So, I've been searching for a series 1 to start a project, and I ended up finding one thats relatively close by. Obviously, seeing as we're right in the middle of the rust belt, there are a few issues. The car is for sale for $2,000 obo, which for a series 1 with the work done to it seems pretty good, but this frame rail has me kind of wary of the purchase. Being wary tends to make me say no automatically to make sure I don't get in over my head. However, finding a series 1, let alone one thats in my price range AND less then 100 miles away is pretty awesome. This kind of makes me want to pull the trigger, but I figured I would get a second opinion from the lovely people of the internet. Battery tray and lower section of the hatch surround is gone, too. And there is a section on the driver door jam I want a closer look at. Anyways....

Here are the pics!

As you can see, its pretty solid all around, but those few trouble spots have me kinda leery. What do you guys think?

run away... get a later z or a better gen1 from calif.

That car needs hundreds of hours of body work.

My fav: http://classiccars.com/listing/304368.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Datsun-240Z-/120841352071?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c22b4b387#ht_727wt_1166

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-Datsun-240Z-NEW-REBELLO-3-0-LITER-ENGINE-ONLY-270-MILES-/230739072146?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35b91ed492

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-DATSON-240Z-SERISE-1-S-MATCHING-DRIVE-TRAIN-CLEAN-/320837184766?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4ab362ecfe#ht_1280wt_1166

http://www.reachoo.com/ads/32027110#inlandempire-240z%205%20Speed%20Clean%20title!%20(Pasadena)%20$4300

http://classiccars.com/listing/280026.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Datsun-240Z-Series-1-/140672957947?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item20c0c2fdfb#ht_610wt_1166

With scrap steel prices high right now it might be worth a couple hundred bucks.

Steve

No where near worth it.

I'm with Blue. What you see is gonna require some serious metal fab work. There are better cars to be found.

Agreed. My budy picked up a near zero rust 1970 240Z last year for $1000. It needs to have the fuel system and brakes redone but other than that it's in great shape. Even the dash is crack free! I picked up a 1971 low rust 240Z last year for $1500. Both were less than an hours drive from my house. There are still lots of low rust originals out there if you look hard enough.

Ted,

My first impression is that the car is not within your price range. You said that you thought $2,000 for all that work done would be a good price...well I think that would be a damned good price! Over the top damned good price! But such is not the case, eh? In your title, you mention "56k beware" and I'm assuming you mean that by the time you are finished you will have $56,000 in the car. Yea probably.

That being said, look around at what other collectors are doing to other marques and you will probably agree that what you are contemplating is not all that bad. What I'm seeing in your pictures can certainly be repaired. Probably the best advice I always hear is spend the big bucks, buy a nice condition $20,000 car, and enjoy it rather than spend all your time and money repairing a car. Different strokes for different folks (I'm repairing my cars) but if you think this rust is bad then you would probably be better off buying something that needs less serious work. Best of luck!

Blue, The white Z in your first post looked too good to be true, but even with the small pics you can see the green and silver under the white. Too bad. But I agree with you, any one of the Z's you posted is worth the money they are asking compared to the $2,000 parts car he is looking at. Ted,you should run fast and far from that car .

Run away , keep hunting ,listen to the pro's , look for a CALI car.....transport will be less than body work $.

As much as I would like to see another Series 1 rescued, I must agree with all the comments above. This car will break your heart and your bankbook. At best, it should be consigned to parts car status before being given a graceful end at the crusher. Keep looking, your project car is still out there.

Jim