S P E C I A L E D I T I O N : 5 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY O F T H E Z
Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
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J A N /A P R 2 0 1 9 • I S S U E 5.1/5.4
ZCARCLUBMAG.COM
By Art Singer
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A Tribute to John Moran Grand Terrace, CA 1984 300ZX 50th AE Empire Z Club
Bill Edens Louisville, KY 1970 240z (build date 11/69 - HLS30-00076) Bluegrass Z Club 2
Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
Holly Swanson - Hayward, CA - 1979 280ZX
ON THE COVER: Eddie Carroll New Bern, NC 1977 Datsun 280Z
A
s the Z community begins to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Z car, I can’t help but wonder how many years have passed since I saw a Z for the very first time. The year was 1984 and I was living in Denver Colorado. Having grown up in the muscle car era and at one time owning a 1967 Chevelle SS and a 1969 Camero, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t aware that Datsun even existed. The only foreign cars I had ever heard of was Honda and Toyota, along with
Yamaha (my first motorcycle was a 1969 Enduro). I was driving down Federal Blvd. one day and out of the corner of my eye noticed a silver car sitting in a used car lot. Not knowing what it was, I turned around to take a closer look. I found out it was a 1973 Datsun 240Z. My first thought was that it looked like a mini Corvette. Thinking back now, it was probably closer in style to the Opel GT or the Jaguar XKE of the 1970’s. I ended up buying that silver 240Z that same day. I’m guessing I paid way too much ($2,500) at the time, but it looked so cool, I couldn’t resist. I knew nothing about the Z and had no clue what I was getting into. It wasn’t long after I bought it that I noticed a ticking sound coming from the engine. In any language, it’s the universal sign for trouble. I drove to the nearest Datsun/Nissan dealership to get an expert opinion on what the problem was. Turns out the engine needed a rebuild. As I was waiting to get an estimate on the cost, the chief mechanic came up to me and whispered that he would do the rebuild for much less then the dealership would offer. The dealership came back with a price of $1,200. I ended up paying $500 thanks to the mechanic who rebuilt it in his own garage. From that point on, it was bye-bye muscle cars, hello Datsun. I’ve owned a few Z’s since then, but none compare to that first encounter. Which brings me to present day. My question to myself, how do I want to celebrate the past 50 years? I thought about doing a history piece, but quickly dismissed it since there is already so much written about the Z. If you want history, there are 30 or more books out there along with countless magazine articles that could tell you everything you need to know about the Z. I decided to celebrate 50 years of Z’s in pictures. I sent emails to all subscribers and also posted on Facebook asking for pictures of Z cars. Any year, any style, any condition. From trailer queens to lifetime projects and everything in between. This special issue of ZCCM is dedicated to the owners of all the Z’s you’ll see in the next 30 plus pages along with all Z owners that weren’t able to submit
the Z Car and its Owners pictures. It is but a small sampling of what is out there, and you’ll see why the Z has had such a strong following over the years. From all original to highly
modified, daily drivers to race prepped, the Z has withstood the test of time. I want to thank everyone that submitted images for making this issue possible.
Steve Waller Woodbine, GA 2009 370Z
Mike Rocha Adelanto, CA 1990 300ZXTT Empire Z Club
Brian MacNaughton Coverdale, New Brunswick 2003 350Z
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Robert Davis West Jordan, UT 1978 280Z
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Bryan Bartlett, Chandler, AZ 1977 280z Desert Datsuns
Charlie Osborne - Zedd Findings Kingston, ON, Canada 1970 240Z (HLS30 00126)
Dave Cerutti Putnam Valley, NY 1972 240Z resto-mod Red NYZCC
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Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
Adam Jeffrey Flippo Sacramenton, CA 1971 240Z Modified Dizeaseddatsuns
