EVENTS: Motorsport Auto’s Z-Car Bash

008_Datsun 240Z

The annual gathering of the Zs at Motorsport Auto took place over the weekend. Despite some unpleasantness early on with traffic cops ticketing every Z in sight and then a rare SoCal drizzle in the afternoon, the show settled into a generally upbeat atmosphere around Z-Cars new and old.

001_Datsun 280Z

Graciously hosted by Z parts specialist Motorsport Auto, the event attracted Z enthusiasts of all ages, stripes and walks of life. Z Car clubs and individual owners came from all corners of southern California to attend, and at least one owner even drove his car from Washington state. Mr K autographed memorabilia was raffled off to support the clubs, and Zs were admired.

010_Datsun 240Z 009_Datsun 240Z

One of the most admired examples was a 240Z that looks like it had driven straight out of a Star Road catalog. With massive flares and deep special edition Work Equip 03 from the Japanese tuning house it drew a constant crowd of onlookers. Its centerpiece under the hood was a twin-turbo L-gata with triple Mikunis and an old school HKS surge tank. Gorgeous.

Another highlight was a bone stock Shiro Special Z31, one of 1,002 1988 300ZX Turbos finished in all white and equipped with sport suspension and Recaro seats, among other details.

026_Nissan FairladyZ S30027_Nissan Fairlady Z

This painstakingly restored S30 Fairlady Z, a genuine RHD example imported from Japan, gave spectators a small whiff of what it would have been like to see these cars brand new on the streets of Nihon in the 1970s.

012_Nissan 300ZX Turbo Z31

Alas, chrome wheels, but we otherwise appreciated this very clean Z31 Turbo finished in a very 80s shade of Blue Mist Metallic with matching light blue interior.

013_Datsun 240Z Series 1

Nearby, a Series 1 Datsun 240Z was parked. It’s not easy to find one that hasn’t been at least lowered, much less one with original hubcaps.

024_Datsun 240Z

With many Zs nowadays sporting questionable mods, it’s refreshing to see one that is clean and not overdone, with a period color and stripe package and RS-Watanabes. Fads will come and go, but this style is timeless.

Suddenly, an interloper appears! Tally another bone stock AE86 to the tally.

004_Datsun 280Z

The proud display of a “Louvergang” decal on the back of this 280Z brought a grin to this child of the 80s face. Some Google searching revealed that this is a real business that seeks to equip 80s style louvers on cars as new as the 350Z. However, the company name was perhaps a missed opportunity reference the Reagan Era band known for such hits as “The Kid is Hot Tonight” and “Everybody’s Working for the Weekend.” That’s right, Louverboy.com is still available!

025_Datsun 280ZX

Speaking of the 80s, if blacking trim out was cool this 280ZX took it to the logical extreme. Riding on era appropriate Enkei 92s, it looks like something that would have menaced KITT or Don Johnson as synth music played in the background.

Just some random badges of import. The 370Z 40th Anniversary marks four decades of the Z, while the 1984 50th Anniversary Z31 honored half a century of the Nissan Motor Corp.

020_Datsun 240Z

Though the MSA event has grown less formal than the days when they blocked off the entire street, or took over a nearby park, the number of attendees was still substantial and this year early cars outnumbered Z32-and-up cars by quite a bit. Owners were free to come an go as they pleased, however, so it wasn’t possible to capture everything. There’s a few more highlights in the bonus gallery below, and in case you missed here are the galleries of previous MSA Z events from 2013 (Part 01 and Part 02) and 2012.

028_Datsun 240Z023_Datsun 240Z015-IMG_6834_Nissan 300ZX Z31 006_Datsun 280ZX005_Datsun 240Z021_Datsun 240Z014-IMG_6832_Nissan 300ZX Z31

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10 Responses to EVENTS: Motorsport Auto’s Z-Car Bash

  1. Wantyerknobbies says:

    Can always count on the MSA show to bring out the oddballs.

  2. Jun says:

    Ben, you should have taken Kaido Z with you! It’s yours for the taking if you ever need some drama in your life.

  3. Yuri says:

    I’m kinda sad I missed this (my S30 is in the shop undergoing a complete makeover) but it would have been worth it to check out that RetroKing black 280Z. Do you have any more shots of it Ben? Excellent coverage as always.

  4. cesariojpn says:

    So, where does the cop angle come into play again?

  5. Nigel says:

    That Z31 in white, the first one. Very nice. Like that black 280 as well.

  6. oscar says:

    Awesome coverage! Thanks For The Love 😀 #ZOCIETY

  7. Serg says:

    The 240Z is still my favourite nissan ever, if prices weren’t always so strong I’d have picked one up – I once nearly bought a 140Z minus the engine because the interior was just as hot as the Z cars but passed due to rust and rego issues 🙁

    While I love the stock examples (that green hhnnngghhh <3) it's nice to see lots of these modded for cruising or racing, because it shows they actually get driven, and what else is the point of a drivers car but to be driven? 🙂

  8. Gene says:

    Can I post a photo of my 1978 280Z? I’d like to show it to your members. Thank you ?

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