My first post is a plea for help. I found a 1970 (or 1971) 240Z in a barn.

Can someone tell me what digit in the serial number tells me if the car is a 1970 or 1971?

Vintage Racer - Started this adventure with his Introduction "Atlanta guy needs 240Z help"

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31340

I replied that given the VIN - I could tell him if it was a 1970 Series I or 1971 Series II vehicle. Doc. replied with; HLS30 30855.

JUMP BACK......!! I know that Z !!

Talk about being a lucky individual! When it is meant to be it happens.

I would give most anything to find my first Z - HLS30-30855. Bought her new in Spokane and 13 years later sold her in Kennewick, Washington. If I remember correctly she had about 70,000 miles on her when I sold her off the showroom floor of the Datsun, err, Nisssan Dealer. What a beauty she was.....

1971 240Z - HLS30-23305 2/71

Formerly owned HLS30-30855 5/71

So I contacted Doc - and he wanted to see Galaxybj {aka Bill Jones} get his car back just as much as I did.

Doc connected me with a friend of his that lived in the area, Bill Whitten was also most willing to help, so I took him up on his offer. I called my son Carl jr. and ask him if he was ready for another road trip to pick up another Z in Georgia... {the last time a one day trip turned into a five day adventure!!). I told him that we would take a trailer and pick the car up - instead of trying to drive it back!

When I told Carl jr that it was Bill Jones old Z - he agreed to go along (knowing that he's be doing most of the heavy lifting)!!

In the mean time - Bill W. had a friend of his - Jim - take some digital pictures of the car and e-mail them to me, so I could verify the VIN. When Carl jr. and I were there to pick up the car - we found out that Jim was a man that used to work with Carl jr. here in Clearwater!! Amazing!!...

Long story short - Bill J's - car is now sitting in my garage waiting to be picked up for transport to New Mexico..... You did say that you'd give most anything... right Bill??

See: http://zhome.com/Carl/BJ71Z/FindingAnOldFriend1.htm

FWIW,

Carl B.

cool story, you are full of them

Great story Carl! It is a very small world indeed sometimes. Did the seller tell you how the car wound up in Georgia and why does the car still have Washington plates on it?

-Mike

Hi Mike:

The PO said he bought the car from the "EX"-wife of the previous owner, when she got it as part of a divorce settlement.

He had been working in Washington State at the time - 2001. Then he was transferred or moved to Georgia. He had purchased a couple of 240-Z's in Washington State with the intention of "refreshing" them with his son. One car - a blue 72 - was sold to a person that was moving from the North East to Tampa Florida. So that car is there now...

His son left for some reason - I'm not sure what happened there - and his health declined.. so all work on the Z's stopped.

He never bothered to transfer the title, nor register the car for road use - as it wasn't done...

From what little documentation that was in the car - it appears that the person that bought it in 1984 had it until he lost it to his ex... and she sold it in 2002.

FWIW,

Carl B.

Wow, great story Carl! Gald to see a Z reunited with it's original owner as well. I am guessing Bill is planning a complete resto to bring his Z back to its former glory?

It's not clear to me if Bill Jones even knows this yet. If so, what has his response? I'm sure it's sad to see it in that condition.

My response: I am totally amazed that this Z was found. I want to thank Carl, Bill, Doc, Carl Jr, and anyone else that had a hand in this discovery/recovery. When Carl asked if I could verify the serial number I wondered why. Then a photo of the front marker light and headlight bucket told me why. I could not believe it!! I figured it might be sitting in the Pasco, Wa wrecking yard or someones yard. I actually am amazed at the condition after 24 years of other peoples possession. Yes, she requires a lot of work, but it will be well worth it. This is an incredible happening - Shows what friends are all about. Guess I owe you big time Carl. :classic:

Thats awesome Bill! I'd love to come see it, when you get it home...Robert

Galaxybj (Bill Jones),

It looks like you can change your signature now.

I thought about that this morning, but thought I would wait until all arrangements were finalized - no jinxes needed.:nervous:

awesome story, and even more impressive was that Carl actually remembered the VIN #

This is a fantastic story. Nice going, Carl!