240z import questions

[Pascal]

Hi everyone, I'm a student from Germany and realy into z cars especially the 240z,

unfortunately these cars are very very rare here in Europe (or I'm too dumb to find one).

So we are planing to import one from the US as a project to build it up, but i have some questions left:

which spare parts should I pick up from the US in addition to the complete Z? I know it's

hard to say since every Z needs other parts, but I'm sure there are some major parts

which are always good to have like another clutch or something.

(I'm searching especially for parts which are hard to find in europe, if you know some let it me know )

besides this i have some doubts about the sunroof, since it's very rainy here in Germany it

needs to be water proof ( I guess it's not the right word but i hope you understand what I mean)

which Z cars had a sunroof and are they "leak-proof"?

------------

To the german members, :

Do I have to change the headlights to some europe/German/whatever guidelines?

I'm thankful for any tips, sorry for the bad english.

Greetings from Germany - Pascal

[hls30.com]

Hi, and Welcome!

NO 240Z came from the factory with a sunroof, Only one person I know has had a sunroof in a Z that did not leak-and he replaced hi roof anyway!

The parts you should get while you are at it depend on what you want to do with the car, and the car its self! (I would not just make up a blanket parts order to have everything covered unless money is not an issue!

Will

[Pascal]

Hi hls30.com, thanks for the reply,

good to know that no 240z came with a factory sunroof, i'm planing to restorate the Z to "original status" since I'm planing to get the german H(historic car) plates to save taxes.

i want to buy some spare parts because i have to pay the shipping for the car anyway, and the price would not change if the car is full of parts. But your right, it's hard to say what parts are needed if you've never seen the car.

I thought about parts like a gasket kit and stuff like this...

----

since I'm a student money _is_ an issue but i won't get stuck in the middle of the project because a "screw" is missing

Pascal.

Edited September 21, 2008 by Pascal
rush

[Sailor Bob]

Hi Pascal - Welcome to the site.

I do alot of parts importing and I can definately tell you this much for a person far from parts sources - spend the money to get a good Z to start with - it will save you money very quicky. I recently located a sensor in Texas for my 77 - the box would weigh .25 kg and be less than 10 X 10 cm - the part cost $55 USD the shipping (to be charged by the vendor) was around $70 USD. The point being - to build a car from parts is expensive, if you include shipping of the parts it is at least "expensive X 1.3" maybe more. Not all vendors will reem you like that, but some will and shipping overseas is a little pricier anyway.

I think in your case - money up front for a superior car is the best way.

Good luck

One other thing: alot of shipping companies will not permit you to ship anything in the car while in thier care.

Edited September 21, 2008 by Sailor Bob

[MikeW]

My advice would be to contact some of our other members living in Germany for more than just the headlight question. I'm sure they could provide much good advice regarding what it takes to import a car as well as local parts availability, etc. For an example of what can happen with importing a car from the US to Europe just find any post by "mull".

[Pascal]

Sailor Bob: I think your right, i'm going to look for a good one instead of import thousand of parts.

My advice would be to contact some of our other members living in Germany for more than just the headlight question. I'm sure they could provide much good advice regarding what it takes to import a car as well as local parts availability, etc. For an example of what can happen with importing a car from the US to Europe just find any post by "mull".

Hi MikeW,

thanks for the mull example - a local oldtimer shop in my area imports every year cars from the US, so i have someone who knows pretty much about old cars who looks at the car which means i don't have to rely on bad ebay pictures and stuff but even this can -of course- end in a nightmare.

(hope this sentence makes sense, not sure about the "rely" part... )

Edited September 21, 2008 by Pascal

[hls30.com]

IN looking for a good one, club members can help there as well, by giving potential cars the once over. Then, using that personal knowledge of the car, let you know what you need to accumulate before shipping!

Will

[26th-Z]

Guten Tag Pascal

I suggest you buy the nicest car you can afford to avoid problems to restore it. Parts to buy with it include:

engine ignition set - points, condenser, spark plug wires, distributer cap and rotor - air filter, fan belts, and oil filter (s).

Brake wheel cylinder rebuild kits or two new wheel cylinders. Brake pads. Perhaps a master cylinder rebuild kit.

Clutch rebuild kits for both the master and the slave.

I think if you buy a nice car to begin, you will not need more than these normal maintenace items.

Best of luck. A Zed looks good on the roads of Germany.

[FilipeA]

Hi Pascal

I have seen in mobile web site really nices 240z on sale in Germany, but the last one was for 20.000€ wich is good, it means Z are getting more value in Europe...

Anyaway, if you don`t pretend to spend 10.000 € or more in a 240z, them USA will be the way for it.

My advices are get someone that you trust to see the car and tell you what it needs to be perfect and them go shopping on Ebay, MSA, Cortesy Nissan Parts, Black Dragon Auto and other more Z stores that can help you in all parts that you might need.

As someone told before, a rust free car is the best you can choose, otherwise the bodyshop can take years to be done.

Parts sometimes apears in UK Z Club, go check it sometimes and good luck.

If you need anything, just tell me i might help you. Here goes a link of pictures of almost 2 years of work on my car. These pics where taken a week ago.

http://www.crashed.crxpt.com/details.php?image_id=33467

Cheers

Filipe A

Edited September 21, 2008 by FilipeA

[gogriz91]

There might be some decent deals on 240s to be found in the UK, it would be cheaper than shipping one all the way from the states.