Cars have a way of bringing people together, whether it’s just to admire their sleek beauty, be blown away by their power and speed or to bond over brand loyalty, automobiles hold a particular allure.
And Nissan’s Z Car series is a special breed of its own, said Chris Brewer, director of communications for The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and judge at this year’s Ponte Vedra Auto Show, where the 50th anniversary of the model-year Z Car will be celebrated.
Brewer, 47, said nostalgia is a big factor when it comes to his love for the Z Car, which was originally known as the Datsun 240Z when it in launched October of 1969 at the New York Auto Show.
“These are the cars are cars that I really wanted when I was a kid,” said Brewer, 47. “I preferred the Japanese imports when I was younger. That was something that really excited me.”
That first generation of the Z Car — 240Z, 260Z and 280Z — ran from 1970 to 1978. Through those years, minor modifications were made, often to meet new government requirements, but the look remained similar.
In 1979, the second generation of Z Car — the 280ZX — came along, followed by the third generation of Z Cars, the Z31 300ZX in 1984 and the Z32 300ZX in1988 1990. Nissan stopped building the Z32 in 1996 but returned with the 350Z for the 2003 model year. The 370Z was introduced in 2008 and is still made and sold at dealerships today.
Brewer said the appeal of the Z Car was in its durability — and affordability.
“It’s The original Z was done really well,” Brewer said. “When launched, it was a brand new sports car that could to compete with the likes of the Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette. But it had a much lower price point, so folks who wanted something sporty that offered strong performance and could drive one home from the dealer for a lot less money.”
However, the early model Z Cars have seen their market skyrocket, lately.
“The Z following is pretty faithful, pretty loyal and as of late, the early 240Z Cars have started to see quite a jump in value, with some going for more than $100,000,” Brewer said. “That’s a significant jump from what they were valued at even five years ago.”
The Z Car is still a good deal for the most part, especially compared to other sports cars on the market, Brewer said.
“These cars are accessible,” he said. “They were very accessible financially, too, for a number of years, and there are still many of them on the market at an affordable cost. For those looking to get into the hobby, the Nissan Z Car is a great entrance point.”
Not only do they boast the sleek design and power of many other sports cars, with a more affordable price, the early Z Cars are also not a mechanical nightmare, which is a huge bonus to Brewer.
“At best, I’m a hack mechanic, but there’s not much I can’t fix on my 1971 Datsun 240Z,” Brewer said of the now-restored car he bought 10 years ago for $300.
He also has been able to share his passion for the Z Car with his 17-year-old daughter Abbi, who owns a 2004 Nissan 350Z.
“It’s a lot of fun for us to work on them together,” Brewer said. “There’s just something about it that has been really significant for our relationship as a father and daughter to have those cars as something we can talk about.”
“She takes a lot of pride in her car,” he said. “It’s part of who she is.”
Bonding over vehicles is the core component of auto shows, as people from all over share in a mutual appreciation for the automobile, both old and new.
“I think automobiles unite you,” Brewer said. “That’s why the Ponte Vedra Auto Show is also such a great event, because people from all walks of life come together for a common purpose.”
Brewer said events like the Auto Show, which is held outdoors, are even more important now as a way for people to be able to connect, safely.
“It’s a way to spend some time together in a time when it’s hard to find opportunities available to do that,” he said.
When it comes to judging the Z Car Class at Sunday’s Auto Show, Brewer said he’ll be looking for originality, early models that almost look like a time capsule they’re so well-preserved and models that have been meticulously restored.
Brewer will be judging alongside new head judge Jake Weisman, who he said asked him to participate in this year’s show. Brewer was a close friend of longtime Ponte Vedra Auto Show judge Larry Weisman, who passed away in March of 2019, and is also a close friend of Jake’s, which made joining the judging panel an easy decision.
“I’m there because I love the family and I love what the show represents,” Brewer said.
He’s also excited for visitors to the show to be able to see the Z Car display, which will boast a 1970 Datsun 240Z 432 owned by Art ‘N Motion co-owner Justin Felker.
“His is one of the finest on the planet,” Brewer said. “It’s a would be a crown jewel in any car show, but as part of a 50th anniversary Z Car show, to have that 432 represented is pretty special.”
With only about 420 of that particular model being made, the opportunity to see one in person doesn’t come along that often.
“It’s worth getting up and going to see if you’re looking for something special,” Brewer said.
But regardless of what model car a person loves, it’s the attachment to others the love of cars offers that is so special to Brewer, and the idea that something created to give us independence can be such a big factor in our identity and how we connect.
“To think that something that’s so autonomous can bring us together in a community is really neat,” he said. “That’s a big part of why I love the automobile.”
The Ponte Vedra Auto Show is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15, at Nocatee Event Field. It will be a great opportunity to see one-of-a-kind cars and connect with fellow automobile aficionados.
And maybe an opportunity to experience the joy Brewer does when he takes out his scrappy 1971 240Z.
“When I’m behind the wheel, I’m usually grinning from ear-to-ear,” he said.
