Input needed on a potential Z

[nancyh1980]

Need your input on a 240z.

Built in June of 1970.

(2) owners with service log book. Current owner has the car since 1978.

I have sent a trusted restoration person to look at the car. Below is his report:

• Car has been stored in temperature-controlled environment.

• 146,000 miles

• Straight body – no accident.

• No rust.

• Had new rear quarter replaced at the same time of 2nd paint – 1984.

• Current body condition – excellent except driver door has big dent due to moving the car to current storage.

• Current paint is black. Original color is yellow.

• Good Interior – seats need to be reupholstered & minor cracks on dash.

• Rubbers around the doors, sills is bad… - needs new set.

• Original wheels, radio…

• Car has not been driven since 2002.

• Car cranks but does not start – my guy thinks it is due to fuel delivery issue.

I would like to have this car as second weekend car. Since the driver door has to be fixed and rubber trims have to be replaced, I might as well repaint the car back to its original color and possibly add air conditioner.

My restorer said that to make this car to be a proud-good driver 240z (he is an enthusiast of the Z even though he restores 356, Stingrays…), it will cost about 3-5K for the body repair and paint job. Adding rubbers… will total about $8K. The AC will add $1500-$2K. The only unknown is the engine. But he is confident it is a fuel-delivery issue.

My question:

Owner offers to deliver the car to my mechanic, what is the right price for this car? I want to be fair to him and me.

[mjr45]

All things considered, if you are looking at putting 8-10K into the car + whatever it will take to get it running which could be very little or a lot depending on whats wrong, if you pay 2K you'll end up with 12K + in it. 240's have sold for upwards of 18K and the price seems to be going up. It is up to you, how much time, effort and $ you are willing to put out. Pics would be nice and make sure you check the known rust area's, floorpans, rails, rear hatch, doglegs, etc. Just my 2 cents.

[Bruce Palmer]

Questions: Why, if the car has been in dry storage, is the rubber in such needy shape?

If the black is in decent shape what would fixing the door run you?

I think I'd pay more attention initially to finding out how all those mechanical systems are before down loading a bunch of cash on cosmetics. Funky drive train in a pretty setting is a geranium planter.

Just points to ponder and worth exactly what you paid for 'em.... Carry on....

[nancyh1980]

All things considered, if you are looking at putting 8-10K into the car + whatever it will take to get it running which could be very little or a lot depending on whats wrong, if you pay 2K you'll end up with 12K + in it. 240's have sold for upwards of 18K and the price seems to be going up. It is up to you, how much time, effort and $ you are willing to put out. Pics would be nice and make sure you check the known rust area's, floorpans, rails, rear hatch, doglegs, etc. Just my 2 cents.

Just conversed with the restorer that I sent to look at the car. I do trust him 100% because he was the one who restored my dad's 63 xke and 63 356. Granted, the bills for those were over $120K each. Since I am not in my dad position, he understands my concern.

He stated that there was no rust he could find. He spent over an hour looking over the car. The rubber is not bad. However, signs of shrinkage associated with a 42yo car.

I asked about the engine. He said worst case is the rebuilt the engine is $3-4K. He agrees with you in that get the car running first. And go from there.

The seller is asking for $5500.

[Jeff G 78]

There is no way I'd pay $5500 for a barn find. Every suspension bushing will need to be replaced, the interior needs work, the engine needs work, the brakes will need a complete overhaul after sitting for so long, and you haven't even addressed the fuel system, wheels and tires, or chrome, which I'm sure isn't perfect. You will easily put $15k into it on top of the purchase price and when finished, you will have a $10k car, not a $20k+ car.

Edited March 1, 2012 by Jeff G 78

[Healey Z]

The problem with buying a car that does not run is that you don't know what is wrong. There are a lot of costly systems in a car: brakes, steering, suspension, electrical, transmission, rearend.....besides the engine. I would not assume that it just needs a little engine work and it would be on the road.

For $5,500 you can buy a pretty decent driver level Z, which would be a far superior starting point than this car. If this one was $1500, then you have some money to fix those things that will pop up.

[Healey Z]

Example from current Craigslist:

1971 DATSUN 240Z SUPER CLEAN Z $5,500

1971 Datsun 240Z 2.4 Ltr Motor, 4 Speed Manual Trans, Has A/C,

Green With Black Interior, car has always been garage kept.

The car has been Tuned-Up and inspected to sell now

There is no rust on body or frame.

This car runs and looks very good.

Please call Eric at 586-216-2107 for more info.

More photos avalible on request.

[72 OJ]

Lately there are several done Z's. 70,71,72 on Ebay, CL, BAT plus other sites, plus the local papers in the estate of California, go to the hunt and enjoy it. And remember that transporters are on bid for your $.

Edited March 1, 2012 by 72 OJ

[Bruce Palmer]

Nancy,

May I call you Nancy?

If you have a "restorer" and a "mechanic" that you're going to be writing checks to, chances of your being able to make this car pay out just went to Zero. Like has been said here, you don't want to end up with $30k in the nicest $10k car around. If you do, send me the check and we'll shorten your wait cycle by a whole bunch and get you a better car in the bargain.

[FastWoman]

As you're someone who pays someone to do restoration work for you, rather than someone who tinkers with the car on weekends herself, you'd be far better off to buy a Z in excellent condition that someone else has already gone through the pains and expense of restoring. You simply can't sell these cars (yet?) for what it costs to put them in pristine condition. You're better off letting someone else take a small loss and buying the car (almost) exactly the way you want it. You might spend anywhere between $5k - $15k for a nice running Z. Plan on spending a bit more after that to get the "perfectly" running engine and drivetrain straight, because I swear they are never really sold that way, irrespective of how pretty the car is.

[mjr45]

I agree with Bruce and Fastwoman, just go look for a completely restored pristine 240, don't bother with one that needs ANY repair.

[5thhorsemann]

I agree with Bruce and Fastwoman, just go look for a completely restored pristine 240, don't bother with one that needs ANY repair.

My thoughts exactly, and I might add that a decent set of mechanics tools and likewise decent set of skills in using those tools are the required "accessories" to ANY 40 something car. Paying someone else to repair and maintain an old Z everytime a gremlin strikes will get old fast.