matt drago

Whoa, what a sea of red! Might have to make sure I get there this year to add a bit of silver back to the mix.

Nice one Ben. Very neat looking unit. I think it is time for me to get my one finished. Maybe if I target to get it done for my brothers wedding, it might just happen .....

So maybe I should let you all know what I am doing with the car. Glad to see that you stumbled onto my site. Apologies for not updating it in a while (some of the guys at work keep telling me off too). My last update was way back on July 26th 2008. That was around the time that my first son was nearly 1 and my wife (Penny) and I had just bought a new place. The car was on the road and I would drive it a little, just to get a buzz. Then the house took over, work and my second son. I've kept on doing a little work on the car, here and there. I've installed a radio and speakers, got most of the vinyls in and all the plastic panels. Just need to get a few more of the vinyl panels in, get new carpets, put the rear light surround back on and fix the choke cable and it's pretty much done. I just need to get my butt into gear and do it! I have also to fix up the damage done to the engine bay when my regulator died and the battery boiled over. I'm located in Rowville Victoria, so if you'd like to see her, drop me a line. Cheers, Matt Drago.

What a laugh. And I don't think mine needs explanation...

I did the dark tint as well. For two reason, to cut the heat and the uv. Bruce, I never had much luck with tinting stopping people from breaking into a car. The old Pulsar lost two radios, via different windows, that both had a tint on them. Or did I use the el-cheapo tint that doesn't add that much strength? Cheers, Matt Drago

Thanks guys. I actually did spend a little time on the Z last weekend, another step closer. And the fam got me the Matrix Bluray boxset.

Hope it is not too late to RSVP. I'll be coming along.

I had the dashboard doctor in Coburg take two broken centre consoles and build up a single one. As long as you have enough of the one centre console, they may be able to put it together again (Humpty doesn't have to stay broken every time )

Sorry Ben, Cannot find the paper work. I'll see if Dad has it, but don't like my chances. Sorry once again.

Hey Ben, if you want, I think I can dig up the circuit diagram that Dad and I put together based on a few sources off the net and a few minor tweaks to integrate relays into the headlight circuit. Was a fairly seamless integration into the original harness. I didn't upgrade the headlights, just wanted to get the load current of the stalk switch points. Cheers, Matt

I know the part. I busted mine when I had the steering linkage disconnected and was spraying the car. Had a plastic bag over the wheel to protect it from the over spray, but the wheel got turned a few times and the plastic bag wrapped around and eventually snapped it. Dad and I fabricated a new holder out of some plastic bits and pieces that we had around the place. Cannot remember exactly what it was that we used though. May have been a cable saddle (used to hold electric cables in place when wiring a house, etc) or a plastic automotive cable connector (with the metal parts removed. I'll see if I can get a picture of it for you. Cheers, Matt

Then listen to her! She is talking sense Work, buying the new house, my folks moving and the second bub pulled rank over the car. But now, I have three weeks off work and I am aiming to have it all done (bar the usual "want to fix <insert area of car> one day..."). Yeah, hate the way they do the Baby Bonus in fortnightly payments. We just finished getting ours and it was about $350 a fortnight.

That's great. Now that I nearly have my Z back on the road, you decide to sell yours! Dad had a go at me for getting a two seater again, given that the family is now four people. Shame you have to sell it, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do (or what ya missus tells ya ). Cheers Mate and all the best to the both of you with the impending arrival of a new bundle of joy. Matt D.

Thanks for all of the info guys. And yes, it is NOT a Z. But it is a Datsun. A 2 door 510, Dad has always wanted one. Dad was the 1600 nut of the family, his brother was into Zed's. I think the last thing that Dad would buy is American Muscle . LHD to RHD conversion costs are negligible considering we will do all of the work our selves. The car is based in New Jersey, just out of New York. Dad has found a logistics company that will ship to Australia and they are also based in New Jersey. Dad has worked out the money side of things as well (the company can do escrow). Just waiting on the seller to send Dad the paper work required to get the import approval from Australian Customs.

Hey Guys, Dad is in the process of purchasing a car from the US. Originally found it on ebay, but the guy pulled it from the auction. Dad kept in touch with him and they have agreed on a price. But he doesn't want to do the sale through ebay, etc. Dad doesn't want to just transfer the money to his account for obvious reasons. Does anyone know of a company or agent that will make sure that the vehicle really exists and all is good and legit? Any help would be appreciated on this one. Cheers, Matt Drago

Hey Craig, Thanks for the offer, but I haven't even left the city by 5:30! Hmmm, to be home by 5:30, the things I could do.....

Hey Sulio, Would love to come, but I have no wheels at the moment (sister is having her car repaired and is borrowing mine for a bit). So, I'm on the bus to and from work. Would have been great to catch up though. Have fun, Matt

I think the triple block with the blue, blue/white and blue/red might be: blue - radio acc line blue/white and blue/red for the power antenna.

I wasn't going to put forward my opinion on this subject, as I have become somewhat of a lurker these days. Between work and family, I have little time for the hobbies these days, but I am sure that I will get back to it sooner or later. As many have said to date, there is a wealth of information on this site, much which has helped me during the work that I have done on my car. I've donated to help out the guys continue to make this resource available and not become a site that slips into the bit-bucket. My opinion, when the affiliation with NDSOC was raised, was to not go down that path. I have been around car clubs for a long time, and I do not like the way that they can become segregated and the like. This is one of the reasons that I continue to read the info here and come to the occasional event. I would like to continue to see this site remain totally open and one that is available to all. I think this is what was envisioned for this site when I first heard about it and joined up around 5 years ago, and I hope it continues to be.

Dad and I got the engine and gear box in as one unit. We filled the gearbox with oil before putting it into the car as we had a spare yolk that we could put into the gearbox to stop the oil from leaking out.

Hey Guys, I'll be dropping in for a look see, but no Z this year. Regulator isn't doing it's job and already boiled the battery and stripped paint in the engine bay, don't want to do any further damage and have not had a chance to get a new regulator. Cheers, Matt

Yep Evan, the Clark Rubber alternative was a cheaper option and you are right, the ends look crappy due to the knife cut-off. One day I'll neaten it up, but it's not a priority at the moment.

I've used one of those panels from rare spares. Once you fit it, I found the the screws from the latch on the hatch hit the panel. Didn't notice till it was painted though . Maybe keep you eye out for that once you do you fitting off.

Absolutely shocked and dumbfounded. I write this with tears in my eyes. He will be missed.

That's a great one Rev. Glad to hear that you got it going. The story put a smile on my face, will have to tell the old man that one as he has done a auto to manual conversion in the past. See if he can work it out