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I've been thinking about the brakes ... I don't think the Hornet will stop well enough! (See Lurch & others .. I DO listen) An extremely good mate helped me with a new set and i'm incredibly grateful. They need a clean up, and repaint, but I think they'll do the job. I'll run them on the solids to start with, then if I need some more stopping grunt, will go vented. I also got these OEM headlight covers from the same great mate.. I think they'll give the car the right period look. Cheers Adam

Hey .. I just found another car painted in McLaren Papaya Yellow, same colour as the Hornet. Couldn't help myself! Adam

Hey Brabham (and others) I seriously like the way you're thinking on this project, and I for One would be very very interested in seeing you getting this project done. If there is anything I can do, just give me a shout. This could be one hell of a car when done. Most of us guys are doing our own interpretations of what we like in a Zed for our own purposes, but your LeMans replica is a real gem, and as Alan points out is hugely unique, and holds a special significance in the history of the marque. The fact that Nissan went head to head with the establishment, on their turf, and went to such lengths in terms of engineering, ie wheels, engine, aero and transmission is very interesting, and underpins the relevance of the 240 and 260Z and real sporting legends. I would be very interested in some of the stats, Alan if you know such as; 1) transmission type and gearing ratios, 2) diff spec, what was the ratio, and was if LSD, 3) top speed, 4) peak HP, and RPM of that motor, 5) weight, and so on. Also, was that a metal car, or did it comprise many FRP, or other panels? Go for it I say Brabham, and as for one of those trick heads .. count me for one. We only need another 497 takers! Thanks for the great read, and by all means let me know and i'll take you over to see the Hornet Cheers Adam

As Bruce Lee would say Gareth; "You wanna fight?" very lovely BTW!

Thanks Pete Yes, I have a friend called Sean Dezart, President / Founder of the French Z club. Sean is a Pom, who speaks fluent French, so might be worth dropping a line to. He regularly runs at LeMans Classic events and is a top bloke (for a Pom!!). Give Sean a shout, and tell him I sent you. His email address is seanz@wanadoo.fr His 240Z is way cool too ! Cheers Adam The Brown Hornet

Bertone

I've stopped counting the weeks, as its nigh on two years ! Popped in today to check out the new windscreen install. Nat went to put my old screen in, but was unhappy with the scratches and so bought a new one. The first one we got had a black border around the inside of it and frankly looked like a 2010 Corolla part .. the one in the car has no black band. Also put on the wipers and trim ... it looks like a car again. Just waiting on a bunch of parts, but generally things are coming on very nicely. Finished off the gear knob and re installed the rubber tool box rim dampers. God I love the colour in the flesh... just what the doctor ordered, that is old school early 70's sport car look. Sorry there are not more photos this time. Added one of the Lambo meet the other week. Can you believe it, these guys invited me to a track day with them. Cheers Adam

PM Sent.

Definitely not a C or D type jag, for sure. Does have the side profile of an Austin Healey, but their race cars did not have the bump on the rear. I'm going to back Pete on this one .. Agreed, its a magnificent thing (like the 550 Spyder! of the same era 53-55).

Gareth .. I agree, the 10k tach is a must own item for your car!! Just like Spinal Tap's Amplifier, that goes; "all the way to 11" Go for it! Adam.

Gareth, this car just keeps getting better and better. Are you planning to keep the car road registered, or will it morph into an all out racer? Keep up the good work (and inspiration!). Adam

John, As I said on the phone, that car of yours is going to be right off the richter scale .. and if those gearing ratios and speeds are accurate, you're going to need a parachute to stop the thing (and maybe a fighter helmet & oxygen mask to drive it!). I followed Aaron's car at the weekend and that thing was stupidly fast, and thats a NA overbored L24.. Can only imagine what your car will be like! Having said that, this is from somebody who has not been in, or driven a 240Z since 1998! So now we have an M3 and and AMG powered cars, just wondering ,, has anybody stuck a Ferrari motor into a 240z? Before shooting me, its not that crazy ... the early pre F-Inj 400i motors are not that hard to find, and are essentially based on the Columbo V12, famously used in the 250 series, and of course GTO, albeit in 3.0L capacity. There are lots of ferrari replica's that also use this motor too. Anyway, distractions aside John, this car of yours I think will be pound for pound the most excting in the Country. Its great to know that so much time and money are going into these cars .. can only be a good thing for collectability, and values. Cheers, and good luck with it John. Adam

Hi All I am looking for the small metal fan shroud for the top tank of a 240Z radiator. I am using the OEM radiator, but its missing the shroud. Would really love to find one. Please drop me a PM if you have one. Cheers Adam

