bcdavis Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Hey, this is my first post on these forums. I had several Z cars over the years, and did a lot of modifications to them. I don't currently have a Z, but I still like to check in on the Z forums and other Z websites from time to time, to see what you are up to with your cars! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anyhow, my first 280 Z, all I did was remove the huge impact bumpers for weight savings, and fill the holes. And painted the chrome tail-light trim black... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- My second Z car, I got really wild with the fender flares, air dam, and wing... I actually think this is my favorite look, although maybe that's just because I am partial to black cars.... The flares were a mail-order item, as was the front air dam. The rear wing I found at a junkyard, and have never seen another one like it. It looks like the JCR whale-tail a little, but it's definitely different. I am guessing it's some generic tail from JC whitney or something... I also filled in all of the marker lights, removed all of the emblems, moldings, etc. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Then I crashed that one, and rebuilt another one, this time in yellow. With the yellow one, I built my own front air dam from scratch. I made a framework from straps of thin steel, then laid fiberglass on top of the framework. I ducted the air directly into the radiator, and hooked up the brake ducts to actual tubing that led to the brake calipers. I also installed an aircraft gas cap. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Of course, being a young stupid crazy teenager at the time, I managed to crash the yellow one too... So rebuilt it again, this time in white. This time I modified a Motorsports air dam, and cut the holes for my driving lights. I also tried mounting regular car headlights behind the front grille, to attempt to get away with running solid headlight covers. The police were not convinced, even though they were regular DOT lights mounted up under there. Probably because they were behind the grille, too close together, etc. I ended up selling this car in the mid 90's, and haven't had a Z since then. But I often wonder what happened to it. I suppose if the new owner wasn't active in the Z "scene" or car shows, it probably just ended up eventually getting wrecked or something. Who knows? I have been looking over all of the posts on here, and there are some really great cars. Lots of really cool stuff going on. I may have to get myself a Z and start working on one again! Anyhow, let me know if you have any questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIWAY ONE Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Welcome, it is interesting to see the various customized z's you've owned. Being a Z owner for about 30 years, I fondly remember those style Z's from the late 70's and early 80's. Too bad a lot of those parts are no longer available. I'd love to see you get another Z and go to work on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piston Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 i got rid of my 1st z for not even 2 years. i just had to get another one seeing everyone with nice clean z's! 2 years later, im back in the game and back on the page. this time, this one is getting done te right way. get a z and keep yourself busy on free time. like i say to the girl, at least the money i spend, stays in the garage with me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neotech84 Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 WOW amazing work. I love the flares on both the black and the yellow/white they look almost the same but the black seems to have a more flat outer edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcdavis Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 Thanks guys... Yeah, I'd love to pick one up again, and start from scratch with it. And yeah, a lot of the places that made those parts aren't in business anymore. I could make some of them myself, but it's certainly easier to buy them! One of the big hassles with the yellow Z, is that when I made my own parts, and then crashed the car, it was not easy to just order a new air dam from a catalog. Even if you made a mold, you'd still have to re-lay a new piece, finish it, etc... But every time I see a Z on the road, which is not often, I still realize what a great shape those cars were. They still have an awesome profile. Even a stock Z, with slightly wider wheels, and slightly lowered, looks really good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun723 Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Well you're in the right part of the country to pick up a new one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcdavis Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 Hmmmm... tempting. I think if I build one again, it will be as an all-out race car. Not for the street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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