My Face hurts from smiling sooo much after driving the first Z cut loose at Universal
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From: Hollywood
My Face hurts from smiling sooo much after driving the first Z cut loose at Universal
Well, another boring Friday in L.A., when my buddy, and Fellow USC alumni Lenny Sage (son of famed Morrie Sage - the #1 nissan Dealer in the USA) calls me and tells me their first Z will be delivered to the customer in 45 min. He has two silver, and one black there, get yer camera and get yer butt down here!!
<img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160128.jpg?bcKTYh9A.zqcRnHu>
<img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160137.jpg?bcaLZh9AQ0BtQwpk>
Upon arriving at the dealership with my slouchy old yellow g-nose 240Z (O.K. It's gorgeous) and I park right up in front of the dealership with the 350 (Silver touring automatic) about to be delivered. I took a few photos of the two cars together, then I just HAD to meet the proud new owners.
<img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160106.jpg?bcKTYh9AXxBLyJuP>
Larry Fujimoto, Judy Genovese, and daughter Casey (Three of the KOOOLEST people in the world) come out to the car and Judy hops into it (pass side) with the salesman for the inaugural drive. As they return to the dealership, Judy is driving with this MONSTER grin on her face... <img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160101.jpg?bcaLZh9Atp2N0vX5>
I'm just happy to be there to chronicle the moment, taking like 50 pics. Larry proceeds to hop into the driver's seat, and he takes the salesman for a zip around. <img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160115.jpg?bcaLZh9A4lpXamRT>(Again, more pics) while talking to Judy and Casey, about my being some SERIOUS Z car Afficionato, (heck Mr. K thought I was enough of a Z nut to put a pic of himself in Atlanta in 1995 with Johnny Gable and little ol me in his book!! Domo Arigato Katayama-san!!) as well as the local club president and all over Z kinda guy, Judy firmly twists my arm, puts me in a sleeper hold and demands that I drive the car.
Having ridden in a Z (fresh alloy has that on film) but not driven one, I tried to weasel out, but she would have none of that. O.K. Judy hops in the passenger seat, and I finally got to hop in the driver's side, with a key in the ignition!!!!!!! I fire the beast, back up, trying not to kill the salesmen around the car, and proceed onto Cahuenga Northbound. I get it on the freeway, cruise to the Barham offramp, turn right back to the Dealership. Short but SWEEEEEEEEEET. I am at this time wearing one huge grin, finally having an idea what my convertible Z will be like with the top in the up position (When I get it next year) I smiled so hard, my face hurt after an hour.
<img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160122.jpg?bcaLZh9AfG2yxBKV>
Monday at noon at Universal Nissan, there will be a couple of film crews to document the delivery of the other silver car, and I hope y'all can guess where my still smiling face is going to be.
I again PROFUSELY thank Larry, Judy, and Casey for the opportunity to take their BRAND NEW pride and joy for a spin (would you cut someone like me loose with YOUR wife and new Z?) And wish Larry many happy catches as he takes the coming week off to go fishing in Colorado!!! I think I can convince him to join our little enthusiast club, Group Z, and I look foreward to all the local So Cal people with the new toys driving the highways and byways!!!!
More pics later, but I'm tired and it's been a fun long day.
HAVE FAITH y'all the cars are on their way.
Cheers!
Charlie Dever
Group Z Sports Car Club Prez
www.GroupZ.com
<img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160128.jpg?bcKTYh9A.zqcRnHu>
<img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160137.jpg?bcaLZh9AQ0BtQwpk>
Upon arriving at the dealership with my slouchy old yellow g-nose 240Z (O.K. It's gorgeous) and I park right up in front of the dealership with the 350 (Silver touring automatic) about to be delivered. I took a few photos of the two cars together, then I just HAD to meet the proud new owners.
<img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160106.jpg?bcKTYh9AXxBLyJuP>
Larry Fujimoto, Judy Genovese, and daughter Casey (Three of the KOOOLEST people in the world) come out to the car and Judy hops into it (pass side) with the salesman for the inaugural drive. As they return to the dealership, Judy is driving with this MONSTER grin on her face... <img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160101.jpg?bcaLZh9Atp2N0vX5>
I'm just happy to be there to chronicle the moment, taking like 50 pics. Larry proceeds to hop into the driver's seat, and he takes the salesman for a zip around. <img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160115.jpg?bcaLZh9A4lpXamRT>(Again, more pics) while talking to Judy and Casey, about my being some SERIOUS Z car Afficionato, (heck Mr. K thought I was enough of a Z nut to put a pic of himself in Atlanta in 1995 with Johnny Gable and little ol me in his book!! Domo Arigato Katayama-san!!) as well as the local club president and all over Z kinda guy, Judy firmly twists my arm, puts me in a sleeper hold and demands that I drive the car.
Having ridden in a Z (fresh alloy has that on film) but not driven one, I tried to weasel out, but she would have none of that. O.K. Judy hops in the passenger seat, and I finally got to hop in the driver's side, with a key in the ignition!!!!!!! I fire the beast, back up, trying not to kill the salesmen around the car, and proceed onto Cahuenga Northbound. I get it on the freeway, cruise to the Barham offramp, turn right back to the Dealership. Short but SWEEEEEEEEEET. I am at this time wearing one huge grin, finally having an idea what my convertible Z will be like with the top in the up position (When I get it next year) I smiled so hard, my face hurt after an hour.
<img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b92fea04/bc/My+Photos/P8160122.jpg?bcaLZh9AfG2yxBKV>
Monday at noon at Universal Nissan, there will be a couple of film crews to document the delivery of the other silver car, and I hope y'all can guess where my still smiling face is going to be.
I again PROFUSELY thank Larry, Judy, and Casey for the opportunity to take their BRAND NEW pride and joy for a spin (would you cut someone like me loose with YOUR wife and new Z?) And wish Larry many happy catches as he takes the coming week off to go fishing in Colorado!!! I think I can convince him to join our little enthusiast club, Group Z, and I look foreward to all the local So Cal people with the new toys driving the highways and byways!!!!
More pics later, but I'm tired and it's been a fun long day.
HAVE FAITH y'all the cars are on their way.
Cheers!
Charlie Dever
Group Z Sports Car Club Prez
www.GroupZ.com
I think I'd be more interested in some seat time in it than the auto 350Z. 
Charter Member #93
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 30
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From: Edinburg, Texas
ALAS!
The adventure begins...the world will never be the same again.
Great post! And it looks like Nissan did meet their projected mid August delivery schedule... This might give some hope for the Novemeber people... maybe they'll get theirs sooner. But either way, by the look on their faces, I'd be willing to wait 'til next year for a chance to drive one of thes babies...luckily though, I don't have to.... Sept. 4th delivery date for me..... yeah baby! 
The adventure begins...the world will never be the same again. Great post! And it looks like Nissan did meet their projected mid August delivery schedule... This might give some hope for the Novemeber people... maybe they'll get theirs sooner. But either way, by the look on their faces, I'd be willing to wait 'til next year for a chance to drive one of thes babies...luckily though, I don't have to.... Sept. 4th delivery date for me..... yeah baby!
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The owners must not have sent in their "letter to the dealer" though. Did you see the big front license plate ad on the car? Just another reminder to all who don't want one of those to let the dealers know in advance!
Congrats to the new Z owners!
That'll be me on or about Sept 12th!
Congrats to the new Z owners!
That'll be me on or about Sept 12th!
Charter Member #88
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 236
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From: Nashville,Tn
Originally posted by Dr Bonz
The owners must not have sent in their "letter to the dealer" though. Did you see the big front license plate ad on the car?
The owners must not have sent in their "letter to the dealer" though. Did you see the big front license plate ad on the car?
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Up Front Enterprises
Joined: May 2002
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From: Buckeye, AZ
Hey Charlie...Thanks so much for sharing the story with us..great pics and commentary..thanks for the phone call yesterday..we were just getting ready to tape our show and I didn't get out of there till 5:45...did you mention my350Z.com to the lucky guy?
Thanks again
Thanks again
