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J E R RY S A LV U C C I ’ S 3 5 0 Z R S H I N E S I N O H I O

Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE

NISMO FIESTA 2018

M A R / A P R 2 0 1 8 • I S S U E 4 .3 /4 .4

ZCARCLUBMAG.COM

Contents

zcarclubmag.com • march/april 2018 • issue 4.3/4.4

Features

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12 NISMO Fiesta 2018 It had been a few years since I’ve attended NISMO Fiesta. I’m glad I made it this year. Great weather, amazing cars and Z Sport San Antonio did another great job hosting this premier event in the great state of Texas.

Departments 5 From the Editor 8 Behind the Wheel Jerry Salvucci - 2004.5 Nissan 350Z Roadster

20 Around the Curve twelve

publisher: Nelson Ackerman, nlackerman1@aol.com editor-in-chief: Art Singer, arts.zccm@gmail.com managing editor: Keelan Murphy, keelan.zccm@gmail.com advertising: call 505.835.9170 for a media kit operations: Printing: Short Run Printing Ltd, distribution: Lita Singer

Z

CAR

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MAGAZINE

subscriptions: zcarclubmag.com $4.50/year - e-magazine (6 issues) $29.00/year - e-mag and print magazine (6 digital issues and 3 printed issues) paypal accepted

Z Car Club Magazine is a bi-monthly digital publication and a printed version comes out three times a year (April, August and December). No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher. This publication is distributed with the understanding that the information presented herein is from various sources for which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher as to accuracy, safety, or completeness. Unsolicited material will not be returned. PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FROM THE EDITOR • Let the 2018 car show season begin!

By: Art Singer, EIC (ZCCM), Albuquerque Z Car Club If you live in the southwest, this past winter was one of the mildest in years. I think the total snowfall in the Albuquerque area was around four inches. It can’t be said for everywhere else around the country. It seemed like every time I turned on the news, there was a major snowstorm somewhere in the midwest or northern east coast of the United States. Having grown up in Wyoming as well as lived in New York, I can’t say that I miss it. If and when I leave the southwest, no matter where it might be, I can tell you it will be in a warm weather state. Someplace like Florida or Texas.

For Z owners, the 2018 car show season really hasn’t started yet. I’m guessing most are still in the process of getting their Z’s out of storage or their garage for most people.

This season started out early for me with the first event of the year being the Friends of Mr.K Fun Run in Laughlin, NV. Hosted by Kenny Ueda and Johnnie Gable. The second event of the season was my drive down to San Antonio, TX for NISMO Fiesta 2018. I try to alternate events year to year since I can’t make it to every Z event in the country. Quite a few take place on the same weekends. My next couple of trips will be back east. I’m heading to ZDayZ for the first time in 4 years. It is by far the hardest event to plan for due to its location.

It’s the only event I fly out to. All others, I take the Z. And two weeks after

ZDayZ, its off to Branson, MO for Branson Z Fest. Know of other events other than ZCON that you think I should attend, contact me and I’ll do my best to make the trip.

There have still been quite a few readers wanting to send in articles on their Zs. The problem (if you want to call it that) is, they are mostly coming from the S30 crowd. I would love to see some later model Z owners (280ZX, 300ZX, 350Z and 370Z) get involved and start submitting some articles on their cars.

As much as I love the S30, I would like to see more variety, including the newer models in the pages of ZCCM. A few good pictures and a good story behind the car is all it takes to make it happen.

ZCCM is still in search of Z-cars for the "Behind the Wheel" section of the magazine. If you own a nice Z and would like to see your car gracing the pages of the magazine and don't mind writing about it then send me an email at arts.zccm@gmail.com to get the ball rolling. Who knows, it might turn into a feature (see above) if there is a really good story behind it! Most BTW's only need between 400 to 700 words and about 5 to 8 hi-res images. This is your chance to see your car in print and it also looks nice displayed in the rear hatch area of your Z at your local car show. So get out from behind the wheel and show the world what you got.

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www.baddogparts.com Bad Dog Parts specializes in the sale of used, new, and custom designed parts for owners of 1st generation Z cars (1970-78). We do on occasion carry parts for later model Zs. And for those looking for something a little different, that adds strength, or ease of operation to your Z car, we have a line of custom made parts which are available: • • • • •

240/260/280 coupes and 2+2 frame rails optional rear rails replacement OEM style seat brackets front sway bar strengthening plates single jack point plates

REAR RAIL

FRAME RAIL

Have a need to make your Z more rigid? Add our optional rear frame rail section and you tie in the front end to the rear wheel well making your Z handle like it was always meant to.

