We are pleased report another Z Car Blog success story!  Anthony K recently acquired this Datsun 240z that we built and featured in our FOR SALE section. This powerful, tastefully modified S30 was seller Scott W’s creation and it was well-received by viewers. A day after we posted it for sale on the blog it was featured by our friends over at Bring A Trailer!

  

Here is proud new owner Anthony K sharing his journey from picking up the Z in San Francisco and driving it all the way home to Vancouver, B.C. Thank you for these beautiful pictures and Enjoy The Ride!

This is my first Z. In fact it’s my first “second” car solely for pleasure driving. I used to ride sport bikes (most recently a yellow Ducati 748) until a near fatal accident. I’m lucky to be alive. I figured some steel around me was in order, so I wanted to get a car with a “pure” driving experience, without much of the insulation, refinement and weight that come with modern cars. Then I came across this great video on Petrolicious.com. I had somehow completely forgotten how much I like the original 240Z. The styling takes so many cues from the Ferrari 275GTB and Daytona, two cars I think are among the most beautiful ever made. Everything clicked. I wanted a beautiful, classic driving car with good power, great sound, and (relative) reliability. The original 240Z with a Rebello engine fit the bill. I started my search.

 

I searched craigslist along the West Coast, from San Diego to Vancouver, as well as ebay motors for a finished car with a Rebello engine. As you know, they’re hard to find. I found Scott W’s Z on craigslist and the Z Car Blog. He is a class act and was very helpful throughout the entire purchase process. Together with the detailed photos of all the work done on the car by you on the Z Car Blog, it was easy to learn everything I needed to know about the car.

My wife and I drove from San Francisco to Vancouver BC over about 5 days. We don’t have a car in San Francisco, so Scott very generously drove the car from Cupertino to San Francisco on Tuesday for the sale. We talked a while, and it was very clear how much he was going to miss the car he spent so much time making his own. It’s nice to purchase a vehicle that’s very personal to someone because of the care that went into it.

 

We drove up to Sonoma county and spent Wednesday to Friday afternoon wine tasting in Glen Ellen/Sonoma. That period was the test drive for my wife.  I’m sure my driving would have been more spirited without her, but taking such a great trip along the beautiful Pacific Coast was so much better with her as my companion.

 

We headed to the coast late Friday afternoon and drove up to Mendocino, where we ate a great dinner and spent the night. That first day of driving was just awesome: endless 2nd and 3rd gear turns, sweepers and bends from Sonoma, over the hills to Gualala and up the windy coast to Mendocino. That’s where I became addicted to the Z’s great handling, power and raw, intoxicating sound.

 

Monday morning, we did some shopping in town and then drove West to the nearby Willamette Valley wine country. It was mid afternoon by the time we finished wine tasting and figured it would be dark by the time we hit the still foggy and rainy coast. At that point, we would either stay in Salem or Portland for another night so we could head to the coast the next day and enjoy the drive, or just hit I5 and plow through.  We fueled up at Stumptown Coffee, my favorite coffee shop in Portland, and kept going till we hit the border. Droning along the highway isn’t the Z’s natural habitat, but we steadily made our way back to Vancouver by ~1am Tuesday morning.

 

We’re both grateful for the awesome, fun, safe, and mechanically event-free road trip. Special thanks to Scott W and Rob and crew at the Z Car Garage for the great work, turning an already great car into an awesome one. Looking forward to making the trip back down to San Francisco. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to Google “best roads around Vancouver.”

 

I love driving my Datsun Roadster every weekend but last Saturday I had the opportunity to drive Rob Fuller’s 1971 Datsun 510 for my birthday.  This is Rob’s first 510 from his youthful days in Georgia (see vanity plate). Without giving too many details, he restored the car and performed an S13 SR20DET drivetrain swap in 2002.  We will give this Dime a proper feature on the blog soon, but for now, let’s drive!

 

I called up a few of my roadster friends to do a quick blast up Skyline to Alice’s restaurant. Both Mike (silver) and Raul’s (white) roadsters are 1967.5 year cars with SPL and SRL drivetrains, respectively. With HWY 9 construction finished the twisty roads we once enjoyed were now even smoother.

 

We headed South on 84,  looped back up to Skyline via Old La Honda Rd and eventually took a break at the vista point off 9 towards Big Basin.  Driving the Go Green 510 was buckets of fun. Seating/steering wheel position, suspension and visibility all make for a totally different experience coming from a roadster owner. I was impressed how well the car has held up over a decade after it was reborn.

