Opinion needed (56k sorry pic heavy)

[Sailor Bob]

It was not in the first boat load but it is a ralatively low VIN. It may have good value later if brought along carefully.

[Poindexter]

She looks good, and I also love that color on the early Z's. But I think there are still a few questions to ask-

1) What's your honest level of mechanical mastery, and of similar work completed before- especially engine, welding and body work- and how is your tool assortment? Suitable workspace too- do you have the room to spread her out, clean her up (media blasting chamber, liquid cleansing station, clean spray area etc.? Is there still enough room to move about easily? Can you work on her year round- comfortably? If you have to do some work standing in the empty engine bay, freezing or roasting your bolts and nuts, er, zinc bits off () then that's another whole can of worms! Which leads to the next question-

2) What is your expectation, what you want to end up with? A driver? A pretty driver? Something to show off? Each level adds another $5 grand I would guess. Just the quality expectation you have for the prep and new paint job could add $5,000 by itself. Do you even plan on doing these steps by yourself? Paint prep can take forever, and it should take a lot of time done right. Isn't prep the most important part of the paint job?

3) What is your time frame? How much can you reasonably expect to put in each week? This also relates to your budget too. Might you be forced to do this over 2-3 years? Can you wait for super parts deals to show up?

The state of the engine really plays heavily too, IMO. Do the numbers even match? And finally then the most serious of any potentially "fatal" flaws- rust in the expected or dreaded areas?

Just off the top of my head...

I like the idea so far- with a bit more information though.

PS- can you grab the ash tray for me? jk

Edited September 5, 2008 by Poindexter

[ToXIc]

well i'm mechanically inclined... i've never sent any of may cars off to a shop...

done a sr20det turbo swap etc...

there is no time frame... the longer the better will be easier on my pocket...

by your terms i wanna have something to show off...

the body work and some powder coating is probably the only thing i wont be doing...

as far as engine i'll either rebuild the stocker or get the guyz at Crawford Z to build me a L28et

[Arne]

As you can see - many of us have different experiences. I don't see how you could get that car in even "presentable" condition for less than $10K, even if you do the body work and paint yourself.

Past that, its been my experience that once you start "refreshing" every thing leads to the next - and you'll be lucky to have less than $15K in it.

Lots and lots of little stuff adds up in a hurry on these projects.

FWIW,

Carl B.

I spent $5000 just to PAINT my '71, with NO rust repair, and nothing but minor door dings to remove. The car you are looking at reminds me of my first 240Z, which was also yellow. Mine was perhaps a bit rustier than this one, but unless you can do the body and paint-work yourself, you can expect to spend at LEAST $7500 on the body and paint.

It's my opinion these days that some of the worst buys in 240Zs are the $1500 cars. They are better cars than the $500 cars, just enough better to make you believe that they won't break the bank to fix them up. But that's not truly the case, they still cost a pile of cash to bring them back. As a project, I'd try to save up to buy a much nicer $4000-6000 car at least. Done carefully, that extra money up front will be saved at least twice during the project.

[ToXIc]

I spent $5000 just to PAINT my '71, with NO rust repair, and nothing but minor door dings to remove. The car you are looking at reminds me of my first 240Z, which was also yellow. Mine was perhaps a bit rustier than this one, but unless you can do the body and paint-work yourself, you can expect to spend at LEAST $7500 on the body and paint.

It's my opinion these days that some of the worst buys in 240Zs are the $1500 cars. They are better cars than the $500 cars, just enough better to make you believe that they won't break the bank to fix them up. But that's not truly the case, they still cost a pile of cash to bring them back. As a project, I'd try to save up to buy a much nicer $4000-6000 car at least. Done carefully, that extra money up front will be saved at least twice during the project.

well i spoke to a local guy that does alot of body work for the local Z members and i asked him a ball park... he told me he just got finished doing a car that needed 20% of rot replaced and his labor was only $4500 cause the owner paid for the parts else where...

i dont mind surface rust but i'm running from ROT...

[Arne]

In my experience, 'surface rust' = serious cancer on these cars. There's no such thing as 'ONLY surface rust' on an early 240Z....

[Sailor Bob]

I do wish you luck and I hope it turns out to be a solid car. If it doesn't don't be surprised either, pictures tell stories that can be deceptive. You really need to see it up close and personal to truley know what you are (or aren't) getting into. A well taken picture can make a #3 look like a #1.

Please take your camera with you and share with us the reality of this car if it turns out to be good or bad. You have me wondering.

Good luck

Edited September 5, 2008 by Sailor Bob

[ToXIc]

I do wish you luck and I hope it turns out to be a solid car. If it doesn't don't be surprised either, pictures tell stories that can be deceptive. You really need to see it up close and personal to truley know what you are (or aren't) getting into. A well taken picture can make a #3 look like a #1.

Please take your camera with you and share with us the reality of this car if it turns out to be good or bad. You have me wondering.

Good luck

yeah i'm taking my jack and impact gun....

[hls30.com]

yeah i'm taking my jack and impact gun....

Don't forget an ice pick and a magnet!

Will

[geezer]

Don't forget an ice pick and a magnet!

Will

And a camera! The more eyes going over it the better.

Edit - oops, Sailor Bob already said camera.

Edited September 5, 2008 by geezer

[ToXIc]

And a camera! The more eyes going over it the better.

Edit - oops, Sailor Bob already said camera.

:laugh:

[tibZ]

When I bought mine last month I had to keep asking myself "What am I doing?" For the past 30 years I have put my home and family first and finally have convinced myself it is OK to buy something for myself. I didn't want a finished car to just drive around in. I want to strip it, refresh and replace what I have to and as time and money allow, put it back together into what my eyes see as the perfect Z. It may take 3 years, it may take 6, it dosen't matter, it's the puttering around on something you admire and enjoy doing. Mine was $2500 and it's a 73, a 70 for $1500 is unheard of around here. Mine has some rust issues and a trashed interior but it's nothing that can't be fixed. Thats the fun of it. Floors can be replaced, Engines can be rebuilt.

I spent more than that on my last vacation and it was over in a week.......