What we design and build we use ourselves.....and for those of you concerned with sending your hard-earned Z dollars to someone you’ve never meet, we offer a 100%, no question asked refund policy.

Email: john@baddogparts.com

KEEP IT COOL WITH 280Z AND 280ZX CUSTOM HOOD VENTS These fiberglass cowl--style hood vents are direct replacements for the factory hood vents in the 1977 and 1978 280Z as well as the 1979 to 1981 280ZX. Vents can also be used on earlier 240Z and 260Z models to improve engine bay cooling at idle or in traffic, prevent vapor lock, and reduce thermal stress on wiring harness connectors and other engine components.

We also carry a wide variety of fiberglass rebody kits along with widebody fenders, flares, hoods, airdams and various body parts for the 240z 260z 280z and 280zx.

Visit our website or give us a call at

www.ZTRIX.com • 480.229.1831

NEW VENUE, same old Ozark Mountain Madness at the Honeysuckle Inn and Conference Center

Scheduled Events (subject to change): • Car Show • BBQ • Drag Racing • Funcross • Daily Drives

Z-FEST

2018

May 30- June 2,

Become a Repeat Offender Registration opens May 1st at 7:00 am central time.

Go to www.bransonzfest.com/ and register TODAY!

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BEHIND THE WHEEL Jerry Salvucci – Cleveland Z Club 2004.5 Nissan 350Z Roadster The year was 2001, I was walking

Ohio and I have no Z Roadster!

Talk about a huge letdown. As you can imag-

through my local drug store and as I passed by the magazine rack I spotted Motor Trend’s maga-

ine, I was not happy. Several days later my son,

zine titled The Z Car Is Back! It was an eye

who lives near Nashville, TN, calls me about a

catcher. I bought the magazine and was really

dealer on the Internet who has the exact ZR that I

impressed with the 5-page article of the upcom-

wanted.

Three days later, after contacting the dealer I

ing 2003 Nissan 350Z. Before I read the article I had no knowledge of Datsun-Nissan history. It

flew down to Nashville. The salesman picked me

was then that I told my wife if Nissan ever came

up at the airport for the 10-minute drive back to

out with a Roadster I was going to get one. Up

the dealership. After a few hours of filling out

until then, I had always been a Corvette lover.

paperwork, I was on the road heading back

Once the 2003 350Z Coupe arrived on the

home to Ohio with my new ZR. WOW, what a

scene I started to get excited about the Z

fun ride home! When I got home I started going

Roadster. Nissan introduced the Roadster the fol-

through all of the paperwork and found out my

lowing year. I began to shop around for a deal

ZR was only 30 production days old.

I became very active in 10 different Z

on the Z Roadster, knowing it wasn’t going to be easy because word was out that the ’03 Z

Community websites with the username sluggoZ.

Coupe was hotter than a firecracker and brought

In 2005 I became a member of The Cleveland Z

prices well above the MSRP.

Club, which added to my Z fever bug on modifying.

Having “Ultra Power Galore” was not a priority for me as I did not need nor want to have the fastest ZR around town, let alone the money involved in doing performance upgrades. But I do pride myself in being innovative and unique, like coming up with eight One-Of-A-Kind ideas, which have been implemented into my ZR. These upgrades consist of my custom satin silver finish ½” solid polyurethane grille edge guards; it won’t chip, crinkle or crack unless you hit it with a hammer. A custom fuel door, a rear 350ZR badge, custom leather sun visor covers (designed to cover the warning label by using the OEM Z logo which makes it different from other embroidered Z covers). An added touch was using

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Eventually I placed an order for my 2004 350Z

waxed shoelaces to form the border. A custom

Roadster from my local dealership. After waiting

designed aluminum heel guard grid for both driv-

more than 16 weeks I received the bad news

er and passenger sides that cover the entire foot

that my ZR would not be arriving. The dealer

area, these grids are secured to my OEM Z Logo

refunded my deposit but now I was stuck with

floor mats for added interior pizazz. I also

over $200.00 worth of Z stuff that I bought in

added double stitched Italian black leather shifter

anticipation of getting my new Z. It’s now the

and e-brake boots, a custom carbon fiber radia-

end of May, the beginning of Roadster season in

tor shroud painted chrome silver by ZPRESENCE

(RIP: 1976-2007) who was one of the best Zenthusiast in the car painting business. He also painted my silver matching JWT POP-Charger heat shield along with some other engine bay tidbits for added bling. Finally, cutting down my OEM 14” antenna and capped to 7”, still giving the same reception…it’s the antenna base that counts. No need to buy the Honda s2000 stubby antenna or other brands that many Z enthusiasts have used.

