yellazed

ZZZeee: Put me down for a set, too please. That is, if you are happy to mail to Australia? Cheers, Wal F

It's kinda practical because it sure is hard to judge where that front bar is, but it spoils the front badly so I'll be pulling it off. I wonder why Zs are so addictive. I've just bought this one, (no. 5) yet I still find myself cruising the 'for sale' columns! There are still a few models I don't have, but unlike a 1:18 model collection it is getting harder to find room for the full scale ones!! My wife says I should sell one or two, but it's like doing away with one of your children. 'Sophie's Choice' - which one do you abandon? Anyway, thanks for the support for the 'unloved' one.

Just added a '79 2-seater to the Z stable. It's a low kms 5-speed turbo, imported from UK in '93. Rare here as we only had the NA 2+2. Mine has black leather seats and vinyl trim, no velour anywhere, thankfully.

It is mounted "correctly" in that it is facing the right way. It needs different/modified mounts. As Filmjay said - the ones you are using are designed for a flat deck lid, not one at 30 deg to horizontal. You have it laying back so far it is creating lift. Btw: it is APR - not ARP. (Edit) After another look: If you can turn it around to face the other way it might alter the attack angle enough to create some downforce. (And swap the endplates around so it looks right). Might be worth a try.

Agreed. including a little trimming of the seats! Looks at least two to three inches wider than the 240/260 console. Let's keep the suggestions realistic. It will need to be a narrow-waisted car, e.g. Miata, maybe even an early Datto sedan, 240K 180B or such. There's one on e-bay atm: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DATSUN-240K-OR-260Z-CENTRE-CONSOLE-MANUEL-OR-AUTOMATIC_W0QQitemZ220304215721QQihZ012QQcategoryZ33695QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting just to give you an idea. You must have dozens of options in junk-yards over there.

They are 5-studs and look awfully like DTM 'Rush' [/img] Available in bronze as well as shadow chrome. They are lighter than the stock R33 wheels they replaced.

OK, I'll generalise too. Sports cars are traditionally 2-seaters and 2+2s are GTs. 2-seater Zs are therefore sports cars, regardless of weight and the heavier, fatter 2+2 Zs are GTs. Is a 4-seater Porsche a sports car or a GT? There's a bit more to consider, though. Suspension set-up, power to weight ratio, etc, but I stick to my simplistic seat count as being the chief criterion. My 2-seater 200ZR weighs about 1200kg and has around 370hp at the wheels. This is a better power:weight ratio than a Ferrari F355 Challenge which weighs 1444kg and has 380hp at the flywheel. If weight was the criterion for a sports car you'd have to rule out a lot of 2-seaters supercars. What does the Bugatti Veyron weigh? 1998kg with 987hp. I wouldn't call it a GT, though.

Z31s are unloved here, too. We mostly have 2+2s DownUnder and I always felt the shape was unbalanced. For that reason I overlooked them and bought a couple of Z32s. BUT .... I have just fallen in love with a '78 black 200ZR 2-seater with a fearsome RB25 and all Skyline running gear, so just had to have it. It's smoother to drive than either of my Z32s and quicker than any of my others, including the S30 v8 and I love it. I was hooked by the RB25 which is way superior to the RB20. Maybe it's just the 'new baby' syndrome, but I prefer it over the other cars, now. Have plans for some 18s, maybe some Brides ......... ahhh, here we go again. Also it fills in the lineage gap between the S30 and the Z32s. I must say, though, had it been a 2+2 I wouldn't have felt the same. (Or if it had the VG) Is it just me? I have a 2+2 Z32 and I think they got the balance perfect. To the uninitiated the 2+2 is hard to pick from the 2 seater, but with the Z31 it's the long roof line and less raked rear window that's just not quite right (IMHO).

Here you go - a couple of shots of an AusZcar member's lightweight. Cheers.

Sorry about the links - should be OK now. These look like the same wheels - 16x7, 16x8 with 0 offset.

These look like the same wheels - imported from US to Oz by a member who can't recall what brand they are - loved 'em on a US car so had his mate send him a set. Offset = 0. I am after a set with a similar look, but want some neg offset to better fill ZG flares. These don't have enough for me Thinking to import also if I can find the right wheels.

