E-Interview: Dave Irwin’s 240z Part 2
First, I’ll let Dave tell the story of how he was matched up with his Z, and then we’ll finish the question and answer segment.
My love of all things Datsun started after I blew up my 75’ Mustang 2, for the second time. Two motors, three C-4 trannies and two rear-ends later, that car had had enough of me and vice-versa. It turns out, you’re not supposed to shift an automatic like a manual tranny on a daily basis. So off to the local car lot we went. My mother promised to help buy my first car and since I purchased the Mustang and all its extra parts myself, she decided that the next car I buy, she’d help me out with. The only budget minded 5-speed on the lot was a 1978 Datsun 510 Hatchback for $1500. After my mom pointed out to the salesman the cracked windshield, lack of any clear coat on the paint, ripped seats, faded carpet, bald tires and 200,000 miles on it, she talked him down to $750 out the door, tax, license and all. She’s cool like that and the poor salesman didn’t know what hit him.
Over the next four years I found out what kind of potential these little cars had. Rip out the emissions, throw on a 2 barrel Webber carb, and you’re golden. This thing would light up the tires in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. I went through tires like a kid going through a box of Otter Pops on a hot day. I finally painted it using white spray paint and Ford Blue spray paint for stripes. It even had a Mustang hood scoop and a Camaro rear spoiler. Then I decided to buy a Nissan Motorsports Catalog from the local Nissan dealer. This thing had more eye candy than I knew what to do with. But what really caught my eye was all the 240Z’s in the book.
They were all race prepped and looked a lot more sporty than my 510. I’d barely ever seen any around town till I got that catalog, then I started to spot them here and there. I then decided that I would own one someday and go nuts on it. A few months later, a friend pulled into my driveway with a rusty, primer gray 1972 Datsun 240Z. My heart about stopped at that point. I talked him into letting me test drive it and he agreed half heartedly. My drive around the block turned out to be a drive around town. I stopped over at the local high school to finish up my analysis of the Z. I looked around for cops and the coast was clear. I revved it up to about 4000RPM and dropped the clutch. BIG mistake!! That little 240Z roared to life, shot sideways and into a couple 360’s. After straightening the wheel out I found out how well the brakes worked because that fence in front of me was about to be part of the front end.
I thought that now would be a good time to get the car back to my buddy. It took 2 miles and 6 minutes for my heart beat to regain a normal rhythm. I gave him back the keys and started planning for when I finally got my own Z. 12 years and three cars later, I divorced my wife of 9 months (yes, mine months) and started a collection. She said I never spent enough money on her, but after 2 months of not having her around, I saved enough money to buy a whole car. After 2 minutes in an Auto-Trader, I found my next life partner, a 1970 (8/70’) reddish orange 240Z for $2800. The owner was divorcing his wife and said “I’ll be damned if she’s getting it” So 2 signatures and a cashiers check later, I drove home the love of my life. I always tell people that I got this car for my ex-wife, “Pretty good trade huh?”
Interesting story, to say the least. Z-for your wife sounds like a good trade to me. (I’m single; I can say that and not fear for my life.) Now, let’s finish up the last few questions I had for Dave.
Q4: Does your Datsun have a name? If so, what is it?
A4: I call it “The Little Red Nightmare” but my wife calls her the “Mistress” cause I spend almost as much time with the Z as I do with my wife. And probably spend more on the car. I know, I know, BAD Dave.
Q5: Do you or have you owned any other Z cars?
A5: The red Z was my first but I also owned a white 72’ which turned into a parts car.
I have also owned a Corvette Yellow 71’ 240Z that I sold to a kid in need of a replacement. At the moment, I have a 74’ 260Z under complete teardown and rebuild in my garage, and hope to have her, “The Money Pit,” on the road come April? of 2010. You can watch the progress at
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3195135
It started with the stock SU’s then I went to a triple Weber DCOE setup, then back to the SU’s. I got tired of trying to tune the Webers but really miss that sucking sound under heavy acceleration.
Q6: For those interested in your products, where can they go to get a better look at and purchase them?
A6: My Headlight and parking light upgrade harnesses, as well as the ZXP 280zx alternator adaptor and SCP Sidemarker conversion plugs are all available at Motorsport Auto here… http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/SRC19
My products have been written about at www.classiczcars.com and www.hybridz.org You can also buy them directly from me at wolfin32z@yahoo.com
Also, be sure to check out Dave’s Cardomain homepage at http://www.cardomain.com/id/DatsunDave07
