We love motorsport and it is our pleasure to bring more enthusiasts into the world of vintage racing. Z Car Garage offers full trackside support and race car-preparation so you can focus on driving. Our client Todd R is a great example of ZCG trackside support in action. He’s been racing his Datsun 510 privateer-style for the last few years and hired us for the first time at the Laps For Laguna event back in May.

Z Car Garage had a blast racing and supporting Datsun 510 race cars running in B-Sedan Group 9 (John Morton Cup). We were super proud of Todd: he was able to concentrate on his driving, achieving his highest placing (p6) and personal best lap (1:48.3) time. You can see our full report from this HERE, and let’s take closer look at Todd’s experience with Z Car Garage trackside services.

 

Race Prep for Todd

 

Todd had us prepare his B-Sedan 510 prior to the Laps for Laguna event with standard track-event services including dyno tuning and alignment. He also purchased a set of 13×7 Panasport Wheels from ZCG. We are proud to offer 13×7 Panasport racing wheels in perfect fitment for your B-Sedan/TransAm series Datsun 510 running vintage-class spec 205/60/13 Hoosier R7 (and other) tires:

 

The welded diff was replaced with OS Giken limited-slip (4.38) unit. Diff services are performed in-house at ZCG:

   

We changed the ignition, spark plugs and dyno tuned the L-Series engine for 110 race fuel.

 

Enjoy this video the dyno tuning sessions at Z Car Garage and in-car race footage from Todd, volume up!

 

510 Beginnings

Let’s take a look at how Todd got into 510s…

“My history with the 510 begins in my childhood. We had a 4 Door 510 as a family vehicle and went everywhere in it. I have many memories of tinkering on cars with my dad in the garage. My first car at 15 yo was a Datsun 1200 I bought with my twin brother for $200. Engine was dismantled and all parts in a box under the hood sitting on the engine block. We put it back together w/Dad at night after he got home from work using the Haynes manual. My first car I bought myself in 1988 out of the classifieds was a 1972 Datsun 510, Lowered, L18 and a webber carb, 5 speed painted white. Great car, went everywhere especially to the Santa Cruz Beach. I lived in Livermore at the time. Sadly it got smashed into in front of my parents house and that was the death of it.”

 

“I received my racing license in 2015 in a rented 510 from Larry Oka (The One and Only)( nicknamed the THRASHER) I subsequently bought that car to continue racing for 2015 and 2016 in SCCA ITC SFR region racing at Laguna, Sonoma and Thunderhill. I became the 2015 San Francisco Region Champion in ITC for SCCA that year. At the end on 2016 I was handed an opportunity to purchase a Vintage racing ready 1971 Datsun 510 again thanks to Larry Oka. I made the deal and started racing with CSRG in Vintage sedan racing. This was where my heart was. I had been attending Monterey historics for 30 years and finally was going to be a Vintage racer. I raced and learned with that car but it needed to be better prepped for vintage, its livery was a bit contemporary and the car was Street/ITC built.”

 

“I had the car painted to its current day Black over White #88. I wanted to make it my own. I modeled it after the F.A.R Performance Datsun 1200 Livery of the early 70s to pay homage to the bay area Datsun performance shop in the 70s and 80s. The ZCG of its day. They had a successful racing history with Roadsters, 1200s, 510s and Z cars. I then brought the car to Troy Ermish who performed all the proper B Sedan Upgrades at his shop over the course of a few months. As more 510s started showing up in Vintage racing…Like Troy, I was left in the back. I knuckled down and raced as hard as I could. I reminded my self of a saying by the great Paul Newman..”Its more fun to make a slow car go fast than a fast car go slow”. The prize at the end of the day in Vintage racing is returning home ALL in one piece. I sourced a Rebello L1800 and installed it, and was able to race two races in 2021 after install  at Sonoma and Thunderhill.”

