Last Zcar

[reggiegsd]

This is it, I'm finally doing it. I'm selling my last Zcar.

I sold my wife's Z last week and mine is going next week.

I've owned 18 Zs since my first one in 1975 and I've always had at least one. I've done just about everything that can be done to them and more than a few things that shouldn't have been done. A "Bat Mobile" body kit comes to mind.

This will be the first time in 27 years that I have not had a Zcar. This is a little scary.

I wonder what the next car will be. TVR sound interesting. Pantera? Maybe a Factory Five Cobra Kit, that sounds neat. Any suggestions?

[EZcheese15]

This is it, I'm finally doing it. I'm selling my last Zcar.

I sold my wife's Z last week and mine is going next week.

I've owned 18 Zs since my first one in 1975 and I've always had at least one. I've done just about everything that can be done to them and more than a few things that shouldn't have been done. A "Bat Mobile" body kit comes to mind.

This will be the first time in 27 years that I have not had a Zcar. This is a little scary.

I wonder what the next car will be. TVR sound interesting. Pantera? Maybe a Factory Five Cobra Kit, that sounds neat. Any suggestions?

Why are you getting away from the Z? I would suggest a 350Z if you want something different.

Although, if you can find a Tuscan Speed 12, then that may be a little bit cooler

[Bubba]

Depends on what you want and want to spend. I don't think TVR's are being imported yet, but they are homely. Panteras are great looking but too old to be good daily drivers. If that's your price range, and you want Detroit Pig iron, how about a Rousch Stage 3 Moosestang or Saleen? Or perhaps a Z06. If you're looking a for daily driver, the 350Z is nice choice, or maybe a used NSX? NSX's are not holding their value very well (overpriced new) and are reliable fun cars. Some other nice choices: 300zx TT (last generation), or last generation RX7 (great sports car). If you wanna go sedan, a used M3 or new Audi S4 are also worth looking at. Once my old S-13 dies (which I bought new), I'll very likely end up with a 350z track model. Just a few ideas...

[chrispy]

Bubba where abouts in bucks do you live? I am down in bensalem.

[Bubba]

Morrisville

[reggiegsd]

Think Toy.

I've had a 300ZXTT and a couple of RX7s. To me a toy is something that can be heavily modified without massive amounts of money. I know anything can be modified but for most modern cars, someone else already had the fun figuring out how to do it. My first V8 conversion in a Zcar was in 1979. There were no kits and not much knowledge base.

A 600HP 300ZXTT is just a check away. Write the check and someone hands you the car. What fun is that?

I rebuilt one of the first Jensen Healey engines (Lotus 907) to fail and figured out why they were going pop.

How about puting a modern V8 into a TVR 3000S? (Look it up)

A Pantera with a Ford 428? With fuel injection?

A T56 into a Q would be a challenge.

[Bubba]

Ok, so you want to go more exotic and challenging. How about building a 427 comp cobra? They have some pretty snazzy kits out there. You want to go even more exotic, buy an old Ferrari, you can get 308's very cheaply now. Are you talking about dropping a V-8 into an old TVR or a new one ? I don't know much about the new ones, but the old ones were pretty damn small and cramped. I've actually driven an old one. If you did go with a V-8 in an old TVR, it'd probably need to be a small block (like the old Sunbeam Tiger). As far as Pantera's go, they collectible now. The 351 Cleveland motor actually gave it plenty of oomph. Swapping to a 428 may make it quicker in a straight line, but would reduce the value of the car. I was always fond of the Jensen Healy. It would be fun to have one now.Enjoy

[reggiegsd]

HMMM, this is tougher than I thought.

The Factory Five Cobra kit does have appeal, and there is a factory supported spec racing series for them. That is a possibility.

Ferrari 308? I had a 330 GT in the late '70s untill someone offered me more money than I could possibly turn down. I still love that car. If Nissan sent a coupe to go with the Q45 it would probably have alot of the character of that car. 308s have a gold chain and coke spoon image to me. Restoration costs are pretty high also.

I doubt if the Pantera will be truely collectable any time soon. Good examples can be had for under $30K. My wife had one when I met her. She will agree to another one.

