Building just for function?

[theianmonster]

I was just wondering if anybody else was just building their Z to just be functional. For example, since I know I'll never have a show car on my hands and I don't really want a show car, I'm just doing what works. My engine bay was yellow, now its black. Since I can't pull my engine out, I did the next best thing. I did this with some sandpaper, rags, paint thinner, and Rustoleum Gloss Black spraypaint. Its not the prettiest thing, but it works.

Is anybody else building with that philosophy in mind?

[zman525]

im not going for show quality, im going for a nice looking, sturdy, sound Z... then put her on the road, and as she is on the road i plan on doing mods like a stage 3 cam, SU's, roll cage etc. I want to enjoy it while i work on it and watch it become complete. Im to much of an anxious person to just let it sit there haha... maybe she will eventually be a show car, but i am lookin for a performance Z with a sharp look

[Ricklandia]

Ian,

I think you'll find that the vast majority of guys and gals here are doing just as you are. I know I am. Honestly, there are few who are either lucky enough to find an original, unmolested/modified, rust free car out there without paying a kings ransom, or are lucky enough to have the time and money to do a full out restoration. I've never done one myself, probably never will ...unless I hit the lotto. But in our favor, Datsun/Nissan were successful enough in designing this car that they were able to sell tons of them, and although they are now pushing 30+ years old, they are still relatively commonplace. That being said, I have no guilt in modifying or patching mine up when needed. When all is said and done, there will be plenty of "perfect" examples out there for everyone to drool over and appreciate what a brilliant car it was right out of the factory. Will they ever reach the insane prices some of the muscle cars have? I seriously doubt it.

[Arne]

I think I would describe my goal as in between yours and the show car thing. It won't be original, but will be VERY presentable. I doubt I will ever bother showing it, but will drive it back and forth to work. I want it to look, drive and sound like a slightly modified 240Z from the mid-seventies.

[daveinc]

When the opportunity came up to get a 1978 280Z for $500 I bought it. I always really liked the design and look, however it was in very bad shape. Barely ran or stopped and had rust holes you can put your fist through everywhere. (What did I expect for $500? :-) Without lots and lots of money for repair and replacement parts it will never be a show car. Even if I did all that it would not be worth the money spent.

So I am having fun with it, driving it, fixing what's broke and practicing renovation skills like making my own patch panels. I'm been learning engine tuning, electrical stuff, bodywork, brakes among other things. Spending the saved money on tools. Very satisfying to fix something or solve a problem.

Best of luck with your car. They are very cool and fun. David

p.s. Ricklandia, I work at a brewery, check out Richbrau.com

[VaGuS510]

Show car = no drive = not a car

[pimp1911]

Preping mine so it will be somewhat stable on a track. Not really show quality. I want to drive my picaso. .

[sblake01]

Functionality is important to me more so than the looks. That being said I did pick mine up for $275 in 1997 with very minimal surface rust, no dents, and needing a little mechanical attention. I've strived towards making it mechanically sound with all systems working and to be a basiaclly stock vehicle with period type mods. I did have it painted the original color and replace a few missing or damaged cosmetic pieces. It runs great and is very nice and presentable. I take it to car shows just because I like car shows. I don't have any expectation of winning since there are many very presentable Zs out there. But there are also some awesome ones.

[Sean240Z]

Ian, this a good thread. My philosophy is that I bought my car to drive and enjoy but I still want it to look good. Over the 15 years I've owned my Z, I've upgraded numerous components mostly with parts from newer Zs (I guess you could call it a resto-mod). I've modified my car to enhance performance and appearance as I was not concerned with maintaining my car's originality (I never plan to sell it, it was my first car!). My Z is unique, there's no car exactly like it on the road, and that's the way I like it.

My car is a daily driver and I've put 55,000 miles on it since 1991 (for most of that time, I lived in Canada so it was garaged for five months of the year). I occassionally show my car but do not expect to win (it's hard to compete with a car trailered to an event). I mainly go to the shows to meet with fellow enthusiasts and talk Zs.

In my experience, the Z community is made up of friendly, helpful individuals who love their Zs and cars in general. I've met very few snobs who would look down their nose at a "work in progress". I say, do what you want with your car as long as you enjoy it and have fun.

Cheers,

[theianmonster]

Thank you for everybody's advice/opinions/etc. In my case I'm pretty much "doing what works". I've had my car for around two years, yet, I've never driven it. The day I bought it, the battery died, and I began taking it apart etc. So I'm doing whatever I can to get it running and on the road. I'm very anxious to drive it and have it look good as well. I'm glad I'm not the only one doing whatever it takes, thank you guys. You guys have been like family to me, and for a teenager like myself in a such a presitgious car family, its guys like you that always make me feel welcome. Thank you again.

[speedyblue]

My car is a pig to look at. Up close the panels don't line up spot on, there are a few rust bubles, and there are two different shades of blue (oh so close though) plus the dinged guard from some random carpark dweller. But I drive it every day. Mechanically it is spot on and I never have a problem with it. It's been modified a bit for more performance and is great fun driving. My mates keep asking me when I'm gong to re-paint it, but I'd rather spend the money on a turbo conversion, some big brakes and some subframe connectors and leave it looking a bit ugly.

It's your car, enjoy it and don't worry what everyone else tells you to do with it. They can get their own and build it to suit their tastes.

[Zrush]

Well I guess Scott and I are the odd folk out on this one. Our cars are show cars and not daily drivers. The red Z started out to be a simple paint job but the whole resto/mod got out of control and you can see by the car it's not a daily driver. The 240Z is one of the Vintage Z's and would never be a daily driver and the Scarab is just to rare to be a daily driver. Our hobby is car shows on the weekends so I guess you could say that the function of our Z's fits our idea of how the car should be built. The cars are driven to shows and on weekends for fun but not to work or the store, etc. I'd love to have a Z for a daily driver. I'd trade my 4-Runner or S10 any day for a good reliable Z.

Vicky