Lucky 4000 mile Z

[michael31]

Recently purchased a 1976 Z with 4000 miles since new.

Had a lot of help from a local Denver member and a great mechanic.

Carefully drove back to Calgary from Boulder Co. Z now has 5100 miles.

Will detail and post some pictures. Have all documentation from new- have talked to the original owner in Denver (84 years old now).

From what the mechanics and club members have told me it has the original headlights, windshield, etc. There are still factory stickers underneath and throughout engine compartment. Mint interior.

Changed to close range 5 speed in Boulder and had to get full Canadian mechanical inspection. Everyone who has had it on a hoist or looks it over is amazed.

Car is not perfect but it is wonderful.

Anyhow, I appreciate everyone's assistance in your posts and those I have contacted directly.

[240260280z]

I assume you are in the Calgary Z Club? If not: http://www.calgaryzclub.ca/

great catch!

[zKars]

Holy smoke! Jim here from the Calgary Z club! Michael, we have to get together and see this thing! Congrats on the find! Send me an email to z240@shaw.ca and we'll exchange phone info. I can help with all your mechanical issues too. Lots of experience in town to help with just about anything!

Any chance of bringing it the Edmonton Z club show and shine this weekend on Sunday?

http://www.edmontonzcarclub.com/pages/main.html

Edited July 7, 2011 by zKars

[240260280z]

see! Great Z community in your neck of the woods!

btw Jim is a rock/pillar/ great guy in the Z community!

[michael31]

Thanks guys. Everyone has been so supportive- especially some new Colorado friends.

I did join the Calgary club and Yahoo board (not quite sure how Yahoo works, I tried to post a message a few days ago).

I do need some local contacts for body and special mechanical- I will contact Jim offline. I use Continental Body and Vitek Mechanical for my newer BMW's but I doubt Walter and Arron are into classic cars.

Attached are some photos from Boulder- still in "barn" condition. The engine plastics are still snow white. The factory decals on the shocks say IY 02259 if anyone is interested (tough to photograph properly).

[5thhorsemann]

Man, that is a sweet 280, congrats on the find.

[michael31]

Thank you, it was joy to drive through CO, WY, MT and AB. Some real nice comments and talks along the way.

Yes I will plan to drive to Edmonton early Sunday morning as long as it doesn't rain.

But the car will then be miled out for its second service......

Look forward.

[240260280z]

Wow that is a time capsule! Thanks for the photos.

[EScanlon]

Let us know what the dealer says when you bring it in for servicing! Remind him that it says in the book they'll take care of it and have your car's credit card validated.

E

[grantf]

Wow! now I know what my engine bay should look like.

[michael31]

I am definitely shy to wash the engine given all the decals and markings that it has.

We changed a couple heater hoses that showed aging but otherwise the engine bay looks good. Original spark plug wires, etc are fine. Original brakes and spare tire holds air. Dash and interior are incredible. Seat belts buckles still have factory stickers on them. Had synthetic engine oil for the past decade.

The car had an automatic transmission which is why I changed to a 1982 close range. If anyone is looking for a 4000 mile 3 speed and console let me know. I left them in Boulder, CO.

I posted elsewhere- the car was previously painted. The original paint had marks from a stale bra and louver. A bad rush decision was made by the owner since it couldn’t be properly touched up. I have photos of the car right before painting and the body shop receipt. It hasn’t had any rust or accident work. I also verified the story- "can't match silver" the shop said so they repainted the car. The owner was an older gentleman and thought that he was improving the car.

I would never have got the chance to buy otherwise. If original I probably wouldn't want to drive and wouldn't have changed the transmission. Not problem for a perfect paint job if I decide. At least I can drive it without rock chip worries (expect I need to keep the glass and headlines original).

Except for the paint it scored mostly all 1's on a Denver appraisal.

Will talk to some members this weekend.

Let me know if anyone wants a photo of the engine decals or anything. I have all the dealer 8 track manuals and stuff.

I have year after year Colorado emission and inspection records showing 200- 300 miles driven each year. The original owner was a pilot and bought it for his wife. She didn't like the low seating in Denver traffic so it sat- never saw winters. The last owner simply stored it in a heated shop.

The car surprisingly had a r-200 rear end. My Denver friend who helped me throughout told me that the automatics should have had a r-180.

It was an early 1976, manufactured 11/75 so it is missing some emission controls.

I bought the car and selected the mechanics/transmission completely unseen and a couple guys from forums went out of their way to visit the car in Estes Park and Boulder and make recommendations.

[mgood]

Michael great find, Your car was made the same month and year as mine (11/76). I am the original owner on mine I purchased mine in 2/76.

Some numbers:

Mine HLS30 - 281114 - L28 - 058848 made in 11/76 purchased on 2-6-76

Yours HLS30 - 280804 - L28 - 058589 made in 11/76 purchased on 4-9-76

The differences 310 later 259 later

I have attached a picture of your engine compartment and mine to show the differences. Looks like most are the AC items.

Yours is the closest vin number to mine that I have seen. I hope you keep it all stock.

PS - Could you measure the window sticker for me, I need the exact size for my repo one.

Edited July 8, 2011 by mgood
added PS