What to do with my car

[bkelly]

I've got to make a decision with what to do with my car. It's a 70 #6802. Part of me (as well as all the z car club members I've talked to) says "It's your car, do what you want with it" another one says "It's an early original car, restore it and leave it that way".

I guess my plans are more of a resto-mod. I'd like triple webbers, cam, coil overs, brakes, etc. A loud exhaust to wizz of neighbors is a must. Interior I will leave stock, if anything a steering wheel, seats, and 5pt. Exterior I want to just fix what little rust there is and give it an average paint job. The only rust is the gas cap area, corners of floor pans (not even through), and battery box which is just some surface rust. I'm not going to cut the car up and make an all out race car.

I know a 100% restoration can make it worth some good money, but that's not what I care about. I already have a 100% stock 91 Mustang GT with 19k on it that I don't drive out of fear of something happening to it. Hopefully, as of tonight it's sold. (Another Z?) My point is, I don't want this car to be so nice I don't drive it, I'd like to make it a car I can take to a track and have fun with it, but I don't want to bastardize the car so much it couldn't go back and be a nice 100% resto someday.

So, toss out some ideas.

[datsunrides]

My opinion is this, its your car, do as you want. As an early model, it would be a shame to cut it up, which doesn't seem to be your direction. If you wanted to cut it up for a cage, flares, v8, etc.. I would say sell it to someone who wants to restore a early model and get a later model. I have a very clean 73' model that is so close to original that I can not bring myself to even put wheels on it! (personal hangup although I hate worrying about the stupid hubcaps) My original thought was to get a clean, less desirable (somewhat) model and modify it to my taste. Now I plan to get another one to go wild on that is not quite as "original", maybe a 260....then again, those were only made 1 year.:nervous:

[KDMatt]

Hrm... well I'm under the impression that of the Series 1 240z's ... only the first 500 have truly achieved 'collector car' status ...

I personally think it would be really slick to see some period-correct modification done to the car... and I think it would really impress at car shows too (if you're into that kind of thing) to have a modified car that still looks as though it could have been delivered from the 70's ...

In my mind it represents a nice compromise, you get to make the car faster and modify it without upsetting a lot of purists doing it.

[WingZr0]

Hrm... well I'm under the impression that of the Series 1 240z's ... only the first 500 have truly achieved 'collector car' status ...

I personally think it would be really slick to see some period-correct modification done to the car... and I think it would really impress at car shows too (if you're into that kind of thing) to have a modified car that still looks as though it could have been delivered from the 70's ...

In my mind it represents a nice compromise, you get to make the car faster and modify it without upsetting a lot of purists doing it.

Good Point

~Z~

[DougN]

Excellent point Matt -- period mods done to a Z would be an excellent compromise. I think it would be a fun and interesting project as well.

[bkelly]

That's what I was thinking. I was at a pick and pull today going over a 280 and almost broke into tears....I found an Ansa muffler like I've been looking for! Unfortunately, it was so far gone it couldn't be saved. It looks like I'll have to settle for the "stacked" type instead of the stacked and staggered. Oh well.

Since I wasn't around in the 70's until the very end, what type of mods should I be doing and where do I find them? My Mustang is sold as of last night so I should have some money rolling in for this project.