Posted June 3, 201410 yr comment_449126 Long story short, my father had a 72 240z that we were going to fix as a father son project. Unfortunately he passed before it could become a reality and its time to find a 240z of my own to build with my sons. I have a starting budget of around $4k. I live in Spokane Wa and am willing to travel 500 miles or so for the right vehicle. I have found a 72 240z that is a few hours away from me. The owner know nothing about the car. I have talked him down to $1500 for it and might be able to get if for a little less. He says that there is no visible rust and the the motor ran when he got it, but wouldn't hold a charge. Would run for a few hours on a full battery charge, then would stop running. Not it won't start and he thinks its a fuel pump. He thinks that it has the 2.8 and not the 2.4. Here are the pics that I have of it. Does this look like a good cat to start with? 1972 Datsun 240z Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 3, 201410 yr Author comment_449128 needs a full interior Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449128 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 3, 201410 yr Author comment_449129 Any way to tell what engine this is? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449129 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 3, 201410 yr Author comment_449130 Here are some pics of Dads Z. It sat under a car cover for 5 years and rotted from the ground up. Hopefully will be able to do a fitting tribute. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449130 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 3, 201410 yr comment_449132 Look at the flat spot on the block between the #5 and #6 plugs for a stamping that says L24, L26 or L28. That will tell you the size of the block. The head ID is cast in the head by the #1 plug. Look for E31, E88, N42, etc.From what I can see the car looks good for $1500. I'd like to see some pictures of the front shock towers and front wheel wells since those are common rust areas.Chuck Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449132 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 3, 201410 yr comment_449135 Nice aluminum rad too...looks like a nice car. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449135 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 3, 201410 yr comment_449137 Flat-top carburetors - I'm thinking it's a 73. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449137 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 3, 201410 yr comment_449138 the panel gap at the rf fender/passenger door looks pretty wonky... if they took fenders off, were they doing structural repairs and/or body work?biggest worries are hidden structural rust. just about anything can be fixed/restored (there are some really great threads that have come up recently with incredible restorations and a lot of d.i.y. work) but it does come down to how much time you want to spend, and the old "pay me now or later" adage. if you want it to be a project where the process is the important part and the end product isn't tied to a timeline, then no worries. my past experience has steered me to always spend a little more up front to get a better starting point - but that's because i have neither the skills nor budget to do a lot of body work... Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449138 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 4, 201410 yr comment_449147 Several things to consider; RUST The #1 problem with Zs. Take an ice pick & poke any blisters(paint or rust)-Fender wells, body below the doors, frame rails, floor pan, spare tire well, seat supports, cowel in front of the windshield, pull the battery, this a notorious place for rust. VOE I scanned the project 260 that I bought last fall fairly well for rust, or so I thought, Things I missed; Seat support, Hole in the rear of the right fender well. Behind & below the battery. OK I can deal with it, then I open up the right frame rail from the inside.I haven't seen that much rust since I left the ship repair yards. My 6 month project no longer has a definitive on the road date. OK, Engine,a working starter & a battery will allow you to do a compression check. The dash looks good, could mean a car that has been under cover much of it's life. Enjoy the project. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449147 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 4, 201410 yr comment_449208 The dash looks good, could mean a car that has been under cover much of it's life. Enjoy the project.In the picture through the driver's door, the dash appears to have numerous cracks on top. For whatever reason, no pictures of the left side of the car. Some things to consider:What's your restoration budget?How much of the work can you do yourself?Do you have access to a parts car, local Pick-A-Part, or wrecking yard that has Zs?A quick inventory indicates you'll need:New bumpersBumper mountsOutside marker lightsWindshield chrome trimSteering wheelNew center radio/heat control panelRadioSeat coversDoor panelsAssorted door pieces, window cranks, lock knobs, inside release trimCarpetPossibly a new center consoleInner & outer shift bootsOutside body emblemsAnd, all the things you discover needing fixing and replacement along the wayJust those items could be a few thousand dollars depending on how sourced.Depending on how big a project you're willing to take on, you may want to keep looking. Let us know what you do.Dennis Edited June 4, 201410 yr by psdenno Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449208 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 5, 201410 yr Author comment_449229 I can throw $1-2k per month at this if I need to. I would like to get it as a solid runner with nice stance, fenders, cowl, spoiler, rims & tires, and interior 1st. Then worry about paint, and over the winter have the powertrain beefed up to either a L28ET, SBC, or the SR26. I would like to end around 300 hp. I am thinking $1500 for the car. $3-4k for astetics and suspension, $1k for the paint and body, and then $5k for the powertrain. If I can create a nice clean reliable driver with 300 hp for under $12k I would be very happy. I do not have a garage at this time and will be needing to rent a spot for it. I need to be able to drive it to my in-laws garage for day long projects, but I cant store it there. I do not have room for a parts car and I an not sure what the availability of used parts are here in Spokane Wa. Here are a couple of pics of cars that I am trying to get mine to look like eventually. Is my budget at all realistic???? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449229 Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 5, 201410 yr comment_449234 1976 Green Datsun 280z Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/49362-looking-to-buy-my-1st-to-me-240z/#findComment-449234 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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