Fame at last!!!!! Classic & Sports Car magazine.

[Albrecht]

So by pointing our gun at the writer we must be careful not to shoot ourselves in the foot in the process.

I must say I find it hard to understand why people seem to be relatively happy with this article. Isn't it really just that they are happy to see anything about *our* cars in such a magazine?

Can I pose some (partly rhetorical) questions about it?

What was the overall aim of the article? What's it actually about?
If the focus of the article was on what was seen in the UK market (as was claimed by the writer) why was a north American market car used as an example?
And with a north American car being used as an example, why does the driving test confuse specs of that car with UK market model specs, and then talk about dynamics (perceived engine performance, "keeping the motor on cam", heavy steering, "knobbly low-speed ride" etc) which seem to mix the two? Proper UK market cars didn't have the anti-smog equipment and other specs that the test car had, and had quite different feel (gearing fundamentally different, springing, damping and ARBS substantially different, even different steering rack ratio) so how is this accurate and objective assessment of any UK market 240Z?
Why does he think - and write - that the steering wheel and gear knob are "fake" wood?

To me it makes no real sense as an article about these cars. I don't understand the inclusion of the S130 (a subject that deserves its own dedicated article) and it appears to be a throwback to the mistaken "two fourty, two sixty, two eighty zed ex" way of thinking about the lineage that I've often had people recite to me at filling stations. The jumbling up of models, specs and dynamics is not informative and if anything it will hinder a layman's understanding of the cars.

I'm sorry to say it, but it seems like the article was written around the three cars that could be assembled at short notice for a photoshoot.

 

[SeanDezart]

What was the overall aim of the article?

What's it actually about?

I'm sorry to say it, but it seems like the article was written around the three cars that could be assembled at short notice for a photoshoot.

Agreed wholeheartedly and a well, planned article/project.....Z restoration should always know from what it begins and to where it ends.

Or it takes the opportunities that arise cars available or parts off ebay at good prices.

 

[zNathan]

So basically you're saying there was no benefit to this article whatsoever?

 

[SeanDezart]

So basically you're saying there was no benefit to this article whatsoever?

Me ? I'm saying that the cars warrant better investigation and that the 280ZX warrants its own article and not stuck on the end of a basically S30 article.

Benefit - yes, as Riddler pointed out, for the layman - it will generate interest translating into desire and coveting - all positive.

Just a regret that our cars still haven't reached the point where they will attain the attention deserved by those 'in the classic world' ie auction house, brokers, journalists (who basically follow the fashion - don't be misled into thinking them innovative - they tell us what they think we want to hear...they follow trends and not begin them) and restorers/preparers.

So, positive, yes imho....but just like your (collective you as in 'vous') end of term report - good and knowledge acquired but could apply and do better.

 

[Albrecht]

So basically you're saying there was no benefit to this article whatsoever?

Yes. No.

(answer written in the style set by the article in question).

 

[Albrecht]

Can I draw attention to the article on the Citroen DS written by Andrew Roberts in the same issue?

Compare that to the Z article and it shows the Z article up for the rushed, ill conceived, poorly researched and ultimately fairly useless 'filler' that it obviously is.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

The inclusion of the 280ZX shows Joe Public that the 2.8 car in the UK was a different car than the S30 although it used a similar engine i.e. it is not a 280Z which a lot of people call it.

The article covered the straight-six Zs.

 

[datsfun]

The article covered the straight-six Zs.

Exactly.

But was this the intended primary focus of the article ? Thus far there seems to be some confusion as to the what the article is trying to achieve..

UK cars....
L series lineage ...
Evolution of the S30 range..
Evolution of the "Z" ..

Mind you, a part of me says some coverage is better than Nil coverage...when was the last time a non zed Datsun appeared in UK classic car publication

 

[STEVE BURNS]

I find it absolutely amazing that as people get older they tend sometimes believe it is their way or no way

It seems to me that the people who run the article down are not those who are younger in years and new to the Z Scene and enjoy reading an article on the Z with out having to take on board things like it has the wrong coated nut and bolt on it

IMHO most would not bother to open a magazine if it advertised an article on a S30 or a S130 as to them they have never heard of them in that name

As said before who was the article aimed at, a few who mostly know the ins and outs of the Z or the general public who want an easy read

It seems to me that we are in danger of almost reverting to criteria of the Classic car scene that we fought against for years
But then again everybody has the right of their opinion

 

[Albrecht]

The inclusion of the 280ZX shows Joe Public that the 2.8 car in the UK was a different car than the S30 although it used a similar engine i.e. it is not a 280Z which a lot of people call it.

