I have just pulled my 1972 240Z, of which I am the original owner, back in the garage to re-assemble for transport to Les Cannaday for it's rebirth (restoration). This has caused me to lament on the life of a car, an oddessey if you like. A car which has been part of some of the fondest of memories and some of the saddest of memories. I have decided to start a thread sharing the restoration and telling the story of the life of my 1972 Datsun 240Z. It will be a story of 4 years of the original fast and furious and 30 years of good intentions without results. Come along for the ride, if you wish, let me know what you think of the idea be it, in your opinion, trite or intriguing.

good to know you're still around Jerry

Great thread and awesome restoration. I am curious to know whether or not the body colour paint was used in the wheels wells, or was it painted/coated black? I'm referring to factory condition, as I see this car is body colour...

It is my understanding from other threads that the wheel wells were body color but I don't care for seeing color around the wheels. So I primed mine then blacked them out...

I am painting dark green so it might not be an issue but I wasn't sure if it SHOULD be body colour. I have a year or two to think about it..

I am shooting bright yellow and just don't think it looks right. If it were a dark color, I would probably shoot some stone guard over epoxy primer then color the whole car...

It is my understanding from other threads that the wheel wells were body color but I don't care for seeing color around the wheels. So I primed mine then blacked them out...

The bottom and wheel wells were first primed then the under body coating (similar to Mercedes treatment) then painted the color of the car. I wanted the bottom well sealed but body color as it was from the factory.

It looks good! I compliment you on your attention to detail!

Hello to all. Have not posted for a while. Finished the restoration of my Land Cruiser and took a promotion at work which has resulted in very little time for the Z. I pulled the gas tank tonight and was not pleased with what I found. I have been chasing a fuel / carb problem since getting the car back from restoration. When I sent the car out for restoration I sent out many NOS parts. The fuel tank was one of those NOS parts. I pulled the tank to see if there was a venting problem and found that the tank vents were not connected just plugged. I also found that the tank in the car is not the correct tank. I am really disappointed. The bottom line is, does anyone know when a NOS fuel tank can be found. 1972 Z production date of 9/72. Help!!!

Jerry,

are you saying that the NOS tank you sent is not the tank

that was installed by the restoration shop?

7 minutes ago, AZ-240z said:

Jerry,

are you saying that the NOS tank you sent is not the tank

that was installed by the restoration shop?

I can't really say. Sent car out in 2006, picked up 2012, 4 years later I pull the tank and see it is not the correct part. I don't know if it got mixed up at the shop or what. I just can't imagine that I sent out the wrong part. I had put back the restoration parts back in the late 70's. I just know that I want to find the correct part now. I don't know if that will be possible. The correct part is #17201 E4600 that is what I have listed on my parts inventory that went out with the car. Thanks for your question. JLP

 

Started the process of disassembling the front end of the Z this evening, bumper off, wiper valance off, access doors off and grill out all bagged and tagged. In looking to align the front doors , hood, and fenders I found that the right strut tower is approximately .375" in. I don't know how this came about but I know that now that I know I have to fix it. I plan to disassemble the front and take it to a friend with a frame machine. There we plan to move the tower slightly. I hope this goes as planned. Once this is finished I have plans....... As you know if you have read this post I purchased the 72 new and it, from the showroom floor, had a few Datsun Competition parts; Sport Mirrors, Front Spook, American Racing Libre Wheels and the accessory 240Z side stripes. When restoring the car it was put back as purchased. Little did I know when I made that decision that the car would not be able to compete for a gold medallion, although that would not have changed my leaving the car as purchased. That being said I have decided to go the rest of the way with other period correct Datsun Competition parts that I purchased back in the 70's that I have had or currently still have. I would put these parts on the car when I would take it to the Bellefontaine, OH annual hill climb. The WOR (Western Ohio Region) SCCA Club would put this weekend event on, and it was a blast. I plan to put my Datsun Competition Racing suspension kit on it (dropping it 2") and am looking for another set of Datsun Competition MK63 four piston calipers for the front. I believe this will make the car a period correct blast to drive example.  

Finished disassembling the front end tonight. It has started to snow so I will not get it to the frame rack for awhile. In the mean time I will start gathering parts for the next phase of my 72's life as a Z. Still no luck with the calipers. Have been talking to Dave R. about a purist engine build. I will have to save for that! Looks basically the same under the cover. 

A car guy or gals worst nightmare is that when they die their spouse will sell their cars for what they told them they had in them.