yellazed

Everyone will have a differing opinion. My story, for what it's worth: I bought a fairly well sorted 2-seater 260Z which had received a very professional V8 conversion - warm 350sbc, disk brake upgrade, coilovers, etc. Solid, rust free, fantastic condition underneath, great paint, excellent trim but in need of cosmetic work. Great base from which to continue the development. It had a TH350 auto which I knew had to go, so it has now had a transplant - a 6-speed Tremec T56 from a Clubsport R8. (big job) Then all the instruments were replaced with Autometer Pro-Comps, and so on it goes. Lots more in the pipeline yet. That's one way to go. Tons of grunt - a real muscle car and far from subtle. My next project, though will be a 240Z with the classic period mods - worked L24, triple webers, 5-speed, 16" Watanabes, etc - Wangan Midnight style, if you will. Light, nimble, yet with a sting. Why the 240Z? Because it was the first. It has that simple, charming, almost naïve quality that comes from the first model, the product of years of design work which produced the car that burst onto the scene and captured the imagination. The design that the engineers had spent years sweating over and was yet still far from perfection. It has endearing faults, yet represents the first and purest form of the beast. Later beefed up and 'improved', often just for the sake of change, the 260Z was a second iteration. Nothing fresh - the impact had aleady been made. Subtle body strengthening, 'revised' dash layout, anti-pollution gear creeping onto the engine, but none of the brash 'new kid on the block' about it . Just a solid lookalike. Then the gradual slide into middle age oblivion, overweight and sluggish 280Z, then the awful 280ZX, both of which are to be avoided at all cost. So for me two different approaches, but both far from stock. I went through a phase years ago of fastidious pursuit of originality, down to infinite details like correct underbonnet decals, nothing repro, everything nos and EXACTLY as it was from the factory, etc, but these days, nah - but I do respect those who are still on that journey. I'd say: be prepared to pay for a well sorted example, not a 'Hugo' rust bucket, a 240Z or a 260Z 2-seater, if you can find one, that doesn't need too much work and go from there. But ultimately it's all about what YOU want.

Gav: That's just the point. I think Zedevan was saying that if looks don't bother you, go the C210, an ugly duckling 4-seater. I took it as an attempt at humour, maybe sarcasm, or even satire? I don't think it was aimed at anyone. All these comments are reflections of personal taste and there is never a right or wrong. After all is said and done, there is beauty in everything. (Even 2+2 S30s! )

I think that front air dam/spoiler would be fine on a dark coloured car. White makes it stand out a bit. I don't mind it, though. Anyway, welcome aboard "HELLFIRE!" and keep us updated with progress on the 2-seater. (Please don't take offence at my 'bagging' of 2+2s in the other thread) Wal F

Well put.

Pauly: You've started something now! I'm afraid I have to jump in here and spring to defence of the true sports car. I know it's an argument that has raged for ever and will never end, but I must disagree with the 2+2 lovers here. Perhaps this thread should never have started! Flame suit well and truly donned, IMHO, the 2+2 is the ugly duckling, the heavy rear end at odds with the sleek nose. The squared-off roofline awkward compared to the gracious curve of the 2-seater. The 2-seater was the original, i.e. 240Z, which AFIK was never offered in a 2+2 variant. The 2+2 emerged with the arrival of the 260Z as a sop to the American market, wanting a shopping trolley. A true sports car must be a 2-seater - others are Tourers. The clean, balanced lines of the E-Type Jag were cruelly spoiled years later by the 'pregnant pastie' took of the 2+2. More angular, the 260Z suffered the same overweight appearance when the 2nd row of seats was jammed in. It could have been done better. This continued with the Z31 - ungainly shape with the 2+2, almost tolerable in the 2-seater. Finally with the Z32 Nissan got it right. Subtle lengthening of the wheelbase and a rearrangement of the fuel tank position resulted in a smooth shape almost indistinguishable from the 2-seater, apart from a couple of degrees more rake on the rear hatch and 100mm or so in the dog leg. The fuel filler position is the real give-away. I have a 2-seater Z32 and a 2+2. I like them both. If I had to choose though, I would keep the 2-seater. Practical though the S30 2+2 may be, sadly in the design stakes it's a distant second for me. I bought a 2-seater 260Z and would not have considered a 2+2. There! Let the argument rage!!

