ZCCM 4.9-4.10

300ZXTT SMZ EDITION: A LOOK BACK AT Z HISTORY

Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE

POWER TO SPARE

2018

S E P T / O C T 2 0 1 8 • I S S U E 4 .9 /4 .1 0

ZCARCLUBMAG.COM

Contents

zcarclubmag.com • sept/oct 2018 • issue 4.9/4.10

Features

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8 SMZ: Improving on Perfection Robert Speights takes us back in time with a look at Steve Millen’s SMZ Edition 300ZXTT for the Z

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cars 25th Anniversary.

SEMA 2018 SEMA 2018 rocks this year with a heavy dose of imports on display.

Departments 5 From the Editor 24 Around the Curve fourteen

publisher: Nelson Ackerman, nlackerman1@aol.com editor-in-chief: Art Singer, arts.zccm@gmail.com managing editor: Samantha Singer, singer.samantha@yahoo.com advertising: call 505.835.9170 for a media kit

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CAR

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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 • Tick Toc, Tick Toc, a Birthday Worth Celebrating By: Art Singer, EIC (ZCCM), Albuquerque Z Car Club The 50th year of the birth of the Z is just a few weeks away as 2019 is fast approaching. The 240Z debuted with the release of 513 cars towards the end of 1969. If you want to get picky, you could say that there was never really a 1969 Z. You could go by today’s standard, where any car with a release date of September through December of the year before a cars release is considered the model for the next year. But thats a discussion left for the historians of the Z world. For my purpose, the 1969 240Z works for me. I have decided to devote one print issue, not so much about the car, but the people who owned or owns one. I could do a history piece on the Z and rehash everything that has been told over the years. I would think most people that get this magazine have heard it all. I think its time to celebrate the owners of the car since it is you that has made the Z relevant. Still to this day Z’s come in all different shapes and sizes. Some are trailer queens, and some are rust-bucket flower pots. All have their place in Z car history. It’s time to celebrate the owners who have spent years keeping the Z in the forefront of import sports cars. Yes, there are many other import sports cars that have created a strong following, but none have been around as long as the Z car. One model for 50 years (a seven year break from 1997 to 2003 in the US) is quite an accomplishment for any car.

I did a “Call for all Z’s” a while back asking for pictures and the response

was awesome. I tried to keep up with the emails coming in. That lasted for a few days and then life got in the way. I have a lot of images still to convert and to put them in their proper year. I’m hoping to catch up by the end of the year, at which time I will probably do another “Call for Z’s”. This time it will be to fill spots (years) that I don’t have images for. My guess is I will need to find 5 years of Z productions that I either have no images for or maybe just one. I would like to have five to ten cars in each production year. I will be bugging you one more time and also asking some for quotes about their Z. I missed a few shows for the first time in quite a few years. JCCS and ZCON’s are ones I usually don’t miss, but for one reason or another I couldn’t make the trips this year. We’ll be doing a flashback article in early 2019.

I did make the trip to Las Vegas for SEMA (see page 14) this year. My daughter Samantha came along for the first time. She has grown up to be quite the car gal. Sometimes I think she knows more about cars then I do other then Z’s of course. But she’s catching up.

We also took the 5 hour drive to LA after SEMA to hang out with Johnnie Gable and Kenny Ueda. As always, we had a great time even if for just a day.

The plans for the 4th Annual Friends of Mr. K Fun Run are set and this year will be a true driving event (see page 24 for details). Try to make it if you can.

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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

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SMZ

IMPRO

With the 50th anniversary of the Z fast approaching, there has

with racer and engineer, Steve Millen, to create the SMZ for the 25th

been a lot of speculation about a “new Z”. Will there be one? What will it

anniversary of the Z for 1995 model year. They started the project in 1994

look like? Here is a flashback in time for what was created by Nissan and

using three 94 model Twin Turbos. One red (SMZ #010), one pearl white

Steve Millen for the 25th Anniversary celebration.

(SMZ #011) and a black one (SMZ #012).