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Another successful day today.. Even got the green light from the Boss Lady to stay a little longer. SO .. as for the gear knob, I took 260Z part that my very good friend John gave me, and modified to the stock 4 speed 240Z part. Its almost finished, just have to build up the space between the wood and enamel plate a little more, but you get the idea. The part just looks awesome, and so far i've not seen another one even remotely like it in the world. Also had a visit from another mate ... Aaron .. now THAT is a nice 240Z. It really makes my car look a bit average. Better really sharpen my pencil and get the Hornet right, it fairly shabby by comparison. Followed him home, and it goes like the proverbial poo off a shovel too! Aaron has offered to give me a litre of correct factory paint to do the rear garnish and grill, very excited! Anyway, here are the photos from today's work. Enjoy ! Rgds Adam.

Thanks John & Loui For those interested, John has found me that knob, and I plan to remove the red centre and install it onto my wooden 240Z knob. I think the dia of the red face might be very slightly larger than the 240Z item, so i plan to use a mates lathe to open up the hole in the smaller knob. Anyway will have a go and see where it ends up. If my mod does not work, I will just use the black knob as it is... It will look excellent in my car I think. On the Hornet, went down yesterday and spent an hour cleaning and polishing the wiper arms and fixing the new OEM blades to them ,,, they just look great ... and I can confirm that 240Z OEM arm and blade is an exact 100% replica (i am using this carefully) of the Lambo Espada and other models I saw today. Its just great. Nat is getting the front screen installed this week, and will be installing the bonnet, with painted hood vents in the same colour as the car. Should be off the stands next weekend, and I think we'll get it out to the muffler place either at the end of feb, or early March. Just on another note, Nat was invited by some of his old Lambo mates today to the inaugural breakfast for the Sydney Vintage Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Alfa club. Yes it was unreal!! Some of the highlights were; Lambo Uracco's, Epada's, (the Miura was at home, but is planning an outing next meet). There were some nice Ferrari's inc a perfect 275 GTC replica (based on 400i chassis & mechanicals), 512 BB, and a bunch of super nice Alfa's, inc Montreal, 2000 and 1750 GTV 105's. Have some photos and will stick up when next doing a down load. The good new is the blokes were very interested in my 240z project, and one of the guys even told me he has a 74 260Z 2 seater that is 'mint' (and i'd believe it), that 'he never ever uses'. I think that might be code for he would consider selling it, but he did not say that, and I did not ask. Cheers Adam

Ok John, meant to PM.

Mossy .. the hornet was 918, and to be honest it takes a lot to like it. I actually think that safari gold is more unique and to me has more of that 'period race' look to it. Just my opinion for what its worth. Have a look at the edward Lee zed for inspiration on 918 .. it is actually a very nice car. this problem actually took me the better part of a year to get right. good luck.

Just noted last night that under the 'UK Market' Section of the Feb 2011 Octane Magazine there is half a page on the growing collectability of 240Z's. The article suggests that "of the 2000 imported cars into the UK, most are rotten (as you would expect) and the balance have been destroyed by racers". They then go on to say that the 240Z is a brilliant drive, and in many instances are worth more than "cooking early 911's". Their advise is to "get a 240Z while you can, as they are highly desirable drivers and investments". Now I don't have my copy in front of me, but this really was a shot in the arm and a great advertisement for the marque. Remember that Octane is sold Globally, and typically identifies trends in cars that are collectable, or likely to be collectable. I recently saw two 'restored' 240Z's advertised in the mag for 25,000 pounds and more. Moreover, I am aware of one Australian restored (but fairly heavily modified - paint, tranny, wheels, interior etc) whose owner was offered $58,000 for. Maybe, just maybe we're onto something here! Spread the word !!! (again!) cheers

How long is a piece of string? It is a bit like that, but given I have not driven a 240Z for at least 10 years, but am very close to getting the 'Brown Hornet' on the road, I wanted to ask all you experts (because you actually have the ability to drive the things), and boffins (because you can probably work it out), what type of 0-100kph you think my car will get, and its top speed, based on a series of inputs. Ok... So as you know, I have build a very standard 1971 240Z, with the exception of the now rather worked engine. So what do you think is a reasonable estimate of what it should / could do? assuming; - NA 250hp L24, with very light flywheel and internals, on 10.9:1CR - standard L26 tranmission, so assume factory delivered gear ratios. - standard 3.9:1 diff without LSD, but assume NO wheel spinning. That is, get it off the line to minimise 0-100 acceleration time, - OEM diameter 205/60/R15 tarmac rally style (read very sticky) purpose made rubber Reason for asking is I just saw Clarkson talk about the Mazda6 MPS, with 256HP, and 0-100 in about 6 secs. The difference between this car and my 71 zed, is about 500KG weight, and 4WD. What do you think my Zed will do? The engine IS hot, and the car has been kept 'lightish' as say 1075kg or so. Would love to know. mmm now will it be UNDER 7 secs, or UNDER 6 ?? Cheers Adam

Try owning a Zed that you have never driven, dropping a mint on rebuilding it to the point where it needs a battery and fuel to start, and having your Wife tell you that you are being monitored closely and that any further dollars spend on "that bloody Datsun" will very likely lead to partial dismembrement! Now That's frustration !

