zbane Posted August 15, 2006 Share #1 Posted August 15, 2006 Driving through Brevard, North Carolina the other day and I spotted this hiding behind a shed at a less than reputable used car dealership. I pulled up into the business next door to snoop around and found the car unlocked, so I popped the hood (who, among us, wouldn't?). The interior is shot. Horrible. Disgusting. MOLDY. The car has all the original glass, unbroken-no chips. Body wise, the hood shows a little damage where someone forcibly removed the Z emblem (bast- ards) The engine looks complete, turbo and all. In my haste, I didn't take a photo of the VIN, door jamb plate, or engine bay plate, sorry. The vin starts with the HS130, so I am pretty sure it's a 1980 model. From what I could see, the body is rust free, but the mold on the interior floor makes me worry. I couldn't get underneath to view the frame rails, due to all the friggin thorns. Rims look good. I called the dealer later (when they were open) to ask about parting out or selling whole. No on the parting (city ordinance-no junkyards in city limits) Yes on the outright sale-500 bucks. Claims to have started last december, I have my doubts. Not registered since November 1993. I am tempted to purchase and turn into a track car (no need to replace interior), but I know my wife (and landlord, for that matter) would kill me for getting another car. If there are any takers, PM me, and I'll get you info, help with shipping arrangements, whatever. (and NO, I do not work there-just trying to help our Z based community) david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hls30.com Posted August 15, 2006 Share #2 Posted August 15, 2006 I am coming up to Waynesville/Maggie Valley next month. That looks like an aftermarket turbo kit on a nonturbo car. The vin would make it clear, but there are absolutley some kit pieces under the hood, and it wouldn't make sence to me to go from a 15" factory wheel that came standard on the turbo cars to a 14 aftermarket rim-edven if they are prettier.I might have to take a look-might be worth $500 for the kit.Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theianmonster Posted August 15, 2006 Share #3 Posted August 15, 2006 Oh dear god, I want the wheels, haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zbane Posted August 16, 2006 Author Share #4 Posted August 16, 2006 Will, there's an original Z (don't know the year/model) in Maggie Valley-minus engine. Has some rust issues bubbling through the paint, who knows where else. I'll try to get over there within the next week or so, it's about 1 1/2 hrs. away, but I have reason to go there occasionally. I'll get some more shots of the ZX (VIN/jamb/firewall and interior-:sick: ) in the next couple days.When I get over to MV, I'll do the same.david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zbane Posted August 17, 2006 Author Share #5 Posted August 17, 2006 Shot the VIN, among other things, including rust that I had missed previously. It may be an aftermarket turbo, see the interior shot-it shows the bolt on oil and turbo gauge. The hood is definitely from a zxt, though. I have my doubts about the authenticity of the VIN on this car, however. Besides the different hood (there wasn't a turbo offered in '79), in the shot detailing the taillight rust, you will see a large ZX badge plate where the license plate is. I wonder if someone switched VIN plates from a 79 to a latter body. I'm curious enough to go back and copy down the imprinted firewall vin, feel stupid for not doing it when I was there, really. Still, mysteries aside, consider it an engine with other parts included. The injectors alone would account for 1/5th the price, assuming the guy won't lower the price, but you know he will, and then there is the turbo setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zbane Posted August 17, 2006 Author Share #6 Posted August 17, 2006 It is also rustier than I had previously thought, of course there should be no surprise there. Isn't that mold nice? I wonder what is (not) under there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zbane Posted August 17, 2006 Author Share #7 Posted August 17, 2006 But this is what might make it worthwhile, apart from the rims and free penicillanROFL -the turbo thing. Note that the engine bay tag states 132 hp-either it is not original (my thought) or the turbo isn't (perhaps both, but I doubt it). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblake01 Posted August 17, 2006 Share #8 Posted August 17, 2006 I thought it had already been established that it is a non factory turbo setup. Did you look for the VIN that's embossed in the firewall? Or the one on the dash? Besides, what would be the point of changing the VIN tag? Especially to a non-turbo VIN tag? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hls30.com Posted August 17, 2006 Share #9 Posted August 17, 2006 Stephen,I think maybe Davids' thought was the vin had been changed to that of a turbo car-to let the Questionable car lot sell it for more.David did say he forgot to write down the stamped vin to check.WillThe changes in the car could have been made to modify,or take care of an overheating(after adding the turbo) or a impact problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblake01 Posted August 17, 2006 Share #10 Posted August 17, 2006 That may have been one of the convesions that was done back then before the factory began installing them. I remember seeing one at a dealership in Pomona, Ca. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hls30.com Posted August 17, 2006 Share #11 Posted August 17, 2006 I never thought of that-worth some research...Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideshowbob Posted August 17, 2006 Share #12 Posted August 17, 2006 Could have just been an engine swap from na to turbo. Gauges added after the fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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