Past Events: NorthWest Z Coastal Cruise - Aug 11, 2001
by Gregory Ernst
What is it about the Z car? Standing alone, one of these car can garner your immediate attention. However, when you see a several of them in the same place, there is an inherent quality in the group of machines to generate genuine excitement for every ardent automobile lover. That excitement (and the fun that accompanies it) was present from the start to the finish of the Coastal Cruise sponsored by NorthWest Z on August 11th.
The day began in Salem, Oregon, when we met at the CostCo store parking lot. The weather was warm and the mercury rising steadily. However, the hottest thing was the cars and the excitement they generated for the cruisers. Two super white Z32 TT's, two silver Z32 TT's (all modified) and a one-owner 1978 280 created a visual image that demanded casual shoppers to take note.
Jeff drove his super white 1990 300 ZX all the way from Klamath Falls that morning for a day of Z'ing. This was his first NW-Z event. For a long time, Jeff had been in contact with members of the club through various websites and by email, but the Coastal Cruise provided him with the opportunity for some real life contact with fellow Z owners. He was among people who understood his obvious passion for his Z car.
From Eugene came another Jeff and his wife driving their super white 1990 ZX TT. A recent purchase for the couple, their stunning Z has provided them with an opportunity to meet like minded people in NW-Z who appreciate the fine machinery that their car represents. Indeed, their Z is a beautiful car, extremely clean and well cared for. The pair have every right to be proud of it.
Ryan, vice president of NW-Z, arrived from Eugene with his girlfriend driving his ongoing project and passion, a silver 1990 300 ZX TT. This car was the most stock looking of the Z32's present that day. However, under the hood, it is the most modified Z of the group. Unfortunately, Ryan removed his most intriguing upgrade of all...the infamous vice grips.
John motored in from Corvallis in his 1978 280ZX. While enroute, three of the cruisers passed him on I-5 without knowing who John was and that he was soon to join them on the cruise. The group honked and waved as they passed, paying tribute to the heritage of excitement that the Z car represents. John's car was purchased new by his grandmother (go, granny, go). Having recently passed away, she bequeathed the Z to John. The matriarch made a good decision because John's passion for the car is evident. He has begun its restoration and is full of ideas on what to do, including a V8 conversion. The car is still a one-owner having only been sold once.
I rounded out the field driving over from Lincoln City in my silver 1990 300ZX TT, modified to Stage V. As the organizer of the Coastal Cruise it was my responsibility to know the route and the schedule.
After spending some time getting acquainted with their respective machines, the group paused for a photo shoot before we began our cruising. However, the single greatest obstacle on the entire trip was trying to exit the CostCo parking lot together. Oh, the traffic! However, to meander the backroads and byways of Oregon and arrive at the Coast required overcoming this initial obstacle. After re-grouping, we headed west through Salem toward Dallas, Oregon. It was a beautiful day!
Dallas is a sleepy town reminiscent of a slice of Americana. One would expect to find Norman Rockwell proteges using one of the City's streets as the backdrop for a drawing. The cruisers arrived in downtown Dallas, parking in front of the historic Polk County courthouse. At this point, the mercury was so warm the T-tops had to come off for fresh air and cooling. Taking a break, everyone tended to all people and automotive needs before heading out on the next leg of our journey.
South out of Dallas is a beautiful stretch of highway that travels along the east side of Oregon's coast range. This blacktop is a beautiful mix of curves and straights with minimal traffic carved out of a landscape of lush hills and valleys. Everything was perfect. When we arrived at Highway 20, we were required for only 4 miles to join the melee of traffic heading west to the beach. Then we halted at the Blodgett General Store for some refreshments. As everyone exited their vehicles grinning, the consensus was "That was fun!"
Across Highway 20 from the Blodgett General Store is a nearly invisible road. Few notice this asphalt piercing through the trees and disappearing. The roadway was the original Highway 20, albeit many years ago when the Model T ruled. Following a railroad track and then a river bed, the byway meanders west through Oregon's coast range passing through forgotten burroughs like Summit and Nashville. These are places that time has thankfully forgotten and which the world leaves alone.
Twenty-five miles later, the road emerges again at Highway 20 just west of Eddyville. Seldom used, this lonely pavement became the perfect stretch of blacktop for the Z cruisers. It was here that everybody's grinz reached maximum width. These were the twisties...sharp curves that always bring a grin to a sports car driver's face. Off went the group, carving up the blacktop. There was NO traffic here, just pavement and scenery.
Emerging again at Highway 20, we were once again forced to join all the westbound traffic. Highway 20 is mostly a two lane affair with the occasional passing lane. As we headed west, on one of these passing lanes the most remarkable thing happened. The cruisers were driving along safe and sane when out of nowhere, a black emerald 1994 300 ZX convertible zipped pass all of us! Running out of room to pass, the roadster pulled in front of me, now leading the group. Not to worry, turbos are effective. I passed the roadster at the first safe opportunity thus making the driver a part of our group. When the entourage arrived in Newport, we pulled over and exchanged pleasantries and contact information with the roadster. You never know when you are going to meet some more Z excitement on the road.
Finally, we could not travel any further west. Arriving at the Pacific Ocean, we were in the Nye Beach area of Newport by the Performing Arts Center. The weather was foggy and very still with little or no wind. It was a pleasant and a welcome relief from the heat.
Everybody's agenda at this point was simple - eat! With the exception of a lone hamburger addict, everyone wanted seafood. We gathered at a local restaurant and had a wonderful time eating, getting better acquainted and discussing our Z cars.
Once our bodies were fully fueled, we headed north on Highway 101 up the Oregon Coast. We planned a stop at Boiler Bay State Park just north of Depoe Bay for a photo shoot. With the Pacific Ocean behind us, the Z cars had a marvelous backdrop. After some group shots, Jeff and his wife left to go shopping in Lincoln City. The balance of the group each lined up their cars individual photos. Using Boiler Bay and the shoreline looking north as the backdrop, some great photos were had.
Heading north once again, the group stopped at the beginning of Highway 229 just south of Lincoln City. Highway 229 snakes along the Siletz River for many miles, emerging again on Highway 20 near Toledo. It was here that I departed the group for I was once again home. The three remaining cars departed, heading up 229 back to the Corvallis/Eugene area.
With an exposed roll of film, I went to my local BiMart store for development. In the parking lot, my Z found itself resting next to a 1990 911 Carrera. As I looked the car over, I was disappointed to see it was an automatic! What a shame! To finish out the roll of film in my camera, a fitting parting shot was taken. With that shot, the Coastal Cruise came to an end for me.
It was a perfect day. The roads, the weather, the scenery and the people each made for a wonderful time of Z'ing. That wonderful time was brought about by the excitement brought on by the fabulous Z car. There will always be plenty more where that came from.
