I saw this listing on ebay listed a couple hours ago for a 78 black 280Z with pretty heavy Black Pearl evidence. Story is it was found in a house the seller was demolishing and has sat for 21 years as evidenced by inspection stickers and license tabs. If you're interested in a Black Pearl...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-Z-Series-1978-DATSUN-280Z-/110564492569?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19be284519

It doesn't run great as the throttle body will need to be cleaned and adjusted and no doubt the injectors are probably gummed up. Will need to run thru a fresh tank of gas

He would have done that if that's all it took to make it a running vehicle.

This car has been sitting for 21 yrs..

After about 1-2 inactive years the tank is toast and would need to be dropped and cleaned as well as the rest of the fuel system. This falls under the heading of 'ask me how I know'.....

I agree, the story smells like 4 day old cod but the Black Pearl is apparently real... If you believe in Black Pearls being special.

A somehow preserved Black Pearl would be interesting but one that needs paint, stripes that as far as I know you can't get, and interior work, plus doesn't run well is just another 78 280Z that needs work.

And just how do you procure a duplicate title if you found a car in a house you were about to demolish...hard to imagine he has the rights to the title...

You can't sell it if you don't own it...legally.

Can he get a salvage title for it? I wonder if there is a legal precedent that covers items found at a demolition site. I don't know but maybe its covered under the law "finders keepers"

carl

Do you mean a mechanics lien or something along those lines? It would still have to be complete before he could legally sell it.

I was thinking more along the lines of an abandoned vehicle and being able to make a claim on it. I would imagine you would have to prove that it is truly abandoned and that the previous owner no longer wants it. Maybe contacting the last known holder of the title.

carl

The procedure varies by state I am sure, but in Indiana there is a set procedure. I know people who have gone through the process. You have to do a title search to determine the last registered owner, and then track them down and send them a registered letter stating that you intend to apply for a title to the car. You either have to get their permission, or show proof that they reasonably should know but will not respond.

There are even companies that will do the leg work for you. I suspect that if he is waiting on a "duplicate" title he isn't very far along in the process.