Braap: With all due respect, hardly a conclusive poll. Both my cars were JDM direct imports. Both are TTs. Maybe there is a quality issue with your US cars, or problems dealing with some of your pollution legislation, I don't know. There is a healthy contingent of very satisfied devotees Downunder, a great percentage of whom drive imports. There are also some who are struggling with cars that have been abused. Visit www.aus300zx.com Maybe it ends up that US Z32s are a problem, not Z32s per se.

You may well be in the minority. I have a 2+2 and a 2-seater. Both were in great shape when I bought them and have been uber reliable. Naturally, you get what you pay for. Plenty of run-down Z32s out there needing a lot of work. This was a super car in its day and deserves to be treated with TLC. Unfortunately, they have become so cheap that too many kids with hardly two bucks in their pockets get starry eyes and buy a car they have no ability to maintain. Result - more clunkers and even lower prices, then a bad reputation for the marque. True enthusiasts would argue with you. A well maintained Z32 can be a joy forever.

You guys will be all over this, but haven't seen a post. ebay listed Alpha 1 kit: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/280z-240z-260z-ferrari-gto-kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ36475QQihZ013QQitemZ230198962067QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW Pick-up Pittsfield MA

I'd say get rid of 'em. I don't want to completely shave, though. I have some round Miata side markers I'm going to fit on the side of the fender in front of the door. (Similar to 350Z) This will give a more updated look. Cheers.

More episodes: http://a.scarywater.net/omfg/ http://tokyotosho.com/details.php?id=82721 http://www.animesuki.com/releases.php/w.html

Still, at around US$2K buy-it-now it would be a good investment. Simple resto compared to Mull's! http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DATSUN-240Z_W0QQitemZ190166982436QQihZ009QQcategoryZ102220QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

if anyone is interested. Zip files for Vol. 1 and part of Vol 2. In English. Unzips the pages as jpegs. Not yet complete. I think it's a work in progress. http://www.wangan-midnight.com/download/index.html A couple of examples: [/img]

I agree with you about sideskirts. That bar and a smooth tail would work. It wouldn't need a bumper, as it has a hint of a bar moulded in already. Re flares: I'm ambivalent about them. Sometimes I find myself wanting ZG 'glass ones, other times I don't. The Stainless style is a bit loud for me. We see Mercs and Bimmers over here wearing them, but I'm not a fan. My Z (Zed) is well a modified Hybrid, so "original" is quite irrelevent for me. Re mirrors: I have a pair of light polished alloy 'Downton' bullet mirrors I will fit to replace the cumbersome CRX mirrors on it atm. The ugly stock side repeaters will go in favour of some MX-5 (Miata) round repeaters further back in the 'modern' position. Now that you have been bitten by the bug you will be like the rest of us, constantly 'improving' your pride and joy. Just be prepared for some outspoken criticism from some quarters no matter what you do, or say you intend to do. We have all developed fairly thick hides by now. All the best, Wal F

Because "an" is used before a vowel to provide a smooth transition into the vowel sound. Example "an orange" is smoother sounding than "a orange" ("uh orange") which is almost a stutter. Urethane sounds like "yoorathane", so already has a smooth ramp up. If it sounded "urrethane" as in "upward" then it would need "an". Isn't English wonderful?

Good to have another Commonwealth member! That was a bargain Z. In your situation the 2+2 makes good sense. I have a couple of 2-seaters - 260Z and 300ZX, but I bought a 2+2 300ZX as well, so I can take the kids for a spin now and again. The 2-seaters have become 'toys' but the 2+2 is almost a daily driver and very practical. Buying a car in that condition at that price sure leaves a heck of a budget for improvements. I would support you idea to remove BOTH bumpers if you can do so legally. I have a shaved rear on my coupe and it looks clean. Cheers from Downunder.

and the bonnet (hood) shut line is all wrong. I wish I had something more than 'Paint' to work with, but here is my pitiful attempt to explain what I mean: Apologies...... maybe someone with Photochop could help out. Altogether a too heavy look at the front. I think it really is beyond help.

you may have already seen

I'm keen to see some pics, if you have any by now? Cheers,