 

“As for Rob…We met at racing school in 2016 when he attended and I was working for Larry Oka racing for the weekend. He had that contagious energy of course and that’s where I learned of Z Car garage. As a Datsun owner racer I knew I I would need his services in the future, and of course we ended up racing together on a regular basis with CSRG. We would always be staged together in the Paddocks since all the 510s typically parked together.”

 

“I have always been a Do it yourself’er and was able to take care of all my needs up to this point, but at that Sonoma race in 2021 I had issues. I sorted out some problems but had a persistent misfire. Thankfully Magic Hands Joshua Corwin of ZCG was providing Track Support to Rob and others that day and my problems caught his interest because he’s a fixer.  Rob had allowed him to step away for a moment and he was able to determine my ignition plate in the distributor was loose and causing a misfire. They also supplied me with a Coil and plugs as part of the fix. Without Z Car my weekend would have been over if not for them. THIS WAS MY AH HA moment. With Rob’s thorough knowledge Datsuns and racing and the skills of his guys, Thats a win.”

 

Success at Laguna Seca with ZCG Race Support

 

Todd’s experience with us at the Laps for Laguna race event was so good we had to share it with our readers and anyone looking to join the fun…

“My first race this year was in May at Laguna Seca. I hadn’t had my car out of storage all winter and because of a crazy busy work schedule I couldn’t do my own prep and services prior to racing. I got my car into Z Car Garage and they more than dialed it in in just a few days. Nut and Bolt check, Dyno tune, alignment, scales. My car had never been better. I also enjoyed track side support that day at Laguna. I had to worry about NOTHING when parked under that ZCG EZ up. It was a difficult adjustment and I didn’t know what to do with myself. Rob told me to worry only about me, the car is covered. That security knowing Z Car was on the job simply made me faster, finally everything was dialed.”

 

“First session I finished 14th, second timed session I finished 10th and For the First Time ever, Sunday afternoon race I finished 6th overall in group 9 B Sedan group. This was possible because ZCG had me covered, the car ran and preformed better than it ever had. I was more relaxed going onto each race, AND iIdiscussed every session with Rob to preform better for the next race to come. Simply the best. I would recommend Z Car Garage Track Support to everyone.”

 

Thanks for trusting us with your race preparation Todd. We are very proud of you and happy to have you part of our group!

Join The Vintage Racing Fun

 

Interested in joining the vintage racing fun? Z Car Garage can help you prepare and support your race car at the track. We can also help you find a vintage race car! Contact Rob at the shop at 408-452-0350 or e-mail rob@Zcargarage.com for more details. Catch all of our race reports on zcarblog HERE and stay tuned for our final 2022 race report from the CSRG race events in November!

 

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Vincent S’ 1973 Datsun 240Z has a long history with Z Car Garage having received upgrades like our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, full suspension refresh and dyno tuning.

 

The Z came back to us in March of 2022 for more power, drivetrain and interior improvements. Before we explore these upgrades, let’s take a look at how Vincent found the Z car of his dreams…

Z Destiny

 

Vincent: “I’m from Le Mans, France and attended the 24 hours race, or Le Mans Classic numerous times. In 2016, I was on the Le Mans racetrack with the car I had then (a Lotus Elise 220), and one of my very best friends, Fabrice. That day, we saw a gorgeous blue, track prepared 240Z that we loved. I took several pics and videos of it.”

 

A few months later, Vincent saw our friend Dave Scholz’ video on Petrolicious and found his Z highly inspirational. In Summer 2019, Vincent’s job offered him the opportunity to move to San Diego for a few years and he decided this is where he would search for his own Z car, and eventually send it back to France. It truly is a small world, and our client Brian P had listed his ’73 S30 on Bring a Trailer in September of 2000. Vincent saw the Z, bid and won the auction!

 

Vincent: “I bought my Z on BaT, from Brian P, who had Z Car Garage restore it. He loved his car and had to sell it, but the modifications he wanted to do included a Rebello stroker with Mikunis, etc…Living in the US for only 3 years, I decided to continue the story with Rob, and the Z is now what I wanted and what Brian wanted (I’m still in touch with him). Knowing that I was going to relocate to FR, I also became a member of the Datsun Club of France. ZCG was highly recommended by the group, and is a worldwide reference for Zs! The posts on zcarblog.com with all the pics, etc….are also great to see how the work is done.”

