Input needed on a potential Z

[24 Ounces]

Nancy:

It's always cool to see a woman interested in classic cars, esp. 240Zs...welcome. You're thinking the right way if you're specifically looking for a 240...I think they will appreciate a good amount in the coming years. Attached is a link to one on CL in Daytona, FL for $6,500 (the same car was listed a week earlier for $5,500...maybe he dumped a grand into it in a week...NOT!). The seller says it looks and runs well (seeing it in person would be a must...most flights out of Houston Hobby Airport are semi-reasonable). I checked the round-trip airfare from Hobby Airport to Daytona...$471 on Kayak, $473 on Expedia, $507 on Orbitz, and $542 on Hotwire...real bargain that last outfit! Anyway, good finds are still out there. I live in Ohio and found my '72 last March for $4,100 on CL in Charleston, SC. I had a friend drive me down for gas money and meals and bought the Z as soon as I got to SC. Using "Search Tempest" you can look at all 240Zs on CL in the US and compare them. There are still some good finds out on the left coast...I regularly see original owner 240s out there for less than 5 grand...rust-free, driveable but needing lots of work, and many with original documents (they make the car more interesting at shows and probably worth more $$$ in the future). The Z in Daytona would probably make the trip to Houston ok, but you would probably be better off shipping it (approx a grand). The cost of airfare and shipping would tip this Z closer to ten grand. After rebuilding the suspension, replacing untold cosmetically crappy items (like the interior or dash...both expensive), replacing the leaky exhaust, new brakes and tires, new hoses and rebuilding the SU carbs, you will have over ten grand in it and still won't have touched the beat-up paint. There is a beautiful dark green '70 from LA on Ebay right now that could probably be yours for upper teens, and it's a proven show-winner (trophies come with it, I think). It might be worth the extra money to just buy somebody else's restored 240 and have something you can immediately start showing and driving.

You can do minor tuning and fluid changes on your Z without too much grief. A Uni-syn flow meter can be obtained on Ebay for about $25 and will have your dual SUs singing, a new set of NGK plugs and wires, and a new set of points (or an upgrade to a Pertronix kit for the Z's original distributor...set it and forget it) will get the Z driving well and very reliable. The people on here are full of great advice.

I would keep looking for a better 240...they're out there! If you want the most bang for your buck, look for rust-free, matching number engine (the number on the lower right side of the block matches the number stamped into the plate affixed to the right side engine compartment shock tower), and original documents (orig. owner's manual and warranty book at a minimum). Good luck in your search, and keep us posted as you look...

Alex (aka "24 Ounces")

http://florida.freeautoshopper.com/cars-trucks/1971-datsun-240z-super-clean-z6500.html

Edited March 7, 2012 by 24 Ounces
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