A driver's car, the original z-car.

[allan16]

Originally Posted by wheelsucker

I know the title is a teaser, just wondering if anyone here is into the older, 70's era, z-cars? My wife traded in my 5-speed manual altima for a new 4runner. May not sound like a big deal but I realize now with no manual transmission cars, the cars I have (2002 corolla & 2008 4runner) are both boring!! Am thinking about getting an old z-car mainly because they are classic, most are manual (therefore fun to drive), and supposedly fairly reliable if kept in stock form. They can also be had for 5k or less but rebuild support may be an issue (something I still have to research.) Anyone own one or have any thoughts or experience?
.

IIRC, the early Z's needed quite a bit of suspension work to get 'em to turn. Nothing radical, and any Z you might pick up today would have had all the work done years ago.
I worked at a shop in '73-75 that did a lot of Z's. We built a bunch of 'em using stuff from FAR Performance, Tilton Engineering and a bunch of other shops. They were really good cars. Even built up they were very dependable and very fast. Don't remenber any particular faults with 'em.
Looking for one now I guess you'd look out for the same stuff on any 35 year old car...rust, rubber bits falling off, bondo, crash damage, availability of spares. Closer to stock the better. Ex race cars or autocrossers are a no-no

[TAS]

In '81 I bought a '77 280Z. Yellow with black stripes and black rear window louver. I loved that car; I was only 21 at the time. Three years later with only one payment left my wife (now ex) totaled it. That was the first time I had ever let anyon drive it, lesson learned.

[EvilGenius]

Ah this thread brings back some memories!

My brother had a '72 orange 240Z with a late 70s 280 engine with a race cam, long tube headers and a 2.5"-3" exhaust (can't remember). Thing was a speed demon.

He also had a 1990 azur metallic blue 300ZX at the same time, which later became mine for a while.

I'll see if I can dig up pictures of them.

[Tall Man]

Mmm.

My first car was a 1974 260Z 2+2 coupe. White w/black vinyl.

First year for the 2+2, last year for carburetors, and the only year with the 2.6L engine (in CONUS, anyway).

Mine had dual Weber carbs put on, and it rode on four fat Cooper Cobras mounted on some pretty complementary American Racing mags. With the rear seat folded down, cargo capacity was pretty amazing, given the size of the car and the slope of the rear deck.

The old girl got me from Florida to PA with nary a complaint ('cept for needing a little TLC and lots of warm-up on cold mornings.) She had in excess of 200K on the clock during The Big Drive, too.

That car had long legs for a four speed. Unfortunately, it was a GT car, and that meant the ride was a bit stiff. Also, early 70s ergos were...well, rather lousy. Thin seats and no power steering got old in rather short order. And the rust! Had it not had cancer so badly, I would have socked it away for restoration at a later date. As it was, I traded it in on a VW Golf GT, which was lots of fun in it's own way.

TM

[PecosBill]

Originally Posted by Tall Man

Mmm.

My first car was a 1974 260Z 2+2 coupe. White w/black vinyl.

First year for the 2+2, last year for carburetors, and the only year with the 2.6L engine (in CONUS, anyway).

Mine had dual Weber cars put on, and it rode on four fat Cooper Cobras mounted on some pretty complementary American Racing mags. With the rear seat folded down, cargo capacity was pretty amazing, given the size of the car and the slope of the rear deck.

The old girl got me from Florida to PA with nary a complaint ('cept for needing a little TLC and lots of warm-up on cold mornings.) She had in excess of 200K on the clock during The Big Drive, too.

That car had long legs for a four speed. Unfortunately, it was a GT car, and that meant the ride was a bit stiff. Also, early 70s ergos were...well, rather lousy. Thin seats and no power steering got old in rather short order. And the rust! Had it not had cancer so badly, I would have socked it away for restoration at a later date. As it was, I traded it in on a VW Golf GT, which was lots of fun in it's own way.

TM

my '70 had EFI, so cold mornings weren't a problem, and the seats were aftermarket and very comfortable. My friend had a '72, that was all original. I kinda like the old choke lever and thin padded seats. It made it feel a little more purpose built. Mine was more comfortable, handled a lot better, and had two and a half times the power, but his felt more challenging. I like 'em both ways.

[mel brooks]

I found an old pic that I scanned in---only one I have with both my '72's together.

The black one had just come home from the paint shop.

Man, I miss those cars.....

[drwest]

I've got a buddy here at work in Boulder that would make someone a smokin deal on his 240z. It's just taking up space in his garage. It's an original funky orange rust free colorado car. If anyone is interested PM me and I will hook you up with him.

[Flood]

Originally Posted by mutineer

this thing

not so much

Say that again to my face, you no-good bald-headed bugdriverlover.


Race-ready RS2600:




Original RS:




Mine:

[pirahna]

Originally Posted by Flood

Say that again to my face, you no-good bald-headed bugdriverlover.

Your cars are hideous! There, I said it.

[KillerPriller]

Originally Posted by German Trick

I worked at Nissan during this era. It was a total cluster-F .....

yup...



some things dont change.

[KillerPriller]

Originally Posted by German Trick

I worked at Nissan during this era. It was a total cluster-F .....

yup...



some things dont change.

[Bueller]

Originally Posted by Flood

Say that again to my face, you no-good bald-headed bugdriverlover.


Race-ready RS2600:




Original RS:




Mine:

Hunk of shit.

My Dad had one for a short time when I was a kid. Little more than a (not so) glorified Pinto.

[wyowillys46]

Originally Posted by Flood

Say that again to my face, you no-good bald-headed bugdriverlover.


Race-ready RS2600:




Original RS:




Mine:

Lipstick on a pig. It's almost hilarious how hard Detroit tried to copy the Japanese. And how hard they FAILed.

[ysr612]

Originally Posted by wyowillys46

Lipstick on a pig. It's almost hilarious how hard Detroit tried to copy the Japanese. And how hard they FAILed.

when I drove one of those things it did everything well and more power then my Z. The down side is is just felt all cheap and not tight like the Z.

[PecosBill]

Originally Posted by ysr612

when I drove one of those things it did everything well and more power then my Z. The down side is is just felt all cheap and not tight like the Z.

you need to make sure all six plug wires are attached on the Z.