Need opinions on whether to restore resto/modify my 70 240

[metalman5117]

Hey everyone! I'm a new user so please be gentle. I've got a question that I need some opinions on. I definitely want everyones feedback. I have a 70 240 HLS30 01233 that I am debating on whether to restore to OEM or to do a resto/modified type thing. Several things complicate doing a full boat original resto. First the body plate in the engine compartment is no longer there(thanks to me many years ago painting the engine compartment and not putting it back. What can I say, I was a dumb teenager. Secondly and this has baffled me from the day I bought the car the build plate on the door jamb has had the production date scratched out. It looks like someone took a knife and started whittling away on it. I can just barely make out the build date as 2/70. These are pretty much Irreplaceable items right? If so would it be worth doing a Nos restoration on this car? My other thought was to just restore to the way that I like it(stroked L24, webers, nasty cam, and original exterior maybe smooth some things off). What do you guys think?

[Ed]

This is just my opinion and I'm sure your going to get a few!

You have a pretty early Z and I believe she's one of the more desirable ones. Something you don't see too often. Especially ones that have been left stock. If I had one that was as "young" as yours I'd try to keep it as original as I could. Now you could always do a little here and a little there for performance. Like a cam or urathane bushings in the suspension. But basically I'd leave her alone she deserves to be left original. Unfortunately there are alot of butch jobs out there that end up ruining a car.

When it comes to your ID plates I do remember a post here about a company that will make new ones. Not sure maybe someone else remembers.

How about some pics?

And welcome to the club.

[2ManyZs]

The data plates are available from:

http://www.zzxdatsun.com/

Now I'm not sure if they will stamp your numbers in them or if you have to do it yourself.

I'd be tempted to keep the car fairly close to stock, at least in the body department. It's a very early car to start putting flares and the like on unless you were to do a "repro" style car with period style body add-ons.

You could always do like some of us(or at least I am) and that is to have one engine to play with, modified to whatver you like and keep the original in a crate somwhere if you ever decide to go back to it's original state.

I guess the biggest consideration is if you are willing to do a resto by stripping the chassis bare and starting from scratch or if just a good re-paint will satisfy you. Time and money are the biggest considerations if you plan on doing a full-on bare chassis resto.

My opinion? Do a good resto of the body while keeping the mods to what can be unbolted if you ever change your mind later, and find an L-28 and build your hopped up engine out of that,F-54 blocks are usually the preferred choice. Keep the original engine in a crate and have fun with the car. If you ever chose to sell the car or decided to show it in original condition, you can just unbolt the mods you have done and restore the car back to its original condition.

[EScanlon]

Asking this bunch to go gentle on you just because you're new is like waving a red flag in front of a bull while prodding his behind with a cattle prod.

And then you top that with a question such as this.....

Are you CRAZY????

=============

All kidding aside, you're probably going to get a very heated debate in responses varying from one side to the other. There will be some that will advise keeping it pristine stock and ordering air from Japan to fill the tires, while others would change the wiper motor for a little Honda 50cc engine if they could figure out how to get it to start remotely.

Personally, I would recommend that you repair those items that are in need of it. Finding replacement parts for some items may lead you down the road to modifications which you would consider on a case by case basis.

Since you're already missing and have scratches on a couple items that would be important for a Concours competition, don't let that disuade you from restoring it to original. Just be aware that those items would earn you deductions that may make the effort worthless. Remember, some of those Concours Owners do not DRIVE their car, they tow it to and from the show. As a result, it's going to be difficult to put what was once a daily driver up against a museum piece without a MAJOR investment of dollars.

Now if you have the money, go for it..

Regarding Modifications? Hmmm, that takes thought. Are you referring to changing the Heater Control Panel from a 70 to a 73 in order to get illumination behind the panel or are you talking adding metal flares to the wheel wells in order to fit a 300 series tire?

I related this story many months ago, and at the risk of offending you or others, I'll post it again. If you are easily offended skip the next paragraph:

>

Years ago, I met two transexual women. These are individuals who, for their own reasons, have decided to have their sex changed from male to female. One of them was so utterly gorgeous and feminine that the only true way of determining if, in fact, there HAD been an operation would have been a very personal examination and I wasn't up for that. The other one on the other hand reminded me of Mike Tyson in a mini skirted dress.

<

My point in that story is to point out that some modifications are either very plainly and obviously improvements or that they are natural progressions of what should have been done that they are accepted without question nor remarks; while others are just as plainly obvious errors in judgement. But then again, the error in judgement is in the eye of the beholder. No doubt the second individual felt as good as the first regarding those modifications.

So, as far as modifications go, remember that one man's anathema is another man's mantra.

Lastly, don't forget the cost of modifications. There are a LOT of hidden costs that aren't apparent until you are half way through it. A V8 transplant doesn't sound bad, until you try to get a new driveshaft cut and balanced, or try to wire the car to accept it and still use the original instruments. Get my drift?

Luckily the group of people here, both men and women, are very enlightened and knowledgeable. They'll advise you as best they can.

Welcome to the club.

Enrique Scanlon

[ZmeFly]

i think he said it best

no matter what you decide to do remember is what you want for your car. make it what you want and invision, and keep it to your satisfaction.

dont fall into the norm of things and make it what others would think or want it to be but instead work hard on your car to make it the best Z for you and having it doing and running the way you want it:cheeky:

[Alan Pugh]

I agree with Enrique 100%, you have got to do in the end what best suits you but lets face it I wouldn't be seen dead riding Mike Tyson down the street.

Would you.

Alan.

[Mr Camouflage]

Yeah I have a 72 240z that i'm going to strip and rebuild, and have been wondering myself whether to keep it stock original, or modify.

My descision is made all the more harder because these cars are very rare in Australia, and mine still has the original motor, and not much rust, and is in pretty good original condition to start with.

Then you get members like nixcars, and Cuong Nguyen that arent afraid to cut up a 240z and modify them and put in silvia interiors, SR20 and RB26 engines and other various bits in.

Check out their photo galleries. These guys are cars are great examples of modified cars.

Nixcars photos

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=3241&thumb=1

Cuong's photos

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1898&thumb=1

[Nigel Mulvey]

I was looking for a 1970 (Series 1) and I had planned to keep it stock looking but make some modest improvements to rectify the adverse comments and improvement recommendations of the auto journo's who wrote about the 240 when it first came out (eg. five speed, 3.9 diff, adjustable koni's, subtle spoilers to stop the car riding up at speed - these were just a few of the things I picked up from the old reviews).

As fate would have it circumstances changed and I didn't follow this course but I think it might be a considerable option in your case.

You might also want to bear in mind that in Australia interest in the early Z-Cars appears to have increased since the release of the 350Z. I have already been offered twice what I paid for my original 1971 so it might pay to keep it looking as stock as possible.

Whatever you decide, good luck and welcome to the club.