New member searching for a Z, have some questions

[bacarl]

Hi guys, I haven't purchased my z-car yet, but I'm searching. I'm looking at 1970-74 cars, and I'd really like a 240. I've noticed a few things about the cars I've seen and I thought this might be a good place to turn for answers.

1) Chrome trim down the length of the body side: some cars seem to have this trim and some don't. I don't notice a correlation with model year or state of repair/modification; was this an option? Does it indicate any other option package or content? Or does it just come down to whether or not an owner has removed it?

2) Small button or switch on dash to the right of the tachometer: in some photos I can clearly make out "ON -- OFF" (arranged vertically) but I'm curious what this is for. It's just stuck there on the dash and looks aftermarket, but all the cars have them.

3) Last, I read in one ebay auction about 1971 manual trans having "problem-prone shift shafts"... I haven't read anything else about this - is this any kind of serious problem?

Thanks for any help! I'm really looking forward to joining you guys here and digging into one of these cars.

[Carl Beck]

Hi guys, I haven't purchased my z-car yet, but I'm searching. I'm looking at 1970-74 cars, and I'd really like a 240.

Hi bacarl:

I wish you the best of luck in your search. Lots of advice here on the forum about what to look for ect. Of course it depends on what you want - A car that is ready to drive and enjoy, a Project Car that needs refreshing or restoring, A Classic Z for show or one to Race.

I've noticed a few things about the cars I've seen and I thought this might be a good place to turn for answers.

1) Chrome trim down the length of the body side: some cars seem to have this trim and some don't. I don't notice a correlation with model year or state of repair/modification; was this an option? Does it indicate any other option package or content? Or does it just come down to whether or not an owner has removed it?

The Body Protective Side Moldings were usually Dealer installed prior to the original sale of the Datsun 240Z's. Some owners over the years have deleted them when the car was refinished.

2) Small button or switch on dash to the right of the tachometer: in some photos I can clearly make out "ON -- OFF" (arranged vertically) but I'm curious what this is for. It's just stuck there on the dash and looks aftermarket, but all the cars have them.

It is for the Hazard Warning Lights Switch - the switch was required, by our Safety Standards to be marked for the 1972 Model Year. The Hazard Warning Switch was a different design and Lighted on the 73 240Z's - so no decal on the side of them either.

See: Details About 240Z Dashboards

3) Last, I read in one ebay auction about 1971 manual trans having "problem-prone shift shafts"... I haven't read anything else about this - is this any kind of serious problem?

Not really. The transmissions were "improved" with the 1972 model year. The shift linkage gave a more positive feel in the newer Type B transmissions that the older Type A trany with the "monkey motion shift linkage. There were other improvements as well - but the old type "A" were pretty much trouble free for 100K miles if not abused.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Arne]

Welcome!

1.) Not factory original or option. Dealer or owner installed if present.

2.) Hazard flasher switch.

3.) No clue. I drove a '71 for years, no problems with the "shift shafts".

[bacarl]

Thanks gents, good to know!

Carl, my goal is to find a relatively unmolested car that's rough around the edges, but not too far gone for my meager skill set. That way I can add my touches to it without re-doing someone else's work, and ensure things are done properly (to the best of my ability). A modest but quick autocross-able street car is the end goal. There was a fantastic 1970 barn find on ebay the other day, and my dumb arse forgot to get a bid in before the auction ended. It went for $50 less than my max bid *would* have been. Still kicking myself. So the search continues.

Edited April 16, 2013 by bacarl

[cbuczesk]

I saw this car in person a couple weeks ago. I think it's what you're looking for. I'd buy it but I already have 6.

Rare Find - 1971 Datsun 240Z - Wow! One Owner Garage Find 94xxx Miles 4 speed and A/C - Cars for Sale - HybridZ

Chuck

[mgood]

Here is the same car that Chuck is talking about on this forum.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/check-out-my-ride/49166-my-1971-240z-garage-find-one-owner-94xxx-miles-rare-east-coast-find.html

[bacarl]

How cool, thanks Chuck. Condition- and price-wise, that's pretty much what I'm looking for. I'm not a fan of the BRG/butterscotch, but I'll think about it.

Interesting that you can see where the side moldings that I asked about earlier have been removed on that car. Also, looking at qwik510's detailed photos generated another question: what is the "temp" knob at the driver's right knee?

edit: I bet that knob is for the A/C, isn't it...

Edited April 16, 2013 by bacarl

[cbuczesk]

How cool, thanks Chuck. Condition- and price-wise, that's pretty much what I'm looking for. I'm not a fan of the BRG/butterscotch, but I'll think about it.

Interesting that you can see where the side moldings that I asked about earlier have been removed on that car. Also, looking at qwik510's detailed photos generated another question: what is the "temp" knob at the driver's right knee?

edit: I bet that knob is for the A/C, isn't it...

Dealer-installed A/C. I like the color combo. It gives it a classy look.

Chuck

[bacarl]

Too British!

Thanks again Chuck, really nice of you to point me towards that car.

[Carl Beck]

bacarl:

If you are serious - you'll look for years trying to find a better "Project Car" at anywhere near that price, anywhere East of the Mississippi. Of course that is a "restorable" example - and you would have to be willing to put the time and dollars into it - easly to spend $20K+ along the way just "refreshing" it.

Full and proper repaint {stripped down to a bare shell by you} perhaps $6500.00 to get the job done in a couple months. Full suspension rebuild, with the component parts stripped and painted etc. Good Shocks, brakes, all suspension bushings replaced andmaybe new springs for autocross... another $1000.00. Fresh valve job with minor head enhancements at least - and maybe a full rebuild. {scuffed the cylinders and wiped out the cam/rockers as they threw a battery in it and cranked it over - who knows?}. Ah heck have the whole thing rebuilt - $3500.00/$4500.00 depending..{L26 crank and an over-bore maybe}.

Then new tires with some "grip" and wider wheels another $800.00 to $1000.00 {with mounting/balanceing and sales tax or shipping charges}. Rebuild the radiator and cooling lines. Add new starter, alt. distributor and rebuilt carbs.. another $1200.00. Drop the fuel tank and clean it out.. New carpet and a set of racing seats.. another grand..

And so it goes... don't start out thinking you can get the car they way you want it - for $10k, nor even $15K.. "refreshed" you'll have $20K and a lot of personal time in it..

Or you could start with something like this one -if the bidding doesn't go to high.. pretty much finished {but you would have to have it checked over before buying}..

EBay Item Number 161008859120

Datsun : Z-Series 2 door coupe in Datsun | eBay Motors

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Hank240]

Carl - excellent advice from a wise and experienced man. Having restored and refreshed a few cars, I share your views.

Hank

[bacarl]

Hey Carl, thanks for the reality-check post. Interestingly, that's the ebay listing that generated my question earlier about the shift shafts. That looks like a super clean, perfectly-refurbished car.

So this is exactly my conundrum: to buy a car like qwik's and spend an untold amount of time and money refreshing, or buy a car like that yellow one in NorCal (or this one which I really like) that is essentially turn key. The allure of the latter is obvious. However as I'm sure everyone on this site can appreciate, there is a joy in the process of refreshing, despite how painful it can get. And there's the sense of ownership and pride in starting/driving/having something you built (or refreshed, in this case). As qwik510 said himself in his ad thread, "If you didn't build it, it's not yours".