How Would You Hand This '73 240z Over To It's Next Enthusiast?

[73str86]

Basically, I found this 1973 240z through word of mouth. It was not listed for sale anywhere. The story is it was an older gentleman's old time hot rod. He had a heart attack. I bought it from the guy's sister. My only intention is to get it in the hands of a Z fan, and not cut up or in the scrap yard.

When I bought it, the car was on jack stands. There is the typical rust. The guy clearly loved the car at one point. I bought it with clear New Mexico title, soon to be in my name in a Georgia title. It has Montana and West Virginia stickers on the rear bumper.

Here's what I've found out so far:

-PO refinished wheels, brake drums (I had to put the wheels on car at purchase)

-rear brakes rebuilt at some point

-all brake hoses replaced

-replaced alternator

-pertronix ignition

-rebuilt distributor

-re-cored radiator by NM shop

-aftermarket cam (ccw core) looks great

-non-factory oil spray bar (this sucker is stout, no flex or anything, functional)

-full cartech 4bbl holley setup with plenum (never seen plenum for sale)

-rust in rockers, floors, lower door skins, dog legs, battery tray.

-the seat supports and floor are semi-stable--I can sit in the car without sinking

-interior is ratty

-hatch area above taillights looks great, except has dime sized hole. tool boxes, spare wheel area completely solid

-I can't find any bondo on the car whatsoever

-looks to have been repainted at some point

-windshield has been replaced, newer gasket, no pits/nicks in glass

-at least driver's side window replaced

-it has maintenance stickers all over it, looks like jiffy lube serviced it at 145,000 miles in 2001, it's now at 145 and change

-no clutch pressure, but master cylinder is full of fluid. I'll sort that out this weekend

I rigged up a gas IV of sorts to the carb, and she started immediately with fresh gas. The idle was so smooth I couldn't believe it. The aftermarket fuel pump (purolator proformance) was dead, bought a Mr. Gasket 5-7psi to hook up this weekend.

Note: photos were taken with flat passenger's side tires...they have been filled and hold air.

Basically my question is, do I sell it as-is (running, rust, cheaper), or put some time into it, getting it on the road, sorting out clutch, brakes, rust. My theory is, as-is, those with Datsun experience knows the rust is not out of the ordinary, and will fix the rust the right way or turn it into a race car. I have a lot of friends that love Datsuns, but are unfamiliar with them, and some have a sort of mindset that if it has rust/bondo they can't enjoy driving it. If a beginner takes on the rust, the project could never be on the road again, but if I put a little work into it, then sell it, it is more likely to be on the road longer/be enjoyed more.

I have a garage full of spare/performance parts (car was built 3 months before my own) as well as a full 4 screw SU setup. I'm thinking about taking the cartech setup to put on the shelf.

I have a fellow Subaru owner friend that wants the car pretty bad, but isn't experienced in diagnosing problems in an older vehicle. We have to learn somehow I suppose.

My goal/plan is $1500-3000 depending on how much time/money I put into her. The Z population is thin on eBay, especially in this condition, and craigslist in the southeast is sparse as well. Most cars are 280z/280zx.

So let me hear your thoughts.

[S30Driver]

Ship it to haZmatt in Colorado, the rust repair would be a mornings work for him - like Ed on wheeler dealers.

He is waiting on his Rebello motor anyway.

Just make sure when you sell it, it goes too a true Z enthusiast so that the car is saved & returns to the road.

[SteveJ]

I know someone in the Atlanta who might be interested. PM me.

[siteunseen]

Engine bay looks like paint #110 but the body looks like #918. What's the sticker on the radiator support say? Just curious.

[73str86]

I agree it doesn't look like original color. Paint code isn't visible on the sticker. Underneath looks red as well where undercoating has flaked off. Door jams are orange if I remember correctly. It has has the metal splash pan, which I was surprised to see.

Edited September 12, 2014 by 73str86

[Hardway]

That is definitely a project car but it has a lot of good things going for it. Kudos to you for rescuing it. The fact that it runs is a huge plus. Given everything that has been done to it and everything it still needs I would say it’s worth right at $3K, maybe a little more. The rust is what really brings the value down. The carb and manifold is a non-issue. If you like the Car-Tech 4bbl setup and want to swap the dual carbs on, go for it. At the very least I would say get it running on fuel out of the tank if you can. I know that means dropping the tank, cleaning, etc. but it will be worth it. Just getting that taken care of alone would bring the value up several hundred dollars. Given the amount of rust the car has its going to require someone with the skills to fix it or the money to farm it out. If your Subaru buddy really wants it and will pony up what its really worth then sell it to him. The bottom line, the car needs quite a bit to be safe and roadworthy. An old Z is probably one of the best old cars to learn how to work on a vintage vehicle. If your buddy does not want it post it up on the Datsun Classifieds and various Datsun FB pages. There should be no shortage of buyers looking for a running Z project for around $3,500 and those outlets will help ensure it goes to a Z enthusiast.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Hardway

[MotoManMike]

The good news is you are on the east coast. On the west coast many would scrap that car. East coast guys seem to accept rust a little more than others. Especially northeast. Not bad overall but will be quite a bit of work to get the body up to snuff. Typical looking east coast Z. Your price doesn't seem out of line to me at all. The one i started with a few years ago was i believe $1200 for the car. Everything was there it was just rusty. It was in a little better shape but had rust in all the same areas except the doors were in good shape. I do like how you've specifically sought out a buyer with intentions to drive it. Good luck with the sale.

[HaZmatt]

Ship it to haZmatt in Colorado, the rust repair would be a mornings work for him - like Ed on wheeler dealers.

He is waiting on his Rebello motor anyway.

Just make sure when you sell it, it goes too a true Z enthusiast so that the car is saved & returns to the road.

Haha, if I only had a bigger garage.......

[FastWoman]

Personally, I'd sell it to the Subaru friend. He might not know much about these older cars, but he can learn. They're not really all that complicated. Half of the fun is in the learning and discovery, anyway. Since it's a running car, he can enjoy it now and make improvements as he learns and makes time.

[Bonzi Lon]

It appears that the exhaust fume problem was cured or reduced by installing that JDM 'bozosoku' (sp) style tail pipe.

Bonzi Lon

[73str86]

Pm sent Steve J.

[73str86]

New Mr. Gasket electric fuel pump installed, bought new clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder to be installed.

Also listed her on eBay; friend was taking too long to decide and I've realized I don't have much free time to put into the car.

Here's the link, bidding starts at $1.00. I would much rather sell it outside of eBay. Much more photos in the listing description.

Datsun Z Series 240Z | eBay