 

After our fun run my brother and I did some lead-follow videos with my roadster and the 510. Two SR-powered vintage Datsuns Enjoying The Ride! Turn those speakers up:

 

Cruising around town and experiencing the rush of 400hp being transferred through 205mm-width rear tires was absolutely addicting.  Thank you Rob for making my birthday especially enjoyable!

We had a tremendous week racing at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 14-17.  More commonly known as the “historics” at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, this epic vintage race is part of several events occupying the week-long Monterey car festival leading up to the Pebble Beach Concours.  Our friends over at JNC were lucky to experience the Pebble Beach scene in all its opulence and excitement. From the multi-million dollar auctions and surprising Japanese classic entrants check out their coverage HERE.

If it’s the smell of 110 octane, straight-piped exhausts and wheel-to-wheel action you desire than look no further than the historics. Typically I would cover this event from a spectator’s point of view. This year, I was fortunate to be part of the Z Car Garage race crew and bring you, dear readers, a perspective from the pits as a first time participant.

 

Joel Anderson and Restoration of the #49 IMSA Z

Z Car Garage was thrilled to team up with original owner, builder and driver Joel Anderson to bring the IMSA Z back to life after being stored for 25 years.  Restored to late-70’s spec as it was raced, this IMSA GTU-prepped Z does not have new “trick” parts.  Parts from Joel’s collection were re-used and common wear items were refreshed. Below:  Original race seat and MOMO Prototipo steering wheel. Original suspension parts were plated.

 

Our man William applied Joel’s bespoke striping:

 

More detailed restoration photos and our full interview with Joel can be found HERE. We were very pleased with the engine bay…plenty of Joel’s engineering remains intact:

 

We applied the vinyl livery, took a step back and pinched ourselves…are we still dreaming?

 

With all of the vitals checked, #49 rests before heading to Laguna Seca on the original trailer Joel used decades ago at Road Atlanta:

 

Racing at Laguna Seca

For the Friday practice session we drove the ZCG Datsun 2000 to Laguna Seca and parked alongside some fellow roadsters owners in the paddock. Arriving at  ‘Seca early morning with the track enshrouded in fog is surreal.  Despite the moisture and most high-dollar machinery still under car covers, a few brave souls were on course for their practice sessions.
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On Sunday I attended the Saratoga Classic Car Show in beautiful downtown Saratoga, Ca. Now in its 5th year running, thousands of car lovers flock to this historic strip of Big Basin Way.  Two-hundred cars line the street with music, vendors, shopping and plenty of fun for families. Despite its huge following I had never heard of this show happening in my own backyard until a friend sent me the flyer. I thought it would be cool to represent Japanese classic cars with the Datsun Roadster so I signed up and enjoyed the day with family.

 

I’m a huge fan of muscle cars and Hot Rods so this show was a refreshing break from the J-tin that is close to my heart 🙂 Here are some of my favorites:

From Ford:  “Bullit-esque” Mustang and Pro-Touring Shelby fastback:

 

This Thunderbird had a wicked stance and Halibrand-style wheels:

 

From Chevrolet: Pro-Touring ’57, trackday Camaro, C1 ‘Vette, Yenko tribute and mean Chevelle:

 

The roadster was well-received and I spotted a very clean S30 down the street! Maybe next year we can bring more JDM flair to the show!

 

Speaking of roadsters, there was a large contingent of English droptops including this absolutely bonkers turbocharged Sunbeam Alpine:

 

Sporting some sweet vintage Enkei 92 meshies with sticky Re-11s this DE-prepped beast even had a “TIGR ETR” plate!  Below: very clean MGA, Tiger and E-type:

 

I thought I was out of place with the Datsun and then I saw this beautiful ’68 Audi 100…on bags!

Such pretty lines it reminded me of BMW’s famous E9 chassis. The Rotiform wheels were perfect:

 

I was in Torq-Thrust and vintage wheel heaven. Some of my favorites. I love flat caps on these:

Check out the gallery for more pictures!

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At Z Car Garage we are fortunate to work with passionate owners who have great histories behind their cars. Joel Anderson is a Datsun race car driver with an extraordinary story. We also just happen to be restoring one of his famous Z-cars to compete in the 2014 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in August! When I first met Joel at the shop I immediately asked him a bunch of questions about racing as a privateer in the 70’s…it’s an era of Datsun racing I’m fascinated with and would love to share his responses with all of you. Enjoy the interview and read further to see our progress on the restoration. Thanks Joel!

