Considering buying #237 - Need Advice

[Mike B]

So what do you think now? The underside was in worse condition than I thought it would be. The exhaust is shot. Rust on the floors and the bottom edges. Repair patches in the floor. Why do some of the floor areas appear to be red? Rust and the originality of the engine are my biggest concerns. I agree with Steve that most of the other sub 1000 cars I have seen are in much worse shape, but given the pictures, how bad is this one and how much is potentially hidden by the new paint job?

[Mike]

Well, he say's he knows this car and declares that it hasn't been restored.

But then he say's "If it was it's a real bad job"

So......which is it?

After looking at the images, I doubt this car was ever restored. But, the $7,500 price doesn't seem that bad. What are the chances of getting it for $6,500 ?

[Mike B]

After looking at the images, I doubt this car was ever restored. But, the $7,500 price doesn't seem that bad. What are the chances of getting it for $6,500 ?

I would agree. I think the "restoration" mostly consisted of a new exterior paint job. As for getting it for $6,500, it might be possible (it was listed as OBO), but it then it opens it to someone to make a full price offer, which still seems pretty reasonable to me. The seller said that he has had several inquiries and someone came out and test drove it this morning. He said they made an offer and he would present it to the owner (orig owners sister) and it would be up to her to decide. I asked him if it was a full price offer and he said it was not, so I think they will wait to see what I am willing to offer tomorrow. I think they will go with the first full price offer, or what ever is closest in a reasonable amount of time.

-Mike

[26th-Z]

The engine bay ID tag is screwed on. Don't worry about the high engine serial number. 26th's engine number (2338) is higher that 27th's. Regardless of the emission hardware fitted to the early cars, the intake manifold balance tube in the photograph is an emission balance tube and not something mistakenly identified as a "european balance tube". There is no such thing as a european balance tube. The cars are Japanese. It may or may not have a fuel recovery system. 26th and 27th do not. In this game, when you find something you want, don't dabble around thinking about it. Someone will beat you to the purchase. And whoever said 27th was pretty rough; thank you for the compliment. She is much worse.

[BRE-240Z]

For an 'east of the Mississippi' car, this one looks very good. I would still like to see shots of the battery tray and the interior floorboards, but the areas shown look to be far better than the average east coast car.

If those areas are good, though, I think the asking price is fair, especially in light of the low VIN number. And I agree with what others have said...if you decide that you want it, grab it now...with both hands...you don't want this to be the one that got away.

[Mckrack]

I think maybe some of you guys may have misunderstood me. So here goes. When I said I know of this car I haven't seen it live. I saw the ad and have spoken with people off line about the car. Just by looking at the car I don't think anyone would disagree that this car is not restored. Maybe refreshed. Some folks even if they are in to cars sometimes mix these two words up some. In my opinion restored is just that. Bringing the car back to original condition or damn close to it.There are a ton of things I see that are wrong with the car. I am almost done with an almost complete restoration of my car and I have to tell you that I may be up at the $55,000 range that's with the cost of the car. It's a big project to get it right as you guys know. Mine wasn't even a rotisserie, media blasted, or ground up. So you could actually argue that my car wasn't truly restored either. Every little thing if you try to be a purist. Regarding the balance tube issue and the emissions. My car originally came from Canada but some time some one put emmisions on the car but it wasn't right and there were some things I was having difficulty getting so I got a european balance tube and converted it back. As Bre240z said it looks like the emmisions were just taken off that car and there is no european balance tube and after a second look I believe he is correct. I was wrong about that one. But I don't think I was wrong about the fact that if the seller is advertising the car as a restored vehicle he is really stretching that, oh about a 20-30-40 grand stretch or even more. The paint looks OK but you guys know that cars look better on computers then they do live. The engine compartment did not look refinished so the engine and tranny and all other items have to be removed to do the correct job. Then you have the refinishing of all the brackets, the valve cover, the brake booster, all the lines and on and on and on. He needs to get the fuel filter bracket back where it should be and what about the steering wheel, wiring harness, shift boot and all the other ton of things. There are so many things down to every bolt and screw if he want's to get that meticulous. For example just refinishing the buckles on the luggage straps because frequently they have some corrosion on them is a chore. The strykers, rubber seals, glass maybe, all the plating etc. I think I may have found for my car the last original windshield in the Nissan Warehouse in Tennessee. So is it restored if you use an aftermarket winshield. I think I am getting ahead of myself here but I think you guys know where I am coming from.

Now I know what your thinking you don't have to go that crazy. However if it's #237 not doing it on that car might be an injustice. The car is valuable because of it's VIN.

As a matter of fact you could buy the car in my opinion clean it up some and sell it for at least twice as much or more.

Having said all of that I think $7500 is cheap for one of the first 500. I would buy it site unseen and make it a project. It is well worth the while and extremely hard to come by. I can't impress upon the fact enough how valuable this car is.

It may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the series One Datsun 240z enthusiast.

McKrack

[Arne]

I guess my question to you would be, "What is your goal? What kind of 240Z do you want in the end?" If you have always wanted an early VIN car, to restore and show, you better get this one now. If the goal is to have a nice, solid and original 240Z to use as a weekend car, I'd pass and find a better example.

Not that there is anything wrong with this one for the price - it''s a great place to start an early restoration. But it will take a lot of cash to do it right. And if you really want a '69 production 240Z, it might be hard to find a better starting point.

But if your goal is a nice original (or nearly so) 240z that you can drive for fun or even daily, for that money you should be able to get a clean, rust-free '71 or '72. One that won't need floor pans, frame rails, rockers, etc.

Summary - if you really want to restore a '69, pay their price now and get the deal sealed. But if you'd be just as happy with a restored '71 or '72, keep looking.

[hls30.com]

If I were ready for a low vin now, I would take $7,500 cash and put $6,500 in my wallet, $500 in my other back pocket, and the final $500 in my left front pocket and go see the car.

If everything is as expected or better(for the $7,500 asking price), bring out the $6,500 and offer it on the spot, who ever is selling the car will call the owner right then, if the owner says no, offer $7,000 while she is still on the phone, if the answer is still no(because of the previous offers), shoot the wad and take the car off the market-in the time you have been thinking about it, if I was after one right now, that one would have already been on the way home with me, and you would be still waiting....for the next one.

Will

PS-not trying to be a PITA, just trying to make sure you can actually get the car if you want it.

[ChrisA]

Hi Mike,

After looking at all the pictures, here's my thoughts. If I were in the market (like Will) that car'd be mine already. Like others have said, I'd offer low first and be fully prepared to give the $7500. I think its well worth it no matter how much more you will or won't put into the car. I drove an early 71 with much worse underside rot than #237 for many years. You never knew it though looking at the main body of the car.

Arne said it best, "what is your goal?".

Buy the car now, enjoy it on nice dry days, then later if you're so inclined, put her back to factory condition as best you can. Again, if you're so inclined.

I'm no purist. I love the S30 cars. All of them. Show condition and buckets like Mr. Wenzl's #27. Its a Z afterall. If you brought #237 to my house tomorrow (wouldnt let you due to the snow:laugh: ) I'd be so envious no matter what condition it was in.

Buy it Mike, save it.

Chris A.

[WingZr0]

Get It.

~z~

[Mike B]

Here are some additional pictures I requested from the seller. Tomorrow will be decision day. I'll let everyone know what happens.

[Mike B]

Well, I made an offer on #237 today & will hear back in the morning. Hopefully it works out.