Rare Z that I'll be bringing back to life . . .

[Biker_Trash]

Just bought this girl on Wednesday after answering an ad on Craigslist. Never saw one in person and haven't found much information on the net. There was a thread on this car awhile back here on the forum. I made the 2.5 hour drive to Craig Halsted's place in Front Royal, VA. This was his only Z, but he had an incredible collection of Datsun roadsters, including a super-charged V8 and an original prototype 1600. These cars were spread all over his property along with a few oddball cars including an old Studebaker and classic Volvo.

The car needs plenty of work but is complete and original, including the interior which is in exceptional condition for sitting so many years. I need to get under the car and check things out. There is a lot of hand-fabrication on the frame rails and floors. I was told the pans and frame were reworked by an old-school body guy years ago before you could buy replacement parts like you can today. Looks good from what I can see and is solid. The frame rails go back further now then stock.

Anyway, she joins my two other 280Zs (both 1978s) that I have brought back to daily-driver status. Anyone have more information on these BSR Zs? I understand they would customize these cars at Bob Sharp's dealership in CT.

Jeffrey Woodard

Richmond, VA

[7T1240]

Hi Jeffrey. Damn, that's pretty cool. I did a search on this forum for "Bob Sharp GT-33", and three threads came up.

This one had the most posts:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28319&highlight=Bob+Sharp+GT-33

and it contains this link to some interesting info. on zcar.com:

http://web.archive.org/web/20020607042848/zcar.com/month/2001/10/

The white / gold car in the zcar feature even has the similar paint scheme and the offset GT-33 insignias on the hood like yours.

Gary S.

[CDM]

Very cool that you got this car as the lady who used to own it called me about 4-5 years back and offered me the car for $2800 and after sending photos I thought it was cool so I called Bob Sharp to ask him about the car and he told me they came in a variety of color schemes and option choices. He did not seem too interested at the time and I was on the left coast so I eventually lost interest myself but tried to find a buyer in hopes that I might be able to do a resto on it for the right person. I later heard she donated it to the transport museum who then sold it and I think that is when Craig ended up with it. Bob seemed to think that she did not order the Minilight wheels or the valve cover but that most everything else was there. Very cool that it is now in good hands. Best of Luck with the resto.

Les

[TBone028]

Glad to see this car was finally picked up. Its been for sale for a while now, and its not far at all from where I live. Would love to see some regular progress and photo updates on this car.

[BrianL1987]

Thats really cool! hopefully, you plan to keep the same lettering & graphics.

[ajmcforester]

Their is one from time to time pops up for sale I was very interested in the car till I got a hold of the flaky owner. Who gave me some strange stories that would contradict what he stated less than 30 seconds before. If I was local at the time I would have looked but to fly out with a shakey background no way.

I like your car I think you will have a great project car their. I hope you keep us posted on the restoration.

[cygnusx1]

Nice. I have a few 76 parts laying around. Let me know if you need anything specific. I have a nice front bumper, OK rear bumper, and their rubber surround parts that are in decent condition.

[Biker_Trash]

Hey, guys.

Thanks for the replies and encouragement. This Z is definitely going to be a long-term project . . . plenty of body rust and the motor is a big ?.

Les - thanks for sharing what you know about the car! Your story matches what the seller, Craig, told me . . . that the car was donated to a museum and then later sold to him. You talked to Bob about the car and he remembered it? That is amazing. It does have stock rims/hubcaps on it . . . were minilites usually ordered? Valve cover is stock, too. I would love to hear anything else you can recall from your coversation with Bob. Did he mention how many of these GT-33s were produced?

Dave - I just purchased some solid bumpers for the car off eBay yesterday. I would be interested in your rubber surround parts, though. Also, I need a good/fixable gas tank for the car if you know of one.

I'm trying to be good about taking pictures and keeping a record of what I'm doing to the car. Because I have two other Zs and 8 vintage motorcycles, I have to split my time amongst them . . . which means it may be slow going for awhile. Just going to start knocking things out one by one in no particular order. I have a good number of rust-free parts I've accumulated so that will be a big help. I'm trying to chase down a good battery tray section and also found serious rust in the front driver's wheel that has eaten into the frame rail - that was an unfortunate surprise. Rear hatch tray was rock solid, though, as was the spare wheel well. Anyway . . . I'm rambling. Lots to do!

Jeff

[jackboxxx]

Nice...

I love that two tone paint setup and all the hand painted lettering / pinstriping...

Would love to paint that car...too cool..

[ZGRRL]

Ohhhh I like this two-tone paint job. Had never thought of that, but it really highlights the z's sexy curves, but not too OTT.

[BadDog]

How's that front bumper overrider look? If you need a better one, I have a pristine one that I bought that was NOS. I never used it, and have no plans to. Not trying to hijack your thread or anything, I was just admiring the photos and story

[TheZman]

i have a good passenger fender if you need it.