Many of us know the pleasure of lifting the hood on a long-nosed 240. Pull the release, index the latch and it glides freely, arcing upward until reaching a stately position where it stands tall over the engine compartment, declaring to all that wander past - pssst, come here lad, take a peek at the marvels below. If you've not owned an early Z then for sure you've seen one at a car show, or a cruise night, or maybe even in a buddy's garage. The Z is a masterpiece in simplicity while retaining its position as guy-art in the garage, and more than a few women have been enticed by its low, slender appearance, and clean unfettered lines as well - the Z takes residence and its owner melds with the car (there I've said it, it's a car after all) and a bond is formed.

This car invites all to sample life as a shade-tree mechanic. With little effort its guts are on display, its heart hums like the robust little machine that it is just perched on a pedestal before you, you see the pulley's spinning, feel its heat wafting high...grab the throttle linkage - there, right in front of you, pull it, push it, hear the engine surge and the ponies within call out ready to gallop down your favorite road at brisk and refreshing speeds!

Open its doors, what's inside, all the basics, nothing more complicated than perhaps a single choke handle...all we need to bring it to life is a simple routine shared by Dad & child for decades now. Settle in, buckle-up, grasp that sleek wheel, depress the clutch, pull that choke lever moving the cable within and get the carburetor alerted that fuel will be coursing through it promptly, a quick pump of the gas and then twist the key - your friend comes to life and the road calls out come dance with me!

But wait, it stumbles, coughs a bit, perhaps even stalls - no worries, armed with no more than a flat-tipped screwdriver you pop the hood, gaze over the carburetors, reach for the needle-valve limiting the fuel and make a subtle adjustment - bingo, that's got it, she's now purring like a kitten and ready to be buttoned-up and eased out of that fine building you call her home. The rest is magic as the ride begins and your day immediately gets better, trouble melt away, sunshine and blue skies welcome you ...

Well, let me interrupt this dream and take you to today's daily-driver, the beast that shares space with your beauty. You dare not lift its hood with any expectation that there's anything a mere mortal can do to tweak it, to dial it in, to become one with it. If it resists your command to go then what, it’s just another appliance in your life. Take a look here, give this story a wee bit of consideration, soon enough you'll come to understand how these days - we just aim our living room down the road!

Have fun thinking about the next driving season we are creeping towards, make plans to spend some time with your honey on our back roads, and please don't forget the screwdriver - use it while the opportunity still exists, and by all means - get yourself a 240 to speed through life in!

Here's hoping we meet up soon.
Mike Noonan
VP ZCCR
Gotmoxz
240Z Driver