My first new car was an orange 1972 240Z. I was young, drove the devil out of it and had to sell it two years later as the insurance co. wanted 1,200/year (1974 dollars --- a third of the new purchase price). Something about 7 tickets and 1 accident....

I got a 75 280Z in 78 and quickly hated it and regreted buying it as it was no match for the car I loved.

I had been hunting a year for a Z to get to work on in my semi retirement, I only work 3 days a week now, and found one on ebay I really liked. It was billed as a factory restoration that failed to be completed. I went and saw it and fell in love.

Taking with the owner, I decided I would finish the job if I won and probably not drive it much but rather keep it completely original. Jeff taken with my fervor said if I won he would throw in a 73 for a daily driver.

Mind you in my mind I had already won. You see I am the guy you disparage on ebay that will pay anything to get what I want:stupid: I can't help it:laugh:

So here I sit collecting parts to finish one that doesn't run, working on getting a rusty 73 to function reliably, I decide the 73 is too rusty but mechanically sound so go out and buy a 72 that has a good body but largly sucks mechanically. I told you I was sick.:laugh:

So now I have 3 240Zs. One looks great and doesn't run, one that looks OK and runs poorly, and one that looks bad but runs well.

FYI the failed project car is HLS3063767. I am trying to find out more about it. I talked with Pete Evanow at the Motorsports show but he didn't seem to want to talk much so I bought his book. Interesting but little real info. I talked briefly over the phone with a guy from Classic Datsun. Took a little to get him warmed up but a nice guy though not happy about how the program died. I plan on seeing him in a month or so and talking about the car's needs. Anybody have info please feel free to contact me.

Meanwhile I will continue to prowl the threads and when I get ready to fire it up I will let you all know so I don't spoil a good thing. I have attached a photo of the project car. As soon as I get some lower resolution photos I post the others.

Taking it one car at a time.

Hey I recognize that car. Someone posted pictures of that a while back on here. Perhaps the guy you bought it from. Is that pic taken in his drive or yours? His I think. Anyway, congrats on your new obcession. You are in good company..

Welcome to the club. Your Z looks awful high.

Yes, it is in his driveway prior to moving day. You may have seen it on ebay. I agree it looks high but it missing exhaust, driveline, tranny, alternator, starter, battery and has no fluids in it, gas or water. I dont think the suspension has really been set up yet. We just push it around currently.

Hey Brian,

Where are you located? Looks like a good starting position to me!

Bill

The vin number seems a high to be a factory restore project car. Don't get me wrong it looks like a great car. If I am not mistaken only used 69,70 and 71 low vin number cars and maybe not 71s. I am sure Les would know for sure. An unfinished factory restoration or just an unfinished restoration what's the difference, just as long as you love it...that is all that matters. Congratsulations and enjoy the ride.

Welcome Brian... I remember this Z too. Love the color... not as much as 918 Orange though She does have a bit of a monster truck stance but I'm sure that will change when the drivetrain gets installed. Good Luck!

Nate

Yes, it is in his driveway prior to moving day. You may have seen it on ebay. I agree it looks high but it missing exhaust, driveline, tranny, alternator, starter, battery and has no fluids in it, gas or water. I dont think the suspension has really been set up yet. We just push it around currently.

That's right. That is where I saw it. There was a thread on here somewhere that wes linked to the the auction and quite a bit of discussion on it. Perhaps you saw it? I still can't find it.

I live in Oxnard (more than just a pretty name) CA. Just south of Ventura and north of Malibu. I could not find the thread here when I got it, though Jeff (previous owner) talked about it.

I just transfered title and the pink was from Nissan Motorsports dated 1998 as well as a letter on Nissan letterhead stating non operation status and refers to it as being part of the closed program. It is signed by Pete Evanow.

I have a bag full of stickers and decals and a blank VIN plate. Not sure what I have to do about the VIN # that goes on the dash as I don't have that.

It is clean and pretty and it will be a joy to finish it up aas correctly as possible. When its done I'll bring it around to some gatherings. I am taking a number of photos to document the process (I promised Jeff). Jeff by the way took the car from a basket case to what it now over the course of the last six years and deserves a lot of credit for being so through.

Here's the thread Brian, nice car!......http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20860&highlight=factory+restoration

My god. This will take a while to digest. I think I'll go see Les in a few weeks, when I can spend some time to talk, and decide what to do.

Here's the thread Brian, nice car!......http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20860&highlight=factory+restoration

Hiiiiiiii Brian. Nice car, forgot I started that previous thread. Brian you have a great starting point. Wish my car was that close to being finished. Guess I need to get a daily driver.