DougN

Chris, Welcome to the site! Sounds like a great find. Lots of good info here, and if you can't find it in the archives, someone will usually be sure to have the answer. Looks like you and another board member, Randy (mally002), are in the same town! Be sure to post some pics of your new Z, we all love Z pics here! :classic:

Its a shame the car is so far gone, it's about an hour North of me. Doesn't look like there are too may useable parts left -- I see she turned down $400, IMHO, she should have jumped all over it!

Dave, Gary may have some more observations, but I can get started for you: yes, that car has definately been repainted (probably not too long ago). Someone stuck some ZX hood vents on it as well. Hard to tell the condition of the car from the photos - cars always look nice with some wax and lots of florescent lights! Definately need photos of the engine bay, hatch area, battery tray (and other rust prone areas) and better interior photos. Car looks to have a half dash cap. Seats appear to have been recovered, as there are no vent holes. Looks like the console is cracked by the choke area and there is a strange switch there as well. Looks like some rust on the rear finishing panel where the license plate goes, so likely there may be more hidden rust issues as well. That being said, all these things are not really major issues if the car is solid. Definately have someone go check this car out for rust issues, etc before parting with any $$$!

Haggerty does not have a mileage limitation. I was concerned about this before I switched, and had a long chat with them about my intended use of my cars. As long as you have a "daily driver" with regular insurance, you can drive your car whenever you like for "pleasure". This includes driving it to work on occasion when its a really nice day, or you are going to a club meeting afterwards. In other words, you're driving it because you WANT to, not because you HAVE to. My suggestion is to call and talk to whatever classic car insurance company you are considering, and talking to them in detail about your intended use. Most should be fine with unlimited pleasure driving, as long as you have a regular daily driver with regular insurance.

According to the documents, a lady was the original owner of my '73, and sold it in 1996 when she couldn't drive a stick anymore. But, I figure, if she was cool enough to buy a 240Z, she would have been cool enough to have listen to Zep in the car :classic:

Welcome, and as always, post some photos of your car(s)!

Well, in this case maybe he thinks NOS stands for Nasty Old Stuff :classic:

Ahh yes, the good old days! I think everyone had an 8-track and Jenson 6x9's back then! :classic: I am sure both of my Z's had Zep played in them over the radio, and, like Arne, I know they have had it played in them recently :classic:

There are more in my gallery, but here are a couple shots with old 195/60/15 tires (before I replaced with 195/65/15):

You should have no issues with 15" panasports, they are very popular with Z owers. As for tires, I run a 195/65/15 tire with no issues at all. They will tuck up in the rear wells under hard cornering or bumps without rubbing. Speedo is accurate as well. I beleive they should fit over the Toyota brakes, I have them and although I don't have panasports, my 15" slots fit just fine. Can't help you with the rear, as I don't have that upgrade.

While I agree with you Bob, unfortunately, this issue is not unique to Z cars or eBay. I see it with every other type of classic car for sale these days, no matter where they are offered for sale. However, with information so easily accessable, doing some due-diligence should not be that hard for anyone, expecially a younger person, as most of them pretty much live in cyberspace anyway. I remember many moons ago buying cars (well before the internet), and always taking someone who knew more about cars with me to check it out before parting with $$$. I would hope that the same common sense is applicable today. Unfortunately, my feeling is that there are quite a few people out there that believe anything they read on the internet, and even more who are used to the "instant gratification" society and don't take the time to do their homework before making any type of major purchase. Sometimes, the only way to learn a lesson is to get burned. I too bought my '73 off eBay a few years ago. But, I had 100's of photos of every inch of the car, talked at length to the seller, located a Z expert (from this board no less) who lives near me to help assess the value of the car, and even talked to the previous owner of the car (who did the refresh) before making the bid/purchase. I was (and still am) satisified with my purchase. As with any type of purchase, the phrase "buyer beware" is still as true today as it was 25 years ago!

Yes, but it's an old school Trush muffler sticker, so it can't be rice. Haven't seen one of those in ages! Now why it is on the valve cover, that's another issue... :classic:

I don't know about converting back, but I think you're better off looking for a car that is what you want "as is" rather than one you will have to spend a boat load of $$$$ on in order to get there. It will be significantly less expensive in the end! Unless of course, you want to do the work yourself, and are looking for a project. Plenty of nice 240Z's for sale, there are a couple of members here that are selling their cars for a reasonable price, and there is always Hemmings and eBay to check out. Often, you can get another member to check out the car for you prior to purchase if it is not located near you. Good Hunting!

Matt, Of the two you listed, I'd probably go with the Honda, I used to drive Accords when I did 30K+ miles per year and was exiled to Upstate NY. I put 4snow tires on in the winter, and never had a problem or got stuck in all the snow up there. See if the timing belt has been changed, as IIRC, 130K is about time to do that on the Accord, and it can be costly.

I'd definately get some more photos of the underside and other rust prone areas in light of those black painted sills. Looks more like a "refresh" than a "restore".

Both my Z's and MGB get attention (except from 350Z's!) around here. Just Sunday had the yellow Z out and was shopping with the wife and as we parked, some guy walked over and starting checking out the car. We ended up chatting for about 15 minutes until his daughter came over to get him, he had owned a 240Z before and had the usual nostalga thing. The week before, was at a drive thru with the lime Z and the young girl there said she loved the car, and asked about it. :classic:

Dang Randy, thats quite a nice car collection you have going there! I'm jealous now!! :classic: Where are you going to put them all?

I have 195/70/14's on the Lime car, and 195/65/15's on the Yellow car. Both fit very well, and the speedo is also accurate (checked with GPS).

Surprisingly here in North Atlanta I rarely ever see another 240Z, other then when my buddy and I drive ours to meet for lunch on most Saturdays. I did see a 280Z the other day when I was driving the '72. We were actually following each other for a bit :classic: I also see a primer grey 280ZX once in awhile which seems to live a couple of miles down the road from me. I see more 300's, and of course a few 350's every day who don't acknowledge their elder 240Z :classic:

The only downside I can see to prices going high is that parts prices may then go high as well. And we all continue to need parts for our Z's :classic:

Actually, I bought my '73 on eBay a couple of years ago, and was not dissappointed. Car was as adverstised, got almost 100 detailed photos from the seller as well as good documentation before purchase so I could check anything I was concerned about. So there is at least one satisfied Z buyer from eBay :classic:

DOH! I wonder if this car had the ill-gotten parts in it... :classic:

I did the Toyota upgrade, and my brakes are incredible now. Big difference between the car with the upgrade and the one without. I did notice that the pedal now has some "slack" (about an inch or two) before the brakes engage, but then they are effective and smooth. My Z mechanic says that it is probably due to the calipers having a return spring on them. I did not need to change the master cylinder or anythng else.

I wonder if you could get one with just the top "indentation" that does not block where the state reg stickers go (or a bottom "indentation" - even better) that says www.classiczcars.com on it. Since the point, at least to me, appears to be to support the club, and let other club members know who we are, I don't know that a secondary phrase is necessary. However, if there must be one, I'll have to vote for "Enjoy the Ride". To me, the Datsun advertising tag line is most appropriate to the Z, as it is unique to the brand, while the others could be used on any make of car. But, that being said, I think the club should be more prominent than the secondary phrase.

Very cool -- "its the legendary --- Devil Z" :classic: I don't know if I would call this a cartoon, however it is excellent animation!