trout_hound

Some nice choices you guys have posted. I do have a thing for old 911's (owned a 69 911T) and 32 Ford Roadsters (we had one in our garage the whole time I grew up). I have to admit I like 4 wheel drive Japanese sports cars, so I've definitely had my eye on a WRX Sti like this one (accessories included). DT '72 240Z

Apparently there are two choices they offer for the door seal, a reproduction door weatherstrip that goes around the door opening, for which you also have to buy separate welting, and the one-piece weatherstrip designed after the 78 Z that is also supposed to fit. The weatherstripping kit (which saves a bundle) only comes with the latter, apparently. Here's what the Motorsport catalog says about the one that comes with the kit: This is the main door weatherstrip that goes on the car body, all the way around the door opening. *This excellent quality reproduction was designed for the 77-78 280Z, but will fit 70-76 Z's as well. On 240Z's, there is no need for the separate welting, as it comes already bonded to this weatherstrip. For the 70-76 Z it will not look exactly like the original weatherstrip, but it does fit and work the same. For you guys that used MSA/and/or the Precision stuff and had problems, was it the one-piece or two piece door weatherstrip? Thanks, DT

Good to know they work. I will definitely wait until it is hot outside to install. I've heard using a hair dryer helps too. Thanks.

I know this question has been beat to death off and on here over the years, but everyone seems to have conflicting opinions, and I'd like to hear from the guys who purchased more recently. My door and window seals are crusted and deteriorating, and that is second on my list of things to fix when the weather warms up (oh for a heated garage..). A lot of people have purchased the Motorsport or Black Dragon kits, although I couldn't really discover if they are both the same thing. Some people have mentioned problems early on with the Motorsport door seals being too thick and doors not shutting. Someone else said they fixed that problem. Is that true? Motorsport has the kits on sale right now for 229, although they say the main door weatherstripping is really designed for a later 78-79 280z, which concerns me, since mine is a 72. I definitely don't want to order a while kit just because its cheaper than buying the parts I need individually, and the one thing I really need doesn't work right. Thanks in advance for the advice from those of you that have been down this road... Dave

Love that 10th anniversary 280zx gold trim commercial -- especially the disco couple... DT

Thanks for the tips. I'll check with some body shops. I don't really have a desire or the cash to do a ground up restoration at this point. The original paint is in good shape, but not absolutely perfect - there are a couple of rock chips here and there. My last two 240's were orange, and I love that color, but the lime green is growing on me so there is no point in changing it, especially with the hassle of repainting the car's engine bay and interior. My preference would be to try to keep as much of the original paint as I can. I'll post some more pictures of it this week, although there is already one of the car where you can slightly see the damage under this thread: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32755 Dave

My car expertise is more mechanical than body/paint, so I have a question for you paint experts. I have a 240z with low miles and it still has the original paint, the lovely lime-green color, shiny and sweet. The paint is perfect except for a spot on the fender and hood about the size of a football, and which also includes the flip up tray, where the paint has wrinkled and blistered due to a previous owner's carb fire. I haven't taken it in to a body shop yet (the car is in storage for the winter) to talk to them, but I'm wondering if its even worth it to try to match and patch, or if I need to save up for a total fresh paint job? I have horrible memories of my first 240, which had an amazing orange paint job with like 10 coats of clearcoat, and the terrible orange peel that a painter left me with after repainting the hood after a chunk of ice fell on the fender from the neighbor's roof.. I was so bummed I just sold the car... Thanks. Dave

Thanks, I'll try that when the temperatures get warm enough to work out in the car port (10 below right now.. brrr)

The door striker/latch mechanism on my 72 240's door doesnt spring back like it should. Before I take it all apart to see what's wrong, I was wondering if anyone else had ever had that problem and fixed it, so I can get a heads up on what parts I might need. A guy has a whole door handle to latch mechanism for sale on e-bay, but its from a 76, and I'm not sure if the strikers match up. Thanks for the help. DT

I saw this on e-bay today. I thought it was pretty cool. Wish I had the cash.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-Z-Series-240-z-240z-1973-Datsun-Nissan-240Z-convertible_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a543Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem230312706655QQitemZ230312706655QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks DT

I have a question for you guys. The car has a 5-speed in it, which I was super stoked about since I always felt the need for another gear in my previous two 240's. I read on Wikipedia that the 5 speed was only offered in Europe. So does that mean it is aftermarket, or could you get the 5 speed as a special order on the 240's in the US? Thanks!

Hi Steve. I paid $600, but I actually shipped it from Vegas to Montana (long story), and it was a local shipper from my town that happened to be down there already. I had a quote of like $800 from Phoenix though. Thanks for the parts tips. For whoever asked, the serial number is HLS3081734. DT

Actually, I bought it from a guy in the Phoenix area for 3k who just didnt have the time or money to finish it. It had a carb fire and it sat for 8 years. Even though the paint looks nice in the photo, there is a spot on the hood where it is cracked and peeled from the heat that will need to be repainted (not sure how much I'll have to have painted to blend in). Hopefully it wont be hard to match the original color. The guy replaced all the master cyl's and brake lines and all that (and had several thousand bucks in receipts that he passed along). The only thing left to replace from the fire is the windshield washer unit and lines. Interior is pretty good - absolutely perfect dash, seats good except two small seam tears in the drivers seat (always had seat covers on it). The plastic console piece is cracked where someone torqued on the choke too hard. It seems nearly rust free except a couple of little bubbles on the passenger side rocker panel. I'm praying that is minor. Bumpers, everything else is nearly perfect. Engine is stock, including the carbs. The guy put some straight pipes on it that are extremely loud, so I may need to put some flowmasters on it or something. The only real annoyances are the exhaust leaks in the cab (I think all my Z's have had that issue), and the hatch latch is stuck and I can't get it open, and the drivers door latch regulator (on the door itself) doesnt work, so the door wont stay latched. I've been looking hard online for the parts, but havent had much luck. When I lived in Oregon there was a junk yard of nothing but Z's in Gresham, but learned on this list that they closed down and crushed them all. What a bummer! Oh yeah, and the dash lights don't work, not sure why yet. Anyways, yeah, it is what it is. All in all, I'm pretty happy with it so far, although now that the snow is on the ground here in Montana, I can't drive it until the spring.... so I'll have plenty of time this winter to tinker with it I guess. DT

OK, here is a pic for you all to drool over. DT

Hi. Just pulled my newly purchased '72 in my car port today. Its still got the factory lime green paint on it, and is in pretty fair, all original shape. I guess its some kind of disease. I have previously owned two other 240's: '73 modified with webers, a hot cam, flares and the air dam. '72 all original Anyway, I look forward to chit chatting with a few of you about my passion. DT