Relapzed

[Mark Maras]

 It's truly amazing how tough addictions are to get rid of. Case in point, I've been patting myself on the back for the last couple of years in gradually getting past the Z voices in my head that urge me to look for Zs that need more work than my back can handle and parts that I have no place to store. I no longer check out CraigsList on a daily basis and 'had' settled into a peaceful retirement UNTIL today. Today, I'm driving down a street in SE Portland (note the secrecy) when I happen to glance over at an old chain-link fence almost totally overgrown with weeds and brush. First thing I notice through a small gap in the brush is the rear of a 63 Impala. As I'm remembering the days of my cousin's 63 four-speed, dual-quad, 409 Impala, I get just a quick glimpse of a two-tier rectangular tail-light with a reverse light in the inboard lower corner on a dark background panel. My heart rate instantly doubled and the Subie took the first right turn it could to circle back and find the 240 behind the fence. I pull up and park next to a 50' x 100' lot filled with decaying cars and a locked gate. I can just see enough of the Z to tell it's somewhere between a late 71 and a mid 73. It's white and very dirty. As i was trying to get a look at it a neighbor comes out and says if I'm interested in any of these cars, forget it. He says many people over the years have contacted the owner and he has always refused to even talk about selling any of them. The neighbor states that the owner has several lots (more cars?) around Portland and doesn't need the money and he doesn't know the owner's name. Well, I thought that's good because I don't have much money. I came to the quick realization that I hadn't kicked the habit, I'd just put in a closet where I couldn't hear it's stifled cries. 

 So, now that it's out of the closet again and in control, I'm going to (must) contact the owner but first I have to find him. In the past I've approached buying parts that weren't for sale by assuring the owner with an emotional tie to the parts that they would be going to a very good home and the parts would be refreshed and on the road again, which is the reason we all hoard parts. I'd like to hear about others experiences, ideas, and the psychology used in separating beloved cars, parts from their owners. I have a feeling this one is going to be a tough nut to crack. Thanks

 

[Captain Obvious]

LOL. Just stay safe!!   

[Mark Maras]

 I didn't see 'the boy with the banjo' on the front porch of the run-down house next door but it does look like he could live there.

[Captain Obvious]

Haha!!!

Next time we're together, remind me about taking a wing man on potentially risky excursions. And how not all people are cut out for the job! 

[dutchzcarguy]

7 hours ago, Mark Maras said:

I no longer check out CraigsList on a daily basis

Hahaha.. i still do that!  ( on local second hand marketplace..)  but these last years not really much comes up..  It's been more than 5 years that i could buy some nice rare parts for z or zx.. 

Good (!)  Parts are becoming rare and expensive ..

I personally never had to persuade someone to sell me the part(s)..  but thats because i only reacted on their adverts.. 🙂

[Terrapin Z]

"GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!!!!"  😄😄

Did you see the under 500 vin Safari Gold 240z barn find on CL Portland yesterday? 

Sold in 5 hours for $20K

I just bought this on Monday    https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/pts/d/vancouver-near-complete-280z/7279621884.html

I still listen to the voices.........Though I have never cold called anyone. I just jump on the ads. I have been pretty lucky that way. I have run across some good parts and pieces, and missed some as well. 

Now my wife on the other hand - "Where are you going to put that?"

 

[grannyknot]

10 hours ago, Mark Maras said:

It's truly amazing how tough addictions are to get rid of. Case in point, I've been patting myself on the back for the last couple of years in gradually getting past the Z voices in my head that urge me to look for Zs that need more work than my back can handle and parts that I have no place to store. I no longer check out CraigsList on a daily basis and 'had' settled into a peaceful retirement UNTIL today.

We must be on the same MEDS, the voices are relentless. Mine don't just whisper about Z's though, mine encourage me to pick up any old tool that I think I can fix, rebuild or restore.  But the other side of the addiction is the "purge" a useful technique that helps me justify my weakness to the addiction, I recently threw up 17 items on ebay because I simply have no more room to collect stuff, about 1/3rd of it has sold and I'm sure you can guess what that money is earmarked for.😇

1 hour ago, Terrapin Z said:

I just bought this on Monday  

What a deal!  Our cars are becoming more rare but the PNW is still a goldmine compared to the rest of the continent.

[lonetreesteve]

2 hours ago, Terrapin Z said:

"GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!!!!"  😄😄

Did you see the under 500 vin Safari Gold 240z barn find on CL Portland yesterday? 

Sold in 5 hours for $20K

I just bought this on Monday    https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/pts/d/vancouver-near-complete-280z/7279621884.html

I still listen to the voices.........Though I have never cold called anyone. I just jump on the ads. I have been pretty lucky that way. I have run across some good parts and pieces, and missed some as well. 

Now my wife on the other hand - "Where are you going to put that?"

 

Hi Dave,

What an incredible thing to see, a 1969 build date 240Z for sale on Craigslist of all places!  Looks to be a pretty solid car. Also, congrats on your 280Z project purchase!

[Mark Maras]

 Well, i woke up last night at about two in the morning thinking about that dirty white 240 behind the bushes and the fact that it looks like one could clean it up and drive it. It looks complete and the filth that covers it is brown and not red rust. So much,`wishful thinking`.Obviously several hours of convincing myself to let it go didn't work. I'm left with the same feeling as when I bought the last Z I didn't need. Someone has to save this car from rotting away. It shouldn't just be sitting here in the NW rain. Images in my head of the handsome prince rescuing the fair maiden from the dragon.

[Racer X]

16 minutes ago, Mark Maras said:

 Well, i woke up last night at about two in the morning thinking about that dirty white 240 behind the bushes and the fact that it looks like one could clean it up and drive it. It looks complete and the filth that covers it is brown and not red rust. So much,`wishful thinking`.Obviously several hours of convincing myself to let it go didn't work. I'm left with the same feeling as when I bought the last Z I didn't need. Someone has to save this car from rotting away. It shouldn't just be sitting here in the NW rain. Images in my head of the handsome prince rescuing the fair maiden from the dragon.

The county assessor website should help with finding the property owner the car is on. Give it a shot, and see if the time is finally right for snagging that dusty white princess.

[siteunseen]

That's what I can do in my county. Do the google earth thing or maybe you already know the address then go to the county's website and look at the property tax records. I remember there was onetime somebody found one on a property with a big privacy fence around the yard. They did the satellite search and found some pot plants in the backyard. Anybody remember that?

Good luck with your search.

[Zed Head]

I think this yellow one is still out there Mark.  It's more visible now, the shed has fallen down around it,  but I don't think it's moved at all.  It has to be full of mice, just has to.

45.60803579621207, -122.86242506500992

Edited March 3, 2021 by Zed Head