I can vouch for Austin too, having purchased one of his kits a little while ago and having had a good deal of correspondence with him. He is extremely well organised and very helpful. As for the kit: very happy - it contains all I will need to fit the flares I have just ordered from Ash and I thought it was pretty good value. My only regret is that I didn't know Austin could supply the Nutsert tool. Recommend future buyers take up his offer to include it at cost. Regards, Wal F

G'day Ian: Good to have another Zedder in the fold. The 2+2 looks to be a bit of a challenge, but the 2-seater seems solid. Does your nic suggest we might see a little Mopar muscle in one of those bad boys? Now that would be a change from the Ford and Chevy convention. Keep us posted. Cheers, Wal F

Hi, J: Welcome to Downunder. I have a '74 260Z 2-seater with a 350sbc and a couple of Z32s. Great to have a new member in our ranks. You guys have a lot of Zs up there and a lot of parts resources I envy. I regularly buy bits and pieces from the US that are hard to find here. Of course, you guys drive on the wrong side of the road, so some bits are not compatible. You will find this Forum welcoming and keen to assist. It may not be as active as, say, HybridZ, but what we lack in quantity we make up for in quality! Looking forward to seeing your pics. Cheers, and again, welcome. Wal F

Datsun Spirit in USA has stock of ZG covers: I received a reply from Eiji: "Yes. We do have New OEM ZG light covers in stock. $650+shipping. If interested please contact us at sales@datsunspirit.com. Thank you. - datsun_spirit" That's about A$800-ish depending on whether Customs apply Duty & GST. Regards, Wal

Diff sold.

Austin: Great post. I'm sure that's cleared up a few things. Thanks for your offer to include the special tool in future kits. That will be a great feature. Thanks also for the link. A formiddable task, but what a neat conversion idea and what a great job you are making of it. I've saved the link in my 'favourites' so I can check in now and again to watch the progress. That's gonna be one sweet and unique Z! Cheers,

I bought a set from Austin Hoke and they cost me about $85 landed. Has all the fasteners and piping needed to fit the flares. He seems like a great guy and very helpful. It suited me 'cos I work away interstate and seldom have the time to go searching for individual nuts and bolts, etc., let alone know where to get nutserts. For the nutsert tool, I just e-mailed the supplier, info@pegasusautoracing.com (cost approx $10) to see if they'd mail it instead of UPS, so it would land a bit cheaper (they want about $35 shipping thru UPS!) I'm sorry I didn't ask Austin to get one and throw it in. Anyway, if anyone's like me and just want to order a kit thru Austin, he's happy to supply: Quote: I shipped your kit out this morning (Thursday) and it should arrive in 6-10 business days. The customs code is CJ270094725US. I've actually sold 3 or 4 kits to Aussie since i've been doing this. If you would like to, its fine with me to post about the kits on that forum. Just make sure to provide a link to the original post on hybridz, and make sure to tell them i have a good rep haha. If you don't mind, if you make the post can you include the following information: Email at hokeperformance@gmail.com to check availability. Shipping Options: -Kit with priority mail flat rate shipping (includes NO insurance) 75 USD -Kit with priority mail international shipping (includes insurance) 88USD Thanks a lot man. Good luck with the flares and the wheels! Austin The link has been posted by Craig at the beginning of this thread, but here it is again http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=113064 Cheers, Wal F

What about these? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DATSUN-240Z-260Z-STAINLESS-DOOR-MIRRORS-PAIR-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ140707QQihZ018QQitemZ280171790717QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD2V Allegedly original style.

Craig: Sent you a PM regards, Wal F

Craig: Pretty sure Datsun Spirit is Eiji Hosomi (VicZcar featured article). He/they are in the USA Datsun Spirit, Inc 8482 Battle CT Manassas, VA 20110 USA Fax: (703) 991 8365 sales@datsunspirit.com If the Japan site didn't pan out, try contacting him direct. Back in March I contacted Showcars: From: Showcars [showcars@idirect.com] Sent: Wednesday, 21 March 2007 12:10 AM To: Forsyth, Wal Subject: RE: ZG headlight covers Hi...have someone working on a glass repro now with aluminum trims....pdice in couple weeks...please check back...rob Hope to help. Thanx, Rob. 905-857-6345 or fax us at 416-674-1910 Web Site: www.showcars-bodyparts.com Email: showcars@idirect.com In May I sent another e-mail, but had no response. Could be worth contacting them again. I'd be happy enough to let someone make a mould from mine (being like gold, there would need to be a lot of guarantees!) if it ends up we have to go that way. No need for money, but I'd be keen for a set of the repros, just to have as spares. As I said, the hardest part would be a stainless surround, but maybe some clever metal artists in our ranks could come up with something. Cheers.

Datsun Spirit say they intend to produce a full 5-piece replica ZG kit. You could contact them to enquire about headlight covers. http://store.datsunspirit.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=48 It might be difficult, but lenses could possibly be produced, but the stainless surround would be nigh on impossible as a DIY. I'm imagining a left and right FRP mould taken off original lenses and used as a buck, over which plexiglass, lexan or similar is heated and allowed to drape into the shape. Excess material trimmed off with a dremel. (Sounds easy, doesn't it?) You could find a black rubber section suitable as a surround instead of the stainless, maybe. Cheers,

Craig: PM sent. Have changed e-mail address, so will update my profile, apologies. Cheers, Wal