New 240Z owner!

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Your not seeing it because it isn't there anymore!

 

Truthfully, the frame rails are almost completely gone. Their should be square channels that run form the Tension Control rod toward the back of the car, and they are almost completely gone. 

 

Tell you what, if you have a sandblaster, start sandblasting the dogleg area and keep blasting until you hit nice hard metal.  Take pictures of what is left. But first remove everything in the dash so as to not get it filled with sand. 

 

I love that you have such high hopes, but the dreams of kids with cars 'they are gonna fix up' are as plentiful as the water droplets in the sea.  I had many bucketful's myself.  It is part of the hobby. One day you will look back and laugh and know this is where it all started.

[Stealth240Z]

What I did not show was the driver side frame rail, which is actually quite good! I know I'd replace the frame rails with Bad Dog ones, but I was told the dog leg area was the actual death of the car. But yes, I will do that. Thank you.

[Stealth240Z]

I am definitely keeping my eye open for a donor chasis, though.

[Patcon]

If I remember right there are three pieces of metal that run down under the door towards the dog leg. There is the floor pan that turns up on the inside of the rocker panel. There is the inside rocker panel that has the large holes on the inside. Then the outer rocker panel, part of which is seen on the outside of the car and part is concealed under the fenders and doglegs. It would be best is the inner and out rocker panels are continuous from the front to the back. You could cut in splices but they need to be in different areas. don't make any seams in the same places. I don't know who has the sheet metal you need but bear in mind the patch panels will be $2-300 per side plus freight. It won't take long to pay for a better chassis with patch panels. Been there done that...

[Stealth240Z]

Thank you for the info. Gosh, I've barely owned the vehicle for a week and I'm already stressed out!! Haha!

[gundee]

I agree. A professional restorer with a frame rack would have a hard time

putting that chassis back together. Parts, parts, parts. Keep for spares.

That would have to be 1969 chassis no. 00001 to even attempt. IMO.

[Stealth240Z]

Hm.. Ok. Well, I need to find me another chasis.

[gundee]

Now if that were a Porsche 356 in that condition, it would sell for around $20K as is.

And I'm not kidding!

[Stealth240Z]

Did some more teardown last night of the car. Pictures to come. But first, what is the main structure beam called that the rocker panel would be welded to? If I were to restore this car, can you get replacements or would I have to design something?

[Mark Maras]

 I don't know what it's called and as far as I know there is no replacement part available.  If you found a donor chassis to cut that section out of, you'd be better off rebuilding the donor chassis. IMO, that boxed section is the stiffest portion of the whole chassis. Remove it and you'll open a Pandora's box. The body on that side will sag unless it's mounted on a chassis jig. Not worth the time & trouble.

[Stealth240Z]

Well shoot, ok. Thank you.

[Patcon]

The one with the holes is the inner rocker panel, Panel, sill inner 76410-E8800 passengers & 76411-E4600 drivers . At one time they were available. To make these repairs you will need to strip the car, no engine or transmission, strip the interior and pull the harness out of the car. The less weight the better and less to catch fire. Then you will have to support the car really well. You could probably do one side at time, but you will have to be real careful and fit the door several times to make sure the car stays straight. Weld some bars across the inside of the doors and some temporary bars diagonally across the car to help hold it straight. When your done grind they back out