restore or wreck this 240z

[beandip]

Sad to see a Z in this condition. Here in the States , at least where I live . It wouldn't be a candidate for a parts car. That being said you can salvage almost any car. However to save this one would be VARY MUCH work and if you cannot do the body your self , just to costly. The cost would be double it's value at least, over here . Then you have the insides and the engine to rebuild. I redid my Z my self, with help from my friend. All the mechanical and body and paint . All of it. Parts here were not that difficult to find 5+ years ago. However I couldn't get what my expenses are out of the 240 not even accounting for the 3+ years of my time. I even drove my 240 home and for 2 yrs before I started on it. I paid $500.00 for the Z. Sorry but in my opinion the car is beyond saving. Unless you are willing to spend $25,000.00 on it. Gary

[curtis 240z]

I do have skills to do some things to fix this car as welding. but stuff like the firewall is beyond me. It's car number 1254 for the people wandering and has the twin choke and throtle setup. I do have space to store the car but not as along term thing more 4-5 years.

[zed74]

Too far gone in my opinion.

Part it & save yourself the grief.

[jagster]

Sadly, I must agree. I have had some 40 240/280Z's and it is a hard thing to do, but I felt the responsibility to take many off the road for safety's sake. Cars just about to spllit in half, and people drove them to me! I work on all my cars, and that includes XK-e Jaguars, and I would still part one out if it was that rusted and dangerous. I have seen half-XXX-ed fixes that did not help the car's structural ridgidity at all, and they looked pretty. If you are in love with the car, and want to pour tons of money and time into it, then have at it . Better to find another example in better shape and use your car as a parts donor. Or, make a friend for life, and sell it to some chap that needs the mechanicals for his car at a fair price. Please think this one through. Good luck. ron

[Sailor Bob]

Time makes for good decisions - stow it for a while till you think it through. One morning you will wake up with the right answer and feel ok about it after.

[curtis 240z]

I have decide that one day his car will be back on the road, or atleast the tags and motor. as far as the body goes it's pretty shot. however if i can track down another body or if any one has one for sale i would be interested. since it is matching numbers and everything is there, i figured later on it would be hard to replace a car with all this, and beside for some stupid reason i always set myself to get this car.

[EVILC]

So you are going to keep it stashed away in a "barn"? =)

[Montezuma]

It is up to you, but I think it can be fixed. You are going to have big job ahead but in the end it will be worth it. I guess the biggest question you have to ask yourself is: Can I afford it and do I have the time, if the answer to both of those questions is yes, then go for it but if the answer is know, sell it the car whole to someone who can afford to restore it. I saw a car from Malasia here on this board (or was it Hybridz?) that was in pretty rough shape, that guy was able to get it looking pretty good. Everything you need to restore is available.

[adamr]

Time and money... I feel your pain. Then again, maybe you have LOTS of both. Perhaps you might make a detailed list of what needs to be replaced or restored. Take an hour or two. That's nothing compared to what you will spend getting her into presentable shape. It looks to me like there isn't a piece of visible sheetmetal that is whole. As you know, the rust you see is only the tip of the iceberg. Then again, there has never been a rational reason to fully restore any car, and you certainly wouldn't do it to make a profit.

$.02

Adam

[whamo]

I think I would draw the line at rust holes in the roof panel. That means everything below that point is probably swiss cheese. Theres alot of stuff below the roof panel.

[curtis 240z]

I appreciate all your comments. at the moment however i have just spent a fortune on my early vin Australia car no#213 and its still not finished. How ever my plan is to tuck this car away for a later date and slowly gather up bits and pieces for it. As said its a rusty mess at the moment, but all can be redemed, and its matching numbers with a full history. I wish i had a photo of the car the 2nd owner who i purchased it of before he parked it.

[Montezuma]

I appreciate all your comments. at the moment however i have just spent a fortune on my early vin Australia car no#213 and its still not finished. How ever my plan is to tuck this car away for a later date and slowly gather up bits and pieces for it. As said its a rusty mess at the moment, but all can be redemed, and its matching numbers with a full history. I wish i had a photo of the car the 2nd owner who i purchased it of before he parked it.

So you do understand the time and money thing with #213. I think you have good plan with the idea of purchasing and saving the car for a later date. I was thinking that too. Good luck with it. Get us some pictures of #213.