Reddog

Very sorry to hear of your loss Ryan…Mum’s forever hold a special place in our heart’s and something that helped me through the hard times (with both parents) was the belief that they live on in you and “in one sense” are never too far away and that goodness get’s passed onto your kid’s as well… regards, Rod.

Thanks Guys for your input & answering my question.

Thanks Dave for your prompt reply, but fortuneately those one's are installed as you can see... Hoping maybe one of the professional resto guys might stumble across my Post. Regards, Rod.

Found this possibly Interior(?) Cover/Panel/Blank shoved under the Driver's seat out of sight - had not noticed it until a recent vaccuming...cannot find any obvious open access holes in the rear Deck/Spare Wheel Well, Footwell area's etc; Seems to be made of a composite mix of possibly Fibreglass over a Metal plate (not sure...) and a thick Rubber backing with a recessed seal/lip around the edges you can see in the photo. Car has recently been up on hoist several times for new Engine/Gearbox/Clutch/Suspension etc; ...and no glaringly obvious open Holes/Panels regards underbody... Any help ideas where this belongs would be much appreciated, Cheers, Rod.

TopGear Journo drives and reflects on the 240Z at 50 - Current UK TopGear online review on a classic, quote: "A compelling modern classic. Useable and huge fun, but doesn't feel fragile." Celebrating Zed's 50th, fairly complimentary...verdict finishes off: "It's just as appealing now as when it conquered the world 50 years ago. Happy birthday Zed." Gives it Overall Verdict 8/10. Cheers, Rod.

The latest edition of UNIQUECARS (has the Barbados Green SLR5000 on the cover) has a very nice 17 page all clout article covering the 50th anniversary of the Zed. Features two very nicely sorted restored 240Z’s - Silver ‘73 owned by Brad Twyning and Green early ‘70 owned by John Wakeling (Forum members?). Lovely examples in my humble opinion. Really nice photography in my humble opinion and knowledgeable write ups, usual ‘Checklist Stuff” covering: Body & Chasiss. Engine & Transmission. Suspension & Brakes. Interior & Electrics. Also good little side articles with photo’s of Zed bits and pieces. Also 4 pages of ‘ZEDFEST 2019’ Photos. Cheers, Rod.

Good evening Jeff, Sorry to hear of your skiing accident and your subsequent shoulder surgery. I know my shoulder surgery from a few years back was a long road to recovery so I can empathize with you somewhat on that one...and the delay with your Zed. No unfortunately I don't have your contact details anymore Jeff, so if you could send them to me that would be appreciated. Cheers, Rod.

Hi Chris and Jeff - I'm going to be over in Canberra next week from the 28th October to the 10/11th November staying in Nicholls once again. It would be great to catch up with you guys for a chat and to see your fantastic progress on your 240 Jeff. So I was just wondering if you guys or any other Canberra Zedders are possibly free at any stage over that period - be nice to touch base? Regards, Rod.

Sorry about the size of the ad!!! Thought i'd downsized it...

Small Update to this story... Scrounging around further still in an old '80's scrap photo album, I got a big suprise when I found the original ad for my first Zed (the 2+2) that I had cut out and kept, around the time of purchase if i remember... Interestigly I saw 'my' old car several years later parked up on a verge maybe 5kms or less from my old home (the 1st photo) and it looked very sad and in pretty poor/abused condition (putting it mildly!)...When I went to apply for Private Western Australian Number Plates for the second Zed, I thought I'd try for my old 'XPZ 484' number plates if by chance, they had become available - they had not. Don't know if this car survived or not? Dave - in answer to your question: I was with Skywest Airlines (originally Skywest Jet Charter). Back then mainly Turboprops and Business Jets. Long time out of the industry now but still passionate about aviation stuff modern and old. Love the 'Warbird Shows' you guys over in the Eastern States get. Flares - long time gone and being honest, even if I still had them mothballed away and tried to fit into them...ummm I'd have one very squeaky voice!!! I was fortunate the current car had two careful Lady owners (documented) from new for the first 30 odd years. Regards, Rod.

Father and Son photo's that tell a bit of a story...the connection being that by coincidence we were both 21 years old when these two respective photo's were taken some 38 years apart. I was pretty chuffed when last year my sister found a long lost (and forgotten!) photo of me and my first Zed taken in late 1981 ('77 2+2 manual). Great days back then - lot's of hair, girls and flared jeans - sadly the hair has gone these days! 1979: My first year out of school, I ventured up to the northwest of WA for a 'Gap Year' working for a mining company...anyways one afternoon shift one of my co-workers rocked up in a lovely Bronze '76 260Z 2 seater...got to go for a few fast rides in this car and needlesss to say as an 18 year old I was very impressed and dreamed of maybe owning one someday... 1980: Commenced an apprenticeship out at Perth Airport. One day not long after I started, one of the Pilots asked if he could park his car in the hangar as he would be away for a few days on a charter flight and did not want to leave his car outside in unsecured parking... so what does this pilot rock up with...none other than an immaculate white 240Z. I at least got the "privilege" of starting it up and shifting it around the hangar to make way for aircraft coming in and out for maintenance . I certainly had the Zed bug by now. 1981: I was determined to buy one and this lovely '77 2+2 manual example came up for sale. From memory I think it had sold new mid 1978 and hence still virtually felt, smelt and drove like a brand new Zed. Being an apprentice I got a "lot of stick" for rolling up in a "red sports car"...however the Zed was being secretly admired unbeknown to me! By the end of that year the Chief Engineer had also bought a White '76 2+2 manual and soon after this one of the other Engineers on my shift bought a 'Bronze '76 260Z manual. On a couple of rare occasions at work we we did manage to have all 3 or 4 Zeds angle parked next to other...good fun for a bit of a stir/laugh back then. Usual familiar story...study, careers, travel, family and time marches on as do changing priorities. The Zed was sold on after a few years...however I never lost my passion for them and always wanted to get back into Zeds again but realistically did not think it would happen...I think a familiar story for a few of us on this forum? 2019: Anways fast forward to the second photo taken back around June 2019 and my son Jeremy had just mastered the art of driving a manual and this was his first solo drive of my second 260 ('77 manual) I had purchased for my 50th (with encouragement from my lovely wife)...anyhows he shares the Zed passion and we now share a lot of driving and great Father and Son bonding as a result! Hopefully he will be the next custodian of this great little car...coincidentally he's also training (Apprenticeship) as an Aircraft Maintenace Engineer. Regards, Rod.