A '72 Vette with a '96 drive train?

OBTW, if you owned a Jensen Healey, your facination would quickly dissapear. I owned 2. Simple cars but tough to keep alive.

[chrispy]

MG B with an aluminum olds V8.

[Bubba]

Reggie. We seem to have some things in common. My father owned a '64 Ferrari 330 America (think 250GT 2+2 with the 4 liter 330 motor stuffed in it by the factory) for many years. Before that he had a '56 Jag Xk140. I 'm also familiar with old british cars. I worked summers at a JRT (nee Britsh Leyland) dealer. I'm sure you know why the British drink warm beer, right?

I'm also not a big fan of the 8 cyl. Ferraris. Gimme a front engined V-12 275GTB4 or NART Spyder any day, (but they're not exactly affordable).

The one thing about Panteras is that they have a very loyal following. But they're only exotic when compared to other Ford powered cars. I'm more partial to the old Mangusta, but I heard nightmares about their reliability.

Have you considered going German? Audi's and Bimmers are great platforms to build up from. I do a lot of track events with theAudi Club. A lot of serious stealth monsters participate. Lotsa fun.

Regards.

[reggiegsd]

Something German. Hmm. I've never had a Porche, Mercedes, or an Audi. My one BMW experience was not very satisfying, early 740s were not the best.

An early '80s Audi swb Coupe would be slick if I could find one. Most people would have no idea what it was. I've only seen a couple in the last 10 years and they were both boosted to bomb status.

V8 MGs are almost common in England and the parts are readily available here. It certainly would be a challenge to make the thing handle.

A Mangusta wasn't very good to begin with, but it sure was beautiful.

I've played with Lotuses and TVRs before (in my smaller days). A fellow in upstate NY is puting rotaries into Super 7s. That would be an outragous track car. In England they put in big bike engines and sequential gear boxes. Light and powerful.

The world is full of options.

[Bubba]

Sure is. I have a friend thru the Audi Club that has a beautiful green swb coupe or "sport Quattro". Great cars, but there are only a handful of them in the US and they don't trade hands very often. There's also a guy I know that comes to some track events with a Mercedes 190, with a Ford V-8 stuffed under the hood. Looks absolutely stock from the outside, (until you see the race slicks) but it's the sweetest sounding Merc you'll ever hear.

[reggiegsd]

That Ford V8, the small Windsor block, is a sweet little engine. Its narrow and light compared the the Chevy small block. I've already done a Ford 5.0 swap into a Zcar. Another swap into an interesting car is an option.

Or the Cobra kit?

[Stoneage_Turbo]

a Factory Five Cobra Kit

running mildly built 5.0 running a t-56 transmission or a world class 5 speed , backed up with the rear suspenion from a 90's T-bird S/C

spec miata series is takeing off supposedly 21k out the door for a compeditive 1.6l car

how about a lotus 7 kit , i hear they can be had with the engine out of the ford focus , and the focus has a hell of a aftermakrekt so it woul have tons of buildability ....

or a lotus 7 kit running a nissan sr20det

currently tinkerin with a 73 vette , gonna try to build and run a LS6 injected GM 302 in it with a richmond 6 speed ...the car is in the garage , bone stock right now outside its suspension and brakes , becoming my baby , Dad was about to sell it so i had to step in , so after the G20 is done it will get some much needed attention

73 is a odd ball year last of the metal rear bumpers first of the "endura" 5mph front nose cones, resale is beginning to pick up on them fairly quick

[EZcheese15]

a Factory Five Cobra Kit

running mildly built 5.0 running a t-56 transmission or a world class 5 speed , backed up with the rear suspenion from a 90's T-bird S/C

how about a lotus 7 kit , i hear they can be had with the engine out of the ford focus , and the focus has a hell of a aftermakrekt so it woul have tons of buildability ....

or a lotus 7 kit running a nissan sr20det

I've actually seen a Lotus 7 with a SR20DET. I think it was at an Atlanta AutoX, but I can't remember for sure. It was a few years ago.

[s14=pimpin']

I saw an RB26DETT stuffed into a Mazda Miata. Talk about cramped! Was in Japan, how about an RB in a 200sx. Sorry, I know they aren't very exotic, but it sounds like you need a chalenge.

