Something disturbing happened this weekend.

[flamin lib]

For the first time in 28 years and 300,000 miles my wife's 1978 280Z failed to start. We only drive it three or four times a year to keep things lubricated and the engine spun but would not start.

Cleaned the battery terminals and all contacts for the power supply to the black box and she fired right up.

This is one amazing vehicle. With a little luck this is what my next 280Z will look like.

[MissB]

1. My mother used to love those things.

She had 240Zs, 280ZXs and who knows whatever else. She survived a rollover (end over end) accident in one- only broke her back.

She let me take one (I think it was the 240) for a spin shortly after I turned 17. Lotsa power.

[flamin lib]

2. The 280s weren't that fast, but they have long legs.

Shift point from first to second is at the national speed limit. Two to three is about 90 and then you've got all of number four to use up.

My sister made a bet that she could drive from CA to TX in her '70 240 in an entirely unreasonable time and won--the first time. Second time she got stopped for 155 in a 55. Ya' know they don't ticket you for that? They just cuff you and leave the car on the side of the road. She tells me that the car gets real squirrelly when a jack rabbit takes half the front air dam off at 150.

They are fun cars, cheap to buy and will accept a Chevy 350 without gaining any weight.

Too much fun for us gear heads . . .

[tonekat]

3. I have an 80 year old neighbor who still drives hers

Sure, she has the big town car too, but she still drives her Z around! She's one of the original residents of my neighborhood, and very cool.

[flamin lib]

4. The vehicle is amazing.

One can be had for under $3k and it is as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. It might take a couple grand to re-do the suspension and brakes but join a local Z Car Club and do the rallies. Zs have their own underground.

When the car was new it was damn expensive. Unlike the Corvette it hasn't appreciated in cost so you can have a hell of a lot of fun for not much cash.

Nissan had a program that bought 240s and rebuilt them to factory specs. The program only ran a few year because they sold the cars for less than they cost! If you can find one of those it's a hell of a deal.

[mdmc]

5. hot!

straight up trade for the shaggin wagon (always starts!)

[flamin lib]

7. Uh, I don't think so . . .

Who ever lives longer gets buried in it. I've ordered handles for the pall bearers . . .

[MadHound]

6. Piece of advice for you now that you've brightened up the contacts

And terminals. Take a bit of petroleum jelly and spread it on the terminals and contacts. Keeps air from getting to the metal and corroding things. Repeat every six months, year depending on wear and tear.

[flamin lib]

8. Good advice. The early days of high current drain with the advent

of fuel injection lead to high voltage and current charging which in turn lead to a lot of out gassing of the battery. All that acid laden gas just ruins everything around the battery including the batter box and hold down.

A modern sealed battery will go a long way to preventing this problem.

[In_The_Wind]

9. I loved my 260Z.

It was fun to drive and never gave us any problems.


Those pictures you posted are great!

[flamin lib]

10. The 260 was an odd duck. Last of the carburated Zs and an

attempt to meet CA emission standards with carbs. If you had no trouble with it you're in the minority of owners. Of course if the vehicle was driven in moderate conditions, i.e. without elevation changes and such the emission controls would work pretty well.

The current recommended fix for a 260 with engine trouble is to replace it with a V8 Chevy.

Still, I measured the distance from the ground to the top of the driver's seat at 14 inches. Like driving a go cart!!!

[GOPisEvil]

11. :slobber::drool:

I've always loved the old Zs. I want one. :sigh:

[flamin lib]

12. Try Z Car Club of Texas. Oldest club in the state.

Might want to try All Z Cars in SE Ft Worth.

This guy has five acres of old Z cars. PM me and I'll put you in touch.

[GOPisEvil]

13. Thanks!

I'll have to see if one is in the budget. *hates being relatively poor*

[flamin lib]

14. Start here.

http://www.zcluboftexas.org/

I can't find the site for All Z Cars but if you find the need I can get phone numbers and addresses. The old stuff is getting hard to find.

[GOPisEvil]

15. Thanks! I'm looking now.

I have to set a budget and get realistic about my abilities. Bookmarked the site.

[flamin lib]

16. Best bet is to buy one already fixed. Like I said the Z didn't keep up

with inflation. 3 grand should buy a really nice renovated 76-78 Z.

After that they become ZXs and that's a whole different animal.

Older is better. Lighter, faster and more rare. The carbs make tuning a bit more of a pain but they are lean and mean.

The split from carbs to injection came in late '75. My advice is to avoid 260s as they were very tempermental.

Still, the older the better. The 75 & 76 have better heads and breathe easier. I had a 76 that kicked the $#it out of Lady Blue until my daugher hit something on the road . . . a pickup truck.

[GOPisEvil]

17. Excellent advice. Thanks.

I don't have really good mechanical skills. I can handle the basics and read a manual, but major stuff is beyond me. I could probably handle some interior and light body stuff too... But if it's a good runner, that's more than half the battle.

[DS1]

18. One of the best cars ever made

I got one ride in one, wanted one immediately.

Never got one, but now I'm eyeing a 350Z. But I'll probably pass on that, too.

[flamin lib]

19. 350 Z is the best value for a two seat high performance car out

there. If $30k isn't in the budget look at older Zs.

Great value, lots of fun and a great fan club.