David W. Plott Mount Juliet, TN 1971 240Z
Alan Kortmeyer Seward, NE 1975 280Z Race Prepared Z Cars of Nebraska
Cecelia Barros Pacifica, CA 1977 280Z
Darren Garvin Edmond, OK 1973 240Z Modified Oklahoma Z Car Club
Bob Jenkins Santa Rosa, CA 1970 240Z ZONC
Dallas Dill Cleburne, TX 1972 240Z (355 cu in Chevy/5 speed) ZCOT
Brian Webber Jacksonvlle, FL 1973 240Z
Bart Chase Cleveland, TN 1973 240Z's Zeros Car Club
Bob Sharp Racing Driver: Bob Sharp North Palm Beach, FL 1975 GTU 260Z Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
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Gary Lambert Brisbane, Australia 1976 260Z 2+2 Z Car Club of Queensland
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David W. Plott Mount Juliet, TN 1973 Datsun 240Z ITS #54
Ryan McDonald Gainesville, FL 1973 Datsun 240Z (powered by a Haltech controlled L28ET)
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Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
Gary Lindeman Iron Mountain, MI 1976 280Z 2+2 Windy City Z Club
David Jacks Fort Worth, Texas 1972 240Z Cowtown Z Club
Glenn Marek Berea, Ohio 1971 240Z Cleveland Z Club
Ross Williams Darien, CT 1978 280Z Black Pearl CTZCC
Derek Burney Duvall, WA 1974 260Z ZCCW
Jay and Jacqueline Fontaine Issaquah, WA 1970 240Z ZCCW
Gerald Hidalgo Tanauan City, Batangas Philippines 1978 280Z G-Nose
Mark Smith Columbus, OH 1970 240Z ZROC
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Ron Graves Newport News, VA 1973 Widebody 240Z HybridZ.org
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Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
Linda Williams Santa Clara, CA 1978 280Z ZONC
John L. Ball Mill Creek, WA 1978 280Z ZCCW
Greg Ira Plantation, FL 1971 240Z E-Production 2013 SCCA Champion
Jeff Lane Bremerton, WA 1977 280Z ZCCW
Jeffrey Mader Leominster, MA 1972 240Z Gold Cup winner in 2013. New England Z Car Club
Karl Schmitz The Villages, FL 1975 280Z with a BAE Turbo Indy Z-Car Club
John Moran Grand Terrace, CA 1974 260Z 2+2 Empire Z
John Sleesman Raleigh, NC 1971 240Z (HLS30-11973). Triangle Z Club
Michael Wright Port Angeles, WA 1973 240z - lt-1 conversion with t-56) Gary Patel Columbia TN 1971 240Z Middle Tennessee ZClub
Jon Peerless Chilton Oxfordshire, Great Britain 1970 240Z
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Mark Nilges Dublin, OH 1973 240Z Stock (8900 miles) ZROC
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Pete Smith Sarasota, FL 1978 280Z Black Pearl (All original - 66,000 miles)
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Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
Tom Yadanza Saratoga Springs, NY 1971 240Z ZANY Mike Wodopian Austin, TX 1974.5 260Z
Mad Mike Taylor Grapevine, TX 1971 240Z
Pete Smith Sarasota, FL 1972 240Z (all original - 53,000 miles)
Ted & Barb Targonski Crown Point, IN 1972 240 Z – Stock original Windy City Z Club
Robert Cooper Porter, Indiana 1977 280z (resto-mod) WindyCity Z Car
Mark Small Phoenix, AZ 1977 280Z Desert Z Association
Mark Schoenfelder Mount Airy, NC 1972 240Z
Ken Jamin Lindenhurst, IL 1978 280Z
Scott Caylor Plainfield, IN 1971 240Z (all original) Indy Z-Car Club Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
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Scott Hyatt Evansville, IN 1974 260Z
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Randy Shemin Nashville, TN 1971 240Z Middle Tennessee Z Club
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Michael Brunner Aledo, TX 1992 300 ZX TT 1978 280Z Cowtown Z Club
David Brooks Woodbine, GA 1973 240Z
Ramzi Baydoun Kildeer IL 1978 280z Windy City Z Club
David A. Smith Atlanta, GA 1975 280Z (full restoration) Georgia Z Club
Paul Mitrega Gilgai,NSW Australia 1974 260Z
Nelson Ackerman Corrales, NM 1970 240Z AZCC
Peter Allen Katy, TX 1975 280Z Z Club of Texas
Jeffrey Mader Leominster, MA 1972 240Z - Gold Cup winner in 2016 New England Z Car Club
Steve Carlson Fresno, CA 1971 240Z F Prepared Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
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Dave Cerutti Putnam Valley, NY 1976 280Z Turbo NYZCC
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Kyle Dossett Evansville, IN 1972 240Z Team Swish Rod Lovelett North Vancouver , BC, Canada 1973 240Z BC Z Registry
