Looking at buying a 71 240z, could use some advice

[actionape]

Hey guys,

I've been looking at building a nice 240z for a long time now, been hunting for a while for one in decent shape. Not looking to do a full showcar resto (although it would be nice), just want it to get it back to driveable and rust free, no engine swaps, maybe a few minor engine mod's to enhance the sound/feel of the base car.

A guy local to me is selling a '71 240z, and claims the car has 34k miles on the chassis, but was sitting in storage for 30 years (open air storage apparently.) He originally bought it off the first owner's son, and then let it sit in his yard for 2 years of rain and snow allowing the rust to build further, while waiting for a local shop to take on the car for a full resto.

Said local is looking for 1500, im thinking of offering 1000$. Mechanically it seems to check out, all 4 + reverse gears pull, engine sounds fine at idle and during rev, needs full new suspension and brakes though. Some rust in the rear hatch, rear 3/4 part of the body. Rocker panels look completely gone. Engine bay seems largely intact. Wheel wells seemed ok. Haven't had a chance to look at the frame rails, but based on both the driver/passenger floor pans I'm assuming they're rusted too.

Should I turn tail and run? or pick it up and take on a long difficult but possibly extremely satisfying challenge? Mechanically speaking, any and all engine/transmissions/suspension etc maintenance and work I can handle, but in terms of body work, my experience is very limited. Like sanding away and filling paintchips limited. I'm definitely looking to learn (a LOT of learning) to do this kind of restoration? Should I turn tail and run and hope to find something less rusted?

Thank you for any advice or thoughts!

[jackboxxx]

just want it to get it back to driveable and rust free,

let it sit in his yard for 2 years of rain and snow allowing the rust to build further,

Some rust in the rear hatch,

rear 3/4 part of the body. Rocker panels look completely gone. Engine bay seems largely intact. Wheel wells seemed ok. Haven't had a chance to look at the frame rails, but based on both the driver/passenger floor pans I'm assuming they're rusted too.

but in terms of body work, my experience is very limited. Like sanding away and filling paintchips limited. I'm definitely looking to learn (a LOT of learning) to do this kind of restoration? Should I turn tail and run and hope to find something less rusted?

Being a body and paint guy by trade, I would pass...on this Z. You have a serious can of worms here...usually rust is TWICE as bad as it looks or more..if it has lived its whole life in British Columbia im sure under that repaint you will find LOTS more rust to deal with..I can see a lot behind the paint

in the few pics you posted.

If it were me, take the thousand or two you are going to have to spend on sheet metal, tools, body materials, and labor ( yours ) and find yourself a decent $3000-4000 Z that looks less rusted..they are out there..

Try a website called "search tempest" it can do a wide range search of all craigslist within your specified range.

I did a quick search..and found this one within a few hundred miles of you.. just for an example..

1972 240 z

Hey guys,

A guy local to me is selling a '71 240z, and claims the car has 34k miles on the chassis,

Said local is looking for 1500, im thinking of offering 1000$.

Pretty hard to believe it only has 34k miles on it...I would be skeptical right off the bat...

[actionape]

Wow, thank you. I will definitely check out search tempest! Never knew that handy little tool existed.

The more I thought about the guys story for the car, the more it sounded pretty nuts. I did some more reading into

warning signs and other things to look out for, and remembered that the guy had the car fired up before I arrived, I'm guessing he wanted to avoid cold starts to hide other issues too.

Anyways, I appreciate the advice, might make a good parts car for someone else. I'll keep looking.

[bartsscooterservice]

It's the looks and excitement that make your forget the rest of the work that is to come on this 71 ! I'd go with what jackboxxx is saying... look for one with a better body.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Just to help out further, let us know a little about yourself. Is this going to be your project car or will it have to be running constantly. What is skill level and what is your time alloted to work on the car? How much money do you have to spend on the car and how much is budgeted each month to fix the car? Give these questions an honest hour or two of thought.

THe more honest you are with yourself the happier you will be with your purchase.

Also, the greatest gem of advice is always, "buy the best car you can possibly find" Every dollar you spend up front can save you 5-10 dollars down the road.

[mjr45]

Walk away, look for a better car, the rust issues that you see are only half the problems you'll find. A car thats running when you get there tells me there are other issues that may be hidden. Just my 2 cents.

[Diseazd]

Offer him $500.00.......part it out and use the money you make on parts to buy a car with a less issues......."jack up the radiator cap and put another car under it" .........this car is toast! IMO

[actionape]

Just to help out further, let us know a little about yourself. Is this going to be your project car or will it have to be running constantly. What is skill level and what is your time alloted to work on the car? How much money do you have to spend on the car and how much is budgeted each month to fix the car? Give these questions an honest hour or two of thought.

THe more honest you are with yourself the happier you will be with your purchase.

Also, the greatest gem of advice is always, "buy the best car you can possibly find" Every dollar you spend up front can save you 5-10 dollars down the road.

I'm looking for a project car, as I have a reliable DD. After looking at the work involved in restoring some Z's that had less rust than this I'd say I do not have the skill or the resources currently, to do the body work myself so I will be passing on this one.

I've worked out a budget plan for a future Z car though based on everybody's feedback. Going to put aside about 5k to find one in better condition, and then a monthly budget of about 300$ to bring it back to spec. Timewise, I'd rather take it slow and do it right then do a rushed hack job to get a car back on the road, but ideally it would be worked on the occassional weekday evening, and most weekends. Ideally I'd like to keep the car I'd buy forever, and maybe hand it down to my kid when they turn 30. Not looking to flip the car, definitely not thinking it's an investment that would net gains. Just something I could slowly build and feel proud of.

Am I being too naive in regards to the cost of restoring a car this old? Should I plan to put aside more upfront or monthly?

Offer him $500.00.......part it out and use the money you make on parts to buy a car with a less issues......."jack up the radiator cap and put another car under it" .........this car is toast! IMO

I thought about doing this, if the car is still around in a week or two, I might give him a call with this offer.

Thanks for the feedback guys, really appreciated.

[Willoughby Z]

1971 Datsun 240Z

[jfa.series1]

That San Mateo car looks like an excellent value, great starting point for any further updates.

[jfa.series1]

I've worked out a budget plan for a future Z car though based on everybody's feedback. Going to put aside about 5k to find one in better condition, and then a monthly budget of about 300$ to bring it back to spec. Timewise, I'd rather take it slow and do it right then do a rushed hack job to get a car back on the road, but ideally it would be worked on the occassional weekday evening, and most weekends. Ideally I'd like to keep the car I'd buy forever, and maybe hand it down to my kid when they turn 30. Not looking to flip the car, definitely not thinking it's an investment that would net gains. Just something I could slowly build and feel proud of.

Am I being too naive in regards to the cost of restoring a car this old? Should I plan to put aside more upfront or monthly?

I thought about doing this, if the car is still around in a week or two, I might give him a call with this offer.

Thanks for the feedback guys, really appreciated.

With a really good base car as a starting point (no rust, no busted engine/tranny, ...etc.) you can easily drop an additional $10-15k into a resto effort - and that is with you doing most of the labor at no out-of-pocket cost. Buy the very best starting platform you can locate and afford. The San Mateo car posted above already has a lot of updates, might just be that starting point. A plane ticket down there and drive back to BC might be a good investment!

[mjr45]

I might have to look at that San Mateo car myself. My 280 is almost done so I need another project, my wife doesn't think so, but what does she know!