steve-o

I finally was able to take pictures of the underneath and battery tray of my Grandma's '71 240Z. NO RUST ANYWHERE!! Pictures should be up tomorrow in my picture place. I found what I think is the engine # on the right side of the block just under the head. L24 017912 sound right?? Is this the correct number?? I remember someone said there should be a matching # somewhere else on the car?? Where is it?? Is that engine # correct for that car? My Grandma says it's never been changed, but they bought the car in '75 or so from the neighbor. Thanks again for all your help!! The car is still for sale, please e-mail me, I have a ton more pictures. stevescott@telis.org -Steve

First off....Thanks to you all for the help. Now... I really need to sell this car, anyone interested? Asking price is $3500 or best REASONABLE offer. There are pics available on this site, or I can take more. Please feel free to e-mail me stevescott@telis.org I'll answer all questions as best as I can. I really don't want to sell it on e-bay. -Steve

The car was parked because my grandfather had a bad back (some kind of spinal cord infection, and it ultimately killed him) but it was very hard for him to get in and out of such a low car. The car was driven into the garage, and "put to rest" and they got some Chrysler old people car instead. My grandfather had high hopes to have someone fix it up for my sister, but you know how that goes. There used to be a local shop called "Wizard of Zs" Anyone hear of it?? Was it a cool shop? Never been there. What's the estimated value of this car?? Just a ballpark is O.K. so i have an idea. Thanks, -Steve

I would love for someone here to buy the car. I really want it to go to someone who will appreciate it for what it is, and not run it into the ground. I have no idea of the value, and it seems from all of your great information that the car is pretty rare (dated 11/70) and very original. No one has stated what they thought the ballpark value would be. I'm completely open for suggestions, and if someone wants to make an offer, let's talk. On another note, please check out the ignition system, and I posted some pics of the dreaded "center console" and kinda highlighted what I was talking about. Thanks again to you all! -Steve

I'll try to take more pics this weekend, the console, and the "pan" (underbelly) too. I'll put air in the tyres, and clean it up some. Where's the best place to sell it?? Thanks for the info on the engine and the carbs, someone thought they were hitachi carbs, could this be? (I thought they should be SU) I'll look better, the car will be easier to move with air in the tyres, and I can take a pic of the front of it too. On another subject, I'm posting another picture of what appears to be an MSD ignition type set up. (maybe it'll post tomorrow?) Any info on it from anyone?? Is it rare, generic american stuff, or something cool? It's for the Z, and many other cars too. Thanks again to you all!!! -Steve

You guys are outstanding on your info and help!! I really appreciate it!! Here's the new problem: Some of you suggested that I get it running, and maybe driving. However, is the car worth more running, or as a not running "treasure"? If I found a Volkswagen in the same condition, I really wouldn't care if it ran of not. Actually I would prefer that it didn't, because everything would be pretty much un-molested. I am very mechanically inclined, and I build all my own engined, and have done several restorations. I can sync dual carbs in my sleep. If it were running and driving...wouldn't that make it a daily driver, as opposed to a nice find? At what point do I stop?? Change the fluids, change the hoses, bleed the brakes, buy new tires, rebuild the carbs, flush the gas tank, etc..etc...etc. Might as well keep the car, you know. Is $2500 for a car like this too little to ask? Is $4500 too much? Paint it and get it running and driving and get $8000, or is that ridiculious? Please help again!! Thanks to you all, Steve

Thanks to you all for the GREAT info about the 240Z. There are some pics up in my picture place. Any more info you could give would be great. Are the rear brake drums supposed to be "finned" like Porsche stuff? Are they Aluminum, with a steel, or cast iron insert? The car has no visible rust, but it's pushed up against the wall of the garage, and the tires are flat so it's hard to see the belly, and under the rockers. But it's been here in the So. Cal desert area it's whole life, and in a garage since '84. It's definately never been hit, and I couldn't even see any minor body dents. It has an overrider bar going between the 2 front bumper guards (on the top), is that dealer installed too? It appears to have all the original lights (headlights, taillights, sidemarkers) all with the Koito logo. Is it common for the seats in these cars to be leather? Or is it a fake simulated leather (not really vinyl) like they use on the back of the seats on Mercedes? The interior is pretty nice, only a couple of small tears on the seats, and one on the flip up center console. I'm heavily into VW, and you other VW people will see what I mean about the steering wheel, if you look at my pics. PLEASE tell me what you think of it. I'll post more, but I'm not sure how much more space I have. Are Z collectors pretty serious about finding stuff? I know ALOT of VW people will fly out here to look at a car for sale and then pay to have it shipped back to the east coast. It's actually cheaper than trying to restore a rusty one. Are there ANY other things I should look at? I would keep the car in a heart beat, (I remember sitting in the "back seat" when I was about 5 or 6) if I didn't already have 2 VW's in the works, and no $$ to boot. Thanks again for all of your help everyone, you have GREAT info!! Please give me some feedback about the pics. Please help me find a good home for it. -Steve

HI everyone, I have to start by saying I know very little about Z cars. I need some help and guidance from the experts please. Sorry if this is a long post, but I have alot of questions. This is my story: My Grandfather bought this car from their neighbor in about '76, it was parked in '84 (in the garage) due to my grandfather having a back problem. Car's too low for him to get in and out of. He died 6 months ago, and my Grandmother want's to sell it. Sounds too good to be true? Every car collectors dream come true. Here's the questions::::: The car is dated 11/70 and vin #HLS30-14946 Does this mean that the car is really the 14,946th car of production? What does the HLS stand for? I've seen posts about HS30, but not HLS. The car is an automatic. Is this more or less valuable? The car has 75,796 original miles. Everything on the car seems to be original, except the wheels, which are mags, and have a cap that screws on with 4 screws. In the center of the cap is P/S. Any ideas of what they are? The steering wheel appears to be an EMPI wheel, but I could't find any EMPI logos. It has a fairly large padded horn button, and the typical EMPI red colored wood finish, and 3 black spokes. Are EMPI parts desirable by Z fans, as much as they are by VW fans? The car was originally bought here in Riverside, CA, and has the original license plate frame, keys, and owners manual. My grandmother says she has a rear window vent thing brand new some where in the garage. The car was painted once,(original color) don't know when. It's Metallic brown. The engine is dirty. Where is the engine #? My grandmother says it was never changed, but how do I know for sure? The only thing wrong se says is that some smog failed and my grandfather took it off. The hose going to the heater core hs been bypassed also. Other than that, it looks complete, and was running good when they parked it. It has A/C, or did they all? Sorry if this seems random, but like I said I have alot of questions. Biggest questions is:: What is a car like this worth these days? I have pictures, if anyone would like to see them. Are there any other things I should look for? Thanks to you all, I hope to find the car a good home.