Category: moments

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PART III – WE MADE IT! – DailyDatsun’s Wedding 280z Complete

WE MADE IT – we did it! What started as a daily driver project, transformed into a serious restoration and finished as our wedding chariot. My fiancee and i tied the knot on Sunday, May 27th with a wedding nothing short of amazing. And getting this car completed on time was definitely a part of that weekend. 4 days and 10 people later, the 280z barreled it’s way over to our hotel and drove us to our wedding.

DailyDatsun 280z - Just Married

Truly starting the week before, I had already ordered the parts i had needed for the final assembly – window seals, weatherstripping, carpet, seat covers, and a front windshield (more on that later). I needed to those parts ordered quick to be ready as soon as the car came back. Once the car rolled out of the painters garage it was already Tuesday evening – literally only 4 days and 5 nights remaining. That night i got straight to it, sorting out the pieces getting it ready for a full attack the next day.  We quickly got into full swing with my brother Kris and a groomsman Erik helping hammer it’s way back to road-worthiness.

DailyDatsun 280z - instagram

We were able to complete the rear tail lights, some trim repaint, side marker lights, headlights, hood louvers, hood rubbers, floorboard prepping, and the front feet area of the carpet.

Thursday rolls around for another big day. During the afternoon I had the neighbors install the front and rear windows – truly a blessing to have a family who owns an auto glass repair company live next door to you! Late afternoon, brother brought over another groomsman Jerry and his girl Kennie (who had just both come over from Hong Kong) to lend a hand, helping clean windows and tackle the carpet. Carpet continued to dominate our time because of the measuring / cutting required for all the interior fittings: both sides of the seat belts, shifter, e-brake, and seat rail holes among other things. Carpet needs to go in first because it instantly transforms the visual impact of the car. Additionally, once that’s in, seats, center console, door trim, all that can go back in.

Later that evening, I had three more sets of hands arrive: my future sister-in-law Dana, my sister Kathryn and her boyfriend Jake! It was great, we all had our hands on this thing! Jake and Jerry tackled doors, Kennie and Dana helped clean parts, Kathryn helped me assemble the last seat, while Kris had the dreadful task of installing the rear driver-side interior quarter panel trim. Imagine having so many people who, for the majority, have never worked on cars (let alone re-assemble one) all help out at the same time – yes, it was a circus. Yes, you’ve gotta make sure all the correct bolts were used. But truly it was such a fun experience. I love working on projects with friends, more so with my brother and sister!

DailyDatsun 280z - Seat and sister

To top off the night, even LATER that evening, my parents flew into town, and they too dropped by to check out how things were going. I wish i got it on video / photo, but both my mom and dad would later return the next day to help out to complete the re-assemble.

Friday, My dad and i put in the seats, dash and door trims; while my mom cleaned parts, and even tackled the biggest task: clean / organized the storm of parts and trash that my garage was left in the previous night. Yes, I definitely should have gotten photos of my mom and dad helping out but we were just so focused on getting this done. Wipers went on, the last three pieces of chrome front windshield trim were found and installed. I got to say the whole project has been amazing, but there’s nothing like working on a car with your dad. More over, he’ll be driving it while we’re away on our honeymoon. It’ll be 40 years since he last drove a Z, and I can’t wait to hear what he’s got to say!

I had a two hour window to install the final touches late Saturday afternoon – front grill, front parking lights and their trim, horn, side-view mirrors, and of course, the c-pillar ‘Z’ markers. I took it off the battery tender attached the night before, and started him up. Perfect – solid and strong. Looks – amazing and fast. I’m proud and thankful that my friends and family helped get car back on the road, and ready in time for the wedding.

Sunday night we drove it back from the reception only to be stopped by a police officer 1/4 mile from our hotel. Doh. Were parts falling off? Lack of rear bumper? Nope. No tail lights. Brake lights were working but the car was “invisible out there” with no running tail lights. Luckily the officer was more concerned about our safety, and with the ‘Just Married’ sign and us still being in our wedding get-up we were let go with a congrats rather than a ticket. :] Sigh! now this rebuild story is complete!

Pictures of the re-assemble will come soon – for now here are some pics straight from the painter that Tuesday afternoon.

DailyDatsun 280z - fresh paint

DailyDatsun 280z - fresh paint 2

DailyDatsun 280z - fresh paint hood

DailyDatsun 280z - fresh paint 3

 

 

 

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HAPPY 35th BIRTHDAY!

 

YES! In April of 1977, this 280z rolled off the manufacturing line and on to the docks, headed for the Bay Area. Though his 35th birthday would’ve been more appropriate to celebrate last month, I wanted to post it along with his birthday gift – a new paint job.