 

Back for the Z Car Garage Touch

While previous owner Brian P was a little bummed about selling the car, he was stoked that Vince shared his vision and dream to take it the rest of the way. We spoke with Vince and discussed all the upgrades he wanted to do, knowing it had to be completed before his expatriation June 30, 2022. The Z arrived at Z Car Garage from SoCal on March 1, and it was so good to see it again:

 

Drivetrain

 

When Brian was coming to ZCG it was during the “Butters” phenomenon: our clients wanted a similar setup for their own S30s. Our 1971 shop demo Z Mrs. Butters proudly features our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, ZCG Heat Shield, 6-speed transmission, full KW suspension (releasing soon) and 3.2L engine with triple-Mikuni induction. While Vince’s Z had the upgraded brakes, CV axles and suspension, the drivetrain was not touched.

We began drivetrain upgrades by replacing the stock L24 with twin-SUs/4-speed transmission with a Rebello 3L, triple-Mikuni induction and KA24 5-speed transmission. ZCG supplied the ph44 Mikuni carbs (jetted) with velocity stacks, ZCG mesh filters, Harada intake manifold, ZCG fuel rail and all of the things we do on the intake/exhaust side of the engine. Spark is provided by an MSD6AL ignition box. We also installed what every triple-carbed L-series needs: a ZCG Heat Shield!

 

A Moroso competition baffled oil pan prevents oil starvation with high cornering loads:

 

The Fujitsubo exhaust system from exhaust header to muffler was installed. These newer units have better fitment.

 

With the engine out we had our man William repaint the engine bay. ZCG engine bay services followed with freshly plated and plumbed hydraulic lines, hoses and general clean-up:

 

The engine bay turned out great and Vince wanted a red, powdercoated wrinkle valve cover. More photos of the engine bay details in the gallery below!

 

Driveline Upgrades

With the 3L engine in we focused on the transmission and rear axle. To handle the power from the 3L engine we replaced the stock 4-speed with a Nissan KA24 (FS5W71C) transmission. This was a common swap (before the CD009a came to market) performed by modifying a 280Z L-series bell housing. When we upgraded the transmission we also installed a JWT HD clutch with aluminum flywheel:

 

Helping put the power down efficiently is an OS Giken LSD. The R180 houses a 4.11 R&P and the assembly is setup in-house (by Joshua Corwin):

 

Our Z Car Garage CV Axles help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts. We have over 200 CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback.

  

Stock half shafts (L) and Vincent’s ZCG units, set #00295. Also visible are the T3 control arms:

     

Dyno Tuning

 

Rob dyno tuned the Rebello 3L engine making a stout 239hp/211tq to the wheels:

 

Enjoy the L-series music in this extended video of Vincent’s Z including dyno runs, test drive with Rob and drive-bys:

ZCG Big-Brakes

We are proud to have several of our ZCG products on Vincent’s 240z. We installed our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels) which have the been standard on numerous ZCG builds.

    We removed the stock brakes and installed our ZCG Big-Brake kit.  We also installed a full coil-over (Koni) suspension from Techno Toy Tuning. T3 finishes the suspension in our signature color and we really appreciate Gabriel and his staff. They make some of the best suspension parts out there for Z cars.

  

ZCG Big-brakes and T3 coil-overs replacing stock setup:

     At the rear, the factory drum brakes were replaced with our ZCG Big-Brakes. New OEM Nissan master cylinder and Factory handbrake functionality IS retained!