Other unique stuff consists of my front EVO-R turn signals with amber blinking LED’s. These were built utilizing separate custom-made transistor boxes with all wires soldered for longevity, eliminating the need for relays. For the signals there are 4 modes to the matrix: 1. OFF – blinkers off, parking lights off.

2. ON with parking lights – no blinkers.

3. ON in unison with blinkers when parking lights are off.

4. Blink alternately with blinkers when parking lights are on.

For me, I always get a lot of pleasure and satisfaction when learning and doing mods myself. For example, doing the 5/16” plenum spacer kit was very interesting and gratifying even though I had some help from my buddy Tony Mangano (RIP) and his very useful torque wrenches. These tasks gave me a feeling of accomplishment and pride in my work and vehicle.

A big thank you goes out to Cleveland Z Club members Dale Mueller who helped me a whole bunch along with Bill Gerber and Chris Karl. I’d like to acknowledge all of the other CZC members as well, who are the most caring, helpful and

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BEHIND THE WHEEL MODIFICATION ENGINE BAY: 1.

2 3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

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Pure Innovations 5/16" plenum spacer kit JWT Pop Charger - w/custom painted heat shield and bracket UT-R chrome short ram cold air intake - Un-Limited Tuning Pi-thon anodized black aluminum Z logo caps and covers Pi-thon anodized black aluminum hose locks Z-Enterprises 7 wire MAX Grounding kit w/silver mylar sleeving Custom painted smoked flame engine cover Custom painted Z logo engine cover badge Custom painted battery and brake fluid covers JVD graphics 350Z decal engine strut bar Custom painted oil dip stick Custom painted black engine brace wall Auto Tecknic V-1 custom painted silver cooling plate shroud Stillen 3 pc. aluminum pulley set - Crank, Water pump & Alternator NRG Innovations hydraulic hood damper w/ss ball joints ZSpeed powder coated matte black aluminum undershroud shield w/ss bolts Stainless steel nut and bolt kit (over 100 pcs.

ZSpec Design Titanium dress-up hardware Z logo polished aluminum battery holder

Probably my most prized piece of memorabilia, a copy of the book “Mr. K” signed by Mr. K himself.

EXTERIOR: 19. Front Z logo badge 20. Silver 1/2" polyurethane grille edge guards 21. Veilside V-1 urethane front lower spoiler - shaved logo 22. Evo-R silver base amber LED side markers - works in unison 23. Greddy side skirts 24. iforged 19" 2 pc. aluminum rims w/brushed alum. spokes w/polished lip 25. iforged premium black logo center cap wheel inserts 26.Toyo T1-R 19" performance tires - 235/35/19 - 275/30/19 27. Custom offsets 28. Anti-theft Z logo valve stem caps 29. BBK Front: 14" drilled rotors, Wilwood 6 piston black calipers, ceramic pads 30. BBK Rear: 13" drilled rotors, Wilwood 4 piston black calipers, ceramic pads 31. Stainless steel braided brake lines 32. Hotchkis performance lowering springs – front 9/16”drop and rear 3/4" drop 33. Nismo S-Tune 3 pc. stainless steel catback exhaust 34. 2006 OEM LED tail lights 35. 2005 Toyota Celica replica rear deck wing 36. Custom Cobra fuel door 37. Custom OEM 7" stubby antenna 38. Z logo rear badge 39. "R" added rear badge - "R" for Roadster - 350ZR 40. Z logo license plate holder w/Z logo license plate nut cap covers 41. Ohio Vanity license plates - NIFTY Z 42. Coverking Indoor black satin stretch fleece lined ZR car cover

wonderful people that my wife and I became friends with and are glad to be associated with.

I’m also a fanatic on detailing, especially when owning a black car as it forces me to clean, clean and clean some more. Ultimate perfection is always my main goal (only GOD Is Perfect), which is very hard to accomplish.

One of the best feelings for me is when my wife and I are driving on twisty roads watching heads turn, meeting new people when parked and talking a lot of ‘car jive’.

