My Latest Project

[lonetreesteve]

I sold my '71 White/Blue 240Z just over 2 years ago (discussed in another recent thread called 'Impressive Z Shop in Hungary') and sold the majority of the spare parts I had after three 240Z refresh projects, thinking that I would go in a completely different direction in terms of my next project.  I looked around at other makes of classic cars, but really had a tough time deciding on what I was going to purchase for my next project.

Well, guess what?  I ended up buying another 240Z.  I know, I know, I must really have the "disease'. I found another desert Z in Arizona, this time on the Tucson Craigslist. The car arrived at my body and paint guy's shop a little less than a a week ago, but this one needs a lot more work than my last Arizona Z I bought back in 2007. The last one had a rebuilt engine and ran well. With our 2 youngest still in college, coupled with the fact that 240Zs have gone up so much in value since I bought my last one, you don't get as much for your money nowadays. However, other than some rust in the rear hatch area and some minor surface rust here and there, the body and undercarriage are rock solid.

Unlike my past three 240Zs, this one does not have its original matching numbers engine. It's an L28 with a five speed that was installed over a decade ago, but as you can see in the pictures, the job was never finished. Looks like the hood is all out of alignment from when the previous owner pulled the L24 and installed the L28. It also looks like a desert pack rat made a nest in the battery tray.  I may try to find a '71 L24 to make it as close to original as possible, but keep the 5-speed. Besides the solid body, the original color of the car is 903 blue, which I'm really excited about and plan to have my body & paint guy match the new paint as close to the 903 Blue as possible. I will also redo the interior with the original black color (or should I change it to blue? - I've always loved the blue/blue and white/blue '70 and '71 240Zs).

Here are the pictures that I recently took of the car at my body & paint guy's place:
 

[Pop's Z]

Steve, You certainly have the Z disease. I have a '73 motor at Kenny Peralez's shop in Berthoud with about 75,000 original miles on it. You can have it at no cost if you can use it.

I also have the complete heater assembly and a bunch of other parts. I can't use them, and they are just taking up space. You are welcome to any or all.

 

Cheers, Mike

[lonetreesteve]

Mike,  Good to hear from you! That's very nice of you to offer your L24, I think that I will take you up on your offer, thanks!  I will send you a P.M. shortly.

[Marty Rogan]

Looks like a nice find Steve.  Low rust is the key as you know.  So it looks like you have a solid base to start from.

 

The 903 blue is nice, but I like the yellow too.  Can't got wrong with either.

 

Enjoy the project.

 

Marty

[lonetreesteve]

Looks like a nice find Steve.  Low rust is the key as you know.  So it looks like you have a solid base to start from.

 

The 903 blue is nice, but I like the yellow too.  Can't got wrong with either.

 

Enjoy the project.

 

Marty

Thanks, Marty.  You're right, low rust is the key and I'm really very happy about that.

If the car was originally yellow, I would have it repainted 919 Yellow like yours - which I also really like. But since it was originally 903 Blue, I'm going to have it painted that color. I was actually very close to buying a 919 Yellow '71 Series I in the Los Angeles area, but unfortunately, another guy beat me to it.  It's tough when you're calling, texting or e-mailing from out of state when trying to buy a 240Z on Craigslist, the local buyers always have the advantage. I got lucky on this latest Z.

[Bonzi Lon]

If the color is not set in stone yet, you might consider the 915 blue with the off white interior.  I happen to like that combination. 

 

Bonzi Lon

[Marty Rogan]

Thanks, Marty.  You're right, low rust is the key and I'm really very happy about that.

If the car was originally yellow, I would have it repainted 919 Yellow like yours - which I also really like. But since it was originally 903 Blue, I'm going to have it painted that color. I was actually very close to buying a 919 Yellow '71 Series I in the Los Angeles area, but unfortunately, another guy beat me to it.  It's tough when you're calling, texting or e-mailing from out of state when trying to buy a 240Z on Craigslist, the local buyers always have the advantage. I got lucky on this latest Z.

There's nothing wrong with the 903 Blue.  I have a blue/blue '70 and I would not trade that for anything.  If you need to re-do the interior, change it to blue!

 

Yeah it's tough trying to buy a car long distance.  Everything in the Midwest is usually very rusty, and you need to travel to get a good one.  Except for that 29K mile one that a member here bought right in my back yard.  I don't know how I missed that one.

[lonetreesteve]

There's nothing wrong with the 903 Blue.  I have a blue/blue '70 and I would not trade that for anything.  If you need to re-do the interior, change it to blue!

 

Yeah it's tough trying to buy a car long distance.  Everything in the Midwest is usually very rusty, and you need to travel to get a good one.  Except for that 29K mile one that a member here bought right in my back yard.  I don't know how I missed that one.

Marty,

 

29k mile car, wow! Maybe the member will sell it to you.

 

That's great that you have a '70 blue/blue!  I love those cars. You'll have to post some pics. 

 

I am seriously considering to install a blue interior in my new 903 Blue project. 

[Marty Rogan]

Well he just bought the car and is very excited about it.  I doubt he would sell it.

 

Here are few pics of the Blue Z.

 

 

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Marty your Z was one of my inspiration pictures when I was deciding what to do with my Z.  Such a sweet car buddy!

[Marty Rogan]

Marty your Z was one of my inspiration pictures when I was deciding what to do with my Z.  Such a sweet car buddy!

Thanks Zedy.  And it has your Momo steering wheel in it too!

 

I would say your car turned out very well indeed.

[lonetreesteve]

If the color is not set in stone yet, you might consider the 915 blue with the off white interior.  I happen to like that combination. 

 

Bonzi Lon

Bonzi, 

 

I know that the 915 Blue was a '72 and '73 color versus the 903 Blue on the '70 and '71 240Zs. Is the 903 Blue darker? What are the differences?