My stock 240 would go 124mph and not a smidgen more (well, maybe it would have gone faster if I had driven it over a high cliff). With the rebuild and modifications, the PO claims to have had it up to 140, but I simply won't push it that hard unless I'm on a loooonnng track. No need, and I don't trust any street tires above 90mph for long.

My first trip through Montana in my 240Z {July of 1970}, I was cruising along way over 90 mph. Not a car in sight for hours... then I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a Montana State Highway Patrol sitting right behind me. I figured that there was no sense slowing down until he turned the Red Lights on... so I kept going.

To my complete surprise, after a couple of seconds, he pulled out in the Left lane and blew by me like I was sitting still. The Patrol car was a big block Plymouth from the 60's.

I stopped for gas a few hours later and was talking to the Service Station Attendant; that was when I found out that Montana had No Day Time Speed Limit. The Service Station Attendant said that the Montana Highway Patrol routinely cruise the Freeways at 120 to 135 mph - that is the only way they could cover the area they were assigned within an 8 hour shift.

After I left the Service Station and got back on the Freeway - I realized for the first time - that the Speed Limits Signs Posted said "70 MPH"... but under that they said in much smaller print "Night Time Limit". From that time on, I really enjoyed my trip though "the Big Sky Country"...

FWIW,
Carl B.

I agree with Frank, for the most part for a stock early 240Z 120-125mph was all of it. And that is if the car was running perfectly and the air conditions were just right. And at that speed the front end got VERY light. Not a good idea!

With my own eyes I have seen a 240Z do a documented 161mph, but that was one with a custom suspension and powered by a LS1 small block.

Cool.

_________________
John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

161mph.....no way!

_________________
Clive Bogle President - New York Z Car Club - NYZCC.COM
1971 240Z - LS1/T56
1974 260Z-L30
1976 Fairlady Z

1 TUFF Z.......that's what DP tells me he was at when the Blue & Gold joined in on the fun.

You were riding shotgun!!!!

_________________
John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

O yeah.....

I thought 163...silly me

Speed limiter kicked it and the front end was light to say the least.

_________________
Clive Bogle President - New York Z Car Club - NYZCC.COM
1971 240Z - LS1/T56
1974 260Z-L30
1976 Fairlady Z

I always say that you need to lean forward in a Z when you exceed 160mph to keep the nose down.

_________________
-Dave
76Z Turbo'd
72 In Progress---DONE!

So Eugene, did you pick this car up yet or not?

Frank

Sorry Frank. I am taking delivery tomm. evening If all goes well I will be registering friday afternoon just in time to enjoy it over the "rainy" weekend. Is Antique registration any cheaper than normal registration? Il be sure to post up pictures after a nice wash and wax.

Excellent! Don't wait for the car to be perfect (they never are) ~ just post us some pix in the MEMBER RIDES gallery as soon as you get the car. That way you will have some 'before' pix and can add the 'after' pix later.

You can bring it to the Wednesday night meeting next week in Middletown and show it off!

Sounds great. Where is it in middletown?

Oh and also I have to mention that if it werent for me seeing chris colgans car on this forums pictures section. Or the evil Z...I probably wouldnt have known what these cars can look like or whats possible. They prompted my research into it. So I have to give them credit for having awesome cars.

Our meeting is this coming Wednesday night from 7PM-9PM ("1900-2100") at Middletown Nissan dealership, 1153 Newfield St (Rte3) in Middletown 06457. Look for all the Z cars parked together and the crowd of happy people ~ that'll be us.

Phrog's "Carrot Car" (as Megan calls it) is one of my favorites, too. Clive's Evil Z made an impressive debut the day he brought it to our First Z Car Show two years ago. Both carz are impossible to ignore and hard to forget.

We'll look fwd to zeeing your 260Z. They are among the rarest street Zs produced ~ only a single year of production, sharing some parts with earlier Zs and pioneering some for later Zs. The body was more rugged and solid than previous years, yet lighter than later year cars.

The bumpers were the big issue on the 260s. In the early production run, they used the skinny, lightweight, all chrome '240' bumpers. As the production year went on, they switched to the heavier, rubber coated 'park bench' bumpers. Whatever your car has, we'll be anxious to welcome it aboard.

So? Did you end up buying this, or what?

Pat Burns just bought another 260 with similar specifications to this one! Triple Webers, too. You guys should compare notes!

I think he got it as a belated Valentine's Day gift for the lady in his life.

Hey, Ski, Rick here.

Sorry to have abandoned you earlier; somehow I got the impression
you were giving up on this car.

We just got an antique registration for the ZX, and it cost about the
same. I think your biggest savings will come in the form of property
tax, since our town (and others I have heard about) just establish the
taxable value at a flat $250.

As for insurance, several of us would recommend Hagerty as the best
bang for the buck. Just drop my name when you call them and they will
only quadruple your premium (just kidding!). There are a couple of really
great threads somewhere else around here that can give you excellent
discussion and testimony. As an example, I think our ZX is only about
$125 for the YEAR (not 6 months).

All Z Best,....................................Kathy & Rick

_________________
All Z Best,.......Kathy & Rick

1969 Z.CAR (#00013 10/69) 8/30/76
1969 ITSA.Z (#00171 11/69) 8/24/73
1970 OLD.Z (#06289 6/70) original owner
1971 510 2dr since 12/31/75
1969 1600 rdstr (our 160-Z)
1971 (#19851 1/71) sold
1975 75.Z (#01343 1/75)