John, '77 and '78 had a factory cover that fits over the upper retractor, hiding the bolts and finishing the install!

Will

congrats on the purchase, I think someone else mentioned make a to do list for it basics first and then get a complete manual for the car, most every question can be answered here in the threads , the shifter is bushings by the way , with your todo list make a list to buy , then watch ebay and junkyard to find the goodies, good luck

If its only clicking or 'tapping' under acceleration you may be running too much advance on the dizzy

Again, thanks for all the advice. Good bunch of guys (and gals) on this forum

I just finished pricing out all the parts I would need to do all the weatherstripping, locks, window rollers, lights, bumper mounting hardware, steering rack pinion, seats, and seatbelt hardware, just enough bits to get the car mostly road-worthy so I can take it to my mechanic for some engine work.

This is a worst-case scenario, buying parts new from Victoria British (love that catalog) and getting used seats. This is also assuming that the previous owner (who I haven't gotten a hold of yet to ask about what parts he has) has none of the parts I need. It comes to over $1500 CDN, eating up far too much of my budget! Looks like I'm going to have to be patient and buy mostly used.

I'm in a bit over my head, but I know I'll enjoy this beautiful car for years and years. I really just hope I'll be able to enjoy driving it this summer :nervous:

sounds like you done great just take it slow and work out your budget buy what you need and youll have a great ride so wish id bought a car with good body instead of one that needed full body work and mechanicals

Mick

You really are not in over your head-Early Z-cars are very easy to work on! there aren't that many repairs that are that hard to do or require special tools. Working on your car is no more difficult than writing in GWBASIC! Yes, it is that easy! Most things go together and come a part with a 10mm wrench, 12mm wrench, a 14mm wrench or a 17mm wrench-if you have those and a #2 phillips screwdriver, and don't mind getting a little(or a lot) dirty, you pretty much can handle everyhting!

Will

Is this the car listed on Zcar.com's classifieds with the smashed in Door?

beautiful red paint, spoiler, european tail-lights and stuff? tinted windows?

I was gonna buy that!

Originally posted by PrOxLaMuS©

Is this the car listed on Zcar.com's classifieds with the smashed in Door?

beautiful red paint, spoiler, european tail-lights and stuff? tinted windows?

I was gonna buy that!

Nope, it's not that one. No smashed in door on mine, the body looks great.

I've now left 2 phone messages with the previous owner about coming back to pick up the rest of the parts that I left behind (as we agreed when I bought the car), and so far no reply. I'm getting a bad vibe, I even talked to his mom (he's living at home) when I left one of the messages and she assured me he would call me back shortly. He was a young kid, hopefully he's just spent the weekend enjoying the big wad of cash he got for the car and he'll call back tonight.

Mostly, I really want the original seats, or at least a nice alternative. The ugly seats with torn fabric and foam sticking out that are in the car now are bothering me more than anything else - I want to be able to at least sit comfortably in the car while it's parked and make "vroom vroom" noises

Well, a final update... I've contacted a couple of members of my local Vancouver Island Datsun Enthusiasts club, and they've been very helpful. I'm feeling much better about my project now! I've already bought some much-needed used parts, have offers to help me work on the car, and plan on going to the club's next meeting to make some connections.

I've never joined a car club before, but for a project like this, I think it's going to be invaluable. It'll be nice to talk to people who are as enthusiastic about Z's as I am!