   

Panasport Wheels

Complementing the new coilover suspension on Vincent’s Z are 16×7 Panasports and Hankook R-S3 tires in 225/50/16. We wanted the look and feel of Mrs. Butters Z so we obsessed over ride height until we got it exactly where he wanted it. The Z looks fabulous from any angle:

   

Recaro Seats

The stock seats were replaced with Euro-spec RECARO Pole Position in leather:

 

Driving is Believing

Vincent visited Z Car Garage for the first time when he picked up his Z on 6/22. Here is Rob showing Vincent the engine bay and going on a test drive:

  

Vincent:  “Rob and team ended up working 24/7 in the last few days so that this could happen. I picked it up on the 22 of June, early morning, when I believe I also met Alvin. It was amazing to meet you, Rob, and ZCG ! I then drove down the Pacific Coast Highway, to drop the auto in LA, where the logistics/freight company is. They finally put it on a boat 3 months later (and I now live in FR).”

 

Vincent was impressed with the upgrades from Z Car Garage:

Vincent:“What’s it like to drive??! Brian already had the brakes and axles done, so all good there. With the engine, gearbox, clutch, exhaust done + Recaros, it’s a complete different car to drive. Much more lively, direct, raw…the Recaros filter less than the original seats, but are now on par with the global performance and grip of the Z. I feel much more connected to the road.”

 

We are happy to report that the Z is now in France! Vincent picked it up in Le Havre (north of FR) and drove it all the way to Lyon (South east, where he resides). The engine started right away, and trip was a pleasure. He sent us some great photos (above):

Vincent:“Hey Alvin, I believe only 750 240Zs were ever sold in France back in the day…so you can imagine the looks I got! Some people thought it was a Ferrari 275 or a Type E…So grateful to Rob and the awesome job he’s done on the auto, and Brian, to whom I bought it, can be reassured…The Z’s being taken care of!”

 

Since owning the Z Vincent found out that the Blue Z he saw in Le Mans belongs to another member of the Datsun club of France, David Donne. Vincent also has been in touch with Dave Scholz, via Instagram who has been super friendly and helpful.

We enjoyed working with Vincent:

Rob: “All in all Brian would be super proud. Car was scheduled to be put on a container to go back to France and we made it with 1 day to spare. Huge thanks to Brian and Vincent. Super excited about this car and my only regret is that he doesn’t live local so we could enjoy it together.”

Thank you for entrusting us with your S30 Vincent and LONG LIVE THE Z!

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In November 2019, racing legend John Morton and co-driver Rob Fuller piloted the #46 BRE Datsun 240z in the HSR Classic 24hr race at Daytona International Speedway. The team was heading for a class win until the second session when a Chevron panicked and cut hard right in front of John Morton, causing the Z to flip up in the air landing on its roof.

 

Team manager and owner Randy Jaffe sent the Z back to Z Car Garage for repairs and improvements and it is now back on the road in fighting form. Enjoy our report with photos and video chronicling the rebuild from dyno tuning to applying the famous livery on the BRE Datsun 240Z.

Racing at Daytona

  The Classic 24 race featured six race groups with 4 (1hr) sessions and cumulative time deciding the winner. Each session had a 3-minute pitstop with mandatory driver exit during fueling. It was an incredible sight to see the #46Z out on the high banking with serious race cars like the Smith Motorworks 1980 Porsche 935 K3:

  

Despite heavy rain the team carried on, making changes to the car and improving with each session:

Randy:  “As you drive into the infield at Daytona and look at that 31% banking it’s super intimidating and as Rob stated you cannot look straight out of the car as it’s always bending left and he has never experienced that before. Rob did an amazing job of adapting to not only the car but to the track within a few laps as he cut down six seconds. John Morton has not run Daytona in over 20 years and he got right in the car and turned a great time which is what professional race drivers do! At 77 years old it’s just amazing how he is so calm and so smooth around these tracks!”

