SORRY BUDDY, LOTS OF TOYS AND LOTS OF TIME!!!

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

Project 530Z update:

Full speed ahead with a gear change!

I’ve decided to keep the sleek lines of the original Z body style and dispense with 2/3 of the body kit. I like the front air dam and will incorporate that in place of the huge crash bumpers but will not use the rear and side kit pieces. Instead we will weld up the factory holes on the rear valance and smooth it out. A much, much smaller 240z type rear bumper and rear deck spoiler will complete the look.

Stay tuned!

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

Sounds promising. Don't leave us in suspenders too long, please...

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1970 240Z

I'm really looking forward to seeing this one, and I love the direction you are taking with the body kit. I'd take the same route.

We like pictures of bodywork progress too, you don't have to wait until it's all done.

Jay

I’m determined to get it done by driving season. I may even take it on a ride East to visit you guys once it’s all sorted out.

In the next two weeks or so the holes in the factory valance will be welded up, then bodywork on the roof, fender and doors. If all goes well, it’ll hit the paint booth by March.

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

I'm thinking those bumper piston holes might make good mounting points for a pair of rearward-firing shotguns.
Tailgaters, ya' know?

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1970 240Z

By the way John, do you realiZe you have gathered nearly FIFTY THOUSAND hits on this thread? Jay's heartbreaking 260 disaster thread only garnered 30,000 hits, and that was really big news back in the day!

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1970 240Z

That rear valence is in really nice shape John, shouldn't be too difficult to get that welded up and smoothed out. The whole car seems really solid actually, looking forward to seeing the final product!

Jay

When I first saw the rear valance John I thought you had installed a rear parachute where the license plate mounts, and was wondering why I didn't see wheelie bars. That's when I put on my glasses. You're doing a beautiful job.

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1985 300ZX- GLL Dark Pewter Metallic - Survivor

Thanks for the kind words fellas. It’s been an adventure of learning and discovery. I’m three years in and considering it’s been a bucket list event the finish line is in sight.

I was fortunate to acquire a solid one owner car to begin with. A friend of mine bought it new in 1977, never driven in winter, and parked in a garage in 1987. He knew of my work and love with Z cars and offered it to me. From a bone stock, petrified, dusty barn find to this in three years. Not too bad.

Life is good, enjoy the ride my friends.

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

John, I was in nearby Victor ystrdy visiting Tom B; didn't have time to come see your creation. Sorry, won't miss that chance next time.

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1970 240Z

HEY!
Some kind of update on this, pleaZe?
Have you wrecked this thing already?
Frank T

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1970 240Z

TO ALL CONCERNED:

We have received news today via a circuitous route that John is OK, and has been trying to respond to some of our messages. It's unknown why he has been unable to reach any of us (on any platform) since January, but it's possible he somehow may have accidentally blocked all our incoming Z traffic.

I picture him simply having too much fun with his Z-Beast to sit down at a keyboard.

Frank

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1970 240Z

JT has been very busy working on his Z Beast, most recently reworking his roof and finishing up painting. He should have it road ready in the spring. BTW, he does post a lot of updates on his Z project on Facebook so if you use FB, just search for him and look at his many posts.

Cheers!

See you all tonight at our Grossman Nissan meeting!

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John Kish
1971 240Z - original owner

Hey everyone!!! Thanks for your concern and love, I am alive and doing well. My sincere apologies on being negligent in updating the progress on my Z Beast project 530Z. I’ve been very busy with it. Mechanically it is road ready with the exception of some electrical bugs with a couple of gauges and the turn signals. I was ready to move forward with body work and paint from a professional, BUT….

You’d think these guys were prima Donna Michelangelos for what they wanted to charge for a driver quality paint job! And on their clock, when they could get to it, with no time frame guaranteed. So no, I was not willing to fork over up to $15,000 for that type of aggravation. I’d surprised myself so far with what I was able to do with this build, so why not paint it myself? With some help from You Tube University and the friendly guy at the auto paint store, I did just that.

Bondo is fun! Messy but fun! It’s the HOURS of sanding that is the real mess. Once past that, primer and more sanding. Then four coats of top coat, in this case single stage enamel. That’s been completed and is where it’s at today. I will let the paint sit and cure well and get on with wet sanding and buffing over the winter. Come spring, the beast will be set lose.

In no particular order, here are some pics of the progress from the past few months.

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