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Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
Kenny Ueda and Johnnie Gable Bell Flower, CA 1972 240Z G-Nose (Mr K’s original 240Z)
Lamar Fontaine 1978 280z Black Pearl Saint Johns, FL Suncentral Z Club
John FitzGibbon Keller, TX 1973 Datsun 240Z Z Club of Texas
John Aufderhar Madison, AL 1972 240 Z (original owner )
John Schoon and Tyler Schoon (son) Huntington Beach, CA 1973 Datsun 240Z
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Bud Hansen Siler City NC 1982 280ZX Turbo 2+2 Silver Triangle Z Club
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Kevin Hyatt Prosper, TX 1983 280ZXT 2+2 Z Club of Texas
Tom Wasney Poughkeepsie, NY 1980 280ZX 2+2 CTZCC
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Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
Nels Nelson Hayward, CA 1979 280zx (all original) ZONC
Jay Rippeto Houston, TX 1983 280ZX Turbo
Jim Koolish Northbrook, IL 1982 280ZXT Windy City Z Club
Jay Figley Scottsdale, Az 1982 280ZX Desert Z Association
Joe Struckle Edmond, OK 1983 280ZX Oklahoma Z Car Club
David Buttle Oshawa Ontario Canada 1980 10th AE 280ZX (Canadian Edition Number 125) Ontario Zcar Owners Association
Jay Figley Scottsdale, Az 1981 280ZX Desert Z Association
Nelson Ackerman Corrales, NM 1982 280ZX AZCC
Jeff Kunkle Garland, TX 1981 280 ZX 2+2 GL Z Club of Texas
Kate Somerville Watauga, TX 1982 280ZX (named Joanie) Cowtown Z Club Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
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Jay Figley Scottsdale, Az 1983 280ZX Desert Z Association
Robert Davis West Jordan, UT 1978 280Z
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Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
Fred Burton Murfreesboro, TN 1980 280ZX 10th AE Middle Tennessee Z Club
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FRAME RAIL
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Email: john@baddogparts.com
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Cary Johns Albuquerque, NM 1986 300ZX AZCC
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James Walker San Antonio, TX 1987 300ZX Turbo ZSport Car Club San Antonio
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Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
Austin Thornton Charlotte, NC 1987 300zx Turbo
Robert Halchuck Peabody, MA 1986 300zx Turbo
John Fraser Houston, TX 1987 300ZX 2+2 Z Club of Houston
Barry Breen Redmond, WA 1986 300ZX ZCCW
Ted Metz Medford, OR 1988 300ZX Shiro Z Club of Southern Oregon Sandi & Steve Salvo Phoenix, AZ 1985 300ZX Blue Desert Z Association Trevor Meads Santa Rosa, CA 1985 300ZX ZONC Sean Haq San Diego, CA 1984 300ZX AE (136k miles - original engine) San Diego Z Club
Zak Wolfe Sacramento, CA 1984 300zx 50th AE Kyle Dossett Evansville, IN 1986 300ZX Team Swish
Frank Maes Surprise, AZ 1985 300ZX Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
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Scott Mease Cary, NC 1985 300ZX Turbo
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Mike Gordon Hoffman Estates, IL 1984 300ZXT AE Windy City Z Club
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Lois Liconte Plano, TX 1987 300ZX Z Club of Texas Taylor Yielding Springfield, MO 1986 300ZX Ozark Z Club
Trevor Meads Santa Rosa, CA 1987 300ZX ZONC
Joshua McElroy Fort Bragg, NC 1984 300ZXT (50th AE)
Beth Brown Ellicott City, MD 1986 300ZX 2+2 ZCCNV
Calen Cussimanio Corona, CA 1989 300ZX
Vincenzo Cartiera San Diego, CA 1987 300ZX (RHD - RB25) San Diego Z Club
Brian Webber Jacksonvlle, FL 1988 300ZXT
Christopher McMullen Missoula, MT 1989 300ZX 2+2 Bob Sharp Racing Driver: Tom Cruise 1984 300ZX
Bill Keene Arlington, WA 1987 300ZX ZCCW
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George Martinez Fairfield, CA 1995 300ZX Stock Bay Area Z Association
Stuart Gates Bakersfield, CA 1994 300ZX Central Valley Z
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Caesar A. Sandoval Turlock, Ca 1990300ZX
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Brian Webber Jacksonvlle, FL 1991 300ZXTT
Dave & Melanie Ku Chardon, OH 1993 300ZX Convertible Cleveland Z Club
Rick Gutierrez Slidell, LA 1993 300ZX Pearl White Convertible Gulf Coast Z Club
