Interesting photos of a Scarab

[280Zone]

Interesting to see the details of an original Scarab.

 

I hadn't seen the Scarab "boost" guage before.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1976-DATSUN-Z-ORIGINAL-CALIFORNIA-SCARAB-CAR-153_W0QQitemZ220267073326QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220267073326&_trkparms=72%3A971%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245.l1308

[MJLamberson]

Oh how I would love to own such a Z

[Challenger]

That car is stunning!

 

As for the boost gauge I guess you didnt see the twin turbos....

[turboboost]

I want.

[BRAAP]

Scarab badges, Scarab this, Scarab that, Scarab Scarab SCARAB!?!?!? Yet no mention in all the “alterations from the original Scarab build”, of the JTR V-8 engine mounting? Note the HEI under the JTR hood latch and the JTR trans bracket! Not an original Scarab V-8 installation location in the chassis.

 

 

 

The car is quite beautiful, price is WAY more than fair, I would love to own that car myself and actually prefer the engine in its JTR position for numerous reasons, though I am struggling with why someone would not leave the Scarab V-8 mounted in the Scarab position? To take a true Scarab and install a JTR set back, in my not so humble opinion, just takes so much of the Scarab out of the Scarab. Badges are badges, and other nuances of the Scarab are still Scarab, but how and where Scarab installed the V-8 in the chassis is what separates a Scarab from other V-8 Z cars and makes them just that much more “special”.

Again, it is a gorgeous car and as seen in the same light as any other JTR converted V-8 Z, is an incredible deal with neat history, and the Scarab badging is icing on the cake.

[280Zone]

Brapp, I was thinking that engine was set back a little further than normal for a true Scarab, also noted the trans mount looked at lot like mine (which is not a Scarab).

 

I still don't see any turbos ; )

[Challenger]

Theyre hiding...

[rturbo 930]

That's #153. Doesn't dsommer have #154? Strange coincidence.

[m4xwellmurd3r]

if you read the history on car 153, it HAD a turbo, installed by scarab, and then was upgraded to a TWIN turbo setup, but they couldn't get it right, so it ended up sitting around for a long time, then someone decided to buy it and restore it, but put in a new engine, and a new 5 speed tranny (and probably went to the JTR position at that time?)

 

But that's why it has the boost gauge and no turbo.

[MJLamberson]

if you read the history on car 153, it HAD a turbo, installed by scarab, and then was upgraded to a TWIN turbo setup, but they couldn't get it right, so it ended up sitting around for a long time, then someone decided to buy it and restore it, but put in a new engine, and a new 5 speed tranny (and probably went to the JTR position at that time?)

 

But that's why it has the boost gauge and no turbo.

 

where does one learn this?

[m4xwellmurd3r]

it's in the description

and if you go a bit down, it has a 350 bored .030 over in it now, and not the 400

HISTORY OF THIS PARTICULAR SCARAB - CAR # 153

 

This 1976 Datsun 280Z was purchased by its original owner in 1978 with the sole intention of converting the vehicle into a factory produced, authentic Scarab. The car was completed on February 28, 1979 and carried Scarab # 153. The car was originally built using Scarab's 327 c.i. Chevrolet power, mated to a four-speed Borg Warner manual transmission.

 

When the car was first completed, it owner used the car primarily as a street "sleeper" and participated in some Saturday night "stoplight to stoplight "activities. He decided that the Scarab needed more power and the car was returned to Scarab to have a turbocharger installed. The necessary changes were made to the engine and the car left Scarab complete with a turbocharger and a rare, in-dash turbo gauge (more on that later). A few years later, the car developed a problem with one of the pistons and Gale Banks of Banks Turbo's was commissioned to build a small block 400 designed for a turbo. The engine was installed and was back on the road again, this time with even more horsepower. A short time later, in a friendly street "competition", the Scarab was beaten by a twin turbo powered (Chevrolet) Jaguar so the car was brought back to another facility (by this time, Scarab was no longer in business) for even more power. This time a twin turbo, 400 c.i. Chevrolet with significant modifications was contemplated.

 

Unfortunately, the development of the engine/drive-line proved to be problematic and they could never get the car sorted to the owner's high standards. Some eight year later and after a substantial investment, the shop went bankrupt and the car was behind a locked gate. The owner moved on to other projects and the car was left at the shop for many years.

 

The second and current owner learned about the car and its rarity, and made an offer to purchase the car. After considerable negotiation, the owner reluctantly agreed to sell the car under the condition that it would be "brought back to life" and returned to a configuration that was closer to the original Scarab.

 

The new owner took a few years to decide what approach to take with the Scarab but finally decided to complete a restoration, retaining as many of the cars original components as possible (interior, badging, spoilers, wheels, ID plates, etc). The car was completely gone through and received new running gear, mechanical components and, high quality, complete re-paint and freshening of the cosmetics.

 

In 1995 the owner heard about the "Pony Express" a high performance, "On-Road" driving event held on Nevada public roads. The event (and other, similar events that he entered between 1996-1999) provided the opportunity to drive your car over the course of 100 miles in various speed categories. The goal was to get as close to the maximum speed of your class. During his initial event in 1996 he entered in the 110 mph class finishing 9th with an average speed of 108.779 mph. Another event, 6 months later (same speed class) resulted in a 2nd place finish with an average speed of 110.048 mph.

 

Well, feeling the "need for speed" (or more speed), the car underwent a mechanical upgrade including the addition of a 5-speed transmission, Tokico adjustable struts, Ibock springs, and urethane bushing. The car was entered in the 120 mph class and then the 130 mph division with the following results:

 

EVENT DATE CLASS FINISH AV. SPEED

 

 

 

Pony Express 6/97 120 MPH 3rd 120.071

 

 

 

Elko Gamblers 9/07 130 MPH 2nd 133.431

 

 

 

Pony Express 6/99 130 MPH 1st 129.991

 

 

 

The car was clocked at 150 MPH with an estimated top speed of 165 MPH (limited by V rated tires).

[N20Jeep]

that car is amazing...

[pparaska]

Personally, I like it better with it in the JTR position. Just because the engine was placed in the "Scarab" position by Brian Morrow, et al, in 1979 doesn't mean he'd do it that way today if he were still building Scarabs.

 

As Mike Knell stated here before - the reason he came up with his JTR mouting position was to be able to use the T-5 transmission.

 

I think it's particularly fitting that the people that installed the T-5 into this Scarab saw the light and used Mike's (JTR's) mounts and placed the drivetrain as JTR does now...They updated it - probably the way Brian Morrow would himself if he were to put a T-5 in the car...

 

That thing is beautiful though. But I'm really partial to dark blue metallic/pearl paint on 240Zs

[KimZee]

Sexy