Ok, I'm back. Couldn't stay away...

[justaZcarguy]

Well, after a year of not even logging in and basically starting OVER in the Z world, I have returned. After landing mine on the lid over the 12 foot drop due to another IDIOT driver, I was out of the scene for a bit... And yes, it's always someone else's fault, right???

What can I say? Once the Z pathogens get into the blood, it's at the very least, terminal. I've thought of another Z for a long time, somehow the 1/18 scale is just NOT cutting it.

I started surfing craigslist about 6 months ago for another car, just kinda lurking about like a vulture if you will for another Z. I have found a potential candidate and who knows, it could be in the garage in the next two weeks or so. 1972 240 manfu 12/71.

I already did some cleaning in the garage (uh-oh he's nesting) to start the "inspection" process if (or should I say "once") the car arrives.

Some pluses to the car some neg's. Rust is a factor in some areas, but the floor is intact, rails are good and the battery tray is just starting to go, it can be arrested and I am not concerned about it. The bad part is just in front of the passenger rear wheel in the rocker, not an uncommon area I know, and I don't think that the fix is that bad, I've for sure seen worse as we all have...

Pluses are that all the urethane has been done, black box dizzy, thicker bars front and rear, steering coupler, rack bushings. Steve @ Z Therapy just did the SU's all they way thru just before the car was parked. 5 speed with the ZX rear (3.54, 3.90?) Interior is not too bad, torn passenger seat, dash cracked (no suprise), heck, still has the stock hatichi radio. There's more but I gotta keep this one a bit short.

Well, I thought that I would chime in, say hello, and let people know that I AM still alive...

And like a bad rash, am resurfacing...

I'll post some pics soon...

Hope everyone is well and the Z's are still toolin' down the road.

Chat later, ciao for now.

~Brian

[ChrisA]

Welcome back!

[justaZcarguy]

I have a few more minutes here, thought that I would post some pics for your feedback...

Lemme know what you think.

And yes, the headlight covers are getting nixed.

The rims will change to my Hayahsi rims as well...

~B

[Arne]

Welcome, Brian. I remember seeing that car on craigslist-Portland a week or so ago. Hope it turns out well for you. If you make it down to the Eugene area, let me know. I'd love to see the car in person.

[justin260z]

Sweet looking Z, nice find!!

[justaZcarguy]

I wonder how much trouble the dogleg area is going to be, AND not so hot on the gas tank conversion (if you remember that part...), that just may go back to stock as well...

Anyone have ideas on the dogleg? It's not just surface....

Thanks...

~Brian

[Mike]

Well, after a year of not even logging in and basically starting OVER in the Z world, I have returned.

Hi Brian, welcome back! I remember when you used to log in awhile back. It's good to see you've got the bug again.

After landing mine on the lid over the 12 foot drop due to another IDIOT driver, I was out of the scene for a bit... And yes, it's always someone else's fault, right???

So, can you explain the 2nd part to me a bit more? You landed on the LID of the car after a 12 foot drop? Does that mean your car flipped onto the top and fell or ? It's hard to see anyone get into an accident and I am sorry for your loss....

-- Mike

[justaZcarguy]

Hey there Mr G!

How have you been? Hope that things have been well!

That was a huge loss, I had just set that darn car up just the way that I wanted and then in about 2 minutes it was done.

It was a dark night on a country road headed up to my parents.

Not to sound like Stephen King.

I had driven the road several times and am very familiar with it, I was running the car, but not to it's limits at all. On a right turn about the mid of the apex, a car had cut the corner into my lane, cutting the loose gravel on the right shoulder to avoid head on it basically dragged the car over the edge before I could begin to even get into counter measures. Now I've had my fair share of counter-steering and in this instance never had the opportunity to so much as start. Gravity was a bad thing on this day and once we initally landed, it took the hit on the passenger side (as you can tell) and then in about 5 dense thick feet of berry bushes ended up on her top. The black spots all over the Z are actually smashed berries from the weight of the car.

This was fun to get out of.

And, even more fun to drag up to the road.

FYI - Do not let the tow-truck driver winch from the rear tow hooks. Up righting the car, with full force upon the winch, the bolts broke, the winch came at us with a vengence and the hook / strap / bolts struck the top of the tow truck obliverating the overheads.

Not a good idea.

Anyway, it basically twisted the front end down as you can see. I was sooo frustrated with relationship issues and what-have-you that I had to let 'er go. You know, the old timing issue...

All in all, could have been worse as the top was comprimised very little, there were some dents in the upper half of the Z from hitting things, but in general, not too bad.

The driver of the other car never stopped at mine, but was involved in a head on accident about two corners down about 2 weels later.

Some people never learn.

Anyway. That is the story to that one. The car went to another Z owner and is being rebuilt and will one day see pavement again soon.

[mriz]

Fixing the dogleg isin't too bad .I would be more concerned about what lurks behind it at the back end of the rocker that could give you trouble. Good luck

[justaZcarguy]

Thanks Jim,

By further back I assume that you mean towards the middle of the car?

[mriz]

The area in the attachment where I have the dogleg cut out. I did have some other problems back there where the rocker continues back behind the dogleg. Also check the lower part of wheel well at the back of the dogleg where the line points to. Sorry I didn't have a better picture of that area .Hope this helps.

[240znz]

Welcome back.

Here is a pick of what I found the rocker on mine. Just a small area about the size of one of your quarters on the external dogleg panel. Look what was behind.

Someone, sometime did a good job of rust proofing as many panels as they could get to. You can see a little legs of it running down onto that rusty panel (which is the sill panel). There are 3 panel sections all spot welded together in there by the way.

Good luck with it.