opinion on accident damage

[steve91tt]

I've been looking for a S30 to build into a track car and I think I might have found one but I need some advice. It's a fairly original low rust 240Z with a seized engine that has been sitting in a garage for 15 years. Cosmetically it's a disaster but I think I can pick it up cheap, gut it and build a decent track car out of it. My only question is about potential accident damage on the front of the car. The panels on the passenger side front of the car don't seem to line up all that well and there is bondo on the rad support. You can sort of see it in the following photo...

I don't see any other obvious issues with the body or frame but I am worried that an accident may have twisted the body or frame. Cosmetics aside, what do you think the odds that a punch in the nose could cause issues that would effect the ability to use the car on the track?

[JLPurcell]

If the body is solid you can have it pulled back to spec. if necessary. Roll cage will strengthen the chassis.

JLP

[Bruce Palmer]

Getting it on a frame table will answer your question. Needs to be straight and square to be predictable at speed......

[steve91tt]

Sounds like if there is a frame problem that it can be fairly easily fixed. Thanks guys!

[Coolvibes86]

You may want to take it to reputable body shop that can test the car for straightness for safety reasons. I go to school for autobody so I agree with Bruce, what they do is put it on a frame table and connect the points of the car which measures the dimensions from the center point of the car on the machine (vertical and horizonal straightness). If the measurements are off from factory the body they will need to be adjusted for straightness. If it isnt off by to much you can get away with it but I do NOT recommend it especially for a race car. There may be other side effects such as allignment,suspension problems or handling. These are just examples so you know it can be fixed, just in my opinion I just check to be safe and good luck with whatver you decide to do.

[ajmcforester]

It sounds like a potential candidate. You will need a strait frame the structure is the key to a good race car. Get it checked.

[esprist]

It appears that the whole front end is distorted to me. Depending on the level of restoration, you might want to find another car.

If you are making a driver and little show, and then it is totally fine.

Early Z cars were not make well with crumple zones, so the whole front end sways with minor front end collision.

What you have will be (just looking at one picture)

1. RH front rail damage

2. RH front upper rail damage

3. RH front apron damage

4. LH upper rail damage.

5. Core support damage.

all of above is "S" Structural parts:" frame damage" on Unibody Structure.

I am NAAA (National Auto Auction Association Certified Frame/Structural Examiner) by the way.

[steve91tt]

If the unibody turned out to be twisted then how much does it generally cost to have it pulled back to proper alignment?

[5thhorsemann]

It's a 4 wheel independant suspension/ unibody car. Put it on an alignment machine and this will tell you all you need to know. If it is in alignment you are cool. if its been shimmed and adjusted to beat all, and is still out, you are in for some major work. How cheap is cheap. Can you loose on the car + tow + alingment?

[ajmcforester]

Lets say the front is messed up to the point that it is not worth straitening. You still might not want to rule the car out. If you are building a track car you are more than likely going to put in a role cage and make some upgrades for safety and performance. Depending on how you plan to use it and what the rules you might be governed in any racing you might end up doing. First thing might be using another car for a front end. Another is to tube frame the front end, giving you more strength.

[EScanlon]

It appears that the whole front end is distorted to me. ...snip...

What you have will be (just looking at one picture)

1. RH front rail damage

2. RH front upper rail damage

3. RH front apron damage

4. LH upper rail damage.

5. Core support damage.

all of above is "S" Structural parts:" frame damage" on Unibody Structure.

I am NAAA (National Auto Auction Association Certified Frame/Structural Examiner) by the way.

What kind of training did you get that with ONE picture you can evaluate better than some shops with the actual car in front of them? Sorry if I'm just a tad bit over-whelmed with your post.

While what you post is plausible, and even likely.... if in fact that car did get into a front end accident and we're not just looking at flaking re-painted parts, it's still a long way to go before you can ascertain all the damage you're citing. I can't even find the supposed bondo on the rad support.

FWIW

E

[Kathy & Rick]

One point that no one has made so far, is:

Most racing cars get "baled" at one time or another, and are brought back

to the shop to get straightened out for the next race.

BTW I'm with E, I can't find the supposed bondo on the rad support either.

And I'm an A/B repair graduate. Since the core support is a structural

member (not just cosmetic), it's hard for me to conceive that ANYONE

would try to camouflage core support damage with filler of ANY kind.

FWIW,.................All Z Best,.....................Kathy & Rick