Hi guys....

You may recall I was off-the-chart excited a couple of years ago when I found a 71 that had been in a storage unit for about 18 years... I dived into the interior a couple of weekends...removed the old carpet and got the floors (solid!) down to bare metal and painted them with POR15 to stop any rust from spreading.

Anyway, life happened and I have had little time to even touch the car since. Never touched the rest of the car other than an oil change and to see if the engine rotated with a large wrench. It did. (The other owner simply drove it into the storage unit and parked it, so it ran fine when it was parked but it will need some rubber replacement and hoses and exhaust, etc) before anyone attempts to get it to run.) It has 85,xxx on the odo... california plates, 1987.

Anyway, with 8 kids and my career and another sports car (1980 Triumph) I simply don't have time for this. So, my question...

Do I put the original interior back (all I removed was the carpet, underlay and the tar and the deteriorating seats) or leave as is for the next owner to continue on? The next owner is going to want to remove the seats and all anyway since the carpet and seat foam is shot.

Any selling advice (Ebay?) is appreciated. I know it's hard to tell but can anyone give me some rough estimates of retail value? I am located in far Southern Indiana if that matters. Pics from the day I got it are in my profile thing... I will try to take some new ones.

I am beyond sad to admit that I have to give it up but when you don't even touch the car in 12 months it's pretty clear that something has to give.

Thanks for any advice.

Jim

I get to work on my z about half a day a month. It's been a bare shell for almost 2 years, but no way would I sell it. I'll get it finished eventually. Just de-register it and stick it in a shed in the back yard. That way its not costing you anything.

One day all your kids will move out, you'll retire, then you'll have plenty of time to bring it back to life.

Since you found one in such solid shape it'd be too bad to let 'er go but I do understand where you're at...it does become a matter of priorities esp with 8 (!!!) kids....I am now just getting the first decent paint/body work done on it, (what should have been done initially) after 19 years of ownership....I've been tempted many times over the years to dump it, but driving it around recently brings back a smile to my face...it's old school, lacks modern amenities but has classic styling and is still a pisser to drive after all these years...if it doesn't cost you much to store it, just pay the non-op registration and work on it when you can...were you ever able to drive it much? Given the good condition, I don't think it would take too much to get back it on the road...one day...

(BTW there were many years when it sat untouched, but it has always started up after a good battery charge...the body shape always seduces me, mine's gonna clean up well, I'm looking forward to finally completing this project... )

Just took a look at your gallery, that looks to be original paint? Original steel wheels with hubcaps? Is the complete aircleaner with it? I can understand your initial excitement...if the rest of the interior dash is in good shape, you have a real gem there especially in your part of the country...

Yes, it's all original...

I never tried to start it...afraid too much junk in the fuel system. I started on the interior first because it seemed like something I could work on once in a while and not lose my place.

I just read all of your posts, if it must go, I know of a great home!

Will

Sent you a PM.

Get your kids involved with it....make it a family affair. You should have it done in no time with that much help.... I would think most kids would really like spending some "quality time" with "Dad" doing cool stuff with the Z. You would probably be surprised how much they would get into it once they get going good on it with you...Have a family meeting and discuss it with them and see what they say....

webdawg1

i noticed the hub caps are different. not zcaps or are they. never seen them before.

You should have no trouble finding a buyer. '71 Z's are in demand.

Would help if you shared the mfg date and VIN #.

Is that original paint or was it repainted at some time?

Like webdawg1 said get the family involved. Although we only have one child, I got everyone in the family their own '71 240Z each built to their liking. My daughter's friends didn't even know what kind of car it was, just that it was cool! Now her boyfriend has one too!

Aloha,

Curtis