Looking at two Zs, which do I buy?

[7277]

i do a lot of stop and go driving down clogged divided highways in a congested suburban area, and i gotta tell ya..having an automatic '77 with A/C sure is nice.

[Ttiger]

I went for it and bought both of them. I drug the '78 5-speed ($500) home last week and got it running that night. The PO had messed up the EFI wiring and plug wiring order. Once I got that straightened out, it fired right up. It had a major exhaust leak at the head. There was a new manifold gasket in the car so I put that on and everything is OK. The plugs are filthy so new ones are next in line. It has some minor rust on a frame rail but that's about it. The tires are almost new.

I trailered the '73 automatic ($800) home yesterday and started going through it. The original owner had left every reciept and registration card since new in the glove box. Also there was the owners manual, warranty book and the manual for the original radio (which was in a box in the back) and even the the owners manual for the dealer installed A/C..!!! It's a California car and no major rust that I can find (The right headlight case is rusted through). It's filthy from sitting under a cover, outside, for 2 years. The seats are in great shape, no tears. It needs carpet and a good cleaning. It has new tires on American Racing mags which are OK (I prefer ZX wheels). The paint is faded and it was re-painted once in the original color - 113 green. Best of all, the car only has 133,000 documented miles with all the services done per the schedule.

I'm not sure if I should leave the '73 alone and just clean it up, paint it and drive it. Or if I should do the early SU & 5-speed swap. I was thinking I could sell the now-running '78 for about $1500 and use that money for the restoration of the '73. Either that or I part out the '78 taking the 5-speed and related components for the '73 and sell the rest.

[sblake01]

Like I said before just swap trannies if you really want the 5 speed in the 73. Put the auto in the 78, clean it up, and I'll bet you'd still be able to get $1500 for it. And cosidering that you paid $1300 for both cars, it would be like getting a 5 speed 73 240z for free. (The other $200 could be used for new clutch parts)

[Ttiger]

I found a guy selling a complete 260 motor with a 5-speed (so he says) and early SU carbs for $250. If it's really a 5-speed, I'll buy the whole thing and then I won't have to mess with the 280. I can clean it can sell it to finance the other stuff.. Even better!!

[sblake01]

That'll work too! I've parted out a few cars in my time and it takes longer to make you money (if you ever really do) than selling a complete car.

[ncolz]

Sounds like a tremendous deal! Way to go! Hopefully that 260 engine & tranny combo is as advertised!

Keep us posted.

[Ttiger]

The 260 engine and trans combo is as advertised and it's very clean! The motor has 16K miles on a rebuild.

I got the 240Z running today, the timing was messed up and the carbs were dirty and had no oil in them. Once I got that all fixed, it started right up, on 2 year old gas no less!.

I spent the better part of today cleaning it up and it looks pretty good. The seats were in great shape and the carpet is not bad either. I'll drive it a bit for fun and to get all the parts working again. I pick up the "new" powertrain next week as well as some '82 Turbo wheels to complete the look.

I'll see you down at the MSA Nationals.