Earlier today, I drove a new Z Nismo from upstate New York back to its home port in northern New Jersey. I hated it. It was cramped. It rode harshly, and the controls were hard to see and operate. Sure, it was very quick and handled well, but I could never live with a car like that.
When we started this publication 40 years ago, my focused face was on the first cover behind the wheel of my beloved 240Z. I thoroughly enjoyed that car. It was everything I ever wanted a car to be and was a mainstay in our scene.
So what changed? Was it me? Or did Z-cars change? To be honest, despite the haze of time, I know my 240Z was smoother on bumpy roads–even after I lowered it and bolted in some KYB struts.
But my view on the sport has changed. While I absolutely lived for competition at the time, today I just dabble in it. My lust to stand out in the hot sun all day to autocross for a few minutes has turned into a desire to go on a car tour or check out the racing at Goodwood–or even watch a vintage race or the Runoffs. While I’m still interested, my physique, my interests and my situation in life have all changed.
In fact, earlier this year, I turned over my column–and my publisher title–to my son, Tom. I’m still out in the garage every day, though. I’m still writing almost every day and traveling to events as well.
Forty years ago, though, I was in junkyards and swap meets, scrambling to build something out of nothing. The thought of buying a car for $40,000–or even $4000, for that matter–was beyond me. I did what I had to do. I learned how to fix things myself because I had to. I had a burning passion to make my automotive dreams, and thus this magazine, a reality.
I still have the passion, but the view from my driver’s seat has changed. Today, I prefer the view from inside my low-mileage Porsche 997–or my Sunbeam Tiger, Alfa Spider, classic Corvette or Cobra-powered Ace.
[Genuine or replica, the only wrong Cobra is one that isn’t driven]
On my old cars, I don’t have to figure out how to connect a phone. There’s no complicated infotainment system. The car doesn’t bark that I need to check the back seat for a forgotten child.
This changing world is part of the reason I’ve turned over those reins to Tom. I knew that the publisher needed to have the same passion that I had when I started, and I know that he will serve you all well.
He spends almost any free time in the shop with whatever’s on the lift, whether it’s a Miata racer or an LS-swapped 350Z. Earlier this year, he and Andy Hollis won their class in the One Lap of America. By the time you read this, he will have returned from the Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals.
As for me, I’m very much still here but admittedly focusing more on fun, like crazy event invites. (I still want to try ice racing, by the way.) I’m just down the proverbial hall in the Classic Motorsports wing of our office. Stop by and see me sometime.
Comments
Tom1200
PowerDork
10/2/24 1:01 p.m.
Oddly I've never been one that found rough riding cars acceptable simply because they're more trackable; even when I was a broke teenager. I think this comes from my motorcycle background; making them handle better included improving their performance on bumpy pavement.
As for the rest; I think experience (age) tends to put things into perspective as far as what matters to you.
Up until somewhat recently I've always floated the idea of going to the RunOffs but lack of budget to do it properly sopped me. I now have that budget but a statement by a two time winner made me rethink that.
He said "It's cool and a personal accomplishment, but I'd rather have the $100,000.00 back"
As a teenager I wanted to prove myself as a racer; nearly 40 years later I know that I am a damn good driver and don't need to prove anything. I've also turned into a pretty good instructor.
I realized it's the shared experience of being on track with friends that matters to me. I still have that same passion but it's much more focused on what makes me happy rather than the outright results.
DavyZ
Reader
10/2/24 4:52 p.m.
My first "performance" car was a Datsun 510 with a "Mulholland Phase III" suspension kit. The springs and Koni shocks made the ride extremely rough/harsh, but man, did we have fun in that car! The Recaro seat did help a bit too, although they are not known for being cushi by an means. As I grew older, the idea of having your cake and eating it too became more important. I like cars which handle very well, but are reasonably quiet and not bone-jarringly stiff when driving over pavement. Yes, I need an R35 GTR or C6/C7 Corvette.
Yes, you have to try ice racing. It's a lot of fun even in the street class.
