Yes, I know. Some would call this blasphemy.

I had a '73 240Z. Modified. For me anyway. I rebuilt an '81 280ZX L28. Port, polish, 6-1 headers, Z therapy SU carbs. '81 5-speed. ZX electronic ignition. Dual exhaust all the way back to dual glasspacks. Interior was very good, flawless leather. Yes, a few dash cracks, but very good.
Problem was it was good to everyone else. I mean, the ultimate Z is a 240Z, right? People will give you a lot more oooohhh when it is a 240Z than another Z type. And those @*&# carbs. Z therapy did a great job on my SU carbs, but they are still carbs. Every 2 months they need re-calibrated. In the winter, be prepared to spend 20 minutes starting and warming the car. Not exactly fun. The doors are crappy. The shut with a slam, have to oil them once a month. Even then they tend to vibrate a bit when driving. I have owned alot of 240Z's and been in four times as many. They ALL do this. I wanted the good Z experiance and drivablility without the hassle. I decided to broaden my horizons.
I found another Z. Yes, another Z. I make no secret of the fact I am a Z nut. My first experience was when I was four, Dad had a '72 240Z in '76. This was my car when I turned 15. But I digress. In my travels I found a '75 280Z. I almost kept going except for the sheer boner factor involved with this car. Yes I know that line was a little over the top, but what is a Z except a car of individual passion? Hey, if we did not love them, we would all be in Honda CRX's or something else crappy like that.
I am taken with this '75 280Z. It is Red. Very red. Candy Apple really is bland in comparison. The bumpers have been shortened to 240Z comparison size. The hood has a '83 280ZX Turbo scoop grafted on. The interior is gorgeous. Maroon and black. ZX 5-speed. 2+2 flywheel. 4 point roll gage (SCCA approved). Engine looks great, original N47 head, webber intake. Cold air induction. Drives like sex.
I bought it. Got a great deal ($5K). I love it. I have this particular habit of naming my cars. I am calling this Z Miyamoto after Miyamoto Musashi (look it up if you don't know). No, it is not a 240Z. In my opinion, for what I use it for; its better. Go ahead. Flame me. But when its raining and 20 below, I'll be happy to give you a ride.

 

Flame ya........why? its what you want and if it makes your boat float cool! sounds like a great car! with me first two z i have to say i didnt have the troubloes you had with the exception of the winter warm ups lol but its was more like 4 or 5 minets for me and i always thought of it as forplay lol { takes a bit o time to get a great ride!}and after all its still a z!!

 

Blasphemy isn't a strong enough word, especially after all the good work you did on your 240. You're SUPPOSED to like cold starts and tuning SU's - why else have a 240-Z? (And, when it's 20 below I don't need a ride - I use my 4WD 4-Runner Z-parts hauler.)

 

Yeah, I know. Cold starts are grand, are they not? Just sitting on a friggen cold *** leather seat, pulling that choke for all its worth, teeth chattering in rhythum with the starter, fog forming on the windshield as I devolp hard skin on my index finger and thumb from holding the key on the 'start' position. Oh yeah. Bring it on, baby. What WAS I thinking?

 

ah the coldstarts arnt that bad but as i said before its a personal choise! but that newer car is still gona be cold as hell on a -20 degree day lol! im in the chacago area and ill do what ive always done lol used a decent blockheater and water heater hell i may even heat the oil lol! with a pre warmed motor cold isnt a biggie at all!

 

As long as its still a Zed it doesn't matter. It's all personal choice. In australia it barely gets below 5*C (in adelaide) so cold starts are no problem, plus the heater in my 240 works sweetly

Alan, Australia