Possible S30 purchase???

[AchilleZ]

Hi guys, i'm new to the site and am a pretty avid Z fan. I have a Z32 and recently came across an S30 that I was thinking about buying. So, i'd like to get your guy's take on it?

It's a 1975 280z, and it's for the most part, a project haha. It has a recently rebuilt L28 and the T5 tranny is supposably good. He said the only bad rust it has was in the passenger side floor pan and the frame rail needs a little tlc. I think the pictures pretty much speak for themselves...

He want's $500 for it, however, I can probably get it for $400 ish.

Thanks!!!

[Gary in NJ]

What's your mechanical aptitude? Can you weld? Are you willing to invest several or more thousands in parts, 100's of hours of body work and then many thousands for paint? If any of these questions makes you pause, then $400 is too much. That car is a hand full.

[AchilleZ]

I'm almost 18, and this would be my senior project to graduate from high school. My dad owns a shop, so I have axcess to welders, lifts, and about all the tools you can think of. My dad and I restored a '65 Mustang with basically retrofitted an all new drivetrain from a '92 Cobra. So I know about the hassles that come with a restoration. I'm fairly confident this thing would be a much easier job than the Mustang, as it's in a lot better shape than the Mustang was when we started. I'm willing to invest all the time in the world into this thing, so that's definitely not an issue

[psdenno]

I'm almost 18, ..... I have axcess to welders, lifts, and about all the tools you can think of. ........ I'm willing to invest all the time in the world into this thing,

Power On AchilleZ, live the dream! I don't know how you could set off on a greater adventure for only $400.

I think I'd set a deadline, however. Like if it's not on the road by the time you're 30, consider moving on. You can probably part it out and recoup more than your $400 investment.

Many of us have taken on a project like the one you propose and wouldn't let anyone talk us out of doing it. That's part of the fun of the old car hobby.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Dennis

[steve91tt]

I wish I were 18 and had a project like that ahead of me. It sounds like a great learning experience and in the end you will have a fun little car!

[KAL7467]

go for it...you only live once

[ncolz]

Set a deadline? Yeah, good idea, psdenno. Maybe I should consider that on my 260, the twin 240z's, the Zx Spyder (soon to be converted to a turbo)..............

[psdenno]

Set a deadline? Yeah, good idea, psdenno. Maybe I should consider that on my 260, the twin 240z's, the Zx Spyder (soon to be converted to a turbo)..............

I love deadlines...especially the whooshing noise they make as they go by. I have a 1963 Studebaker Avanti in the garage that I bought in 1975 with intentions of restoring. Still a work in progress after numerous missed deadlines. Anyone have an unfinished car project that they started before '75?

Dennis

[cygnusx1]

With all the right tools and skill that you probably have, here is my take:

Excluding labor costs:

About $1500 in used/new parts to get it rolling (basic driveable).

About $2000 more to make it a decent,safe reliable, daily driver.

About $3500 more to make it a decent daily that looks great from 30 feet.

About $5000 more to make it into a pretty nice restoration.

The amount of time it takes to do this can vary from a month, to a lifetime. I say go for it. Proceed with caution, and don't invest too much at one time. Don't focus all of your efforts and money on any one aspect of the car. Go over the whole car methodically. Make a plan of attack and try to stick with it.

[AchilleZ]

Thanks for the replys guys. Is there anything in particular that I should look out for, when I go check it out besides the under carriage? Also, how do you guys feel about the L28et?

[Zed Head]

Thanks for the replys guys. Is there anything in particular that I should look out for, when I go check it out besides the under carriage? Also, how do you guys feel about the L28et?

I would get on to Oreilly Auto or NAPAs web site, or Motor Sport Auto (the Z Store) or Courtesy Nissan if you want to go more original (but more expensive) and check out prices. If it's been sitting longer than 2 or 3 years, it could very likely need all of the hydraulic cylinders - brakes and clutch (masters and slaves), rebuilt front calipers, new brake shoes (the front pads might be okay), probably needs tires, lug nuts, maybe u-joints, maybe an AFM, new exhaust/intake gasket, new fuel pump, the gas tank might be full of rust, maybe fuel injectors, maybe an air regulator, new clutch, alternator, voltage regulator, brake booster, wiper motor rebuild, and wiper blades. Plus maybe the water temperature sensor. And some bushings. You could be in to it a couple thousand dollars pretty quickly like cygnus1 says.

Actually those are the parts I have replaced on my car, except for salvaging one wheel cylinder and one front caliper. And my car was on four wheels and tires when I bought it (non-running) but had actually idled it's way through an emissions test a year before (after having sat for quite while though).

But it's been a lot of fun. And I understand how things work much better than if I had bought a running car.

Edit - just noticed that the injectors are missing so you can remove the maybe from above...

Edited November 17, 2010 by Zed Head

[cygnusx1]

If you do buy it, keep me in mind. My 76 280Z is very similar in construction and detail. It is heavily modified now but I still have most of the original parts laying around. Just let me know what you need and I can scrounge through my pile. I do have at least one set of injectors but it looks like that car might still have them on the fuel rail. I have a really nice set of bumpers with rubber and shocks for that year also. Some rust repair on the rear bumper. However, the rubber surrounds for those bumpers are pretty valuable these days.

Edited November 18, 2010 by cygnusx1