Z's in Japan!!!
 

hey guys,


There are 30 Z's in Japan... Looks like a tight bunch of guys and I'm trying to get them to visit the forum to discuss their cars.

Love to know colors of them, options, years and mods done.

Craig (HawaiiZR1) visited 10 of them and had pictures of them....

Gotta hear more about this band of brothers!

:thumbsup:

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

There were a couple of Japenese owners at a gathering a few years back. 2004 I think

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...00987-Copy.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...1/DSC00967.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...1/DSC00989.jpg

I did not have a chance to meet with the 7 ZR-1s in Tokyo as they met after they dropped me off at Narita Airport. But I will tell you that these great bunch of ZR-1 brothers took time from their busy schedules to drive quite a distance (4 1/2 hours to pick me up at Camp Zama and another almost 3 hours to Asakusa for eating and shopping; then we met the others at a rest stop for coffee and for show and tell before heading to the airport). These guys are true ZR-1 fanatics and are all about performance. They have things modded from carbon fiber hoods, custom front frame braces (first one for me to see), all coilovers with upgraded brakes, in addition to engine mods, etc., etc. They were taking turns to lead the way on the freeway to Narita with WOT most of the way so we go there much quicker than expected. These guys do not baby these Zs and one even has to change his clutch sometimes annually or less with the abuse put on it. What is most impressive is to think about the cost and trouble involved with owning a Z in Japan, yet so much dedication and determination.

There were some communication barriers as I do not speak Japanese and they try their best with English so my hat off to them again. I was also provided videos of the awesome cruises they do throughout Japan and organize over 30 or more from the club of over 100 Corvettes. My closest friend that I have been communicating with over the past year by email until we finally met was even married at a Corvette event here in the U.S. We a rare treat and wonderful experience; I don't want to say once in a lifetime as I plan to go back and take the time to meet again. Jerry was able to help me with a package of parts to take as a gift as well as the traditional macadamia nuts, kona coffee and cookies from Hawaii.

They are going to start a ZR-1 specific club in Japan and it is awesome to know that we have this kind of connection there with the ZR-1s. I can't even get one other ZR-1 owner in Hawaii to get together and I am on a little island. Sorry, I was not able to get good pictures due to the darkness of night at the rest stop and short time at the airport for my departure.

ICHIBAN ZR-1s in Japan. :worship::cheers:=D>:handshak:

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

What kind of rims are they running on their cars?

Nice Pics, should have them join the Regstry Forum!


LGAFF
92 ZR1
#234

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

i love where they put their license plates on the front. lol. still leagal but no chance at all of a radar beam returning to the cops gun. lol. thats awesome to see. i actually spent 6months in japan when i was in the Navy. i got my japanese drivers license when i was there and it was very weird to drive a right hand drive vehicle on the left side of the road. keep in mind these guys are driving a left hand drive vehicle on the left side of the road. i am certain these are considered very EXOTIC over there. good to see there are some brothers over there.

Chris

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Thanks and sorry I could not post more. The 3 Zs that I saw were running Rays. I want to say they were the Volk Racing variety http://www.rayswheels.co.jp/indexe.html

Sorry, I asked about the Registry and one is a member, but English is very difficult for them and can you imagine taking 1/2 hour to look up how to write one sentence. I think in time they will but I know the feeling when I was pointed to one of their sites with info. We all speak the same language when I say "ZR-1" or "LT5" so that is cool.

Check this out: http://6239.teacup.com/madvette/bbs?BD=13&CH=5

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Yeah, I was worried if we got caught well over 200 kms and I would not make it home. I would have to call in for leave from a Japanese jail. My wife explained that the plates are to avoid all the speed cameras on the freeway. I don't know how you did it and it took some time for my wife to get used to driving here in Hawaii too. These guys are awesome drivers at the speed and maneuvering we were doing as well as switching over the drive their daily drivers opposite. Yes, there were many stares everywhere we went so it was very cool. These cars rumble too as one had B & B, two were customs.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...00982-Copy.jpg

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

i would love to hear some of their racing stories against the nissans, toyotas, and hondas over there.

Chris

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Great looking cars, to bad they put those tags on the front. Go ahead and take the ticket. Don't worry about it.

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

...WHAT?? lol

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

I know what he is saying. Living in Florida it is nice not to have a front tag like some states do.

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Yes Chris, I did try to get some stories but not enough time and I know there are some bad A cars there that would spank most of us. MADVET wants to get a 415 or larger and twin turbos; he said he lost to a friend with a hopped up C5 that he wants to beat. I just want to ensure I don't get spanked by a Lexus ISF or something like that. What the heck to we have to do to beat Nissan GT-R?:cheers:

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

:cool: story Craig! Thanks for sharing it. I can't imagine how dedicated those guys, and others from around the globe are to these cars. It is a bit mind blowing to think that we on the mainland are considered "the eccentric few" and we have all the resources right here....everyone else is 'out in the wilderness' so to speak, and to see how rabbid you all are about your Z's is just amazing....you guys are true believers:thumbsup:

:cheers:

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

well yeah, but if you have to have a front tag. thats the way to do it!. :thumbsup:

Chris

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

I noticed in this picture that the white ZR-1 has cutouts in the hood. I think at least one other among the group does as well. Any idea as to why it is more common overseas, as I think Hadi also has one like that.

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Yes, that Z and some others have these custom, carbon fiber hoods. I'm not sure what other options and I asked about a high rise too. He said a shop in Japan makes these and not knowing what they are supposed to run it sounded reasonable at about $1,500 US.

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...DSC00989-1.jpg

I forgot to share this pic of the one off frame support to tie it to the front section. These guys are serious enthusiasts. I might order me one of these.

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

where can you even get one of those tube frame supports? how much are they? the purpose is just to stiffen the front part of the chasis right?

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

I don't know how feasible the shipping is, but a Corvette Shop in Tokyo area custom makes them. I did not get the details on cost, etc. but yes, similar to how the camber brace ties in the lower frame, this one ties in the upper body to square off the stiffness of the chassis. Sorry, that is all I can guess from looking at it and trying to communicate with the owner.

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Nice Group... Sweet Z's ! :thumbsup:

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

I`m Mad Vette.
I don`t check private message in ZR1 discussion.
I checked message now.
Hi, Zfactor,HAWAIIZR1,LT5Corsa,

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Japanese Z`s
http://proxy.f3.ymdb.yahoofs.jp/user...RZPMKBaywEu5F7

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

NICE! What kind of wheels are they? Black Chrome?

Damn those look mean!

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Welcome to the forum. :handshak:

:cheers:

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

More than likely they are Rays wheels. They are very nice and you will see them on a lot of very high horsepowered Nissan Skylines. Talk about some fast quarter mile cars.

http://www.rayswheels.co.jp/indexe.html

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Hi ZZZZZR1,
These are bronze.

Thank you Z factor!

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

My wife`s 6MT convetible

http://proxy.f3.ymdb.yahoofs.jp/user...Z_jMKBPCMZ3cVd

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

My Z

http://proxy.f3.ymdb.yahoofs.jp/user...Z_jMKBzLkJpvII

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

WOW look @ those wheesl and calipers.

that car is made to go VERY FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Z's in Japan!!!
 

Mad Vette,

I'm looking forward to your visit early next month and trying my hardest to get the Z on the road for the ride. I have to take the exhaust to shop tomorrow so I can hook up to the headers. I still have some other minor things, but we should be good to go for some cruizin.

Aloha,

Craig