Just today I bought my first Z... it's a stock 71 240z. It's been sitting, untouched, in a heated garage since 1985! To tell you the truth I have not actually put eyes on it yet. I'm relying on pictures and a look-over by a good friend of mine. It is 99% rust free, the seats are trash but the rest of the interior is reportedly in good shape.

It is reportedly all original, unrestored. 90k on the clock. It has not been run since '85. No keys either. And it's missing the coil and coil wire (maybe more, I'll know on Saturday when I get it delivered).

I'll have 10 million newbie questions I'm sure...

Any comments would be welcome.

Mark

Let me be the first to welcome you to the wonderful world of Zeds!

Pretty brave of you to buy without seeing it first hand, these things can hide a lot of rust! Post some more pics when you can and let us know the build date and serial #.

Mark

Welcome to the best site for Zs. Everything you will need can be found here. Make it safe first, and then enjoy the ride. Look into a local Z a holic meeting:). You may need it;)!

Adamr

Let me be the first to welcome you to the wonderful world of Zeds!

Pretty brave of you to buy without seeing it first hand, these things can hide a lot of rust! Post some more pics when you can and let us know the build date and serial #.

Mark

And don't worry too much. Most of them have rust, and few are perfect.

Mark welcome. You have picked a great time to buy a Z car. I just started a new Z club in the NYC area: nyzcc.org Please be sure to check us out. Where in nyc are you? I am from The Bronx but live upstate now (rockland county). I am in the bx once a week and will be moving back soon. Can't wait to check out your s30! Lots of good people and information on this site and you have a lot of Z nuts near you. PM me for more on the club info or visit the site and say hello.

HLS30-29673

I'm on Long Island but in Manhattan alot. I'm active in the vintage Toyota Land Cruiser world (I have a 78FJ40 and an 85FJ60). We have a club for that, www.gclcny.com, that I started 10 years ago.

I'm VERY excited about the 240Z...

I just started a new Z club in the NYC area: nyzcc.org

I just registered there...

I just registered there...

Very nice, few guys over there are waiting for your intro and pics. Excited to have another 240z from the island.

Hi Mark:

Welcome to the group.

Looking at the pictures, I think you lucked out.

There is no battery in the car and no coil - so it didn't leak and eat the frame rail. Also no one at this point has tried to turn the engine over by cranking the starter. {I hope}.

Don't let anyone throw a battery in the car and start cranking. That has the potential to do far more damage than than just sitting idle for 25 years.

There is a good thread titled "Waking the sleeping beast". I suggest you read it. Before you do anything else.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22619&highlight=Awakening

Go slow - and you may save yourself a lot of hassles and expense.

Then the next order of business is to clean it up - use mild soap and water - that will take 90% of the crud off. Take care not to be too harsh with the vinyl and door panels. They will most likely be dry and brittle. After you get the top layers of grime off - you can use a bit stronger solution of cleaners on tough spots.

If the dash isn't already cracked - you'll want to clean it, then rub it down with Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. Let that soak for a day, then remove the excess.

There is a good chance that the carpet will be dry rotted - but sometimes they are not. Carefully remove them and vacuum - to see what you have.

You will more than likely have to replace the tires, the rubber hoses for coolant, fuel and brake fluids. You might want to pull the radiator and have it boiled out and pressure checked, before you put fresh fluids in.

Expect the rear wheel cylinders to be shot - likewise the front calipers will most likely have to be at least removed and cleaned, the pistons hang up. You most likely will wind up replacing the brake master cylinder, along with the clutch master cylinder. Left siting for years they corrode and the seals go bad.

good luck,

Carl B.

Thanks... I'll post more pics once I get a chance. I do want to do no harm in the attempt to get this running... thanks for the info...

Here you go...

All comments, suggestions, observations etc are WELCOME

http://photobucket.com/Woy240z

Not bad at all. Some interesting points - the spare tire appears to be the original Toyo Z-1. And I see a Michelin XAS on the left rear. Those were big dollar high performance tires 25-30 years ago. Somebody wasn't afraid to spend money on the best stuff.