Datsun 280z front valance removed - front

We’ve decided to take the 280z over to Rick at Pacific Auto and Paint, located on Santa Clara St in downtown San Jose. In the initial scoping for paint, Rick was very enthusiastic and very friendly about getting the car in and handling the job (more importantly, complete the work before the wedding!).

So a short post before a separate painting post, but here’s a few pics to wet the appetite – bon appetit!

Can you figure out what’s missing from this picture?

Datsun 280z - no side molding

Removed the rivets with a 1/8″ drill bit.. all the rivet heads were piling up!

Datsun 280z - rivet removal

The ‘Z’ side emblem removed.

Datsun 280z - side vent emblem removed

door locks were actually quite easy

Datsun 280z door lock removed

I’ve used quite a few “easy-out” screw removers, but Grabit is awesome. Many of the front valance screws were rusted tight, and the heads got striped while taking them out with a drill / screwdriver. Grabit is a bit with a drill bit on one end and the extractor on the other. A set of 3 sized bits, it was worth every $.

GrabIt - works

And it made quick work on getting the front valance off.

Datsun 280z front valance removed

The ‘Datsun 280z’ comes off, along with the rear hatch lock.

Datsun 280z - rear badge removed

And thus i’m left with a bin of parts. OFF TO THE PAINTER!

280z parts bin

 

 

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i ❤ datsuns

Happy Valentine’s to all car lovers and their Datsuns!

I had the pleasure of sharing that love of the Z car with my fiancee last week when it was the first time she had ever drove in the 280z! She’d been rightfully reluctant as it’s not in the greatest of conditions and a fair amount of embarrassment that resembled my brother’s ‘69 ’72 Datsun 510. You know, to everyone else, cars are hard to appreciate when old and unkempt. Sigh ~ Your girl and your ride – what can be more spectacular?! Needless to say, she’s the one who’s pushing me to get that interior done and (along w/ my parents) to get the gold poly paint done. haha! So for all of the 280z’s advances, you have her to thank.

Cheers to you and your car!

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Junk Datsun – Surprise!

Wouldn’t you know it – someone else thinks the Datsun 280z is a junker.

Well according to a flyer posted on my car this morning… :]

 

 

But rest easy, EVERY CAR GOT THEM! haha

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Waves!

Forgot to mention I got my first wave the other day! A black 350z spyder pulls up to my right on highway 101, paces, and gave a big ‘ol smile and wave! Haha it felt great!

And just today, another Z (240-280) drives up to my left on 101 and the guy literally stuck his head back between the seats to give a big smile and wave – super fun feeling!

Can’t wait for more!
Here’s a pic from the other night at Stabucks – old and new. Since getting the 280z, I’ve been parking next to everything from 280zx’s, 350z’s, 370z’s but yet to find another 240z-280z to park next to – certainly at the MSA event!! In another ~152 days!

20111203-030000.jpg

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Took the morning off

Took the morning off – no Datsun 280z resto today! Just planning the interior and scouring through google images :]
There’s a slight drizzle today so it’s time to test out those rear wheels. Anticipating this weekend as my brother’s coming down from SF to help wrench.

Till then, this blog has even inspired my dad to write about his first car – it’s awesome – enjoy!

Good Evening!

After reading Justin’s November 1 blog, I wondered how many cars I’ve actually owned. With memory short in supply, this is what I’ve come up with. It began one late afternoon back in August 1968.  As I recall, I came  across a car that had some interest.  It was a 1963 Chevy Corvair, with a 3 speed manual on the floor, needless to say having it on the floor was the only way to go, since current manuals on most cars  were located on the colluum…all   for $400, as I thumbed thru a Want Ad magazine (for those who remember). I told my Dad about it and agreed that we’d take a look at it. I preceded to contact the owner and set up a time when we could see the car. When that day came, my Dad, Gong (I think) and I took the journey to some parking lot somewhere in the Boston area – it had to have been in the evening.  As we arrived the owner was already waiting, we exchanged greetings, and proceeded with the process.  It was as Justin said, my first love!  I test drove it around the parking lot for about 30 seconds and that did it, without further investigation we offered $350, well… lo and behold…. he accepted the offer. From that point, we made arrangements with him to deliver the car to my Dad’s place of work, which he then insured and registered the car.

