psdenno

To help us help you decide, how about a little more information? How much storage space do you have? Do you have the skills to fix it yourself? Do you have the budget to support the needed repairs - known and unknown? As others have said, anything can be fixed. But, is it worth the cost & effort? Dennis

I realize that your main issue is being able to direct the air flow more effectively, but have you also done some of the other things that make the existing setup more efficient - like heat insulation in the passenger compartment and rear deck area and a rear window louver to block the greenhouse back window. As a SoCal desert dweller, I know those two changes made the AC seem twice as effective on my '71 Z. If you're not big on the rear louvers, a tinted window helps greatly. Good Luck! Dennis

If Palm Springs isn't too far out of the way, Mike at Autobahn West has done great mechanical work for me on my '71 Z as well as a couple Porsches over the last 20 years. Good work, reasonable price. Dennis

Is that a genuine, period correct, deerskin driving glove I note in your picture? Dennis

Sure, you can join in, but remember that the one with the newest Z buys the first round. Dennis

The clear headlight covers are a very nice finishing touch and add to the build era Jag XKE copycat look. I have a set on the shelf waiting for installation. Dennis

Cosmic coincidence - As I was reading this, I looked out the window and saw a '48 Studebaker cruise by. Palm Springs is home for old people and old cars. Dennis

I agree. Whether it's a Scarab or a 1966 Mustang GT 2+2, it could be built in my garage with parts "off the shelf". And it would look just like the real thing. All someone needs is a little time to research the bits and pieces needed to build the classic. The paper trail tells the tale. Dennis

Still waiting to hear what Scarab153 got back from the seller on on ebay in response to his email. Dennis

Palm Springs is a nice destination for a group drive, although not today - it's going to be about 112 degree here. Dennis

AC was an aftermarket add-on for the early Zs. I added an ARA unit to my '71 in '72 and it worked well for years. Just this week I had a new AC system with all modern components installed on that same car. It's possible to find an AC system on a junked Z or there are several sources for the new kits. New AC systems run about $1,000 plus installation. In 1972, I paid $325 for the AC unit and installation. This week I paid $650 for just the installation. Inflation! Dennis

Looks like a great project starter. Keep us posted on progress. Dennis

Thanks! Dennis

Sales like that raise the perceived value of all our Zs - even if our cars don't exactly match the quality of the one sold. Now, I don't feel quite as bad about all the money I'm pouring into refreshing mine. Dennis

As she would say, "WTF?" Dennis

Welcome to the World, Poindexter. No matter how much any of us may know, there's ALWAYS someone who knows more - ALWAYS. Tough lesson to learn, suck it up.:surprised So, look on the bright side and start buying all the Z books you can find, collect the dealer literature, go to the club events in your area, have fun, and enjoy the Datsun Hobby, not the Datsun Religion. And most of all, remember that a preposition is not something to end a sentence with. Dennis

OK, playing with the numbers is getting to be fun. The 240Z was so popular in 1971 that there was a nine month waiting list when I bought mine. I was, however, able to jump to the top of the list by paying $4,350 + $174 sales tax. Add on $4.20 for license plates, a $2 transfer fee and a $3 service charge and I was out the door for $4,533.20 according to my dealership invoice paperwork. Oh, to be young again! Figuring the actual cost of use for 37 years gets a little wonky if we factor in how much I've spent to keep it insured all those years. I haven't kept insurance records, but I'm sure I could buy a fairly nice Z today for the thousands of dollars I've mailed off to my insurance company over the years. I'm not regretting a moment of those 37 years of ownership or the cost of the "refresh" that's currently being accomplished. You can't put a price on the miles of smiles. Dennis

Which literary device were you using - allegory, dramatic irony, creative license, hyperbole, verbal irony? Sorry for straying so far off topic... Getting back on topic.... Would we consider a "fresh" 240Z that just rolled off the assembly line to be a #1 car or would a recently over-restored 240Z be a #1 car? What's the standard? Dennis

Poindexter, Be careful when you play with numbers. The value of my Z may have doubled since I bought it new in 1971. But when you compare the buying power of 2008 dollars to 1971 dollars you also have to factor in 445.67% inflation during that period. For example, in 1972 I had ARA A/C installed on my Z. The total bill, parts & labor, came to $325. I'm currently in the process of having a new A/C system installed on the same Z. Parts came to a little over $900 and the labor estimate is between $325 and $650 depending on how many hours it actually takes. In 1972 my annual income was $8,985 so $325 for A/C was a serious chunk of change equal to about two weeks pay. Inflation makes the 2008 numbers a bit more interesting and direct comparisons to the past faulty at best. Dennis

For me, getting the hoses from MSA was the good news. Getting the installation bill from my mechanic was the bad news. Dennis

No. Dennis

Well said, John. Auctions like ebay give us a snapshot in time of what someone is willing to pay for a given car that may, or may not be, as described. That, in turn, let's us see price trends and learn what features seem to be valued by people with bucks who bid. A 1970 Porsche 914-6 that I'm familiar with was recently on ebay. Bidding went to about $35,000 and the reserve was not met so it didn't sell. I know the owner and the car and am aware that it would take about $75K to replicate that car. There were less than 3,000 built and probably half of those are gone. Based on the high bid, does that mean that it's worth $35,000? Don't know. Drive 'em, enjoy 'em, worry about how much money you put into 'em, not how much you'll get back. It's a hobby. Dennis

As a general rule, the cars we buy are not good additions to our retirement portfolios. The only people making money on them are the ones who sell parts and provide services. From time to time, as with the Z in this discussion, an amazingly high sale price occurs. What circumstances generate that price? Low VIN, low miles, limited production, untouched condition, willing buyers in a bidding war? Willing buyers with the "fever" always make the difference. I have two other cars - a Porsche 914-6 and an Avanti. Only about 3,000 of each were built. They both still sell for very low prices compared to other sports or muscle cars of their time. The old cars that pull big prices are the ones that made the most people drool as kids - the ones that were on posters, in the movies, and available as models to customize. As cool as my '71 Z is, a '71 Jag has a bigger "Cool Car" factor and commands a higher price. We need to learn to enjoy the Z for the pleasure it provides - a feel good investment, not a financial investment. Dennis

Great looking Z and a story with a happy ending! What could be better? Sounds like all the expensive parts work and now it's on to checking and replacing wear items as needed. When I awoke my '71 240Z from of its almost 20 year nap last year, I replaced just about everything that was made of rubber or contained fluid. The first "shakedown" drive was an amazing experience just as you noted with your Z. Mine is still a work in progress and I'll be replacing the 36 year old AC system next week with a MSA kit. It's a great car, treat it well. Dennis

Gimme the freakin' keys and nobody gets hurt! ___________________________________________ Dennis