looking , need info

[willc73]

I am looking for an early 240z. It was my first car and I totaled it 2 months after getting it. I really don't know much about what to look for. How do I find out if the numbers are matching, and what should be on a 240z. from the hubcaps to the mirror, bumber, etc.

Any place I can get good reliable info on these early z's?

[Weasel73240Z]

Lots of places, but I've found that this is one of the best for background info.

http://www2.zhome.com:81/

[DeesZ]

There are many, many threads of discussion on that topic within the archives on this site. You will have fun with the search function for that. Also, a good educational read can be found here: http://www2.zhome.com:81/ (Thanks Carl!) Look on the left of the page and click on "Z Ownership".

I hope your search goes well. The more information you have up front will serve you well by reducing the potential pains caused by an uninformed impulse purchase. Please feel free to ask questions based upon what you find, and keep us posted on your search.

[hls30.com]

Between the archives here and the information on Zhome.com you can learn as much about early Zs as you are interested in looking for. It is all there. If you have specific questions, just ask!

Be very cautious of self proclaimed experts(even DartsunParts businesses) unless they have a ZCCA gold medallion under their belt, or a well known history across the net-ebay feedback alone is NOT an indication of a 240Z knowledge. If some one tells you that restoration means anything other than put back exactly as it was, he does not have a clue, or is trying to sell you something-and probably not really what you want.

Other than researching and verifying here and on Z home, The best bet to find out what actually belongs on a 240Z is to find a ZCCA gold medallion car and take lots of pictures-find out what it lost points on too! Too many people have and share(some ebay sellers with supprising ly good feedback even promote) incorrect information-verify your source of information is known and respected by ZCCA senior Judges, and you will not have a problem getting good information.

Just because a guy can build a pretty car, and has won awards at a car show, and even has had cars in magazines does not mean he has any idea what a restoration(or even proper repair) is. Unless the car has won the stock class of a ZCCA car show and won a ZCCA gold Medallion, it is probably not an example of a stock 240Z-regardless of what the magazine, car show, owner, or builder may call it.

One further thing. become an active part of the club. Those of us who have been around know the stories of most of the Vendors-even those that hide their past by changing their name and location-before you spend a bunch of money on a restored or NOS part, post or PM about it, we can tell you if the seller has a reputation for bending the truth, buying from another vendor and marking items up, or poor quality in the parts they actually have made.

Will

Edited October 22, 2009 by hls30.com

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Agreed, and most of all, check your emotions when you go look at a car. I know they are becoming more rare, but good cars are out there. When you go look, go as a buyer, not an owner. If anything makes you feel funny walk away. Keep telling yourself, there will be other cars. Patience is your best friend when you are shopping for a car. Keep that in mind!

[willc73]

thanks for the info. I will check out those links.

[Travel'n Man]

Bill-

Everybody has a different opinion of what the perfect Z is. What is perfect for you may be overly modified for somebody else. That's the beautiful part about it.......all of our cars are very individualized for every owner out there. Some owner will cut holes in the door panels for that ultimate sound system and others would rather cut off their right arm before cutting into their door panel.

The only information I can share with you is to not get in a hurry - don't buy the first car that "looks good" because looks are very decieving. There are several areas that need a very deep look i.e the floorpan area, the battery area, the quality of paint, the quality of the body panels, does the electric all work, is the interior in excellent shape, is the dash original or is there a dash cap on it. Is the motor original, is the transmission correct and working, does the diff make noise, any overheating issues.............

So.........if I were you I would have a check list and while you are out I would "judge" each of the cars you are thinking about buying. Be honest with your scoring system and remember - you may think "it just needs a paint job" but do you really know what is under the current paint and how much work it is going to take to fix it. A little body work can eat up $10K in a heartbeat.

Today is really a buyers market. There are a lot of folks that have a older refreshed or restored car that they have to sell due to today's work enviroment. You can really get a bargin on some very nice cars out there. Everybody on this site saw a early Z go for (it think) $16K on Barrett-Jackson earlier this month. This was an orginal car with a re-paint if I remember correctly.

So bottom line - it's up to you but I would buy the best car - with the least amount of work that needs to be done. I agree with above - never buy with emotion because it could cost you thousands to correct you own error.

Good luck and keep us posted..............welcome to the site!!

[willc73]

Thanks for the info. I know what I want, and I am very patient. I guess my more specific questions are. How do I find out if the numbers are matching? what am I comparing it to? Is there a way to tell what year the car is besides what the owner says? What little parts, like , the front bumper pieces, hubcaps, floormats should have come with each year? is there a place to compare what should have come with each year?

[Weasel73240Z]

Thanks for the info. I know what I want, and I am very patient. I guess my more specific questions are. How do I find out if the numbers are matching? what am I comparing it to? Is there a way to tell what year the car is besides what the owner says? What little parts, like , the front bumper pieces, hubcaps, floormats should have come with each year? is there a place to compare what should have come with each year?

There is a number stamped on the ID tag on the passenger side shock tower, inside the engine bay. It'll have the engine #, compare that to the number stamped on the block.

The date of manufacture is on a tag on the drivers side door jamb. If that gone, the VIN will give you a pretty good idea of the year.

As far as the misc. pieces that should have come with it, no idea how to help you there. The VIN #'s don't give you that kind of info, so you'd probably need the original bill of sale to find out exactly what it came with.