lonetreesteve

Check out some of these 240Zs for sale in California. Seem to be priced very well, especially if you consider that most of them probably have very few rust issues: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/477397371.html http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/car/486186508.html http://sandiego.craigslist.org/car/480958274.html http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/car/460410120.html http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/car/464154944.html http://sandiego.craigslist.org/car/484239115.html http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/472915756.html http://modesto.craigslist.org/car/475808701.html http://chico.craigslist.org/car/472156011.html http://chico.craigslist.org/car/485683618.html http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/455587235.html http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/car/444769231.html http://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/480625580.html

Looks like the stamp sold for $5.50 plus $3.00 shipping with 2 bids.

Thanks, Mike. Well, it's not the sub-500 that I hoped for, but it's still an early '70. I agree with you, I would like to see someone save this car and restore her. Since it's an Albuquerque car, it probably doesn't have much rust (except for small amount that the seller mentions plus the front end where it was wrecked and the bare metal was left to the elements). I like the blue interior also, my latest project is the white /blue combo as well.

Saw this on eBay, is this a typo? Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/1970-Datsun-260Z-NISSAN-260-Z-Mint-Stamp_W0QQitemZ330188070944QQihZ014QQcategoryZ703QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I e-mailed the seller to find out what the VIN number is. In the unlikely event it's a sub-500, I'll bid and if I win, I'll drive down and get it, it's only 6 hours south of here!

280Zs in excellent shape have certainly increased in value lately. It doesn't have to be a low mileage, authentic '78 Black Pearl in pristine condition to get big money any longer. Here's a link to another 280Z that recently sold in Arizona: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-DATSUN-280Z-Perfect-Condition-30000-Orig-Miles_W0QQitemZ290179125905QQihZ019QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Nice looking Z! Minnesota is probably one of the last places to look for an old Z when you think of all the snow, cold and the salt on the roads up there. You made a smart move by buying one from AZ.

Great price on the car! Love the color and hope to see more pics of the restoration process in the near future. Congrats!

Hey, it's alright for our Canadian members to come down and buy these low-rust cars in Arizona and California. The NHL brings their hockey players down here to play! (Go Avalanche!!) As far as I'm concerned, it's whoever shows up with the money first or whoever wins the auction.

The '77 280Z went for $18.000.00! Well, like I said most of them were at reasonable prices :surprised http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-DATSUN-280Z-Perfect-Condition-30000-Orig-Miles_W0QQitemZ290179125905QQihZ019QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I agree with E. Did you ever see the movie "The Money Pit"? Well, before you sink a lot of money into it, I would part out the car and look for something else that doesn't have so much rust. To be candid: your car is too far gone and there are a lot more Zs available out there. Check out this thread that discusses low-rust cars available in Arizona at very reasonable prices: http://classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28607&highlight=Arizona

Here's some pics for the archives since the Ebay listing will vaporize in a couple months:

The car went for $21,201 with 35 bids; this guy made a huge profit! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching&viewitem=&item=290177088232&_trksid=p3907.m32

Good to hear from you, Kurt. Yes, you're right, rust is enemy #1 when it comes to Zs. That's why I started this thread and attached the links. There are so many threads on Classic Zcar Club that deal with replacing floor pans, frame rails, body panels, etc. Why deal with the big expense and hassle? Why spend thousands on rust repair when there are cars available with virtually no or very little rust? Shipping is going to be $1,100.00 or under to almost anywhere in the country (I paid $670.00). If you look at the prices of these cars, that makes the decision even easier. Someday most of the desert Zs will all be bought up and only rust buckets will be available for restoration projects.

As some of you may know, I bought my latest project, a virtually rust-fee '71 240Z from the Phoenix Craig's List. Even though the car's weatherstripping and a lot of the interior is dry & brittle, I love the fact that it only has some very light surface rust. It also had a lot of mechanical work done to it like rebuilt engine, rebuilt transmission, new radiator, new bushings, new hoses, etc. The body has all the original metal and is all very solid with no replacement panels or bondo. I got a terrific deal on the car and the shipping was very reasonable. After checking out some more 240Zs available down in the desert, I was amazed at how cheap these cars are going for. Most of them need some work, but most have very solid bodies, which is the most desirable and important quality when starting a Z project. Here are some 240Zs & 280Zs that are available now and at very reasonable prices (the last couple of 280Zs are more of your low-mileage, in excellent condition variety and at higher prices): http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/472334004.html http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Datsun-240Z-54-000-Orig-Arizona-Rust-Free_W0QQitemZ110189780541QQihZ001QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/466296202.html http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=25&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-ALL%7CM-_65_%7CH-%7CN-N%7CR-250%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CX-antique%7CZ-85004&aff=national&paId=133846889&recnum=2&leadExists=true http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Datsun-240z-12-71-Build-Restoration-Candidate_W0QQitemZ260179394527QQihZ016QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/448776446.html http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/473377851.html http://tucson.craigslist.org/car/471064805.html http://tucson.craigslist.org/car/456650302.html http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/474768465.html http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/469090001.html http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/469086910.html http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/447552304.html http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1978-Datsun-280z-Black-Pearl-original-AZ-survivor_W0QQitemZ300168123856QQihZ020QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-Datsun-280Z-ORIGINAL-STOCK-Beautiful-Condition_W0QQitemZ250185639851QQihZ015QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-DATSUN-280Z-Perfect-Condition-30000-Orig-Miles_W0QQitemZ290179125905QQihZ019QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

About a $100.00... other than that, I guess we'll find out if someone else has already bought one or if not, I will buy one and I'll let you know.

I remember a few years ago my younger two kids were watching either TV Land or Cartoon Network or one of these channels and an old forgotten show called "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters" from the early-to-mid '70's was on. I vaguely remember this show as a kid. It had Johnny Whitaker from the old "Family Affair" TV show and some other blond kid. Anyways, the episode I saw a few moments of had Johnny and the blond kid secretly escorting a green sea monster across the street in what looked like a small California coastal town. They walked by a 240Z that was parked on the street.

Hey Fun, I realize that..... I was inquiring for myself (and for others) on a new strut designed specifically for 240Zs that is now available on Ebay. Anyway, it's at a very good price and worth looking into. Has anyone purchase one yet? I might go ahead and buy one and find out and let you guys know. Since new ones from Nissan run $125.00-$150.00, I think it may be worth the gamble.

Here's another available on on Ebay for $29.50: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NISSAN-240Z-1970-to-1973-Rear-Hatch-Lift-Support_W0QQitemZ230188358840QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230188358840 These have been on Ebay for awhile now (perhaps a month?) Has anyone purchased one and if so, how well does it work and how easy is it to install?

I agree with you, the guy should open it up to Canada. I think he should also open it up to Europe, Australia and Japan. Like you said, the exchange rate for Canadians is good right now, but it's even better over in Europe (and has been for quite some time). There are a lot of collectors overseas that look for cars like this.

Unkle, I understand where you are coming from and I certainly didn't mean to alienate or be disrespectful to any members who live outside of the U.S., but we're talking about a guy in Chicago who purchased a car in California and specifies on the Ebay listing "Sells to: United States" and nowhere else.

Here's the new link since the original link that was posted isn't working any longer: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290177088232&rd=1 I don't see a problem with a guy trying to make a profit on the car. This is America after all and everyone has to make a living one way or another.

Brooks, Welcome! Your car looks familiar to me. Did you recently purchase it on Ebay by any chance?

Zbane, You should check it out since it's a '70. You never know, it could be a low vin sub-1000 or even a sub-500 (made in 1969) 240Z!

Here's a link to a thread from 2006 about Zs in junkyards: http://classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24157