new guy - old car

[ericg]

Already got some useful information from the 1st Gen forum, but thought I'd say hello all.

My name is Eric and I'm a 31 year old artist and gallery director living in Santa Fe, NM.

I have always loved Z cars! The 240 is the third classic car I've purchased in the last year as my "little hobby" has quickly developed into a full blown addiction. I started tinkering with a 71' Fiat 124 Spider (now sold) but quickly started looking for a bigger project. I now have a 69' Triumph GT-6+ in the middle of a full frame-off restoration that I'm mostly doing on my own (and learning as I go).

I bought the 240 about a month ago when opportunity knocked. It is extraordinarily original...still has the old tape deck and box speakers! Mainly, it needed tires, paint and a new dash. It also needs an alignment and a new brake booster.

The guy I got if from had it here in NM for the last 20+ years and didn't drive it much. He bought it from a guy in Dallas who had it fully restored in the late 80's (have receipts). At that time he changed the color from 113 to 907 and swapped in an L28 which now has about 50k miles on it.

I replaced a few cracked hoses and I've been working on the interior: cleaning, replaced the shift boot, armrest and refreshing the sun faded carpets with an aerosol dye. The seats are white cloth and in great condition as is everything else but the dash. The windows were tined (thank god) saving it from 20+ years of dessert UV!

The dash was cracked beyond CAP-abiltiy and so I ordered a used OEM replacement on ebay ($$).

It has a few rust spots (rockers) but the frame rails, shock towers and floor pans are dry. I'm taking it for paint/body in a week and should have it back mid Nov (pics to come). I'm removing the side trim after learning that it's not factory original and that'll make waxing easier anyway.

I plan to work on it as issues arise, keep it stock and enjoy it as a "weekender". I look forward to getting to know you all better and sharing a common love.

Cheers!

[Zedyone_kenobi]

welcome and good motoring.. These cars are addictive and never get boring. They are also a joy to work on.

[jfa.series1]

Good to meet you Eric. That GT-6+ sounds pretty neat - they share a lot of common lines with the Z, sort of a 7/8 scale version. We'll be looking for your pics.

[siteunseen]

I can understand your addiction. I bought a '77 and then after reading on this forum about all the fun the 240's were I ended up with 2 Z's in my garage. I enjoy this community of Z lovers as much as the cars themselves. You've found a gold mine at classiczcars.com, very helpful folks here.

[Travel'n Man]

Welcome to the group - get ready for a great ride!

[Galaxybj]

Welcome from a fellow New Mexico resident. Look forward to seeing pictures of your new acquisition and possibly in person one day. Lots of good information to be found here on this site.

[ericg]

Welcome from a fellow New Mexico resident. Look forward to seeing pictures of your new acquisition and possibly in person one day. Lots of good information to be found here on this site.

Thanks all!

Look forward to meeting you Galaxy!

Pics soon...

[jcb]

Ericg, Welcome to the site, I know you will enjoy it. If you still have the side trim I need a piece that goes on the door. If you want to sell it let me know. Thanks JB

[ericg]

The car is heading in for paint and body work in a few days but here's the current state. I've been in touch with the 2nd owner (I'm the 4th) and he sent many pics of the resto he did in the 80's! he's also sending me the original steering wheel! Very cool guy.