Z Owners of Northern California - Sport Compact Car Magazine

The process was neither simple nor straightforward. The first shop to get their hands on the car was Williams Auto Body & Paint in San Mateo, California. Ikerd says: "Everything was removed from the car. The shell was media-blasted, prepped and painted. Every part was cleaned and either zinc-coated, painted or powder-coated, then re-assembled." After the exterior was finished, Vargas Auto Upholstery of Sunnyvale, California, installed new carpeting, seats and sound dampening. Finally, Short Circuit in Sacramento, California, added the modest modern in-car entertainment upgrades.

The rebirth took two years, but the result is breathtaking. Coating the shapely body panels is a deep Mitsubishi Pacific Blue paint. The car rides on Panasport FS 16x7 wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE 050A 225/50/16 rubber. Inside, comfy yet supportive Recaro Pole Position SPG seats sit on brand new black carpeting, and an Alpine head unit and amp powers MB Quart speakers. "Riding down the road is really enjoyable. The Dynamat takes care of any isolated road noise," says Ikerd. "It feels like a brand-new car-almost zero noise, vibration or harshness. Plus, it looks amazing."

Ikerd reports frequent salutes from fellow automotive supreme members. Even the local law enforcement has to pay respect. "I remember sitting in traffic on the highway," says Ikerd, "when a motorcycle cop pulls up in the commuter lane. He starts talking to me. 'Hey, is that a Z? What year is that? I used to have one in high school' etc., etc., just sitting there, holding up the cars behind him so he can check out the Z."

When he isn't stopping traffic, Ikerd and his Z are out living the culture. Affiliations to ZONC (Z Owners of Northern California) and the Z Car Garage bring a sense of community, as do admirers at the car shows he attends. The blue Datsun has been spotted at the Monterey Historics and Shasta All Datsun Meet, even taking Best of Show first time out at the Blackhawk Datsun/Nissan Extravaganza. Plus, how can you beat a timeless, rear-wheel drive coupe that weighs only 2,240 pounds?

1971 Datsun 240Z
Engine
Engine Code: L28
Type: 3050cc carbureted inline six cylinder, iron block, aluminum head, SOHC
Internal Modifications: Stroker crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons
External Modifications: Triple Mikuni 44 PHH carburetor, Cannon intake manifold, Clifford six-into-two exhaust header, Magnaflow muffler, MSD ignition and coil, Mallory Ultralight distributor
Engine Management Modifications: Stock

Drivetrain
Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Drivetrain Modifications: 280Z five-speed manual transmission, R180 limited-slip differential, 4.11:1 final drive gear

Suspension
Front: Tokico shocks, Eibach springs, Suspension Techniques one-inch anti-roll bar
Rear: Tokico shocks, Eibach springs, Suspension Techniques 0.75-inch anti-roll bar

Brakes
Front: Stock
Rear: Stock

External
Wheels: Panasport FS, 16x7
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE 050A, 225/50/16
Body: Mitsubishi Pacific Blue paint
Interior: Recaro Pole Position SPG seats, Crow five-point harnesses, Autopower rollbar, Momo steering wheel, Dynamat, custom carpeting, Alpine head unit and amp, MB Quart speakers