Phill Byland Camdenton, MO 1989 300ZXTT RHD Lake Ozark Z Car Club
Shane Bradfield Columbus, OH 1990 300ZX 2+2 ZROC
Alex Legkiy Mick Gaylor Sacramento, CA Dayton, OH 1996 300zxTT (Commemorative Edition #291 of 300) 1991 2+2 White 300ZX NorCalZ ZROC
Paul Wilken Scottsdale, AZ 1991 300ZXTT DZA
Jason Kittrell Arden, NC 1991 300zx 2+2 (Straman Conversion)
Ira Sanders Golden, CO 1990 300ZXTT ZCCC
Joe Landon New Albany, OH 1993 300ZX (Dark Cherry Red Pearl) Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
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Lois Liconte Plano, TX 1996 300ZX - Black #7 of 300 Commemorative Edition Z Club of Texas
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Lee Ann Blount Searcy, AR 1995 300ZX
Mike DeMicco Sacramento, CA 1990 300zx TT NorCalZ
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Tony Miriani Dallas, TX 1991 300ZX Z32 TT (Automatic) Z Club of Texas
Sandi & Steve Salvo Phoenix, AZ 1993 300 ZX Convertible Desert Z Association
Adam Graves Longview, TX 1995 300ZXTT Z Club of Texas
Jim Keator Scottsdale AZ 1992 Nissan 300ZXTT (36,000 original miles)
Clayton Cunningham Racing Driver: Steve Millen 1994 300ZX IMSA GTS
Randy Shemin Nashville, TN 1995 300ZXTT (Automatic) Middle Tennessee Z Club
Tim Davis Wilmington, OH 1991 300ZXTT ZROC Bob Renfro Louisville, KY 1995 300ZXTT Bluegrass Z Club
John Song Buffalo Grove, IL 1993 300ZX Convertible Windy City Z Club Eric Madera Torrance, CA 1991 Nissan 300ZX Slicktop SoCal Z32s Photo by: Austin Nuchols
John Brooks Woodbine, GA 1994 300ZXTT
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Brandon Tilghman Wilmington NC 1994 300ZX Twin Turbo
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Michael Brunner Aledo, TX 1992 300 ZX TT Cowtown Z Club
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Barry Grochala Lincoln, CA 1990 300ZX TT Norcal Z Roy Davis Littleton, Colorado 1993 300ZXTT ZCCC
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Jason Smeed Asheboro, NC 2003 350Z (Base model)
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Martin Schleckman Port St Lucie, FL 2004 350Z CFZC
David Ely Springfield, MO 2004 350Z Ozark Z Club Steven Nesdore Marysvile, WA 2008 350Z
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Gerald & Pamela Whitworth Glenpool, OK 2005 350Z Roadster OKZCC
Joey Lopez Deer Park, NY 2003 350Z NISMO NJZCC, NYZCC, ZCCR, CTZCC
Mad Mike Taylor Grapevine, TX 2008 350Z Z Club of Texas
Alan Kortmeyer Seward, NE 2005 350Z (track edition) Z Cars of Nebraska Neil Kohler Columbia, MO 2003 305Z Ozarks Z Car Club
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Russ Rana - Z1 Motorsports Carrollton, GA 2003 350Z Touring
Jay Fogelquist Duchess, NY 2003 350Z (Supercharged) Sam Sam Springfield, MO 2004 350Z (Base) Ozark Z Club
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John Kozo Montgomery Village, MD 2006 350Z Roadster
Patrick Sylvester Schaumburg, IL 2004 350Z (Touring Edition) Windy City Z Club
Diana Inberg La Salle, CO 2008 Nissan 350Z ZCCC
Gabriel Coss Columbus, OH 2008 350Z NISMO Sidney Burm Concord, NC 2008 350Z
Alan Dempsey South Meriden, CT 2007 350Z Roadster
Jerry Salvucci Hudson, OH 2004 350Z Roadster Cleveland Z Club Ron Hartman Grand Blanc, MI 2005 Nissan 350Z Roadster
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Alyson Holmes Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia 2017 370Z
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Nelson Ackerman Corrales, NM 2016 370Z NISMO Tech AZCC
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Fred Burton Murfreesboro, TN 2011 370Z Middle Tennessee Z Club
Len Fulbright Litchfield Park, AZ 2017 370Z NISMO DZA
Nina Miriani Dallas, TX 2011 370Z (FAIRLDY)
Tony Miriani Dallas, TX 2009 370Z (GODZRA)
Rod Vicente Arlington VA 2010 370z 40th Anniversary ZCCNV
Jimmy Valkos Mesa, AZ 2015 370Z NISMO Tech DZA
Ira Sanders Golden, CO 2015 370Z Roadster ZCCC
Bill Browning Choctaw, OK 2016 Nismo 370Z OKZCC Melanie Endert Keller, TX 2014 370Z
Bellagio Starks Oklahoma City, OK 2014 370Z Roadster OKZCC
Rick Oeser white house, TN 2016 370Z NISMO Middle Tennessee Z Club Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
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