My achievements have given me many memorable awards from various car shows these past summers. I was honored to have my ZR represented on the dash plaque for the 21st International Z Car Convention held by our Z

INTERIOR: 43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

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Custom Custom OEM Z OEM Z Custom Custom Custom

brushed aluminum interior A/C vent covers lower gauge pod covers logo custom leather sun visor covers w/border – covers safety warning label logo coin tray black Italian leather double stitched shifter boot black Italian leather double stitched e-brake boot aluminum heel guard grids attached to OEM Z logo floor mats

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Club back in 2008 in Cleveland, OH. But I have to say, the award I am most proud of came in 2015 at a local Technical High School Car Show where only the students could vote. They voted my ZR as the Best Of Show.

What an honor, I will never forget that moment.

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NISMO FIE Z S P O RT SAN ANTONIO D E L I V E R S Y E T A GA I N

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ART SINGER

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STA

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NISMO FIESTA

2018

ISMO Fiesta 2018 was once again in San Antonio, TX. Other than rain on Friday night, the weather was perfect this year. Blue skies, mild temperatures and no wind.

Held from April 13-15, the event began with a welcome banquet on Friday night. It was after the banquet when the rain began, it lasted about 2 hours. Next thing I know, I’m being told that a group of about 15 guys are going to a strip

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club and that I should go along with them. I never planned on it, but I figured what the heck. It’s been 30+ years since I’ve seen the inside of a strip club, and man how things have changed. I won’t go into details, but I will say that I was a good boy and just drank a few beers. I did learn something new though. I found out one of the reasons rap music was created. It’s all they play in the club. What happened to Three Times a Lady by the Commodores? I told

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NISMO FIESTA

2018

you, it’s been a long time.

Saturday was for driving. Several groups of cars went out for a full day of driving in the Hill Country. I myself have never been on the cruise, but I hear that everyone has a great time. I spent most of my day getting lost on the roads surrounding the hotel just trying to get some lunch. I always seemed to end up at the same intersection after 3 or 4 miles of driving. No grid system here. Just curved roads 16

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everywhere.

On Saturday night there was a garage party at Blackjack Speed Shop where everybody got together to talk cars.

There was also a Dyno set up for anyone that wanted to know exactly how much or little horsepower his or her motor was actually producing.

Sunday was the main event with the car show being held at the National Shooting Complex. A great venue for a car

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NISMO FIESTA

2018

show and only a 10 minute drive from the hotel The cars were parked on a large grass field next to a covered structure which allowed attendees to get out of the sun every once in a while. This is the only event that I attend that goes beyond Z’s, 510’s, GT-R’s and Roadsters when it comes to the Nissan brand. Along with some really nice Z’s, you will find a lot of modified Titans, G’s, Maxima’s, Sentra’s, and just about everything else Nissan has produced. Again, a dyno was setup for anyone that wanted to use it.

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Year in and year out, Nismo Fiesta brings together old and new friends to celebrate the Nissan marquee. It’s a great opportunity to bring together car clubs, first time attendees, sponsors, forum groups and even Z community legends like Mad Mike Taylor. Hosted by Z Sport San Antonio, Nismo Fiesta has become the event to attend for the entire Datsun and Nissan community.

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AROUND THE CURVE ZCCM is for car clubs and their members. We encourage you to join your local club or consider starting one of your own— it’s a great way to grow the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun community. If you already belong to a club and you don’t see it listed contact Art Singer at arts.zccm@gmail.com or 505-835-9170 for more information on how your club can become a partner.

• Partner Club Directory Arizona Desert Z Association Location: Phoenix, AZ Contact: Jim Ault Email: dza@desertzassocation.com Website: desertzassociation.com California Group Z Sports Car Club Location: Southern California Contact: Ian Stewart - President Email: ian@groupz.com Website: groupz.com Z Club of San Diego Location: San Diego, CA Contact: Chuck Golden Email: chucksbarandgrill@cox.net Website: zcsd.org Z Owners of Northern California Location: Northern California Contact: Linda Williams - President Email/: pres@zonc.org Phone: 408-761-1869 Website: zonc.org Colorado Z Car Club of Colorado Location: Denver & surrounding area Contact: Ira Sanders Email: zroadrunner14@gmail.com Website: zccc.org