Thank you for telling it like it is! My 1980's were full of work and play was time in junkyards trying to scrape together the pieces to keep cars going. In mud up to my elbows or sun burnt, but triumphantly dragging the prize home!
Time will always modify our values. Fastest? Heck, I was happy I started! Getting home was always a story, I don't recall saving anything for the "getting home". I think I expended everything just getting TO the track.
Ahh, Good Times! Here's to making more great memories!
ddavidv
UltimaDork
10/3/24 7:18 a.m.
Just a few years ago I realized I wasn't having fun with cars that much anymore. My daily was/is a 2006 Mustang, which I love. But I had gone from simple, little sports cars to a E36 M3 track car. It was miserable to work on. And anything newer was expensive to buy, fix and too complicated for me to enjoy wrenching on.
After buying a very simple motorcycle to rebuild, I found my happy place again. Modernity and complexity may be faster, but it wasn't increasing the fun factor. And while I used to love little two seat roadsters, an afternoon driving a Miata told me I no longer enjoyed that low, bouncy life. Now I'm playing with poor handling, somewhat slow classic American cars. They are a blast to work on, and the parts are cheap and plentiful. There's pretty much no part of the car I can't fix myself, and I don't need a code reader or laptop to do any of it. I'm having more fun than I've had in years.
I've also pretty much given up track days/racing too. Expensive, time consuming, and the cars are waaaay faster than I want to go anymore. I now get my speed 'thrills' just riding vintage and retro motorcycles...at 60 mph.
In reply to ddavidv :
I am with you on the complicated part. My favorite era is mid 90's japan. Clean, simple for me, and not really that complicated. I know them well and I am in my comfort zone. I'm still enjoying my track time and being around the hobby but just as much I am enjoying introducing the hobby to my nephew who I just took to his first track day and my GF's son who I am teaching to drive. Seeing the joy from them is so great and I've found my happy place.
My only difference is I still love my bouncy life. My 2 compacts are the best thing in the world to me.
ddavidv said:
I've also pretty much given up track days/racing too. Expensive, time consuming, and the cars are waaaay faster than I want to go anymore.
This. I knew when I got my '23 BRZ, it wouldn't be seeing the track. Like you said, it's waaaay more expensive even at my little regional track Hallett. Even though it's a hardtop, I wouldn't feel comfortable without the bare minimum 4 pt roll bar, 6 pt harness, fixed back seats.......which I'm not doing to this car.....yada yada yada.
There just aren't a lot of great roads in the 405 area code. Hopefully we will be able to move at some point.
ddavidv said:
Just a few years ago I realized I wasn't having fun with cars that much anymore. My daily was/is a 2006 Mustang, which I love. But I had gone from simple, little sports cars to a E36 M3 track car. It was miserable to work on. And anything newer was expensive to buy, fix and too complicated for me to enjoy wrenching on.
...
I've also pretty much given up track days/racing too. Expensive, time consuming, and the cars are waaaay faster than I want to go anymore. I now get my speed 'thrills' just riding vintage and retro motorcycles...at 60 mph.
Yah, modern cars are a PITA if anything goes wrong. Too many computers. I kinda dislike having an old car too with part availability issues and general old car issues of tracking down seals and cracked hoses. Maybe if I get bored of track days I'll finally get around to a kit car and have the joy of all new parts with old car simplicity. A type 65 looks fun...
Tom1200
PowerDork
10/3/24 2:13 p.m.
The reasons listed above is why I bought the Foxbody Mustang.
It seems to be the best of both worlds; basic fuel injection, electronic ignition and huge parts availability but simple enough that a cave man such as myself can work on it.
j_tso
Dork
10/3/24 3:44 p.m.
Has Tim tried the regular Z? It won't fix the crampedness or controls, but another GRM review of it said the suspension was a little soft.
When it was reviewed on Japanese youtube channel Car Prime, Keichi Tsuchiya said its softness made it great for driving in the city. I guess his views have changed as well.
Displaying 1-10 of 12 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
