Black pearl or Black heart?

[grnsky]

Thought I'd share the latest Z purchase, and let the jury decide which side of the fence the car should sit on. Here goes the story !

I found this black '71 up north with the help of a friend of mine. I have enough Z's as it is but have a hard time saying no, esp at reasonable price. Ie. I buy the car and worry about where to put it later. :stupid:

Anyway I got the call from my friend, called the owner a, nice Mexican lady, and arranged a time. The car hasnt run in 5 years so will need a tow.

The heat was on as it always is with the Z's.

As it turned out I had a guy coming to pick up some parts from the silver car, the same morning I was set to head out.He eventually bought the engine, which was great. We decided that he could tow the car over to his house and then pull it himself, then bring it back.

Not having access to a trailer or a towing vehicle at the time, I picked up the nerve to ask the guy if I could borrow his truck and trailer once we had dropped of my other car for him to pull the motor.

After only knowing me for 15 minutes he agreed! I was shocked, although I did give him a good price.

I set off up the hwy, not really sure what I had just achieved, and knowing I should not be buying another Z, and that basically this whole idea was crazy!

Not long up the road I got pulled over for speeding while towing! A definite sign that this is not to be. I contemplated turning around for about a minute... but kept on driving as well I'd come this far, and ofcourse its a Z! I brush it off.

Got to the house, met the owner who was more than accomadating and a sweet lady. She basically knew nothing about the car, or any service history, or anything that might help me unravel the cars identity.

She did tell me that it had been sitting for about 5 years, which was more than obvious with two flat front tires. :disappoin

But apart from a suspect black paint job over the original orange, the car is pretty straight and untouched. Battery tray needs some help, but rust is not a factor for this one.

I decide to buy, we settle on a price, sorted! Right? No. ?

I then have to get the car out of the garage and on to my trailer or should I say my friends trailer. I didnt think about a jack before I left, but I really need one. The owner doesnt have one, nor do I, nor does the Z's trunk

The owners son enventually gets a hold of one from the neighbors I manage to jack up the front end despite it being so low, in order to change the two front tires or at least put air in them.

I then persuade the owners son to run down to the gas station and fill the tires with as much air as they will hold (cracked), and run them back, so I can slap them on and push it out.

While he's doing this we fill out paperwork and title work etc.

He comes back, I whip them on like I am part of a NASCAR pitcrew, as I can pretty much feel them already getting soft and squelchy. Yikes.

I'm then told that the garage door is pretty much broken, and needs to be held up by two people... As I look I notice the entire left hinge has been pulled through and only held on by one bolt... Ok.. ..

Basically we had to lift the entire door above our heads and support it with something in order to free the Z! A 2 car garage door is not light, incase your wondering. Myself and the owners son manage to lift and prop it up with what looks like an old rake. If the rake should fail the door will fall and crash on top of the Z's hood. A risky situation for the new owner! But it was pretty much the only way it was going to happen.

With air and a rickety support for the door the Z is ready to see the light of day! We start to push and I lock up the steering wheel. No problem I think, I ask for the key and get one.

Only.... it looks like a 280z key I am guessing, as its way too big for the ignition, or any 240 for that matter (everyone knows the size of datsun key right)

I tell the owner I can't move it without the right key. She searches frantically but finds nothing resembling. In my haste I forgot all about the key as it was the last thing on my mind. I am now stuck and sweating after some 2 and a half hours of work to get the Z freed with a locked up steering wheel.

I consider my options which are less than favorable. I have no tools with me, no extra datsun keys to jimmy the lock, nor anything else that might help me. I also have more people coming for parts, in an hr and have to get back home. Its also getting dark! Its now or never!

I give up in a dismal mood. I tell the lady I will be back tomorrow, with some tools, keys etc.

I end up dropping off the trailer at 8 o'clock. Its very emabarassing with no car to show (a major selling poitn), and the fact that I told him I would only be a couple of hrs instead of the 8 or so it took me to get him his car back. :stupid: Talk about stretching a freindship!

The next day I set out determined to beat the black beast. I meet my friend who told me about the car and we set of in his truck for a Uhaul to pick up a trailer. We got to the house, and started work. Suprise the tires again as they were both flat. I pull of the ignition tumber, and what do you know we have steering!

We eventually get the Z on to the trailer, and were off. My friends Ford Ranger (6 cylinder) is not the truck I would choose but its what I have for the moment, to get back to SD. Situation critical as I have to work in the morning!

I get it back to SD and have to stash the car on my friends street as I have no room on mine. I call my friend 2 days later when I am getting ready to tow it back to my house, only to find out the car has been towed by the city!

Yeay!

I call up and find out where it is. It seems it was towed for expired registration! Great. I get down to a dmv outlet to pay the fees owed in order to get current registration as without it, I cant get the car back. The news today is good! A small fee of $667 of back fees are owed. Great again! I hear my credit card crumble as she swipes it.

I then have to rent another trailer to get it back and convince my friend to come and meet me at the impound after work. I only have 10 days to pick it up! Upon arriving at the joint, I learn of he $377 dollars that is owed to release the car! I bite my tongue and pay with the shred of credit card I have left. Beans for dinner. Any working budget I might of had for the car has been thrown out the window.

In addition, I also have not yet changed the tires which were flat when I bought the car.

But I did bring a spare with me and end up on my hands and knees changing a wheel in the confines of an auto impound. Dignity is out the window at this point.

The car is released and parked in an alleyway. I sit in the dark and stare at it, waiting and wondering about my own mental state... Furious, and very broke...

It now sits in my drive awaiting further funding.... But the tittle did arrive yesterday, which is Great! However fate remains unknown.

(drained the gas tank, no rust, so first good omen is apparent!)

[503Alex]

Crazy story! I enjoyed the read, glad you got it home.

[Earthcruiser]

Congrats on finally getting home. Good luck in the new year.

[IdahoKidd]

What's a "reasonable" price down that way? Not wanting to be nosey, just curious.

[SuckSqueezeBangBlow]

Haha, that was a good read, I do think this car might be a keeper though. Hope we get it running soon.

[Reverend]

After all those unfortunate things, i think "karma" will reward you somehow. Maybe youll find money stashed inside seats or something

[spitz17]

The things we do for our Z's... sigh. .