Great Z Gathering in Connecticut last Saturday

Mergnthwirker

The Connecticut Z Car Club (CZCC) had a get-together on Saturday in Darien Connecticut. I happened upon their site on Friday, so I joined -- free membership! -- and showed up on Saturday afternoon to see what it was all about.

When I drove in (private home) there were about 60 Z cars parked in the front lawn. The vast majority of them were nice original examples of 70's-era Z's. Lots of 240's, 260's, and 280's. 300Z's or Zx's and a smattering of twin turbos. Only one other 370Z which of course was the same color as mine (Pearl White).

This was a great chance to meet some very knowledgeable people with deep roots in the 40 year history of the Z car in America! As many of you know, Bob Sharp had his dealership in Wilton CT for many many years, and as a result, many of the early racers and hard-core enthusasts were drawn there. Many of these guys had been tuning and racing Z's almost since the beginning. I saw a very clean 280 with aftermarket turbos and custom plumbing (HUGE intercooler). A couple of very tricked out race cars as well as some heavily Nismo'd later models (a black 350Z with Nismo mods that looked killer).

One guy had one of Bob Sharp's personal Z's, a 280Z, I think, painted in the signature red, white, and blue livery the day it was delivered new. Another 240Z on a trailer was the very first 240Z to be sold to a customer #016, I believe. The original owner drove it for 100,000 miles then parked it. It was very clean, with a couple rust spots on the rockers, but in much finer shape than most 240's I've seen. They're planning on restoring it this winter, I hear.

Of course, I arrived without a camera. So no pics. The club photographer was around, however, so if you check on the CTZZ web site in a couple of weeks, you should be able to see some of these fine cars there Connecticut Z Car Club: Welcome

Any of you who live in the greater NY area should check this club out. Definitely a great bunch of guys, who really know the ins/outs of these fantastic cars.