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Lane Auto Museum - Z Cars

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June 26, 2008 12:08 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

Has anyone stopped in and seen the exhibit on the Datsun Cars? I am trying to get to Nashville by the end of July; but it is going to be tight.

Any pictures? I really love that place.....

http://lanemotormuseum.org/cgi-bin/search.pl/news?

January - Z Cars Exhibit featuring vehicles from the Nissan North America Heritage Collection Continuing now through July 28, 2008. View select Z Cars from the Nissan North America Heritage Collection on display for a limited time. Explore Nissan's revolutionary rise in the sports car market from the 1970 240Z to a 2002 350ZX. Included is the 1974 260Z formerly owned by Mr. Yutaka Katayama, President of Nissan Motors North America and known as "The Father of the Z Car".
June 26, 2008 2:58 p.m. rconlon Reader

The Lane is so much more than a Datsun exhibit. His Russian section is great and his micro cars should not be missed. I hope to go next year.

Cheers Ron
June 26, 2008 5:32 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

I went there about 2 years ago and it is an awesome place to go to.

I was wondering if anybody had a chance to see this SPECIAL Nissan exhibit.......
June 26, 2008 5:47 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

Ironically enough the manager from the Lane museum came to visit us today. Right now a good part of Nissan's own collection, ranging from a BRE 510 to the first production Quest minivan, is at the museum. (Not all of the Nissans are on display, however.)
June 26, 2008 7:20 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

I saw the BRE 510 one year at Road America. I was hoping to see Mr. K's Z car, as advertised.

This place is rare as they allow you to get close to the cars, no ropes or barriers.

Unbelievable place to see. I will be submitting a written field trip report by July 31st.
June 26, 2008 8:18 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

It sounds like they have a nice collections of Nissans at the moment--about 35 cars.
June 27, 2008 6:45 a.m. Brett Melancon

I sold a really nice X1/9 to Lane a couple of years ago.

http://gallery.italiancarclub.com/19493-1/DSCN0001_6.jpg

That is my favorite auto museum anywhere. Jeff and Susan Lane are really nice as well.

This place is a must see if you are near Nashville. Brett
June 27, 2008 8:03 a.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

Damn. I was just in Nashville, had almost a whole day to kill, and didn't know about the place.
June 30, 2008 8:46 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

good news is I will be going for work and just booked a flight to Nashville.

Now all I have to do is squeeze my lunch hour there.....
July 1, 2008 12:26 p.m. DavidLMM

Actually, the Z-Car exhibit will remain up until Oct. 1 (well, Sept. 29, since we're closed Tuesday and Wednesday). Nissan is having a grand opening of their new US headquarters on later this month, and it is possible that they will be "reclaiming" some of their cars for the occasion, but anything missing should hopefully be short-term.
July 1, 2008 4:23 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

great, I plan to stop in on July 21 or 22 or 23.

they will probably pull all the good stuff..............
July 2, 2008 4:36 p.m. DavidLMM New Reader

Pete,

Please be aware that we are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I'd really hate for you to get here and be disappointed!

David
July 3, 2008 7:42 a.m. pete240z HalfDork

David,

Thanks for letting me know.

I will be there on Monday with camera in hand. I plan to convince you to let me see ALL the Datsun's. And that green MG Midget too!

Thanks again.
July 3, 2008 9:10 a.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

Hint: Bring BMW parts for a bribe. David likes the BMW.
July 3, 2008 12:00 p.m. DavidLMM New Reader

At this point, I am wide open that day, so just ask for me up front. I can probably sneak you downstairs...
July 3, 2008 3:33 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

All I have are four BMW hubcaps from an early 2002 or a 1602. If they fit into my luggage.....
July 7, 2008 9:12 a.m. CarlB

A small correction to the original Post.

It is a Nissan 350Z (not ZX)

Mr. K's personal Z was a 1972 Datsun 240Z, with custom yellow paint and added G-Nose.

FWIW, Carl B.
July 8, 2008 4:20 p.m. DavidLMM New Reader

He also had a pearl yellow 260 2+2, the one here in the collection. He gave his longtime personal secretary, Johnnie Gable, the 240 upon retirement. This is according to Nissan corporate info - there is nothing about the 260 in Mr. K's biography that I can find...
July 9, 2008 2:03 a.m. CarlB New Reader

Hi DavidMMM I'll ask him.

I have followed Mr. K since 1970, was a Sales Manager for a Datsun Dealership in 72/73 in Washington State - and worked for Datsun here in Clearwater in 74/75... I don't recall Mr. K ever having any other Z - than the one Johnnie has. Anything is possible.. could be a company car vs his personal car kind of thing.. I'll let you know what he says. (Nissan's records from that period are not very accurate)

FWIW, Carl B.
July 9, 2008 12:00 p.m. DavidLMM New Reader

To be fair, Nissan's records from this period are not too accurate, either! In any case, we have his cardboard cutout, his 2 outfits from TV commercials, and the word of Nissan that this was his car. We don't care, it's not ours. But we do want to present accurate info to the public. The car was obviously "customized" - pearl paint, automatic, sunroof, etc. From Nissan's documentation..."A 2+2 version, another new concept for the Z Car, was introduced mid-year (1974). The car in our collection belonged to Mr. Yutaka Katayama, who figured prominently in establishing Nissan in America. The sunroof and the pearl yellow color were not originaloptions but were added by Mr. Katayama." Miles on odometer - 7,584
July 14, 2008 10:43 p.m. Tim Suddard Publisher

DavidLMM just gave Margie, me and the kids a private tour of the Lane Motor Museum last week. This place is amazing. You should definitely go and I guarantee that you will be impressed.

On the other side of town, you can get a free tour of the Smyrna Nissan plant. Also a very cool tour.

I did a bunch of photos at LMM, so look for stuff in an upcoming issue. We will also be going back up to do some stories on some of these amazing cars. Heck, we could do a whole year's worth of issues at this place.
July 15, 2008 4:22 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

The Smyrna Nissan Plant tour would require me to cut short my sales calls.

And salesmen NEVER do that!!!
July 16, 2008 9:07 a.m. DavidLMM New Reader

Pete,

I may or may not be here on Monday - my wife and I will be trailering back from the Keeneland Concours. If the Sunday tour runs late, we may not leave until Monday morning, and may not get back until late in the day. Just wanted to give you a heads up.

David
July 16, 2008 12:40 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

David,

Feel the Weekend Pain

I feel sorry that you will be going to this event. JK

The plans are set that I will be stopping in on Monday, July 21 after lunch. I have a customer lunch date and was going to be in the area.

I will see whatever I can on the main floor.

In the interest of pleasing the CM readers, I really need to get into the basement and get some pictures. Seriously.

So should I leave my beat up BMW 1600/2002 hubcaps on my garage wall that I was going to bring for a bribe?
July 17, 2008 10:00 a.m. DavidLMM New Reader

Ask Jimmy at the ticket counter, he should hopefully remember that you are coming. I will try to alert our preparator also - if he has time, he may accompany you around. Be advised that as of yesterday, Nissan is taking a significant chunk of their cars for display at the new headquarters building - grand opening is next Tuesday, the 22nd. Some will return late next week, others not until end of September. Other than the HyperMini, no other cars (Z-cars) currently on display will be gone, although many of the better cars from the basement will be at their event. Soooo, still come and visit, but don't expect to see much more than what's on the floor.

David - has alloys, no hubcaps needed...