Kind of like the blind leading the blind, then?

S130-series was a different - yes! - series. Whole different subject.

The article covered the straight-six Zs.

Sorry, but not even close! Half the holes and brackets visible in the engine bay on that USA market car are there because the design and engineering family included engines that he didn't even name in the article.

 

[Albrecht]

I find it absolutely amazing that as people get older they tend sometimes believe it is their way or no way....

It seems to me that the people who run the article down are not those who are younger in years and new to the Z Scene and enjoy reading an article on the Z with out having to take on board things like it has the wrong coated nut and bolt on it

IMHO most would not bother to open a magazine if it advertised an article on a S30 or a S130 as to them they have never heard of them in that name

As said before who was the article aimed at, a few who mostly know the ins and outs of the Z or the general public who want an easy read....

Steve, I'm sorely tempted to show you some of the initial 'facts' for the article that the writer asked me to check. I nearly choked on my anorak.

Having spent quite a lot of time trying to steer the writer away from such monumental clangers, only for him to put his other foot in it, I feel fully entitled to slate the article. You have no idea just how bad it was going to be...

It's not nitpicking over the 'Factory' colour for the quality control stamps on the wibble sprocket, it's about a fundamental lack of understanding of the circumstances, people and product being written about.

 

[STEVE BURNS]

Having spent quite a lot of time trying to steer the writer away from such monumental clangers, only for him to put his other foot in it,

But You have stopped him putting both feet in it so surely that is a big plus point

I remember when I was a kid when learning from a teacher and not fully digesting what I was being taught but only part of it, If that teacher continually lambasted me for my failings I would have lost all interest in what was being taught

(Note For Sean: And that is why my grammar,punctuation and spelling is so bad)

 

[AliK]

I remember when I was a kid when learning from a teacher and not fully digesting what I was being taught but only part of it, If that teacher continually lambasted me for my failings I would have lost all interest in what was being taught

Spot on Burnsie!

I was 14 years old when invited to play the violin with the London philharmonic orchestra on one of their regional evenings. I really was that good, but my sight reading lacked the perfection the new teacher focused on, so I quite. The joy of doing it got beaten out of me and all that remained was resentment of being tutted at if I got any notes wrong or improvised when I did.

We have to celebrate every win however small.

(Note For Sean: And that is why my grammar,punctuation and spelling is so bad)

If those are the only faults from school then you did well!

 

[SeanDezart]

Mind you, a part of me says some coverage is better than Nil coverage...when was the last time a non zed Datsun appeared in UK classic car publication

Several articles have appeared in Retro Rides - no ?

 

[SeanDezart]

It's not nitpicking over the 'Factory' colour for the quality control stamps on the wibble sprocket, it's about a fundamental lack of understanding of the circumstances, people and product being written about.

.....May I correct you My Count.....it is not the lack of understanding......it is the lack of WILL to understand - can we be clear upon that if we're going to be accurate here ?

Wibble sprocket... The English will always be superior to any other country if they can still laugh at themselves.

 

[SeanDezart]

(Note For Sean: And that is why my grammar,punctuation and spelling is so bad)

I worry for all the house you built reading the plans....

 

[SeanDezart]

The inclusion of the 280ZX shows Joe Public that the 2.8 car in the UK was a different car than the S30 although it used a similar engine i.e. it is not a 280Z which a lot of people call it.

The article covered the straight-six Zs.

Joe Public doesn't even know about a 280Z so why explain the difference to him unless trying to show off and be 'clever' ?

UK:

240Z
260Z/260Z 2+2 (even though the 260Z 2 seater wasn't sold for (1976 ?) and returned afterwards
280ZX

France :

240Z
260Z 2+2 (2 places never sold so they don't know it exists - generally)
280ZX

Here, people call the 280ZX a 280Z - kinda follows on doesn't it ?

 

[datsfun]

Several articles have appeared in Retro Rides - no ?

I suspect you mean Retro Cars Magazine? Maybe I should have been clearer..i was referring to the mainstream "classic mags"..Octane Classic & Sportscar etc,
Retro cars has a limited and specialist audience as it caters for the modified scene....and yes they aren't elitist @ RCM.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Joe Public doesn't even know about a 280Z so why explain the difference to him?

Here, people call the 280ZX a 280Z - kinda follows on doesn't it ?

You have just supported my comment.

 

[SeanDezart]

So UK people call 280ZXs 280Zs ?

I never heard that before emigrating.....