1976 280Z Restoration Project

[grannyknot]

8 hours ago, wheee! said:

Due to the sheer quantity of welds and repairs to the heavily “fixed” body of this car, there is going to be a fair amount of body filler in places. No pretending to have perfect sheet metal here.

We can't all  afford or get the opportunity to purchase a perfect example as our starting point,  but I believe bringing back a neglected or abused Z is a much greater achievement than starting with a cream puff.

[ConVerTT]

What?  It looks great!  Keep the faith brother - you are nearing the home stretch!

[wheee!]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the feedback. I know everyone prefers a “clean” car but here in the frozen north, so many of these cars have simply rotted away. Salvaging this car has been a challenge that I probably wouldn’t have started knowing what I do now.... but where’s the fun in that?
I’ll be glad when it’s done. Then I’ll look at the roadster....

[the_tool_man]

It is a huge amount of work.  But it is already paying off.  You'll end up with a beautiful car that makes you happy.  That's all that matters.  And don't worry about over-posting.  These updates are very informative to those of us who aspire to your skill level.

[wheee!]

Good grief, don’t aspire to my level! Shoot higher!!!

[EuroDat]

On 2/13/2020 at 3:09 PM, wheee! said:

Good grief, don’t aspire to my level! Shoot higher!!!

Don't underestimate yourself. You are doing a lot better than you think.

[wheee!]

10 minutes ago, EuroDat said:

Don't underestimate yourself. You are doing a lot better than you think.

Thanks Chas. I'm not looking for praise or "fishing for likes" as such. I know I am doing a good job, but the difference is that someone with better skills and equipment would have been able to reduce the amount of filler being used or replaced the panels completely. I am running out of a) time b) money c) patience with finishing this build. I am in wayyyyy deeper than I ever expected. In the end I know the car will have flaws, but they will be ones that I know about. Ones that tell a story of how decisions were made, whether good or bad. I suppose I am tempering peoples expectations of the finished product; showing the flaws and warts along the way so the build is not a "fluff story of perfect fabrication"! People tend to post pictures of their success versus their failures lol!  In the end, if the car is an 8/10, I will be happy.

 

[Pop's Z]

Mark, Re: Flaws...When Navajo women weave their beautiful blankets they purposely put in a "flaw" to let any evil spirits out. Now you know that there will be NO evil spirits in your amazing build. Can't wait to see and hear this incredible project get "completed".

Cheers, Mike

[Av8ferg]

There is no perfect. Those cars come out of factories and aren’t perfect in reality. Your car will be a reflection of you, your efforts, your sweat. That makes it special in my opinion. Keep it up.


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[ConVerTT]

10 hours ago, wheee! said:

! People tend to post pictures of their success versus their failures lol!  

 

Truth! ???

[wheee!]

Some starting point perspective

[dmorales-bello]

A little fender bling...

I really like the direction of your build and I commend your dedication to bringing this Z back to life in the Great White North.
Where did you source the cool katakana Z emblems? Are they metal or ABS plastic? I love these!

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