Hi Chris and Jeff, Great to catch up with and meet you both. Jeff that is great work you are doing in your busy man cave. I am sure your car will turn out to be a beauty when you have finished her and hopefully your 240 will be passing through Perth one day in your travels! Chris that was really kind of you to put in the time on Monday and that is one very, very nice 240 you have there. Speaking of a "spirited" drive, I never realised you could get a sorted Zed around hairpin's so quickly - has given me some mojo back concerning my car... Great morning once again and if you are heading to Perth, please get in contact. Cheers, Rod.

Hi Chris and Jeff, That's good news. I will be in the Macca's car park by 10 am today Chris. Cheers, Rod. .

Hi Chris , My mobile number is 0429 541385 (the Nicholl's home phone number where I am staying is : 6241 4287). I know the weather is looking a bit 'iffy' this afternoon but tomorrow is looking '0 percent rain' and I have nothing planned tomorrow Chris, so I can work around any time that may be convenient to you? Cheers, Rod.

Hi Chris, Thanks for the kind offer, that would be great. I am in Nicholl,s but I have access to a car so I could get out to Woden/Weston Creek areas and my friends here reckon it's approximately 20 minutes way from here...mind you with my navigation it may take a bit longer! I can fit in with any time that is convenient/suitable for you Chris throughout the day? Cheers, Rod.

Hi Jeff and AussieZed, Thanks and nice to hear back from you guys. Another nice clear brisk morning - just 'rugging' up for a trail walk! You guys certainly have a fantastic place here in Canberra - we still cannot get over how amazing the beauty of the surrounding areas/countryside is and the amount of activities to do... You have some great roads/drives to punt the Zed's around compared to home. Jeff have been following your build with much admiration and your attention to detail and ingenuity (like so many of the guys on this website) is inspirational. Never ceases to amaze me the wealth an depth of info all things Zed maint./restoration you can learn from you guys... Cheers, and thanks once again, Rod.

Hi there, Bit of an unusual request but I thought I would ask...I am currently visiting friends in Canberra for a week (back to Perth on Thursday the 29th) and staying in Nicholls. From what I have seen there are a number of nicely restored 240/260's lurking in Canberra going by this site over the years. Just wondering if any of these owners and their Zeds will be out and about this Sunday? Would love to be able to see and chat about Zeds as I am looking for some inspiration to get my old girl sorted ('77 260Z) and the last time I was over here 10 years ago I did not own a Zed! Regards and thanks, Rod.

Just out of interest I noticed the post from 'boyblunda'- "Before the issue arises again, there was a new 260Z model in 1976 starting from RS30 015001" This intrigued me so I checked and I have RS30 015011 built 10/1976 (Red 110, manual) and sold June 1977, Victoria. Someone mentioned in an earlier forum regarding late model 260Z's that they had read somewhere that only 96 '77 260Z Coupe's were brought in for the Oz market? Recently I was looking at photo's of a 03/1978 build UK 260Z and noticed that it had the older 260 (74-76) 'flat' horn pad which was a bit unusual as all of the other 77/78 original 260's (and 280's) I have seen have the newer 'deep' horn pad. This UK car had been put away by a collector for the past 27 years and only had approx. 8,500 miles on the clock and was passed in at auction...if I remember correctly they were after 26,000 Pounds Stirling for the car. Lot's of underbody component(s) 'surface' rust as well as some in and around the engine bay, but 'appears' to be a very original undamaged/unmolested car. Cheers, Rod. Like This

I am pretty sure the normal colours came in as well on the '77 models? Mine is 110 Red with Cream interior and I have seen the light 'Metallic Blue' as well as a 'Forrest/BR Green' back in the '80's on the Coupe's.. Rod.

Yep, That's the one. At least you got a chance to have a look at it as there are not too many of the '77 Coupes (manuals) around these days. The cream interior was not that common either. I seem to remember reading on this forum a few years ago that there were only 98 of the 1977 2 seaters imported into Australia? I was contemplating it for a spares or backup project for mine. Glad he got more than he was asking for it. Rod.

'77 260Z 2 Seater gone fast? (W.A.) Gumtree had a 1977 Gold manual Coupe advertised Thu/Fri this week for $14.5K and appears to have been snapped up, hopefully to a good home. I think it had a RB30(?) transplant, registered but not running at present due to some electrical gremmlins. Owner still had the original motor. Gold colour with original gold/bronze laquered mags. Ad did not last long so I cannot remember details for certain, but looked like a potentially good project car... Rod.

Fairly recent interesting article on 'SPEEDHUNTERS' covering the restoration of two very different powered Zeds in New Zealand: '76 280Z L28 ('classic' enhancements to engine) '72 240Z VQ35DE V6 Both very nice resto's detailed in a good article with plenty of nice photo's. Link: http://www.speedhunters.com/2016/02/old-dogs-new-tricks-datsun-z-2-flavours/ Cheers, Rod.