a 280z restoration one morning at a time
Outside the grocery market, a gentleman in his late 50’s remarked: “Love that car, man”.
I should’ve asked him his story, did he drive one before? Did he own one? I always wonder if a percentage goes home and starts looking for one.
I was just at the DMV and a father stopped to chat with me as his son was getting behind the wheel in their Jaguar… He had a 260 2+2 and has many memories of it. I said, “my wife wants us to get a more reliable car..” And to his reply, “no, no, keep driving it”.
Another Z zpotted in Boston…Home..magazine! Haha
Yep, flipping though a great (super inspiring), free (ad filled), magazine about Boston home decoration and businesses – lo and behoooooold there’s a Z.
The Datsun Z: prolific.
Merry Christmas and… wait for it… Happy New Years! (Thanks auto-publisher for posting this at the stroke of midnight! haha)
Look what Santa dropped off for the 280z this year:
Yes, a full polyurethane bushing set for the Datsun 280z. Complete. Masterful. Sure to add on multiple hours of labor to put them all on…and get all the old crusty rubber ones off.. oy..
If Santa didn’t see your Z in the driveway, you can pick up your own at Amazon for about $160.
From my buddy Neil. Zpotted Z big wheels.
Merry Christmas!
Brrr! A cold morning in CA. Looks like some of that freeze from the cold air made it’s way over here.
Whoa Ho Ho!
Spotted two S30 chassis Datsun Z cars today! One black 260 came up on my left as my light turned green (able to snap a glimpse). And one silver on iconic Panasports just around the corner from Santa Clara Univ.
Part of the daily routine? Hop onto to craigslist and if warranted, shout out the latest Datsun deals to my wife (not that she cares, but she’s the only one around listening).
Man, the price on this gem is soooo hard to pass up… READ: $1500. Yes, $1500.
$1500 for a 240z. Just going by the pics, probably some body rust, but doesn’t look like body damage. Front bumper looks aligned. Enkei rims. Body panels straight. And judging by the black truck in the garage, probably coming from someone who knows something about cars.
Maybe I’ll take a look…just a look.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4226493440.html
In case the post is gone, direct from Craigslist:
1972 datsun 240z manual transmission
We have much to be thankful for at Daily Datsun:
1) The Datsun 280z still runs strong; actually stronger than ever (despite recent running light issues…oy)
2) Nearly 2 year old weather stripping held up after the season’s first rain (despite cracking – more on that later)
3) Still get many, many compliments and nostalgic comments about the car. I love when it sends someone back down memory lane: “oh i used to have one!”, “wow, my brother used to have one”, “shoot, my ex-girl friend used to drive one”, and my favorite of recent memory, “sigh – classic… (then he rubs the rear quarter ever so lightly”.
4) Thankful for people who read this blog
5) Thankful for family not worrying to much about me driving a 35 year old car
6) Thankful for a wife who understands :]
Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving!
– Justin
Funny how things happen…
I’ve had my fair share of leaving the lights on, and needed to jump started, but this time it was reverse.
On Friday, the forth time the 280z jump starting a car: a blue Camry.
#DatsunSaves 🙂
As we’re ready to pull away from Hydration bubble tea in downtown San Jose, I take a quick look in my side view mirror and do a double take… was it the sharp yellow color? the headlight covers that gave it away? A beaming Z turns the corner and we spot each other down the street. He pulls in just behind me, and I turn to my wife to say, “babe, it’s gonna be a minute”. :]
Meet Bryan and his 3rd Datsun Z, also a ’77 280z! We swap stories…
If you’re sharp, you may remember this is the same Bryan who’s commented on the blog before! Our Z’s are often mistaken for one another. He tells the story of one of his buddies meeting him downtown, exclaiming, ‘yeah, you parked out in front. i’m walking past your Z right now’!
His 280z is also repainted, but still in it’s original color. He also comments that there are 4 of us with yellow Z’s in the area! Note the single side view mirror, mini-door-bumper next to the door handle, and that the body bumpers are all blacked out. I didn’t get a shot of the whole car, but you can kinda see the nice Rota rims he’s rolling on. After realizing that I don’t have the chrome along the roof sill, it’s just so obvious I don’t have it.
Aside from the new coil, the engine is stock and also has all the same minor issues. He’s in the process of removing each component and cleaning down the engine bay – it’s looking great!
Yep, that’s a rear strut tower bar in the back. He had me lean in hard on his suspension…stiff solid. Yep, coil overs. I guess with profile that low it’s got to be! Must be incredible to ride around corners. Plans for the rear? It looks like the previous owner did a poor job of replacing the all-too-often rusted trunk sill, so he’s looking to eventually replace that, fill in the holes and fit a 240z bummer on there.
Bryan was on his way over to meet his filmmaker buddy who’s got a few GoPro’s and a head cam to film the Z taking the turns on Hwy 9. Oooooo would love to see that final footage!
I’m sure it won’t be the last time we see Bryan and his yellow Z!
the DAILY DATSUN 