The Fastest Z

David Donahoe’s Z story: For some reason my car was faster than other z’s and it developed a reputation as with the look and sound of my car I was regularly challenged. Mine was the 3rd 240Z in my city as I was a car mag fanatic and got on a waiting list very early after reading about it. I had a ‘68 Sunbeam Alpine (last year made) British Green with black top & painted wire wheels. That was my 1st new car after graduating college in ‘67. But seeing photos of and reading about the 240Z, its looks and engine, I had to have one and I got on the dealer’s waiting list. The dealer took the first one (white), his close friend got #2 (blue) & I got #3 (Safari Gold/Butterscotch color – there was no control over what colors Datsun sent the dealer at that time). 

One day a few years down the road, the dealer, who had become a friend, called me and asked if I was out messing around the night before. He said his customer & long term friend from his Saab and Alfa Romeo dealership days was out in his Wide body Porsche with Porsche Turbo look with a wing that Shop in Ohio (I’m in VA) had put together with a hot engine. He said that a 240Z my color was on his tail and he could not pull away from it nor lose it in the curves or corners for about 15 minutes driving all over the place it stayed on his rear bumper and after spending lots of $$ he was not happy. I confessed it was me. 

Another guy with a modded Fiat that repeatedly tried me on the way to work (hopelessly) asked me at a stoplight with his girl friend with him if I had a turbo or ?? to make it that fast. Many years down the road another guy with a a Z came to my house and asked me to share the mods on my Z so his would be as fast.

Another time I was on a rural part of a freeway headed to another town to play a band gig and a ‘68 Camaro tried me. When I shifted to 4th at a little over 100 mph I left him behind. 30 minutes later at a gas station he stopped to ask what I had done to my X that it had that much power. 

There are many stories over 14 years for a very special Z car and memories that do not fade. I would love to have another one but it’s not in the cards right now with all my wife & I are dealing with. Take care and Cheers!

What’s your Z story? #zownersunite