Many Z enthusiasts have seen or know about my orange 1972 Datsun 240Z and its provenance, but most do not know about my 1994 300ZX

A standard 300ZX TT went for around $45,000 and the SMZ sold for almost $60,000. The SMZ package included the following: increased horse-

Twin Turbo SMZ Edition. The SMZ Edition plays a significant role in the histo-

power to 365, as a result of the high flow intake system, increased turbo

ry of the Z car.

boost, free flow exhaust system with chrome tailpipe tips and GTR brakes for

In the mid 90’s Nissan was faced with several key issues regarding the

performance. The exterior enhancements included SMZ badging and a wind-

Z. The current ZX was due a replacement vehicle in the near future and the

shield graphic, unique aero body parts which included front spoiler, front

25th anniversary of the first Z was quickly approaching. So Nissan joined up

and side body panels, rear deck spoiler and rear valance panel. Suspension

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OVING ON PERFECTION

changes included adjustable sway bars, progressive rate front and rear coil springs that also lowered the car ¾”, Yokohama lightweight wheels 17”x 9”

Having owned several 240Z’s and a couple of non-turbos 300ZX’s, the SMZ is unquestionably a step up in performance. The handling is very good

front 18”x 9.5” rear Yokohama Z rated tires. And for the interior, a carbon

and it gave me the power boost and speed I was looking for, that makes the

fiber shift knob, door and dash carbon fiber trim pieces, aluminum pedal

SMZ very fun and exciting to drive. The increased horsepower will push you

pads, SMZ emblem on the instrument panel, and a serialized console

back in the seat. The suspension and brake upgrades really improved the han-

plaque.

dling. From a dead stop it will easily smoke the tires and hit the rev limiter

The SMZ also has significant performance improvements compared to the standard twin turbo. Zero to 60 was improved to 5.3 with a quarter mile

very quickly. With the electronic cut off system, top speed is set at 155 mph.

My SMZ is car number 95-011 and was used as one of the three proto-

time of 13.8 and a skid pad rating of .92g. Top speed is governed at 155

type ZX’s for the start-up of the program and later, by Nissan’s media and

mph. When you drive this car you can definitely feel the power and handling

publications team for the launch of the program. The initial production date

changes.

of my SMZ was December 1993 and it formally became a certified SMZ on

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October 17, 1994 for the kickoff of the 1995 model production. It was the

a long time Nissan employee, they thought I might be interested in obtaining

featured car in the June 1995 Car and Driver magazine article about the

the car. When they approached me to see if I was interested in buying it,

SMZ and was used in many of the promotional literature and publications as

that decision did not take me very long to make. As a result, I obtained it

well. Nissan still has the black SMZ 95-012 in their Heritage Collection in

directly from Nissan. The car today, remains original and unrestored just

their display at the Lane Museum in Nashville TN.

the way Nissan built it as an initial SMZ prototype.

When I acquired the car in the very early spring of 2006, Nissan was in

I take the SMZ on fun runs, to cars and coffee, Z car shows and some

the middle of relocating their headquarters from Southern California to

Concours d' Elegance events. It always gets a lot of well-deseved atten-

Nashville Tennessee. They had to greatly reduce the size of the heritage vehi-

tion since it is an integral part of Z car history. With the 25th birthday

cles for the move. The staff in charge of the vehicles knew about my orange

for my 300ZX Twin Turbo SMZ fast approaching, I look forward to cele-

1972 Datsun 240Z and that I also had a 1996 non-turbo 300ZX as well. As

brating the 50th Anniversary of the 240Z with it.

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Year of

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As I first entered the Las Vegas Convention Center grounds, I could see that

the Imports

this year, the attendance seemed to be way up compared to last years show. But there was something different as well. There were a lot less show cars parked outside. Not near as many hotrods and muscle cars as there were trucks. The kind of trucks that look mean, but probably have never had dirt on their tires or mud on the undercarriage.

Inside the convention center, things looked

different as well. There were more imports on display then I have seen in past years. Not just Datsun and Nissans, but Toyota’s, Porsche’s, Mazda’s, Hyundai’s and Exotic’s just to name a few. I even saw a 280ZX for the first time, if you still can call it a 280ZX because other then the shell, there was nothing ZX about it. As for Nissan products, GT-R’s and 240SX’s dominated the show once again with drift car conversions leading the way. The winner of the imports in my opinion was the Porsche. There were some beauties.

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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: Bob McGehee Email: rmcgehee22@gmail.com or mtzclub@gmail.com Phone: 615-260-5669 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 4th Anuual Friends of Mr K Fun Run Date: February 15-18, 2019 Location: San Bernardion area, CA Details: On Facebook at Friends of Mr K Fun Run

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