Indiana Indy Z Club Location: Indianapolis, IN Contact: Scott Caylor - President Email: IZCC@indyzcarclub.org Phone: 317-698-8144 Website: indyzcarclub.org Kentucky Bluegrass Z Car Club Location: Louisville, KY Contact: Bill Edens - President Email: bzcc@bellsouth.net Phone: 502-241-3812 Website: bluegrasszcarclub.com Maryland Maryland Z Club Location: Finksburg, MD Contacts: Mark Lambert - President JoAnne Gardner - VP Email: mdzclub@mdzclub.org Phone: 410-857-4320 Website: mdzclub.org Missouri Ozarks Z Club Location: Springfield, MO Contacts: Josh Lyman - President Email: Ozarkszclubprez@gmail.com Phone: 417-597-0872 Facebook.com/groups/ozarkszclub

Connecticut Connecticut Z Car Club Location: Connecticut & surrounding area Contact: Ross Williams Email: officers@ctzcc.com Website: ctzcc.com

New Hampshire Z Car Club of New England Location: New Hampshire Contact: John Jeffries - President Email: john@baddogparts.com Phone: 617-510-2694 Website: zccne.org

Illinois Windy City Z Club Location: Chicago Metro Area Contact: Ty Ozgen Email: tyozgen@gmail.com Phone: 630-910-3616 Website: windycityzclub.com

New Mexico Albuquerque Z Car Club Location: Albuquerque Metro Area Contact: Nelson Ackerman Email: nlackerman1@aol.com Phone: 505-239-6833 Facebook: Albuquerque Z Car Club

New York Z Association of New York Location: Upstate New York Contact: Mike Roth Email: rothm@srgarch.com Phone: 518-857-5026 Website: zanyz.com North Carolina Triad Z Club Location: Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point Contact: Matthew Ragan - President Email: president@triadzclub.com Phone: 336-399-0961 Website: triadzclub.com Triangle Z Club Location: Raleigh, NC Contact: Bud Hansen - President Email: budhansenus@hotmail.com Phone: 919-215-2698 Website: trianglezclub.com Ohio Cleveland Z Club Location: Northern Ohio Contact: Tony Tanori Email: atanori@yahoo.com Website: Clevelandzclub.com Z Car and Roadster Owners Club Location: Central Ohio Contact: Tom Marshall Email: tommarshall1@twc.com Phone: 614-451-1890 Website: zroc.org Oklahoma Oklahoma Z car Club Location: Tulsa and Oklahoma City Contact: Pete Pitchford Email: petepitchford@gmail.com Phone: 405-612-1146 Website: okzcc.com South Carolina Upstate Z Club Location: South Carolina Contact: Greg Groppe - President Email: bluez280@afo.net Phone: 864-884-7001 Website: upstatezclub.com Tennessee Middle Tennessee Z Club Location: Central Tennessee Contact: Lee La Email: lee.la.0073@gmail.com or mtzclub@gmail.com Phone: 615-426-1918 Website: middletennesseezclub.com

Smokey Mountain Z Car Club Location: Eastern Tennessee Contact: Tony Price Email: tonyprice1@yahoo.com Phone: 865-681-7986 Website: smokymountainzcarclub.com Texas Cowtown Z Club Location: Ft Worth and Arlington Area Contact: Mike Brunner Email: mtbrunner14@hotmail.com Phone: 817-441-6471 Website: cowtownzclub.com Z Club of Texas Location: Dallas Metro Area Contact: “Mad” Mike Taylor Email: zmadmike@airmail.net Phone: 214-533-0922 Website: zcluboftexas.org Virginia Tidewater Z Car Club Location: Eastern Virginia Contact: Todd Wagner Email: zfixers@cox.net Phone: 757-851-8098 Website: tzccva.org Z Car Association of Richmond Location: Richmond, VA Contact: Chris Grigg Email: President@richmondzcar.com Phone: 804-467-5067 Website: richmondzcar.com And we're on Facebook!

Z Car Club of Northern Virginia Location: Tysons Corner Contact: Bernie Bilski Email: yugobernie@cox.net Website: zcarclubnova.org Washington Z Car Club of Washington Location: Washington State Contact: Marty Molloy Email: twin.turbos@yahoo.com Phone: 425-367-9065 Facebook: facebook.com/DatsunClub Web Based Z Car Clubs Classic Zcar Club Location: Internet Contact: Mike Gholson Website: classiczcars.com

UPCOMING EVENTS ZDayZ 2018 Date: May 16-20, 2018 Location: Fontana Village, NC Details: zdayz.com

Branson Z Fest Date: May 30 thru June 2, 2018 Location: Branson, MO Details: bransonzfest.com

Datsun Driving Canby Fun

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Date: June 8-10, 2018 Location: Clackamas County Fairgrounds; Canby, OR Details: ztherapy.com/events/events.htm