Interview: Race car driver Joel Anderson

How did you end up racing Datsuns?
In 1972 I bought my first Datsun 240Z while living in Southern California. At the time I was driving a 1961 VW I built to autocross in Northern California the year before moving to Newport Beach. The VW had a 1900cc Porsche motor, Big Porsche alum. drum brakes and a Porsche transaxle, Koni’s, 10” wide wheels with intermedate rain race tires and a loud stinger exhaust. On the outside no two body parts were the same color but the interior was nice: full gauges, black leather buckets with thick black pile carpet…a true sleeper and absolute blast to drive.
My employer at the time hated the VW and offered me a car in lieu of a raise. I ordered a Porsche 911S from a local dealer and when I went to pick it up they had added over $500 in what they called “Dealer Prep.” I was pissed and after a few hours of arguing I got my deposit back. On my way home I saw a 240Z in the showroom on a turntable at Garden Grove Datsun…it was beautiful, Safari Brown with chrome wire wheels and it had been in the L.A. car show. I knew nothing about 240’s except they were kinda cool looking and they were fast. I went inside and told the saleman I wanted to buy it and take it home that night. The next day driving in the rain on my way to work in my new Z I came to a red light, hit the brakes and went all the way through the intersection…scared the crap outta of me. Joined a Z owner’s club to hopefully get some help on how to fix the brakes. After a couple of meetings I started running slalom events in the stock class and won most of the events entered that year.
In 1973 I moved back to the SF Bay Area and went to an Autocross and got my doors handed to me. The cars here were more prepared than Southern CA…Lowered, race tires, sway bars and a lot more power than my stock Z. Little by little I started modifing my daily driver to be competive. Within a year I had a few 1st in the Prodified class and the car was becoming less and less streetable. I bought a ‘71 Z from an auto wrecker that had a interior fire, took all the goodies off my street car and started trailering the ‘71 to the events. While preparing the cars I got to know the people at FAR Performance fairly well. In 1974 Walt Maas had just won the National Championship in C/Production in Atlanta, GA in the FAR Performance 260Z called “The Giant Killer”. At the time Frank Leary was Walt’s crew chief and the service manager at FAR. Frank was also building a Z of his own to road race in the carport of his condo in Santa Clara. I helped Frank build his car in exchange for his secrets to make a Datsun fast. While working as Leary’s crew chief I had converted my Z to a full on road racer and ran SCCA solo events and won the C/P class. In 1977 I went through SCCA’s driver’s school and started road racing, by the end of the year I had won most of the races and regional championship and was issued my National license. In 1978 I ran SCCA’s National events and qualifed for the runoffs in Atlanta. At Atlanta I had my first DNF due to running too much timing which split and exhuast valve. In ‘79 I turned the SCCA car over to my wife so she could compete in regionals and I built my IMSA GTU car.

Autocross or road racing, what do you prefer?
Road Racing…The autocrossing was a great learning experience in car control, but it was just over too soon. You wait around all day for under 2 minutes of driving rush. The solo competition was better, it gave me lots of track time and a gauge to judge if I had what it takes to be competive on a road course.

What’s your personal code of conduct on the track?
Clean…The rule I’ve always gone by is…”It’s the responsibility of the over-taking driver to pass safely” I’ll run you hard and close but I won’t rub you unless you bring it and if you’re going to pass me you gotta earn it!

What was it like to be a privateer race car driver?
After doing so well in SCCA Club Racing moving up to IMSA Pro Racing was a rude awakening at first. I soon realized that I wasn’t going to be on the pole or in first place for awhile if ever. My self satisfaction and reward came from the fact that my low dollar effort of me alone, in a car I built with the motor I built, was competing against factory backed efforts with professional driver’s with the best equipment money could buy!

Did Nissan back you?
Back then Datsun Competition offered contingency money for Driver’s and Dealer sponsors. You got money from Datsun Comp. for podium finishes and if a dealer sponsored you he got paid as well. Datsun helped me by  once in awhile when getting parts from Datsun Comp. not invoicing me. If you made the runoffs at the end of the year you would get tow money. The year I went to the runoffs I got $1,200.00 when I got to Atlanta.

I heard stories of Nissan having tons of spares ready just for racers like you at the track…true?
Only at the runoffs they had a giant Datsun tent for you to pit in and next to the tent a 40 foot trailer full of parts. All you had to do is ask and you got it FREE…if they didn’t have your part it was flown in the next day.

Worst crash?
Runoffs at Atlanta…turn 7 before the back straightaway…the first lap of practice…the first time on the track ever…on a cool track…on cool tires and I’m trying to set a new track record? I hit a concrete wall at 80 mph, move the wall 1 ft. and moved the left side of my car 2 ft…really hit hard!! (some good‘ol NASCAR boy’s at a shop near the track fixed the car overnight)

Best pass?
Regional race at Laguna…last lap, front straight, went up the center of 4 back markers, for the win, leaving 2nd place car nowhere to go!