About the car – one would think that a car that was only 5 years old would be in pretty good condition…RIGHT.  One has to remember cars in those days lasted only a few years before rust took over.  Well, rust took over alright!!  After a thorough inspection of the car, I found the entire left rear floor panel rusted out – leaving a gapping hole as large as a water melon under the vinyl mat. This was your basic model, not the Monza, which was then the top of the line Corvair.  So rather than having wall to wall carpeting, it had wall to wall vinyl covering… hey it makes for easy cleanup, a good wet sponge would do the trick.  Anyhow, I thought a hole this size was not a good sign as to what the rest of the car would bring. bBig dilemma, what to do???  Go to Tofani’s body shop (no longer in business) down the street and have it repaired or try to fix it myself?  Well I chose the latter option.  A simple fix I said – I would just cut a piece of 3/8 inch plywood and place it over the hole and it would be good as new…yeah!  GOOD AS NEW..  After all, it was much cheaper since the plywood was laying around in the basement in the work shop that my Dad had. So from there, it was all about getting the car to “look” good. I did a super wax job but that didn’t improve it much so I decided to add a cool racing stripe.  A wide white stripe over the length of the car over the drives head would be cool with the maroon paint, similar to the color of my current Harley.  Went to the local department store, Caldors, and proceeded to the automotive department.  Well they were out of white, but had plenty of blue, sort of sky blue, which totally didn’t match.  But what the heck, having the racing stripes was more important than color.  The application wasn’t too hard as I had managed to get most of the bubbles out.  Over the next several months I added rear speakers – rear speakers was a BIG deal back then.  Well I thought it sounded really good especially it was only an AM radio …and mono, not stereo.  Only more established people had AM/FM radio, and stereo was even over the top.  With a clutch job and a good tune-up the car ran well…even though it burned some oil and leaked even more.  But the simple fact was …. it was my first car!!

Over the next 2 years or so we had our ups and downs.  Like love, I had to overlook the challenges and heart breaks and move forward.  Well the old girl just didn’t do it for me anymore and I had to look elsewhere. My love was replaced by a new 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger in yellow with a black vinyl roof.  Well that’s a whole new chapter and many modifications made as well…lol.

…to be continued.

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First 100 miles…

So here it is – the 280z’s first 100 miles! After it’s been on the road for a bit, and driving confidence is setting in (not always listening for engine noise, or contemplating its mechanical condition), now all the normal driving considerations are rearing its head: handling, maintenance, and gas mileage! Though it’s only been my first 100 miles, I’ve seriously enjoyed everyone of them and can’t wait for another 100,000 more. Literally it makes every road exciting to drive on!

Moving on – Looks like the mornings are getting a bit longer… so far I’ve been tinkering on the small things and really putting aside the BIG STUFF. Things like interior, paint, bumpers, undercarriage coating, wheels / tires… by big stuff i mean big $$$ :]

Today I checked the front brakes (good), replenished low coolant (didn’t check that before, so i’ll have to monitor it) and sanded / primed the last big rust spot which was on top of the driver side c-pillar.

What’s next? – I think bumpers and interior will be next. I’m looking at ordering these 280z-240z bumper conversion brackets – they’ll allow a 280z to mount a 240z bumper for that close, clean look. I can certainly make these on my own, but if pre-fabricated is already available, it’ll same time re-inventing such a bracket.

Interior – Want a sneak peak? Awaiting samples from Fabric Empire for some quilted vinyl! I’ve always loved that look of the 240z center console, but it was rolled vinyl – this is gonna be stitched! Can’t wait.

 

 

 

 

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Morning spark

[edit – do you want the BEST spark plug for your Datsun 240z, 260z, or 280z? Check out the newer post!]

Just a light morning today – a few little things here and there.
But i mostly just sat in the car the whole morning… sigh! ^__^

Spark plugs – ordered some spark plugs the other day. Previously had Bosch Super’s and inspection showed a lot of carbon build up (normal wear stuff), some corrosion around the outside plug nut, so it’s time to change. Replaced w/ Bosch Platinum Plus’ and what a difference; engine ran much smoother. Bosch Platinum Plus, Mfg#4015

Spray spray – tagged a few spots that were surface rusting till i can get a handle on what to do with the paint – it’s horrible. The re-paint job seemed like it was done without even prepping the original paint! Get this: as the re-paint flakes off, the paint underneath is still good! For a 34 year old car, that clear coat could still shine! ugh.. for now, i don’t mind primer gray on the rust spots.

So after that, I opened the door, sat in there one leg out. Soaking up the sun…and to think about the interior. Oh man, that 70’s shag has got to go. You may have seen from previous pictures, that “black” carpet is light brown! So i’ve been drumming up ideas, materials, deciding whether to keep it stock carpet or not, etc… but for now, i’ll just soak up that sun.

Bad paint! Bad!

 So if removing the bad re-paint ultimately means scuffing up the original paint, then this is the color that i’m thinking: Marigold! Original color is a 240z color called  ‘gold poly’, Datsun color#920.

Beautiful.

If you want THIS one, it’s actually up for sale at All Datsun Classifieds.

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