Well I'm dating things back a bit. I was 17 years old and the year was 1976. Yep, I have shoes older than most of you guys. I needed dependable car to get me back and forth to school from the Bay Area. I was starting Oregon State University in the fall and it was now June. I saw a 1971 240Z for sale. They were asking $2800. It had a fresh blue metallic paint and slotted mags. It was a 4 speed with that ice blue interior. Trouble was, I couldn't drive a stick. My sister's boyfriend went with me to test drive the car and see if it was a good one for me. I had $2100 of my own money and my mother said she would cover whatever the difference was. I had worked at Straw Hat Pizza for a couple years at this time. Anyway, my sis's BF and I went out in the car and I was in love. He drove it hard and said it was a great driving car. He tried to get me behind the wheel but I said let me first buy it, then I will drive it. he laughed. Anyway, we negotiated the price down to $2500. I said yes and would return with the rest of the money later that day. Got the money, and had my mom drop me off. I handled the whole transaction. I told the guy I was 18 already. Actually, I wouldn't be 18 until August. Got the keys and a bill of sale, the last registration work on the car and it was time to roll out. Fortunately I didn't have to back the think up and sort of bucked my way out onto the road. It was being sold by a body shop and had I inspected my closely would have seen that it was a salvage auto. but I didn't give a shit at the time because I had a Z!! Dan ( my sister's BF) had coached me verbally on what to do. I watched him drive the stick and he explained how the clutch must be engaged before coming to a full stop etc...Anyway, I'm rolling down the street, smiling like I hit the lotto or something and stalled when I got to the first light. But I was looking good!! I bucked to another roll and and if I was moving, shifts were cool. Its just learning that temperament of taking off. I even had to go on the freeway to get home but first I had to go to the Sun Valley Mall to pick up my other sister from work on the way home!! I was fearless. I made it home and quickly learned how to park and maneuver hills. Our driveway was on a slant and my car was the last one in line. Sitting at a stop with the clutch and brake down I quickly shut it off and pulled the parking brake. I then eased my foot off the clutch and was proud as heck I had made it home. that was day one fellas and I have been infected every since. Two 1971 240Zs, (1) '69 510 with a '69 4 door donor, (1) '510, (1) '71 510, '77 620, '86 720, '98 200sx, '90 S13 and currently...'71 521 and a '69 Roaster as one of the Ratsun guys dubbed it on a thread. And my future wife had a '69 510 wagon when i met her. It had the red body but the front fender fenders and hood were white. Corvallis, Oregon...1979!
Thanks for the thread.