Readers' Photos # 96: Datsun 240Z

Whether you're a Mitsubishi, Mazda, Honda or Toyota person, it'd be hard to argue that the Datsun 240Z didn't mark Japan's arrival as a serious builder of sports cars. Sure, Toyota's sublime 2000 GT was a shock and awe opening salvo, even managing to secure a starring role in James Bond's You Only Live Twice but, magnificent as they were, they never quite captured the public imagination nor achieved the mega-sales of their Datsun cousin.

With early Z-cars (that's pronounced zed, by the way!) now well into their early 50s, they still command a significant - cult-like, would be more accurate - following, with many, many clubs throughout the world dedicated to their preservation and enjoyment. There are also several companies that specialise in rebuilding them to better than original spec, such as the UK's MZR Roadsports - who source relatively rust-free ex-Californian cars, convert them to right hand drive and totally resto-mod them to perfection - and The Z Farm, also British-based, who do restorations and prepare and modify Zs for motorsports.

My personal favourite resto-modded 240Z was built by an Aussie bloke, the eponymous Jeff of You-Tube's Home Built by Jeff. His entire rebuild is captured, in full, on his channel and is highly recommended to anyone who dreams of restoring and enhancing a classic car from scratch. The series runs to over 100 episodes but there is an abridged version, available via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWMERIbh948&list=PLnidW9Wb_DjzNJfHSlLKkhsFrInWNhXeD. WARNING: IT IS SERIOUSLY ADDICTIVE!

Today's Zed - immaculate in orange - was captured by the Canberra Correspondent. It looks to be straight and rust free and has just enough mods to really, really excite me with some cool race-style mirrors, Wattanabe / Superlight style wheels and a tidy set of Bride race seats. It does, however, retain its original Z steering wheel and is that tiny bit nicer for doing so! I've got no issues with fitting cars like this with bolt-on flares and front and rear spoilers but, in keeping with the original steering wheel, I think this particular car's better for not having any exterior accessories to detract from its wonderful lines.

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

Images by the Canberra Correspondent.

Coming soon ...

Joseph's genuine Alfetta Sportiva;

A classic Mercedes from Zimbabwe (although it was almost certainly a Rhodesia-era car);

A host of classics from south east Queensland, including a Jensen CV8; and

Many, many more beautiful and interesting cars ...

EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

EJ or the later EH? Several years ago, I posed the question: Can somebody please explain the difference between an EJ and an EH Holden ute or van? The response at the time wasn't overwhelming, so I did a bit of Googling and ferreting through my photos and came up with my own rough guide to EJ and EH identification. Sedans and wagons are easy to tell apart ; the EH's vertical rectangular tail lights are a dead give-away. However, the workhorse versions of both models share the rear-end treatment of the earlier EJ, making it harder to identify one from the other. No super obvious hints here. Or here ... . It turns out that the main clues are in the placement of the front H O L D E N lettering and GMH lion emblems, the style of the radiator grille and the width of the vents in front of the windscreen, with all EJs - sedans, wagons, utes and vans - having one combination and the EH line-up having their own . So what exactly are those diffe

Vick Auto Prima Fiat X1/9 Brakes: An Owner’s Assessment

At the end of 2022, I fitted a set of Vick Autosport Prima front brakes to my mildly worked 1.5 litre Series 1 Fiat X1/9 . I was fortunate, having picked them up at a very, very reasonable price, brand new but surplus to the needs of a fellow X1/9 Australia member who had imported them from the US. The kit included: New single pot callipers , new vented rotors (standard X1/9 front rotors are smaller, non-vented items), DOT approved stainless steel brake hoses, and all the necessary mounting hardware. They are a value proposition, being particularly well priced compared to other manufacturers’ packages - even at RRP - with everyone I’ve spoken to saying they’re made to a high standard, too. Here's a link to a piece that I wrote about them at that time, including some costings: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-x19-gets-prima-brake-upgrade.html . Initial Assessment: I was a little underwhelmed by the brakes' performance, finding that although they had a tiny

Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart. It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard. Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags. And a hubcap went missing. And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it. And a mudguard got dented. And rust set in. I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla. Somebody please save it before it's too late. Nanna needs you to do it. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by GlamRock.

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