:ugh2:

FricFrac, you do whatever you wanna do. It's your car, it's your money. You got a cool collection of Zs and you know more about the history of Datsun/Nissan then half the punks driving the newest edition. Funny thing about people today, they all think that their opinions matter. Do your own thing and ignore those who think their opinions are more important than yours.

Vinyl, people! Peels off like a condom after a freaky night with J. Cuervo--no harm, no penicillin required.

LOL... I built a V8 Datsun 240Z track car because it is freaking SCARY FAST!

I instruct with several groups and I have driven just about everything including all out hot laps in several GTRs. I even yacked in a GTR with an inexperienced driver pushing it too hard. The fact I'm still alive after that is a testament to that car's unique abilities.

Anyway,
When I finally completed the Datsun; my wife commented that I could have bought a brand new Nissan Z, paid it off completely with interest and driven it the entire time it took me to build up the race car... and it still would have been cheaper.

I'll keep my BMW M3 for streetable track duty, the glorious Datsun is all race all the time and the most thrilling beast I have ever had my gloves on.

Pics?

:iagree:

Also OP, Have you driven any stock or modified 370z?
If so did you realize a difference at all on the track?
Thanks! :tup:

My L24 powered Datsun 240Z track car chasing down a modified 350Z.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...myredtruck.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...orthcourse.jpg

Terrible video inside a GTR. Srry but my camera was new and I had not gotten used to it's auto iris function. I am not pushing 10/10ths in this video. I was trying to figure out how the nanny behaved for my student.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...incarshort.jpg

My BMW E36 M3 having some fun showing off for the camera man.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...97/M3drift.jpg


Tow vehicle on the skidpad in the rain. I only had slicks that day and this was good clean fun.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ruckdriftB.jpg


Ohh yea... and my V8 powered Datsun holy terror.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...t/Sunangle.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...eriorright.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...Datsun240Z.jpg

The Datsun 240Z was a smashing hit and it was a pure/nasty little sports car. The Datsun beat everything even 5 times as expensive. It absolutely turned the sports car market upside down. Nissan has never had the guts to do it since they dropped the Datsun name. Nissan Motor Co. thought Datsun sounded "less Japanese" and would appeal to Americans better. Once they crushed the old plastic-doggy-doo-makers misnomer they dropped Datsun and used their maiden name Nissan. They also made more expensive Zs to suit a wider market. It was just not the same incredible Z after that.

The 370Z is a limited car. It only has 2 seats and you can't fit 3 occupants with 2 mountain bikes inside it. It is also too soft and delicate for track use. It has potential, but only with a great deal of money and effort.

My beef with all of the Nissan cars built on that chassis is the complexity of the suspension and sub-frame mounting points. By the time you have replaced all the squishies you have a NON-streetable car. If I ever wanted one I would buy the base model, toss everything chassis and brake related, and go pure aftermarket.

The BMW offers higher performance and durability for occasional track time with a perfectly streetable car. It has 4 doors, 4 seats, fold-down rears with a large trunk. It has 50/50 balance, fantastic brakes, holds 8 quarts of oil in reserve, durable driveline, and solidly mounted suspension components. Track prep is easy and weekday-reversable. Change brake pads/fluid, change wheels/tires, align for track duty and go tear it up. The BMW was a much more expensive car to buy, and a much better car for dual duty track/street.

The Datsun 240Z was meant to make an impression. Nissan Motor Co. did their best, when it counted, to get a strong foothold in N. America.

Who the hell wanted a spartan sports car with a cardboard and vinyl interior? Gearheads and dreamers of all ages bought the Z and put up with it's cheapness because it was quick, nimble, reliable, and had a one hell of a mean reputation. People bought it because it was cheap and badass.

They could do it again with hybrid/electric in a bonded composite chassis. Make it cheap, light, and fast as hell. It needs a Datsun badge to work.