Quote:
Originally Posted by astrochex
When I was a lad in the early 70s, my best friends favorite care was the 240Z, mine the 911.
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Growing up among corn and beans in Cent. Illinois, I’d always loved the G models but, they were like a leprechaun’s pot of gold. You’d heard the stories, seen renditions but, NEVER in person. Had no real knowledge of the early 911s or 356s for that matter.
The Datsun dealership was a bike ride in to town, away from our house. Pops and I drooled over commercials for the Z’s. I could see them with my eyes like, for real. I had a friend whose dad bought one of the last ‘78s on the lot. It was black and now, knowing what I do, wonder if it was a Black Pearl edition. Anywhoo, I got to ride in that black ‘78 a couple of times, cementing the love.
Fast forward to 1983, a Navy buddy through Basic Elec school in Orlando and then ET “A” in Great Lakes bought a light blue metallic ‘77 while we were in Orlando. Spent some hooligan time in that car. We both got our orders to Great Lakes and the car went with him. He met a girl, got married and next thing you know, he decided to sell the car. Of course I jumped on that wagon. Drove that car numerous trips from Chicago to Down State (home) and back through school. Drove it to Denver while I was attending “C” school. Back to Illinois for leave upon graduation and then out to the Bay Area when I got my ship’s orders. Had it through five out of the six years I was in the Navy.
I still had my 280 when I started dating my wife from San Francisco (after the GF with the ‘83ZX). She moved down to the Santa Cruz area in ‘87 so, now I’m bombing weekends from Alameda to SC. I rented a room from my in laws to be so, I was commuting the Bay Bridge to NAS Alameda every day when in port. Magical times in your 20s, hitting pick and pull yards for better parts than what ya got or just to have good spares. Many adventures.
My brother in law to be at the time I was dating my wife had a black ‘66 911. That was my first exposure to the early 911 cars. BIL tossed me the keys to his car one day and we went for a drive. That one drive hooked me and I knew that I’d have one at some point.
The 280 saw me discharged out of the Navy, moved to the house I’m sitting in now having coffee, get married and was my DD into Silicon Valley for work until my second daughter was on the way. Sold it to get a sedan for the family. I did get a ‘91 Nissan Maxima SE MT5. Man, I loved that car too.
I still search for the VIN of my Old Z from time to time. Would love to have a 240 to pair with the 911 one day. Luckily, my wife loves the early Zs as well.
Later ZXs including the 300 just never grabbed me.