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Restoration of HLS30-12070

CW240Z72
CW240Z72
in Build Threads

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comment_632301

Do you have another restoration candidate in hand?  I spend a fair amount of time looking and it seems the reputation of the increase values of these cars has become widespread.  Sourcing at decent prices for adequate profit margins seems more challenging?

Garrett


  • Author
comment_632304
37 minutes ago, inline6 said:

Do you have another restoration candidate in hand?  I spend a fair amount of time looking and it seems the reputation of the increase values of these cars has become widespread.  Sourcing at decent prices for adequate profit margins seems more challenging?

Garrett

I have my personal '72 sitting next to this one waiting for it's turn. Along with that I have a few non-Z Datsuns that need the same treatment. I really enjoy the build more so than having a car too nice to use sitting in the garage, so if someone else could enjoy it and enable me to fund the next one it's a win win situation in my eyes. For some reason I am a glutton for punishment. 

The increased popularity of these cars has definitely made scoring a "barn find" example difficult and more costly. On the flip slide restored examples are fetching healthy numbers, so in a way it all evens out. 

From what I have seen recently, a good restoration candidate can fetch $5,000-$15,000 depending on year, condition, rust, completeness, etc. Hard costs for parts and materials can vary greatly depending on the restoration direction - factory spec, resto-mod, track car., you name it. Labor will probably be the biggest factor in determining what kind of profit (if any) you can pull from one of these cars. Over the past 16 months we have racked up nearly 1500 hours to build this car. Being that combined we have 35+ years in professional auto body/paint and mechanical engineering, all the labor minus the engine machining was done in-house. I could imagine paying someone else to redo the interior, complete the body work, assembly the rolling shell, etc would quickly eat up any margins. 

    • Agree 3
    comment_632314
    6 hours ago, CW240Z72 said:

    I have my personal '72 sitting next to this one waiting for it's turn. Along with that I have a few non-Z Datsuns that need the same treatment. I really enjoy the build more so than having a car too nice to use sitting in the garage, so if someone else could enjoy it and enable me to fund the next one it's a win win situation in my eyes. For some reason I am a glutton for punishment. 

    The increased popularity of these cars has definitely made scoring a "barn find" example difficult and more costly. On the flip slide restored examples are fetching healthy numbers, so in a way it all evens out. 

    From what I have seen recently, a good restoration candidate can fetch $5,000-$15,000 depending on year, condition, rust, completeness, etc. Hard costs for parts and materials can vary greatly depending on the restoration direction - factory spec, resto-mod, track car., you name it. Labor will probably be the biggest factor in determining what kind of profit (if any) you can pull from one of these cars. Over the past 16 months we have racked up nearly 1500 hours to build this car. Being that combined we have 35+ years in professional auto body/paint and mechanical engineering, all the labor minus the engine machining was done in-house. I could imagine paying someone else to redo the interior, complete the body work, assembly the rolling shell, etc would quickly eat up any margins. 

    This restoration is truly a benchmark. I have to be honest, when I do work on my 73, your car is in my mind. In no way can I be mistaken for a fabricator or restorer, but I have some skills that allow me to do this all the while making mistakes and then correcting them. I'm now at the point of having fun with my restoration, instead of yelling obesities, turning the lights off and stomping off for a beer. I have told my wife on many occasions, that I dont know what the hell I'm doing, but I still go back out there and try. You have inspired me with this build. 

    I acquired another 240 that will need some restoration, and the more I learn from OJT and people like you, it only brings smiles. Thanks so much for sharing.

    • Like 3
    • Author
    comment_632319
    5 hours ago, DC871F said:

    This restoration is truly a benchmark. I have to be honest, when I do work on my 73, your car is in my mind. In no way can I be mistaken for a fabricator or restorer, but I have some skills that allow me to do this all the while making mistakes and then correcting them. I'm now at the point of having fun with my restoration, instead of yelling obesities, turning the lights off and stomping off for a beer. I have told my wife on many occasions, that I dont know what the hell I'm doing, but I still go back out there and try. You have inspired me with this build. 

    I acquired another 240 that will need some restoration, and the more I learn from OJT and people like you, it only brings smiles. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Each restoration, rebuild, tear down, and frustration is experienced gained and an opportunity to do better on the next project. Keep up the work and enjoy it the best you can! 

     

    • Author
    comment_632336
    8 minutes ago, Captain Obvious said:

    Beautiful.

    I've got (what I was told was) an NOS original four speed shift knob. Would sure look great in that car.    :beer:

    Call me crazy, but that shift knob is original to the car, and unrestored. I had to leave ONE thing untouched 😀

    • Like 2
    comment_632345
    21 hours ago, CW240Z72 said:

    I really enjoy the build more so than having a car too nice to use sitting in the garage, so if someone else could enjoy it and enable me to fund the next one it's a win win situation in my eyes. For some reason I am a glutton for punishment. 

    The increased popularity of these cars has definitely made scoring a "barn find" example difficult and more costly. On the flip slide restored examples are fetching healthy numbers, so in a way it all evens out. 

    Ditto, we suffer from the same sickness.  The car is outstanding, a real benchmark, Congratulations.

    Edited by grannyknot

    • Thanks 1

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