Hi Pete .. Have not been to Pebble Beach, nor Goodwood but I have several mates that go all the time ... and rub it in! If you go, i'll have to get you to pick me up a t-shirt ! PB would be absolutely amazing ... some incredible stuff there. How's your project coming on? Adam

Hi all .. thought that might get you in! Now I know you all know the Brown Hornet, and as its getting VERY close to being a starter in the coming weeks (or thereabouts) I just wanted to throw out a lifeline to ask you all to check your workbenches for those parts that you might have (but don't need), that I do need. Just as a reminder, my car is a June 1971 Aussie delivered car. Here is a brief list of OEM parts I'm looking for at this stage. Drop me a PM if you can part with any, and THANKS BENNY for helping me out on the rear tail light garnish stainless trim this week. 1) I need a blade style hazard switch that reads 'Flash' on it. This is the type that goes into the hole on the dash to the left of the steering wheel. 2) I need the interior plastic kit that covers the inside of the rear hatch. I have the roof piece and the window surrounds, but need the rear sides, and the rear tail light cover. There are discreet differences between the 71 model and later also that can make things even more confusing. I have the plastic clips to hold it in, but just need the plastic panels. 3) this is crazy, BUT, I need the two screws that hold the rear of the centre console in place, as well as the washers (if there were any). I also need to correct screw that holds in the rear coin tray. I have the factory coin tray, and ash tray, but the correct retaining screws are missing. 4) I need the plastic piece that both the choke and hand throttle levers come out of (with the rear demister button on it), that sticks to the middle of the centre console. I have one, but its pretty average. A better one would be very helpful, and I reckon there must be a few of these lying about in sheds, as most guys have removed the choke / hand throttle assemblies with their modern engine swaps, 5) yeah I know its ridiculous, but I am after a 5 speed shift knob. 6) on the seat (forward / reverse) slide levers, there is supposed to be a plastic handle. I do not have these handles, and would love a set. This is NOT the rotary adjuster on the side of the seat, but is the handle that you lift up to slide the seat either back or forward. I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones that are causing me grief at the moment. Cheers Adam

Thanks Dave, Loui and Ian. Appreciate the positive feedback and the fact you are enjoying my thread. If only this car was as good as you describe it. Remember its not a matching # engine and tranny, and will retain its 260Z hood, so its not entirely authentic. The colour is also a change from OEM, so the concourse guys will have many good reasons to not vote this car as a top example. As I said at the outset, I wanted my 240Z to be as original as possible, with just a hot motor. Invariably i'll be doing something a little more impressive with the suspension, and maybe brakes (i can hear Lurch's comments very clearly in my mind, and I have taken note) but any mods to these systems will kept to period spec, so for the suspension expect Koni externally adjustable yellows, lower springs, and the right rubber (205/60/R15). For the brakes, IF these are not good enough, I will get a set of Sumitomo twin calipers for the front only, and maybe some vented rotors. I'm paranoid about weight, so keeping it simple in this regard, including the smaller 15" wheels will help. The thought of an LSD has crossed my mind, but again I will see what we need once the car is going. Gareth gave me a great idea about getting a 432R replica roll cage made up, which might also occur, but again, in time! Anyways Gents, am very pleased that you like my build, and hope its nearly as appealing in the flesh as it seems in the photos. I'm thinking it might turn a few heads, and humiliate the odd unexpecting Porsche driver early on Sundays. On Easter, my Wife just told me we're booked up for Easter... I'm going to have to figure something out on this. Cheers Adam p.s this is one of the most significant influences for my Zed project. 1961 250 SWB SEFAC 'hot rod'. Note its a full factory road car, with just some modest 'race' add ons, including alloy body, lowered suspension, and bigger exhaust.

Went to have a look at the Hornet .. Nat said; "i just have to sort out a few wires, and then we're ready to get the exhaust" Lots to do on the interior, but a carpet kit should just about do most. I reckon we might get the car started very very soon. Can't actually wait .. it just looks fast sitting there. Watch this space! Adam