Finding an old Friend - - or it's a small world..

[Carl Beck]

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.

[westpak]

cool story, you are full of them

[Mike B]

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

[Carl Beck]

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.

[DougN]

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?

[MikeW]

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.

[Galaxybj]

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:

[Red-Eye]

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

[twsutt]

Galaxybj (Bill Jones),

It looks like you can change your signature now.

[Galaxybj]

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

[mikewags]

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

[BRE-240Z]

This is a fantastic story. Nice going, Carl!