Considering buying #237 - Need Advice

[76Datsun280z]

Wow, good luck and hope that it works out!

[Carl Beck]

Carl - Your comment about the engine range has me a little concerned. He says it is the orginal engine and the data plate lists the engine number as 2848, which is higher than your range of 23xx - 24xx. There are photos of the engine and VIN that agree with the data plate, but he did remove the engine bay data plate for a "better photo". He said it unscrews. I think the one in my 72 is pop riveted in. Where the early ones screwed in? The fact that the owner wouldn't give you the number previously also makes me a little nervous given the ranges you mentioned and the "unscrewed" data plate.

HI Mike:

Not to worry - I said "should be in the range" based on the fact that #207, 215, 216, 224,238, 239, 244, 258, 267, all have engines in that range. So "should be" was just my guess, based on a quick look at the data base...

Engines and VIN's do seem to line up within broad ranges - usually within a four to six week range... Cars produced in Nov. of 69, that we have found - have had engine serial numbers between L24- 2122 and L24-2832... I should have given you the broader range to avoid concern... Most of the 500+ HLS30 cars produced in 1969, were produced in 11/69..

I'll add the data for #237 from the engine data plate to my data base... a new extension to the range...

Yes, the engine data plates were screwed on.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[WW2Winger]

I was seriously considering buying this car back in December. The stamping of one of the ID plates looked questionable to me, but the amount of rust and restoration work that needs to be done to this car is more than I wanted to take on. My thought was that if you are going to own a very early car, that you need to restore it correctly and thoroughly. With the amount of work to be done and my questions about the matching of all the numbers, I decided to pass. I was not ready for this level of investment. Instead, I found a '71 that is just what I wanted. Ready to drive and enjoy, but with enough work to do to keep me busy and not put me into bankruptcy. Good luck.

[Mike B]

Thanks for the clarification about the engine range Carl. I was probably just reading too much into it, but I wanted to be sure. I should have actually checked my 72 before posting the comment about it being pop rivited to the engine bay. It is not, so I guess all 240's must have used screws. I was just relying on my faulty memory and was too lazy to go check in the garage.

Anyway, back to #237. Apparently after I made my offer yesterday a local buyer also offered the same amount. Rather than just sell me the car at that price, the sell has now asked for our "best offers" and will decide tomorrow based on which is highest, so I am less optimistic that this will work out.

[Stickerman]

I would say you're done. The other guy is local and has seen the car in person. You have been going back and forth for a week, are 3000 miles away, and made an offer instead of full price.

If you really wanted it, you would not have posted the ad here, and would have offered him what he wanted. Just think of it as saving yourself $20K that it would have cost to restore.

Personally It looked like a car that could have been enjoyed as a driver for awhile to me.

[WingZr0]

Anty up all of your resources, and do it

~Z~ and quote me on that :devious: :tapemouth

[BRE-240Z]

Anty up all of your resources, and do it ^_^h

Easy for you to say!

Mike is being cautious, as well he should. The car has issues. It's definitely worth saving, but it's going to cost somebody an awful lot to do it right.

[Mike B]

Well Stickerman, I am happy to say that you are wrong and #237 will be heading toward Seattle soon. The Local bidder declined to increase his offer, so the car is mine (and still at less than the asking price). You are right that I took a risk in posting the ad, but I wanted and received some valuable information/opinons that I otherwise would not have. I think most people could have found the ad anyway with a quick internet search and it was the quickest way to try to get help in evaluating the car. Thanks to Carl and everyone else that provided information and support. I'll post some pics when it arrives and I'm sure I'll have lots of questions for some of the 1969 Z owners.

[WingZr0]

Alright ! Congradulations !

Hope some of those extra resources make it into your gas tank

~Z~

[geezer]

Congrats! I love it when a plan comes together! Sticking to your guns paid off. Looking forward to hearing your evaluation after it arrives.

[Arne]

Very nice! Good to see it go to someone who seems to appreciate it for what it is. I feel confident that it will be returned to its former glory.

[76Datsun280z]

Congrads!!!! You must be thrilled!! Will look forward to seeing the pics.