dreaming of a Z

i was sitting in front of the bank, talking on my cell phone to the dealer in utah who had the red volvo i would soon purchase. i needed to get a cashier’s check. while i was on the phone, two boys stopped their bikes and started carefully inspecting my 1973 240Z parked in the parkng lot. i walked over to them, “since you took the time to stop and look,the least i can do is open it up for you.” i ipened the door and popped the hood. “where did you get this and how long have you had it?” the quickly asked. “4 or 5 years ago, i bought it from a guy in LA.” “i’ve been searching for one of these on craigslist and autotrader. i really want one, they are so cool.” he raved on, only telling me things i already knew….i showed them around and described all the mods. “how much horsepower?” “about 115 at the wheels.” he was clearly disappointed. i quickly added “so drop a SR20 in yours and get upwards of 300HP!” he wanted an RB26 instead. “they are huge! but if you want one, i know who has one…my mechanic.” “yea, they just barely fit.” since he didn’t even have a Z yet, he wasn’t really too interested. he had his heart set on a 1972. i explained the differences. he wants a ’72.

they hopped back on their bikes, thanked me, and muttered something about how cool 240Z’s were as they road off.

i walked back into the bank to pick up the check that would purchase a car i would be driving instead of the Z in about a week…ironic. the Z makes people happy. i like that about it. and this young guy is just beginning to write his Z story.