Best race?
3rd National race at Riverside, finished 2nd behind Leary in pouring rain.
Co-Drove with Leary at Sears Point Enduro, Finished 1st finishing production car and 2nd overall.

Favorite track?
Laguna Seca

What was the first win you remember
The race I remember the most was my ever first race. I started on the outside pole next to Carlos Garza in a Lola T292. After 6 laps he retired with motor trouble. On lap 10 of 15 while running in first overall I got a flat tire and had to dropped out. Even though I didn’t win or finish…I started on the pole, ran first overall and if it wasn’t for a flat tire I was going to win.

What percent of your career races can you remember?
100 percent…racing is so intense it’s like it was just yesterday!

Tell us about the Z that is being restored at Z Car Garage
The car was originally presented by Mr. Katayama to Mr. John Cooper, President of Ontario Motor Speedway in 1972 to be used as the Official Pace Car for the Third Annual ” California 500″ held on Sept. 3, 1972. (it still has the built in flag holder) The car was later given to the Bob Bondurant Driving School at Sears Point. In 1977 I purchased the car from Datsun Comp. for one dollar and picked the car up at Sears Point. I ran the car at all the west coast IMSA races in GTU for three years. Starting in 1980 I ran the car in SCCA Super Production setting the track record at Sears Point and Laguna Seca and winning The Pacific Road Race Championship as well in S/P. The car had been through three owners since I sold the car in 1982 to Rich Johnson as a GT2 car, with smaller flairs and wheels. Rich raced the car for one year and won his class. The car was then sold to Roger Edsinger and he used parts off the car for a car he was racing at the time. It was then sold to Grant Brown and he autocrossed and solo one’d the car. When I got the car back it had been in a storage shed for 15 years or more.

What motivated you to restore the Z and how did you end up taking it to Rob?
In 1989 I started buying back all my old race cars. I bought my 1971 SCCA C/P car that had been turned into an autocross car and setting in a storage lot for 20 years, My IMSA car that had been in a storage shed for 15 years and a IMSA body street Z I built for my son, that he sold and was in storage for 10 years. My plan was to restore the cars with my Son and Grandson and race them. Shortly after getting the cars my Son died of a massive heart attack. At that point I changed my plan and decided to sell the cars. I listed the cars on Craigslist and sold the street Z right away and got all kinds of interest in the race cars. At the point I met Rob I was talking with Les Cannaday owner of Classic Datsun in Vista, CA. During a phone call Rob made me an offer I couldn’t refuse…and here we are today.

You got accepted to race at the 2014 Historics, when they announce your name on the grid how will you feel?
Special for sure since the first time the car came to life and moved under its own power was the IMSA GTU morning practice 25 year ago at Laguna Seca…it will be a rebirth of the car with its creator at the wheel.

 

Interested in some really cool vintage racing print? Check out this 1978 article featuring Joel and his Autocross efforts, HERE

The Restoration

 

 

Restoring an old and tired vintage racing car is both art and science. Z Car Garage is both honored and excited to bring this Z back to life! Present day vintage racing expects both performance and concours condition, in the same car. It is a much different process to restore a forty year old car that will be used at high speed under constant stress and strain than it is to spruce up an old Packard for boulevard cruises. The goal for Joel’s IMSA 240z is to restore it back to its condition cosmetically and mechanically as it was raced decades ago. This means keeping little details like original suspension parts and period-spec braking components intact but using modern tires and saftey equipment as required by the racing bodies.

One of the best parts of any IMSA car and especially the Z’s are the enormous fender flares. Lucky for us most of the bodywork was present or sourced easily. Time for paint! We turned to the best: William’s Auto Body.

 

William did an incredible job of laying the black paint with bespoke striping.  Single-stage paint was chosen of course to give it that 70’s vibe. Here’s a shot of Joel at Laguna Seca in #49:

Striping begins:

 

The livery is complete!

 

Joel originally ran some “Trick Mag” magnesium wheels which are no longer available. We thought the closest replica would be the V48 from Vintage Wheel Works. These are custom sized and will have gold centers with some meaty Avon slicks to provide grip. For now we drool over the mock-up:

 

The 80’s vs 2014:

 

William also shot the interior in gloss white. Check out the cagework:

 

With paint complete chassis restoration is underway. All suspension pieces originally run will be zinc plated:

 

Next, we tackle the engine! More updates to come with Joel and friends helping with the build.

 

We are extremely amped and looking forward to the Historics when Joel races this very special 240z. It will even be towed on the very same trailer that took Joel to Road Atlanta over 30 years ago, and me to the Solvang Roadster Show last April!

 

Long Live the Z!

Lots of pictures of the restoration in the gallery!

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