A&Q about 350Z
Q:
I keep seeing a lot of 240/260/280's with one of both of the bumpers removed. Are there any disadvantages? Aside from the obvious fact that minor impacts are dents in the body instead of dents in the bumper...
just trying to decide if I want to remove the front one or not.
1973 240z 5spd | Dual Webers | Koni Shocks | And the crowning glory: the big red push button ignition. vrOOOM!
Pics
A:
Other than the minor safety difference the only other thing to consider is the law. By federal law all safety equipment that came stock on the car from the factory can not be removed. Therefore it is possible that you can be given a ticket for not having bumpers. On old cars like this it is more likely that a cop won't pull you over sticktly for this but should you get pulled over for something like speeding chances are he will cite you for the missing bumpers. That being said I've been driving in southern CA now for about 3 years with no bumpers with no problems. All I'm saying is the chances of you getting pulled over for your bumpers is slim but it is against the law to remove them. The choice is yours. I personaly love the bumperless look on my 280z. Now since you have a 240z I wouldn't do it. The 240z looks slick with the bumpers becuase they are drawn close to the body. Most 280z guys would kill to have that look. So for 240z guys I would say leave the bumpers on but for a 280z guy I would say remove them.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
Your bumper provides some defence from the supermarket trolley and bad drivers who have to park by sound. Sadly they are far too many of them which for me is a good enough reason to keep the bumpers on.
Also IMO, from an aesthetic point of you a Z looks quite good with the bumper on.
I didn't have a Clue??!!! Until I found Blue...
Blue's Z car tips -
A:
I like 240 bumpers. I took the large bumpers off my 280 and replaced the rear with split 240 bumpers and the front with an MSA airdam. I had a front 240 bumper on before. I liked that too. I just can't stand the big safety bumpers unless they are on an all original or restored car. Paul
'77 280Z
'72 510 Wagon with Ka24de conversion
'68 1600 Roadster
'74 MGBGT
'96 Nissan Maxima GLE
www.paulbrewyet.com
www.groups.yahoo.com/lazclub
A:
Personally, I like the smaller bumpers on the earlier Zs. I think they were designed with and go with the lines of the car and add to the appearance. I took the bumper car style bumpers off my 77 because they weighed a ton and, in my opinion, stood out from the lines of the rest of the car. But hey, to each his own. Good luck.
John
77280Z (Spooky), 83ZXT (Garage Queen), 86ZXT (Bulldog).
Proud owner of 10/03 Z car of the month.
A:
I had a 75’ Torino and those big ass bumpers did not save my ass. My 78’ Z is bumperless. If you need some I have 2 sets for it in great shape.
A:
I'm willing to bet that 99.9% of police wouldn't be able to tell the bumpers have been removed from a 280Z unless they saw the two side by side (one with bumpers, one without). Especially if you have the MSA front end on it.
My guardian angel has twin turbos. . .
1995 Cobalt Green NA
1988 Maroon 300ZX NA (sold)
A:
these cars sit so low that if you ever did get into a collision, the soccer-mom driven suv would probably hit above the bumper anyway.
'78 280z -41,000 original(?) miles. a work in progress.....
A:
240Z bumpers dont offer much protection, they arent much more than slightly thicker curved sheet metal.
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Justin T
72 240Z L28, 5-speed
77 280Z 5-speed (t-boned 8-25-04)
80 280ZX automatic(retired)
A:
this one has a rear bumper,outside of the 'wing' it's probably the nicest Z i've seen!