The age old question-

[axz351]

Hello Z car owners,

I'm about to take the plunge into your territory, so I'm asking for some feedback. Here's the prospect:

1973

73K Miles

original owner with ownership/purchase documentation

white w/black

4 speed

wire wheels plus original hubcaps and rims

original paint with minor/typical blems

original interior, ripped driver's seat other wise minor wear, weatherstrip fair

mechanicals are original down to hoses and belts

Zeibarted with plugs

one 1/2" rust hole in front of rear wheel

floors are whole but seem spongy

runs/drives very good

Nice original car. What would you pay?

Thanks!

[IBZINYA]

Hey, I purchased a 74 260 about a month ago in better condition (rust wise) but less desireable year and paid $2400.00.

[xray]

without pics of the floors, wheelwells, battery tray, doglegs, hatch etc I wouldn't pay more than $1500 (sounds like the doglegs and floors need replacing at a minimum.) What you see is usually 10-20% of what actually exists when it comes to Z car rustiness...

With all the documentation you may be tempted to go with a full restoration than resto-mod or some combination, so keep that in mind too. Full resto would probably take longer and may be more costly....Probably not a great preservation candidate, but would need to see pics.

[bigoak]

Dash good?

Get on a hoist and check floors, framerails and battery tray carefully.

Check both doglegs thoroughly for rust (I'm assuming the rust you've described is on a dogleg).

The BIG challenge is Z's in the northeast rarely have only a little rust. Once it starts...look out.

If everything else checks out solid from a rust standpoint, probably about $3 - $5k. Possibly more if everything else is amazing (great drivetrain, solid carbs, etc.).

If there is rust anywhere else...$1 - $2k. Read the board and beware of rust...if it has set in, you're better to buy a rust free car in California and have it shipped (I had one shipped from San Diego to Champlain for $800).

Good luck with your entry into the Z world.

BTW...there are a couple of really, really nice ones for sale by a couple of our club members in Montreal (one fully resto'd for $13.5K). Let me know and I can point you in the right direction.

[Jeff G 78]

I'd need to see pics, but the body is probably not as good as you think (no offense, but they never are). If there is one visible rust hole, then there are others hiding. It is likely a $2500 car. It will probably need floors, doglegs, bushings, bearings, re-chroming and certainly paint work. A very nice Z can be purchased for ~$8000. A paintjob with bodywork alone will run you $3000+. Add all the nickel and dime stuff and you will have another several thousand in it. As you can see, you are at or above the price of a completed car in very nice shape.

A friend of mine sold his beautiful '72 with no rust and a very nice paintjob along with triple Webers, 17" wheels/tires, new suspension, perfect interior, etc, etc. He got just over $8000 for it.

Good luck!

[axz351]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not sure what the "dog leg" is.

As for rust-I know what you mean. I'm a long-time Mustang enthusiast (9 cars over 25 years) so i'm familiar with rust. I looked this car over very carefully and was impressed with the lack of evident rust.

I realize the Datsun steel was poor, and will rot away just from abient moisture. This car has never seen snow and apprears exceptionely well preserved. No rust whatsover on front fenders, doors, inner fenders, trunk/hatch. Battery tray is toast, but I've never seen one on an original 35 year old car that isn't. I realize once you start probing then solid appearing metal can crumble away.

The car is amazingly stock and well cared for.

Asking price is a bit over 8K. Seems just a little over priced.

[Carl Beck]

Before you take the plunge - put the car up on a service lift somewhere. Pay to have the car inspected at your local Nissan Dealership - just tell the service writer your thinking of buying the car and you want a general mechanical inspection. Most Nissan Dealerships are glad to do it while you wait...

The rust hole in front of the rear wheel arch is typical - even for otherwise solid cars... the floorboards are another story. You'll want to know for that sure they are very solid or not. Floorboards that will need to be replaced, along with the frame rails under them - can knock several thousand dollars off the value of the car.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[beandip]

So much depends on your location. Here on the left coast good cars go for a fraction of what they are in your neck of the woods. Two members of our club just brought up cars form Ca. One an original owner '71 with vary minor rust issues on one front fender newer rebuilt engine , interior and paint is vary good , other than the little rust I mentioned .

$1700.00 The other one is a '72 with no rust , original owner paint vary good and interior great. He drove in home.

$3K. Both were exceptional buys. I would guess that they would each go for double there prices on the East Coast.

It's really what you are willing to pay, this sets the value. If they are asking 5K and you love the car and you can afford it , it is what it is. Where else could you buy a great sports car for less than 10K these days? Gary

[axz351]

beandip's points are right on the money.

For the East Coast this is a rarity, and yes the entry cost is (relatively)affordale.

My gamble is that you guys are are on the leading edge of the next collector car evolution.

[bigoak]

Dogleg photo...

http://picasaweb.google.com/78zlt1/Datsun/photo#5128823128430157282

For $8k, the car would need to be in great shape...

[Carl Beck]

you can see the inside of the typical dogleg here too:

http://zhome.com/Classic/CommonZRust/RustPrevention240Z.htm

They can look nearly perfect from the outside... but be just months away from rusting though..

[Bonzi Lon]

Battery tray is toast, but I've never seen one on an original 35 year old car that isn't.

This is an original 35 year old battery tray that is in very good condition, light surface rust, some spots deeper, that cleaned up rather nicely.

Bonzi Lon