Just purchased, restoration underway!

[CNIXZGO]

Hi all, Well I just bought this 1972 Lime Green project. I basically bought it so my wife can join me on our Z outings and I really wanted to get a 240! The guy I bought it from had it listed on CL for $3499. I went to go look at it and I told him that he would never get that. My wife and both test drove and it runs like a rocket! Lot of pull, very powerful and no steering wheel shake. brakes are very good. Every light bulb worked except ONE license plate bulb. Has some rust issues (see my other thread in Body and Paint) but nothing horrible. I've already begun tearing out the interior and cleaning it. Had to clean up 35 years worth of spilled Coke, french fries and other gunk when i pulled out the seats. I was shocked to see that the center console had NO cracks or chips at all! the vinyl is all in great shape except on the left shock tower. where it's torn. the dash has two large cracks but we're getting a dash cap anyway.

I have all the original manual and warranty. Here's some quick history on it. This car was originally sold in March 1972 at Kendall Motors Co. in Salinas Calif. Looks like it spent most of its life in Northern Calif. The guy I bought it from sold it for a friend who lives in Alameda. The originality of this car is what really struck me. No PO molested any part of this car and I fell in love with it.

I offered 2,000 for it and he laughed. I saw he had it listed for $2900 in another CL (orange county) so initially I thought $2,000 was fair. We left emptyhanded but the more i thought about the more i felt i low balled the guy. I took in consideration the condition of the engine and all the originality. I emailed him back offered 2500. He came down to 2750. who am I to quibble over $250! So i bought it for $2750 and the more I tear into, the more I think I got a pretty good deal. Here's pics of it. I plan to totally restore it to its 1972 glory. It's a 12/71 mfg date which is kinda weird to me. Is it a 1971 series II or simply a 1972? anyway. any comments would be appreciated.

[twsutt]

Nick,

Congratulations. She's a beaut. And $2750! I'm jealous. What kind of mileage does she have on her?

[carguyinok]

Wow, It's an auto !!! Thats just gotta be an odd feeling in a 240. But nice buy.

[bigoak]

unless I'm mistaken, a 12/71 build would definitely be a straight 1972 model year car. congrats on the purchase.

[geezer]

In regards to your model year question. The starting serial number for the 1972 240Z was HLS30-46001. Yours is well into the 1972 Model year even though it is a 12/71 build. I think you did very well on the purchase. Enjoy!

[Sailor Bob]

I love it - that's what I call a good deal? I like the colour as well, the original colours have character. Congratulations

[zhead240]

love the color:)

[Montezuma]

Wow, It's an auto !!! Thats just gotta be an odd feeling in a 240. But nice buy.

I got an automatic too....it is a 3spd and it does such up some of the hp, but it was for my daugther. It would be fine if it was a 4spd automatic with overdrive. Gary(beandip) recommended a set up that would work, might look it to some day.

[xray]

That car looks almost the same as mine did before I started my resto (except for mine had cheap-o paint over the original lime...)

Looks good! Good purchase prices, too-what are your plans with the car?

[lonetreesteve]

Great price on the car! Love the color and hope to see more pics of the restoration process in the near future. Congrats!

[beandip]

Congrats on the Z, like the others I also think you did vary well with what you paid for the car. Unlike several others I am not a fan of the OEM Yellow. Just a matter of taste. Great car. Gary

[CNIXZGO]

Thanks for the comments, the odometer reads a little over 75,000. i checked the warranty booklet and the car had about 23,000 in 1974 so I'm guessing it's 175,000 miles, but who knows. The PO had no other records, recent or otherwise. The engine sure doesnt look like it's over 100,000. My ultimate plans are to restore to full originality and keep it bone stock. I figure it'll be a year to 18 months before I'm done but i'll keep updating here.