I'll need to pick your brains at some stage.

 

Kind Regards

 

Gary

LambertBrosRacing

[MaygZ]

Very neat job.  Welcome

 

MaygZ

[Z]

Gary that's a great intro and a pretty interesting build for the GT as well, been a long time getting the old girl back!

There's a few QLD members who are getting together in early December, you're more than welcome to come along: http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,10182.0.html

 

[handsandwhich]

I like all the little changes made in different areas like the fender indicators and the flutes and the wheel arches. The strut bar as the radiator support looks like a good way to open the space up a bit too. Also looks like the aerial has been frenched?

 

Although I'm guessing all the mods are not to everyones tastes, I can appreciate how much effort and time would have gone into doing all this stuff.

 

[Roberto]

Welcome. 

 

I notice you have gone matte black on cowl panel and inspection lids, but not the bonnett.  Haven't seen that before.

[Lynton]

A really nice professional building job.........congratulations and especially the patience you have instilled in yourself to fulfill the dream.

Lynton

[lambertbrosracing]

Thanks for the warm welcome and thanks for the nice comments.

I realise these type of modifications probably aren't to everyone's liking.  I definitely wouldn't have cut up a 2 seater like this.

 

Roberto260z, the cowl and inspection lids are still in primer.  The jury is still out on whether to finish them off in satin black, or to go body colour (Standox: Mercedes Spectre). Other than that there's still a bit to do to the bodywork for final finishing (my time is pretty limited at the moment due to having a newborn in the house).

I'm actually on the lookout for a new cowl panel - would really like a dry carbon one. Not sure if anyone can help with that.

 

The interior is yet to be finished as well.  I'm going to stay with black and greys - again going more for a factory look.  The gauges were sent away and refaced in more modern fonts.

 

Handsandwich, Very observant - Yes, the aerial is frenched.  The cabin vents have been removed from the rear pillars and relocated as well. The button to open the hatch has been removed and replaced with an elec boot release. All of the brightwork around the doors and windows will be blacked out soon.  An extra vent and a front number plate block to accomodate a slimline plate have been shaped into the G-nose, along with internal baffles to channel the air to the radiator which is mounted on the forward side of the rad support.

Anything that doesn't need to be inside the engine bay has been removed and hidden - All wiring, the battery, brake proportioning valve and WLS, carbon canister (yes it's still got one), windscreen washer bottle, horns.

 

Z, I'd really have liked to come along to the Xmas lunch (would love to meet everyone and see the landspeed Z), but I will be away in Longreach.  I'll take a raincheck and try to make another gathering - perhaps in the first few months of the new year.

[Riceburner]

Hi gary and welcome. Liking the look of all the car so far, the lights blend in very nicely. Obviously you put in a heap of work to get everything finished off perfect.

 

I'm in the process of doing the G-nose conversion too  I would love to see a few more pics of the front with the baffles and licence plate mods you carried out. Also what is the perforated material you used for the under tray?

 

Thanks, Gareth.

[lambertbrosracing]

Hello Gareth,

I've lost count of the hours that went into it.

Good luck with your conversion. The g-nose I used is a one piece - can't remember where from.  It did need reinforcement at serveral of the mounting points. in hindsight I think I'd go for a multi piece fit next time.

 

Attached some photos, though none that show the baffles from the inside (I'll get some for you). Its all done with fibreglass and moulds were fabricated to get the best finish.

It came standard with the two air ducts on either side of the number plate. The middle duct below the plate was fabricated in glass, as was the angled piece for the number plate mount.

Nutserts were used for the number plate screws.

 

Sorry to disappoint, but the undertray I think you are referring to is actually the foam flooring on my garage floor. Highly recommended - I did the whole garage (53sqm) for under $180.

 

Cheers, Gary

[luvemfast]

Welcome Gary.

Looks like you've done a nice job of it. Guess you put a fair bit of thought into it....... about a decades worth 

I slammed another tail light mod a week or so ago, but I don't mind yours at all. Very Corvette C4'ish.

One more thing.

YouTube clip of it running!

[chartoo]

What are the bonnet vents? I havent seen them before like that. Any closer pics of them. Great car by the way. Good job

[dat2kman]

Neat!

 

 

 

 

 

[Riceburner]

Wow even the garage floor gets the treatment    nice way around the licence plate obstruction too. Awesome build

[Z]

Hi Gary,

Been thinking about a few of your engine bay pics posted on Nov 19. That black frame attached into the corner of the frame rails and radiator support... that could be a top spot for an air con condenser? They have trick ones with their own fan that can be put pretty much anywheres: http://speedyairspares.com.au/products/Hot_Rod_Condenser_with_12V_Fan_Truck_Ute_Machinary_Fridge_Vans_MANY_applications_EXCELLENT_CONDENSER-35-162.html

[lambertbrosracing]

Gareth, I've attached a pic of one of the baffles taken from inside the drivers side wheel arch. Hopefully this is enough to give an idea of what I did.  Its hard to get a good pic with everything together.  If I can find some old ones that were taken during the layup then I'll scan them and post.

 

chartoo, The bonnet vents are just standard fare Z with the plastic louvres removed and replaced with alum mesh.  Pics attached.

 

luvemfast - I'll try and get some recent video up. I've got a couple of old videos (one that I did years ago and another in April this year) - I've posted them in the meantime.

 

Z, 'That black frame attached into the corner of the frame rails and radiator support' houses my auto transmission cooler.  It has a scoop on the underside which lifts air from under the front of the car.  I'm going to move this soon and replace with a B&M cooler which I'll mount up front inside the G-Nose.

I do have a Z air-con unit that fits in behind dash but I've decided not to put it in at this point.  The car doesn't even have a radio in it - love'n those sweet motor melodies.  Thanks for the link though - it looks like a good unit.  If I ever decide to do an air-con install it would be easy to hide up inside the G-nose.

 

Before I go taking too much credit for all the work I should make thanks - Along the way I was helped by a number of good people.  None more so than Paul Bushell of Custom Fab (Mob:0414 629 044) who did all my specialty engineering and welding.  I doubt there's anything he can't make. He's up Mount Crosby way these days.