prilofx

Arne, I'm so used to driving a 4runner on trips with a wacked out suspension I hadn't even considered Green Springs! I avoided it until recently because both the 4 runner and the Camry drove similar to Mr Toad's Wild Ride - the 4 is now fixed and the Camry is gone. I do really like the drive from KF to Weed, though. I had a merchandizing route a couple of years ago that meant a weekly trip to McCloud and that was probably the best part of the whole job.

The rust isn't toooo bad. It could be worse. The dent on the driver's side front quarter panel is the worst of the damage on it. The dashboard looks like someone beat on it with a hammer- there's even a big hole over the glove box. The fuel lines in the back look new-ish, as does the gas tank. I couldn't be happier! I live in Southern Central Oregon, and we have really, really great backroads around here that I am DYING to drive in this car. No true freeways, but Highway 97 through Butte Valley is screaming straight run racing the trains. Thanks for the great welcome!

About two weeks ago I burned up the transmission in our '87 Camry (finally. really have just been looking for an excuse to get rid of it and get something fun). I was cruising around, looking for a beater to get me through the next year or two, when a pointy little front end peeked out from behind a delivery truck in the "for sale" lot at a local junkyard. Intrigued, I investigated further. OMG! An old Z! With a mostly straight body! and a 5 speed! For $995! I did a mental check on my "dream car" list and yes, a Z was on it. It was a Sunday, and they were closed, so I had to wait until Monday to call about it. Called. Got info. Found out it ran. Ran up to the junkyard to ask more about and check it out. They got a battery in it and it started right up. I noted that it ran pretty damn well even misfiring on one of the cylinders. Noted no fluid in the master cylinder reservoirs or slave cylinder. Noted a Chevy alternator was rigged in there with multiple brackets bolted together and a bungy cord attached to back of the engine holding it in. Noted the seats were not connected to the car, and they looked like they came out of a Mazda. Noted the oil was fairly clean, and the engine itself was not a greasy mess. Disappointed to see that someone had painted parts of it with house paint. Put $350 down on it. A week later, paid the rest of it and drove it home (less than a mile on a backroad). Confirmed that brakes are not working and the master leaks. Clutch worked smoothly even with a minimal of fluid in the slave. Got to the bottom of the hill. Made note that E brake works fantastic, and punching it in first to get past the stop sign threw me all over the car (seats not attached, at all.. not even one bolt), but all the horses were there. It did take a little convincing of the husband that this was a steal and we needed to hop on it. Knew I had him when he said "it'll be nice to have a sports car". When I told people I was in the process of buying it, I head stories of nothing but good memories from everyone of some old z they or a friend had. Read thread after thread in these forums about them. Yesterday at the parts store, I got an offer on it already. Heck no! Ordered an alternator and a master and picked up tune-up supplies. Then it snowed. But this weekend promises to be fantastic in so many ways I can barely stand waiting for Saturday to roll around so I can dig into it. Our intent is to get it road-safe first of all, because I need something to drive, but long-term, we're going to bring it back from the abyss. I'm pretty good with a set of wrenches but I'm sure I'll be asking questions in here. I promise to not be annoying and ask questions that have already been answered- i downloaded the owner's manual and the FSM already and know how to use the search function. Seats. I have GOT to get some proper seats into it... and I believe the choke is stuck open.