Shop Talk for
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For Sale: This Hakosuka Skyline was originally imported for our customer in 2011 and it has been modified and maintained exclusively by Z Car Garage. The drivetrain was updated with a 3.1L L-series with triple Mikuni induction, and 5-speed transmission. It is ready to be enjoyed. For more information please see our For Sale Ad HERE
Every weekend there are Cars and Coffee events held throughout the Bay Area. Yesterday we attended a special gathering: The inaugural Cars and Coffee at Fuel Supply Co in Fremont, CA. Founders Courtney Mae and Dustin Frisk are auto-enthusiasts and hardcore Datsun owners, so naturally we came to show our support! We had a great time.
Our group left Z Car Garage Saturday morning with 5 cars:
Rob 1970 Datsun 240z (3.2L with triple Mikuni’s), James 1972 Datsun 240z (3.2L turbocharged), Mark’s 510, Eric’s FX35, Alex’s 1971 Skyline (piloted by me). Here is a short video of us Enjoying the Ride and making sweet L-Series music, volume up!
Good variety at event and as usual we were on the hunt for Japanese classics. Rounding out the Nissan/Datsun showing was Glenn in his RHD FairladyZ and a customer’s R32 Skyline:
Toyotas! Cressida, N2-kitted Ae86, Celica and Land Cruiser:
Great mix of European cars and supercars too. Some of our favorites:
Rad Ferrari 348ts paired with a 993 C4S, S54-powered E30 and E30 M3. Killer vanity plates too!
Two (!) E30 Tourings, one was RHD!
Gorgeous M20-powered 2002:
The Fuel Supply shop was open for all to peruse with a really cool vibe. Free donuts and coffee too. Congrats to Courtney and Dustin!
Something for everyone, including dog lovers! And the usual supercars…
We had a great time looking forward to the next event! More pictures in the gallery below
We love to see our products being installed and used on customer cars. Race car driver and restoration specialist Jim Froula of Racecraft is running our latest ZCG Heat Shield in his vintage 260z race car!
A few close-ups of the ZCG Heat Shield, this piece is serial #0025:
A short background on this 1973 Datsun 260Z from Jim:
“This car was built in the winter of ’77-’78 and its first event was the Portland Rose Cup in June 1978. The Portland Rose Festival’s queen, Tina Klassy, was photographed with the car and featured in local advertising for the event. The car competed in SCCA CP class mainly in events on the west coast and ran in the SCCA National Runoffs twice with sponsorship help from Carlos Vercelli, owner of well known Datsun specialty service shop “Carlos Garage” in Fullerton, CA . It was campaigned successfully at a national level, including a 3rd place finish at the SCCA runoff’s. Survived in its original production class specification and bodywork throughout the entire time. It received a cosmetic restoration in 2015 and was put back into its original Carlos’s Garage livery and currently runs vintage events across the country today.”
At the 2018 RMMR we were happy to see Carlos Vercelli (red hat) supporting the Z with driver John Murray:
The ZCG Heat Shield is available for purchase at $169.00 with product information below. View this product and other ZCG parts on the new “products” page of our website HERE
We are excited to offer the Z Car Garage Heat Shield for your triple-carb’d L-series Z car. This is a one-piece 304 stainless unit with laser-etched serial number. Proven on all of our L-series engine builds and dyno testing.
This heat shield will fit Mikuni, Weber, Dellorto and Jenvey induction with several intake manifolds like the Harada:
Jim Froula also runs our Z Car Garage CV axles on several of his vintage race cars, check it out!
Over 85 sets of ZCG CV Axles sold!
Race car driver and restoration specialist Jim Froula of Racecraft is running ZCG axles in several of his cars:
Set #246 – installed May 2018 on the “Harry Stewart #52” Datsun 510:
Set #247 – installed April 2018 on the 260z
Set #248 – installed on Adam Carolla’s “Greg Sorrentino #90” Datsun 510.
We are pleased to report that Jim will also be installing a set on his “George Alderman #32” 300ZX! The ZCG CV axles are also perfect for high hp street cars which can be seen in the link above.
Our ZCG Big-Brake kit is the last stop in braking performance for your S30.
ZCG Big-brakes and T3 coil-overs replacing stock setup on Brian’s 1973 240z:
View these products on the new “products” page of our website HERE, stay tuned for more innovative parts from Z Car Garage!
We are happy to report a Best In Class win for this 1967 Datsun 2000 at the 2020 Boca Raton Concours D’Elegance in Florida. Typically reserved for European and American marques, Concours events rarely accept Japanese classics to enter and compete on the same field, let alone a Datsun.
Acquired by noted marque expert Mike Young several years ago, owner Steve Tetreault took it upon himself to bring the rare Datsun 2000 roadster to concours-level status. Steve recalls how his Datsun was even considered for the event:
“After hearing about the Boca Concours in April of 2019- I decided to submit an application for the Datsun. I soon realized the category that I would be in was named “European Class Sports car” ’65-’75. I completed the application and submitted photos as required in June 2019 and asked the question, “Where does a Japanese car fit here?” In October of that year I received an email requesting more information about the significance of the car, and a few other questions, including more detailed photos”
Steve soon received an email from the nominating committee that he was in fact in the Concours! The class name had been revised to: “Foreign Sports Late” 1965-1975. He was in good company as well: *1966 Lamborghini superleggero *1965 Porsche 356 cabriolet *1967 Jaguar XKE *1974 Alfa Romeo Montreal *1971 Mercedes 280SL pagoda *1970 Ford Capri Perana *1967 Datsun 2000 Sports
Steve describes his Concours experience:
“The 3 very astute judges asked to be left alone while they surveyed the exterior- top up windows up. They asked to see the engine room , open the doors and to explain the significance of the car and why I am showing it. I explained the rarity of a half year car, and that this car is #455 out 750 produced with factory options of 5 speed trans, Mikuni/Solex carbs, B cam, 7 quart finned oil pan, 4 bolt windscreen, and then referenced John Baker’s race credentials for Nissan. I completed the conversation with my true mission: To elevate the Datsun Marque and its ability to compete equally in any Concours D Elegance class such as the one I’m in.”
To be considered for a Concours and then go on to WIN best in class amongst impressive peers is an incredible achievement for Steve. All Datsun owners can share and benefit from this breakthrough as well: it’s a sign that our cars are being taken seriously and command respect. So kudos to your efforts Steve. We remember seeing your roadster at the Solvang Shows and now it is a superb ambassador! Here is SRL-0455 after a 6-month restoration by Steve, sporting vintage Enkei Comp 8 wheels, #665 Paint and fresh chrome:
Old photos I snapped from Solvang:
Speaking of Datsun Roadsters, this a good time to remind you about the big Solvang show coming up April 25th. I’ll post a flyer shortly.
The Golden Week Kyusha Festival is returning to Northern California again May 9th! This will be a fantastic gathering for Japanese classic cars at the Crane Way Pavillion in Richmond, Ca. Registration will open March 1, for more information visit www.gwkfest.events.
Z Car Garage is a proud sponsor of the show, check out my report from last year’s event, and don’t miss this one!
