Just bought my first z, looking for some help fixing her up

[SamH2968]

Just bought a 78 280z, I am fairly new to the Z car world, i plan on fixing her up while i am going to college. i want to take her back to almost completely original. the only thing i want to put in that isnt is a new radio but i will be putting in a retro sound so it will still have the original look. for the most part everything that needs to be worked on is cosmetic. there is an after market sunroof that needs to go, it has a damaged rear quarter panel that needs to be either pounded out or replaced, it needs a new intior, the rust needs to be taken care of and needs a paint job once everything is done. right now i am trying to out if the wheels on it are the stock wheels and cant seem to find any answers, i have been told that alloy wheels were an option in 78, im not sure is these are those wheels though. any help with fixing her up would be much appreciated, if any of you guys have a roof or quarter panel or know where to get one that would make my day. thanks

[siteunseen]

I don't think you can replace the roof on these cars, I do not know that for sure but I do know that the roof has structural function. Back in my college days a buddy of mine wanted to make a targa top out of his and the car started "folding up" when he cut the roof out. He had to have angle iron welded on the bottom for support and it took 2" off his ride height, he'd get stuck on speed bumps. Yor car has the dealer installed options my '77 has, side trim and the pin-stripe. I would bet that sunroof was a dealer add on too, you might have to learn to like it. I found a few with your wheels so they could be dealer installed.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/wheels-tires-brakes-s30/23378-280z-factory-alloy-wheels-value-feeler.html

Read down to #18, it's an old post but your wheels are worth some $$, supposedly.

Edited August 4, 2013 by siteunseen

[SamH2968]

Thanks for the info in the wheels! and I'm looking for the roof just to cuts out the section that the sun roof takes up so I keep the right shape and everything, the guy I bought it from mostly has the hole history of what's been done to the car and said the sun roof was an after market thing, it doesn't leak so for now I'm going to keep it, I'd just like to eventually get rid of it

[Patcon]

The roof skin can certainly be replaced. You could patch in the sunroof area but it will be hard to weld it all up and not oil can (warp) the roof panel. To replace the whole roof skin the windshield and hatch would have to come off. All the spot welds across the top of the windshield and the top of the hatch and the drip rails would have to be drilled out about a 100 or so. Then the new roof skin welded in. You would actually leave the subframe of the roof in place which would hold the shape of the car. It is not that complicated but it is a good bit of work. Patching is easier but bondo will be necessary to make it look good...

Charles

[gogriz91]

Fix the rear quarter panel and if it doesn't leak, keep the sunroof, this is sunroof season in the last best pace...how 'bout those Grizzlies?

[SamH2968]

Thanks for the info guys, I think in just going to pound out the quarter panel and we'll see about the sun roof, do you guys know anything about fixing up the interior, the seats are torn and the upholstery in the rear is pretty beat up, what would be my best option in repairing/replacing it

[Arne]

Roof skin can be replaced by a skilled bodyman. See this thread:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/body-paint-s30/30409-successful-skin-graft-roof-skin.html

[EuroDat]

Thanks for the info guys, I think in just going to pound out the quarter panel and we'll see about the sun roof, do you guys know anything about fixing up the interior, the seats are torn and the upholstery in the rear is pretty beat up, what would be my best option in repairing/replacing it

Grats with your latest hobby.

For seat repair, you might want to read the thread http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/open-s30-z-discussions/47863-lime-green-machine-restoration-thread-1972-240z-2.html Go to post #137. If you PM Hardway he could give you some tips as well.

Chas

[mjr45]

I did the carpet, headliner, A pillars, the top windshield panel and both head side panels. I think I got a couple of kits from MSA or Black Dragon, my seats were in good shape so no resto on them. It's not a hard job, but is time consuming, make sure you use a good adhesive and measure carefully 2-3 times before you cut anything. I also used sound deadening from Eastwood which compared well to Dynamat at 1/3 less cost, put it on all floors, roof and inside door panels, made a huge difference and helped with the exhaust fumes. Good luck with the resto, just take your time, I would probably live with the sunroof until you can afford a new roof skin.

Edited August 10, 2013 by mjr45