  

The bad weather and lack of track experience didn’t hold the team back. Rob was ecstatic not only about the Z’s performance, but also being able to co-drive with his hero:

Rob: “Ben from Retrosport with Alan Terpins’ 1979 Porsche 935 MOMO car kicked ass and won their class. They were clocked on the front straight under braking at 188mph. The BRE Z did 156mph top speed and our lap times (Morton and Fuller) were within a .1 of each other. I can’t describe the feeling of going from total fanboy to being a co-driver with John Morton. All of this comes from Randy Jaffe’s generosity, drive/passion to celebrate this car and era. These heroes that were making history and didn’t even know it 50 years later. Watching people from all over the world  find John Morton to have him sign something, shake his hand, tell him a Datsun story. It’s surreal.”

 Unfortunately our hopes of a first or second place finish in class were cut short at the second session. John Morton got an epic start and as they all went into turn 1 on the first lap (at night) a Lola T 70 lost its grip, then a Chevron panicked and cut hard right in front of John. There was nothing he could do and the car was so low that it flipped us up in the air and onto the roof:

   

John Morton was able to exit the Z safely, without any injuries. The Z was towed in, covered and our race ended. We all had hashbrowns and coffee late night at Waffle House:

Randy: “Of course all of us were freaked out wondering if JM is OK and Sylvia was a cool as a cucumber. When he returned to the paddock from the care center we were all gasping as we were not aware of his status! Racing icons such as Jochen Maas, Ray Everham, Bob Leitzsinger came over to check on JM as we covered the car. The roof was caved in like a V and almost down on the dash. Body panels were a mess, a broken control arm, sail panels were wrinkled, front rad support bent and various other pieces destroyed on the front end… all of us went to lunch the next day on Daytona Beach and I ordered upside down dessert for Morton and we all had a lot of laughs knowing he was OK. He relived his racing career at the table and it was either #6 or 7 for flipping cars and 1 airplane event!!”

You can see video with in-car footage of both John Morton and Rob Fuller and the crash in our 2019 report HERE. Enjoy the triple-Mikuni carb’d music and wild banking of Daytona!

The BRE 240Z Rebuilt at Z Car Garage

 The #46Z  was shipped from Georgia back to ZCG for a rebuild after damages from the Daytona crash. We know that owner Randy Jaffe goes to 11, and this was his chance to correct every little detail on BRE car as it was raced in 1970. Our goal: make this Z absolutely perfect. Let’s dive into the restoration.

Bodywork

 

Bodywork and paint was handled by our man William from William’s Auto Body. We provided OEM parts from our stash like the hood, fenders and new Euro front bumper. Everyone wanted to see this the Z revived and even Nissan donated parts including original headlight covers, BRE spoiler and fiberglass headlight buckets for a Series 1 car.

We obsessed over the paint and livery: the shade of red is not the same between the BRE Datsun 510 and Z cars!  There was a heavy focus on the “Datsun” script, its location and kerning on John Morton’s name on the doors. The BRE livery was applied by The Real Ralph Newman. You can see his hand-painting details in the time-lapse video below. Ralph nailed it.

 

Suspension

 

Suspension parts original to the 1970 BRE 240Z chassis that John Morton raced were re-installed.

Drivetrain

 

The engine was refreshed while it was out along with the supporting drivetrain components. The Z was going to be aesthetically and mechanically ready to race again. The original, multi-piece heat shield was re-plated:

 

Like many race cars, the Z got a set of our Z Car Garage CV Axles (set #00240):

 

The BRE Datsun 240Z in Back!

Enjoy this video showing a walk-around, dyno tuning, warm-up and more!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Z Car Garage! We hope you can find time to Enjoy The Ride over the holidays. Please note our hours of operation below:

We will be working Monday the 21^st  and Tuesday the 22^nd  of next week for the Thanksgiving Holiday

Closed Wednesday to Friday

The week before Christmas we will be working Monday December 19^th to Thursday December 22nd

Z Car Garage will be closed the week of December 26^th to December 30^th for our Annual Holiday Break

Returning to the office for 2023 on Tuesday the 3^rd of January

 Thank you!

 

  

 

Happy 86th Birthday to our hero Peter Brock! You have been and continue to be inspirational to us Datsun fans worldwide. Here a few pictures we enjoyed taking with you over the years: