Wow, I can’t believe it’s been 20 years to the day since I picked up my pre-order Z, the first one delivered in Colorado! I still have the car and all the great memories, though sadly as the years have passed and life has happened I’ve not had much time to get the car out on the road, and even more sadly I’ve lost touch with the great local group we had (most of whom have likely long since moved on from the world of Z ownership, though I’m happy to see my old friend dkmura still on here…a good reminder that he has been much better than I have at trying to stay in touch – yet another thing I need to learn from his example).

Predictably I don’t have much time for writing or posting this, but it’s been very important to me these last few years to keep this date with the forum today, for some reason. As I mentioned in previous marking-the-time posts linked below, I never expected to make such great friends or create SO MANY amazing memories from something as mundane-to-the-average-Joe as just buying a car, but wow am I glad I took the leap to pre-order and to come to that first Z-car meetup (I believe it was organized by Mudd in the Rock Bottom parking lot…I never knew what an amazing few years that would kick off)!

With the experience and perspective of more years now under my belt, it’s amazing to me how many great experiences our group had in what amounted to just 2-3 years in the early days – time seems to pass too quickly now and the responsibilities of life too great to imagine being able to ever do that again, which just makes the memories that much more special.

I doubt many folks from the old group will ever see this, but I think of those experiences we shared all the time, and appreciate having been able to know them at a really special time in my life. Thanks for all the fun and the memories, gang! 😊


15-year thread: https://my350z.com/forum/south-west/617136-15-years-ago.html

10-year thread: https://my350z.com/forum/south-west/562949-10-years-ago-today-i-can-t-believe-it.html

5-year thread: https://my350z.com/forum/south-west/297159-i-can-t-believe-it-s-been-five-years-that-i-ve-had-the-z.html

Delivery-day thread: https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-nissan-350z/4409-delivered-in-denver.html

 

Hey Gary- you knew I would be the first to respond to your newest post! I've always loved your writing on any My350Z thread, but particularly the ones that describe your ongoing Z anniversaries. Starting at the beginning, it's quite the honor being the first Z33 owner in Colorado. I wonder who will be the first Z34b (new Z) owner in our state? As you may have already gathered, the debut of the 2023 Z is nothing like what we experienced back in 2002. But I hope new Z owners will still experience some of the magic that we did back in the day.

Fast forward to today and we STILL need to get your Silverstone Z refreshed and back on the road. It may even be in better shape than my Redline track model as the miles have piled up over the years. I'm excited to tell you about a few replacement parts that weren't available back when we started modding this platform. Some of them even work!

One thing we can't replace are the exciting times and amazing adventures we had with the Colorado Z group back in those early years. Remember that trip to Steamboat Springs with a plethora of newly minted Z cars rolling across the highway? I wonder if any of the participants of our Z track days had occasion to use the driving skills that we taught at LaJunta or Pueblo? Who knows? Maybe some lives (or sheetmetal) were saved... In any case, you have been an integral part of those good times and I look forward to continuing them into the future.

 

Thanks David! Yeah, I'm sure the new Z34b owners will have a great experience, but the sportscar market landscape is so much different now than it was back then that it can't help but be a different ownership experience. In any case I'm looking forward to seeing one on the street for the first time, and looking forward to hearing your thoughts when we catch up soon!

And YES it would be great to get my Silverstone Z back on the street! It'll take a bit of elbow grease but I'm confident it'll be worth it (though I suspect I'll even find myself backing down some of the mods I'd done back in it's track-heavy days to acknowledge it's new role as more of a streetable vehicle than a Time Trial sled)! And I am DEFINITELY curious to hear more about the latest on your Redline Track model and the mods/parts you mentioned!

You're absolutely right that we had so many great drives and times with this car - I remember drives to Steamboat and coming back over Trail Ridge Road in the middle of a freak snowstorm (maybe even the same trip lol), lots of great track days and holiday season gatherings. As for using those accident-avoidance skills on the road, I know that there was at least one time that the panic break/turn exercise saved my bacon while driving to work one day in my Explorer, and I suspect others have similar stories.

Thanks for your kind words - I feel very fortunate to have been part of the group, and I'd say you were definitely the glue and highest-contributing member who made the group what it was. I'm glad to be back in touch and definitely looking forward to more adventures into the future!

 

Man I can feel it in this post. Your 10 year anniversary is just a few days away from when I picked up my first Z. Very well written posts and brings me back 10 years ago to the day I picked mine up.

 

Can’t remember dates but I’m November 17, 2005 …

Funny how a single life event can shape your entire life…

Almost bought a WRX back in 2003/2004 and I can only imagine how life would be different.

I think the z community has evolved (for better or worse) through the F&F days, the legit track car days, the drifting phase (maybe still going), and seeing a revivalist of sorts as you can’t find a decent one for less than $10k to $15k…

 

You aren't even a year before me. I was Oct 19/20 of 2006.

You wouldn't regret a WRX though. I got a 2021 STI now and love it.

 

Very practical for colorado …

 

Practical!? We're Colorado Z owners, we walk on the WILD SIDE all year long...

 

I'm a year late to see this, but really impressed you still have the Z, Gary. I still occasionally miss mine and wish I didn't sell it. But mostly I miss the times I had with that car. Like you and David said, we had an awesome group of Z owners back in the day, and I love the memories we made.

 

Second that sentiment, Will. We had some great times all around Colorado ever since the Z33 was introduced. I'm always looking forward to hearing from those like you and Gary who made those memories so vivid and fun. I know Gary still had his Silverstone model (last time he checked in) and I hope he got it out to revive a few memories.

As for me, I miss all my Z buddies and our adventures. This summer, I spent some time refreshing parts of the redline track, but it's proven to be pretty durable over the years. Still going with your oil thread recommendations on this site- still one of the most comprehensive UOA pieces I've ever seen on any automotive thread.

 

I still have mine!