Hello, my name is Gene, and I just signed up for this sight. To be honest, I do not even own a z car,YET, but thought this would be a great place to start my research before buying. I have been messing around with cars now for some 20 years, and am confident I could handle a involved restoration project.

With that said, I have my heart set on a 72 240. Looking to end up with factory stock. (for me, original/stock/factory is the way to go)

This would be my first import/foreign project. Any advice that you all might have would be totally appreciated. I have down loaded the service manual off of Xenon, and been reading and familiarizing myself with as much as possible without having the car in front of me. Any suggestions on anything I can arm myself with weather its books, manuals, dvd's, etc. would be great as well.

Thanks for any responses, Gene

ps. I'm in the western suburbs of Chicago, any one near?

I'm just down the street. ;-)

Look for as rust-free of a car as you can find for the $$ you're willing to part with. The less rust, the less total cost of getting the car where you want it. Everything else is pretty simple.

Look locally, of course, but also canvass ebay and craigslist in the western states. Lots of good cars in the dry climate with minimal rust.

Best o'luck in your search.

Frank

This is a great project for your first off the blocks. Are you aware that a all original OEM restoration is going to cost

$25,000. ++? And most likely after you already have the car. If you can do all the mechanical and body work and prep and paint your self, you can cut the cost to maybe $15K. Just having the paint done and a engine rebuilt will be about $7000. alone.

If you want a great Z for local shows and to drive in mostly good weather. Not on salty roads in winter. That is a different matter. And the $10 to$11K will can be done. Again if you do most or all the work your self.

As was already said , buy the most rust free car you can find and or afford. This will be money saved in the long run , because rust repair is not cheep. Sorry to be a negative post here but this is the reality . Gary