[Bubba]

Reggie, if you're looking for a track car, the Cobra sounds like a fun project. But if you're thinking dual purpose, I'd avoid the cobra. Strictly a sunny day car. If you test drive an M3 or M5, I think your opinion of BMW will change. Wonderful cars on the track and street.

[reggiegsd]

I'm looking for a toy.

I have a Q, a Maxima, and an Astro van.

[s14=pimpin']

A BMW M series roadster, new or old Austin Mini, a '95 240SX with a RB motor (couldn't help it), SLK kompressor, boxter or better yet carrera, BMW 318 (makes for a good build up), VW Golf 1.8T, Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7, Honda S2000 with a Nissan motor, Z8......

or just keep the Z car, at least one man!!!

[Bubba]

Toy can be interpreted many ways. You can have a street toy or track toy...or a combo. What are looking for?

[reggiegsd]

I suspect it will be an occasional street car setup to street prepared specs so I can autocross it.

[Bubba]

Hmmm. Occasional autocross. Here are a few more ideas, all of which I've driven. (I've driven a lot of unusual cars over the years).

1. Porsche 914-6. A screamer, not to be confused with the slow VW powered 4-cyl. Very competitive for autocross 2. Lotus Europa Twin Cam. The old Renault engined ones were underpowered, but the Twin cams were fun though fragile3. Porsche 911S -before the big wide soft compound tires, and high sticker prices. The thin tires made it a true drivers car.4. Lancia Beta Scorpion. Attractive and trememdous handling, but woefully underpowered stock. You also have get past the FIAT stigma, Lotsa potential and unusual.5.. AMCJavelin AMX. Think Mark Donahue trans-am. The 340 V8 was a complete monster.6. original Shelby Mustang. Obviously lots of potential7. Porsche 944. Expensive to maintain but great sports cars.I could go on and on. It's fun brainstorming. Any of these sound interesting?

[reggiegsd]

You are right, this is entertaining.

I have had a couple of Lotuses, an Elan and a Lotus 11. I suspect I have "out grown" them. Think wide butt disease.

I've driven several Porches though never owned one. I drove a 914/6 at a track day in the late '70s and was impressed. An early '80s SC is a thought.

Go to the Factory Five web site and look at the new roadster kit. Its not a Cobra and it looks good. Possible.

I've had most of the British cars from the '60s and '70s starting with a Sunbeam Tiger. A couple of Jensen Healeys, TRs, an MGB. Any of these would work.

An Intermechanica?

[Bubba]

Intermechanica, huh? Pretty good. I've never seen one in person. How about a Marcos GT or a Griffith? Porsche 911SC is a great choice too. Another interesting Porsche is the much maligned 928. You can get them cheap, but they're expensive to keep up. I know someone that converted his into an ITB racer. Nice car.

Here are a few more from my driven list to consider:

Mercedes 280SL . I drove an automatic one. Very nice. Classic shape, a 289 Ford would fit under the hood, handles well

Volvo P1800. Don't laugh, sexy car, nice handling, underpowered stock but lots of potential.

Chevy Corvair Corsa 1965 or newer. Good looking, 180 hp, turbo charged (stock), very light, oversteers like an old 911 and was quicker. yeno built up some monsters.

BMW 2002 tii. Pretty mundane looking but extremely tossable little car. I still see a few at club events at the track.

I've read about that cobra kit. I'm personally not a big cobra guy, as its a fair weather car only, though I'd love to drive one someday. I think if I wanted a torque monster, I might lean toward a Viper or Z06.(Turnkey). I drove a Viper at Lime Rock. What a beast.

[reggiegsd]

I tried to get my wife to bite on a P1800ES several years ago. We got to the point of writing the check when she backed out. "Too little omph" she said.

I would have trouble getting myself to "chop up" a 280SL to do an engine swap. The car has too much character as it is.

My wife is lobying for the Porche 911. She's pointed three out to me in the last two days.

[Bubba]

Hard to argue against a 911. I'd give in to your wife's wishes here. Plus PCA runs a lot of events all over the country, both autocross and on racetracks. Enjoy.