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I bought a '77 280Z (an "early 77" with the tilted up rear parcel deck) when I was in high school, in the early 80's, the first car I ever bought. Even though it was only 6 or 7 years old it was a total rustbucket. It ran fabulously. I replaced the floors and frame rails, did a lot of bodywork, bought a new gas tank, hatch lid, and rear bumper from Nissan. Those parts were still available from the dealer.
I had a friend paint it '84 Corvette Metallic Blue. It was a 4-speed and I bought a 5-speed gearbox from a junkyard called Grady's Auto Parts in Seekonk, MA. 280Z's were quite plentiful in junkyards then! I drove that car until the mid 90's when it really started to disintegrate again from rust then stuck it in the woods behind my Dad's house.
When I bought this Red Wine '78 about 12 years ago I pulled the very decrepit '77 out of the woods and pulled the 5-speed gearbox out, transplanting it into the '78. So a little of that long gone '77 is still with me. I have owned an S30 of some sort for my entire driving career.
That's a great story.
I drove a '68 Triumph GT6 in high school, college, and for an additional year after college as I saved up for a down payment on the new '77 280Z. The Z has ~160,000 miles on it now and it still has the factory original clutch, although the clutch will be replaced when I do a major refresh on the car in the near future. I'm planning on an engine out restoration with new paint (including the engine bay.)
I upgraded the suspension back in 1986, installing Datsun factory competition parts all the way around along with Koni adjustable shocks and 1" sway bars. I also installed a thicker Momo steering wheel.
I drove a '68 Triumph GT6 in high school, college, and for an additional year after college as I saved up for a down payment on the new '77 280Z. The Z has ~160,000 miles on it now and it still has the factory original clutch, although the clutch will be replaced when I do a major refresh on the car in the near future. I'm planning on an engine out restoration with new paint (including the engine bay.)
I upgraded the suspension back in 1986, installing Datsun factory competition parts all the way around along with Koni adjustable shocks and 1" sway bars. I also installed a thicker Momo steering wheel.
I'm jealous! You guys have great taste in cars. I had an early 70' 240 that was stock and a modified 73' (Black imron with tan interior. L28 block/ ported w/e31 head/ early SU's/header, 5spd/r200 rear end and complete suspension, etc). I'd had the 73' since my teens and the 70' around ten years. They were both stolen about 8 or 9 years ago when I was out of town. I also had a yellow 77' for a few years. Z cars are great to drive and easy to work on. Plus, they just plain look great. I still want one again someday.
I had an early 70' 240 that was stock and a modified 73' (Black imron with tan interior. L28 block/ ported w/e31 head/ early SU's/header, 5spd/r200 rear end and complete suspension, etc). I'd had the 73' since my teens and the 70' around ten years. They were both stolen about 8 or 9 years ago when I was out of town. I also had a yellow 77' for a few years. Z cars are great to drive and easy to work on. Plus, they just plain look great. I still want one again someday.
IMO, the factory Z seats and driving position is the best of any sports car I've ever driven.
Another Z car fan here. I used to "borrow" my brothers 71 240z, back in high school. Bought a 260z, car looked, handled good, but had horrible vapor lock issues due to SU carbs. Got so mad once actually tried to blow it up by overrevving it. My attempt failed, due to carbs getting too hot and motor just stalled out. A few years later got a 78 280z 5 speed, great car. Once while heading up to Vermont to go skiing, had a race with a 911 on I87 in NY. We were doing 120+ plus when my friend asked me if I normally drove this fast with skis on the rack. As I slowed down the 911 blew past me, a 1/2 mile up the road he was pulled over by radar, my lucky day.. Also, had a 82 280zx which by then was just a blvd cruiser.. Still miss the 78.. Am looking at getting another z in the near future. Nice to see Z cars are now getting well deserved attention.
My other toy that keeps me busy on weekends. Originally an ‘88 M3, but all that’s left from the original e30 is the shell. Engine is highly modded s54. Suspension, bbk and abs from e46m3. Almost 370whp in a 2400lb car is a ton of fun on track...
Couldn't help picking this up today. Tight as a drum, drives like new. Needs a good cleaning. Excellent records, 92k mi E36 M3-4-5. It's a manual swap car. I got a smoking deal on it. I left a note on it while taking a walk in the neighborhood. Owner called the same day. He was getting ready to take it to a consignment seller. He was given a price that was higher than he sold it to me for, but opted to discount it to me. Turns out we have very similar tastes in cars. I've been looking at this car for years (one block from my house). I had a '95 M3 manual coupe years ago, and really love them. There's just something about them... And I was trying really hard to downsize the fleet this year...
This thread seems to be in a BMW mood last several posts, so I'll throw mine up. E46 M3 Vert with CSL intake. Every time I think about selling it I take it out for a spin and that thought passes.
I had a 95 M3 also. it was a great car. Only disappointment was it was hard to drift after having a 400+ Hp 300ZXtt. I sold it to one of the techs at Dinan for like $7k when i could not get it to pass smog without replacing the CATs
I've seen a fair number of VW enthusiast backgrounds on this sub-forum. Here's my .:R32. Mine since ,'08 and 30k miles now stalled out at 60k. I hardly ever drive it, unfortunately. It will be on the chopping block likely in spring for someone else to enjoy. These cars are special imho. This one has a little extra umph (FI) which makes the smile a little wider.
I've seen a fair number of VW enthusiast backgrounds on this sub-forum. Here's my .:R32. Mine since ,'08 and 30k miles now stalled out at 60k. I hardly ever drive it, unfortunately. It will be on the chopping block likely in spring for someone else to enjoy. These cars are special imho. This one has a little extra umph (FI) which makes the smile a little wider.
Very nice, I've always liked the Mk4 R32.
I have an .:R32 powered Corrado. With 250HP/250TQ in a 2700 pound car it goes pretty well.
I drove a '68 Triumph GT6 in high school, college, and for an additional year after college as I saved up for a down payment on the new '77 280Z. The Z has ~160,000 miles on it now and it still has the factory original clutch, although the clutch will be replaced when I do a major refresh on the car in the near future. I'm planning on an engine out restoration with new paint (including the engine bay.)
I upgraded the suspension back in 1986, installing Datsun factory competition parts all the way around along with Koni adjustable shocks and 1" sway bars. I also installed a thicker Momo steering wheel.
That'll be a fun project. There's a fellow in England who is producing some of the non factory produced parts - his cars are beautiful, I'll try and dig up his name.
10-10-2020, 08:17 PM
