I think you will see a number of signed items from Mr K. for sale at the ZCCA convention next fall.

thxZ

So here's a question that puzzles me a bit. Why don't more Easterners buy these affordable West Coast cars and ship them back East? Sure, shipping would add $800-1000, but you might still come out ahead.

Arne,

I live in Ohio and the rust consumed 99% of the early Z's around here 20 years ago I decided to go on ebay and get one from the west. After looking for a few months, I ran across this one in my price range. Described as a rust free, unmolested original Z. Runs great, needs seats replaced and with a paint job, it would be a show car. I emailed back and forth a few times to the seller, he answered all my questions. He said he found no rust or bondo on the car and looked more carefully now than back when he bought the car. Claimed the original owner used a "paint of not high quality" years before and while it looked good from 10 feet away it was evident it could use a new paint job. Claimed everything but the clock worked.

To make a long story short, I bought it. Had it shipped from Salem, Oregon to Cincinnati, Ohio for $986. Needless to say it was far from the description.

I screwed up and timed out on my edit. (I got so stressed out I needed a cigarette break ) Here are a few more pics.

This is what a rust free, o bondo, no body damaged car looks like

This is what a car that "used a paint of not high quality" looks like.

Now keep in mind this car was claimed to be a rust free, unmolested original car. With a paint job, "it would be a show car". "Runs perfect, no smoke, no leaks, just a great example of a great Z car" "Everything works but the clock"

I get the car, it looks like it was painted with rattle cans, overspray everywhere, the engine bay, interior, windshield, tires, bumpers, weatherstripping.

The radio, blower motor, tach are inoperable. The thing sounds like a yellow school bus when I brake. The suspension is shot. Obvious rust and bondo. Took 3 months to get the title and only after I got Ebays fraud dept involved and threatended to sue the idiot. In that process, I find out he bought the car 4 weeks before listing it and not from "the original owner, an old retired guy" as claimed. He listed it for $2250 more than he paid for it on his reserve price and the only thing he did between buying it and listing it to enhance its value was to lie about it. He didnt so much as clean the windows, vaucum it or do an oil change (the oil filter had silver paint all over it as well).

Then after everyhing, the guy leaves me feedback on ebay calling me a "piece of dog feces"

Phots can be misleading, words even more so. Needless to say, I will never buy another sight unseen

Wow MEZZ. Needless to say you must have been upset. Did you get pics of all this while you were talking to him?

I also passed on a few good cars I probably should have bought because they were so far away. Plane ticket to Texas for a weekend, then gotta ship it back to the border or trailer it back. Thats alot of cost and time. It was much easier convincing myself to take a local car thats worse off because I could actually see it and get it done in a day.

I admit I should have made the extra effort, but thats why I settled.

Wow MEZZ. Needless to say you must have been upset. Did you get pics of all this while you were talking to him?

I also passed on a few good cars I probably should have bought because they were so far away. Plane ticket to Texas for a weekend' date=' then gotta ship it back to the border or trailer it back. Thats alot of cost and time. It was much easier convincing myself to take a local car thats worse off because I could actually see it and get it done in a day.

I admit I should have made the extra effort, but thats why I settled.[/quote']

The photos in the ad were taken from a few feet away on the engine bay and didnt show all the overspray, neither did any of the photos taken of the body. Like I said, photos can be very misleading, especially if retouched

Obviously, had he sent me photos like this, I would have passed on it. I actually wrestled on buying it to the final day and like you, thought this might be the one that got away. I wish I would have let it go

Now, I really have no choice but to move forward with it, throw good money after bad. Lessons learned

On the bright side, you'll get to know every inch of the car and you're going to learn a whole new set of metal-working skills!

Looks like the seller pulled the subject car off Ebay due to a mistake in the listing. I would assume it will be relisted. I think the car is a good candidate for restoration and shouldn't be parted out.

Looks like the seller pulled the subject car off Ebay due to a mistake in the listing. I would assume it will be relisted. I think the car is a good candidate for restoration and shouldn't be parted out.

I agree, especially at the no reserve price of $275 when I ran across it. It would take some $$ to get back to where it needs to be for sure, but hey, dont they all

On the bright side' date=' you'll get to know every inch of the car and you're going to learn a whole new set of metal-working skills![/quote']

, I knew there was a silver lining somewhere in all of this!

I actually spent a few days with goof off cleaning up the engine bay, windshield and weatherstripping, the paint was everywhere. I have the interior gutted right now and work a bit here and there on it. I am stripping the paint off the floors and hatch area and bought por-15 and dynamat. I already redid the seats with new foam and upholstery. I got a used set of guages and the speedhut faces, new stereo, 4 speakers and fully automatic antenna, shifter rubber boot and leather shift boot and e-brake boot, also new carpeting. So with a little time, the interior will be finished soon.

You are correct though, I will know every inch when finished. I am just going to buy a hatch and front fender instead of trying to repair it, but I will learn some metal skills on the inner fender that is shown, as well as a small spot on the pass. footwell, oh yeah, and the pass. framerail

Good driver.....

See a car you want on ebay or Craig's List but are unsure as to whether you should buy it sight unseen? Look up as local Z club nearby and ask if they know anything about the vehicle and if it might not be possible for one of them to stop by and inspect it for you.

It's back and doing well. Sounds like they did a bit of research since the last listing.

It's tough being a West Coast guy on East Coast time.