Newb from the southwest

[72bspl]

Hi, I am a new member to the site. My husband and I owned a78 280 a while back and just bought a 72 240. The car is a restoration project with minimal rust and mostly in need of a paint job. I am trying to decide whether to do a factory restoration or a resto-mod. The car is currently and originally 112-yellow (lime green) and and has an automatic transmission. I'm really not a fan of autos, and the previous three cars (not z's) that I have purchase I converted to standards. What is the general opinion on this swap in the z community? And any thoughts on the paint color? I know a lot of the 112-yellow cars were repainted. Is it worth repainting the car in yellow because its now more rare or does it really matter?

I'd like to hear what the community thinks, and I'm open to suggestions. The resto will be going somewhat slower as time/money play a factor (I'm currently paying for grad school) but I restored my 1978 Vette fairly completely over the past 6 years, so slow doesn't really mean never.

[EuroDat]

Hi Alyssa & hubby, Welcome to the club.

The car looks good in the photo.

If you choose a colour other than original. The choice is yours. IMO it doesnt increase value that much, definitely not enough to warrant the colour change.

The tranny swap is not that hard. I would go fot the 5sp from the 280zx. Thats the FS5W71B which has the closs ratios and brass 5th gear synchro.

Well Enjoy the club and see you around:)

Chas

[tlorber]

I agree with the statement above. Use a tranny from a 80-83 ZX. I personally think the lime green is one of the best colors for a 240, and if mine had been that color originally, I would have kept it that color. Not for value purposes, just for aesthetics.

[gogriz91]

Congratulations, New Mexico is a great place to own and drive a Z, not likely to rust and you can go from desert to the mountains in 30 miles. I lived in Capitan until I was 17 and really miss the mountains and wide open space. I would say just take a little time and figure out what you want the end to look like. I would argue to start with whats going to make it more reliable then go from there, some 5-speeds are better than others. As for the original color I prefer the original factory color but that obviously limits your options. Whatever color you decide to go with my recommendation would be to make sure the body is as straight as possible and the prep is meticulous since the end result will be in large part a by-product of what happens prior to the paint being shot.

Edited January 28, 2013 by gogriz91

[72bspl]

Congratulations, New Mexico is a great place to own and drive a Z, not likely to rust and you can go from desert to the mountains in 30 miles. I lived in Capitan until I was 17 and really miss the mountains and wide open space. I would say just take a little time and figure out what you want the end to look like. I would argue to start with whats going to make it more reliable then go from there, some 5-speeds are better than others. As for the original color I prefer the original factory color but that obviously limits your options. Whatever color you decide to go with my recommendation would be to make sure the body is as straight as possible and the prep is meticulous since the end result will be in large part a by-product of what happens prior to the paint being shot.

I did all the body work (well fiberglass and paint prep) on my vette, so i have some experience there.

Luckily, the only dent on the z is a smallish one next to the drivers side tail light. I have a 4 speed transmission out of my previous '78. Any thoughts on doing a 4-spd in stead of a 5? I am planning on dailying the car (I'd rather enjoy it. The Vette is already sitting too much.) but I don't have to drive highways to get to work.

[gogriz91]

I'm biased towards a 5-speed for road tripping and whatever gain can be gotten in mileage. There's a sticky here or on hybridz that talks about the different 5-speed transmissions and not all are created equal if you decide to go down that path. Where in NM are you?

[Hardway]

Congrats on your new '72. As a owner of a '72 lime green Z it really comes down to what you want. Obviously keeping the original color will be easier as you may not have to shoot the door jambs and around the engine. I keep going back and forth on what to do with mine. It needs paint and while I like the lime green I don't love it. I would prefer it be red or silver but even then I can't decide which of the two. Of course if there was a fresh coat of lime green paint it may look awesome and I may love it. The lime green is very "period correct" for our cars and they do stand out in a crowd. For now I have Z's in different colors on my computer wall paper. Seeing one in a different color every day may help me decide. Keep us posted on the progress of your Z!