rdefabri

Born in '68, and I am a Gen-Xer...Moonpup is correct, Gen-X is post Baby Boomers and generally refers to 1965/1966 or later. I grew on on Nirvana, STP, etc.. WRT the commentary here - I'm with Carl - if you can find a #3 for less than $12K, jump on it. The only thing in my mind that would keep a 240 price depressed is the sheer volumes produced. However, with rust and modification over the years, the cars are becoming more scarce. Let's not forget the Z's historical significance and certainly was a desired car by us as kids. It's no 308 (which, BTW, are starting to climb to my dismay), but it's still something many of us watched racing on TV in the 70s. Carl, by quality of car, what's the average price in your mind? I see my car as a #4, but I see pricing all over the place...just curious.

He was a machinist by trade, actually worked at Disneyland in the 60's/early 70's I believe. He did start out by building his own stuff, but as all good entrepreneurs do, he moved on to being more "mouth" than "hands"...

Sorry - double post

RIP - while I wasn't a fan of his methods, he died way too young. Prayers to his family. I need to check Jalopy Journal - he wasn't really well liked, but I know this is still a shock.

Oh yea - and my car is 110 (albeit faded) - you can see in my avie

That car was featured in Super Street magazine. His name is Tod Kaneko, and he also owns (or owned) a hot 510: http://www.superstreetonline.com/featuredvehicles/custom_1972_datsun_240z_import_car/index.html Like Carl, I consider this car to be about the best modded 240Z's I've ever seen. It was this car that pushed me towards doing a "resto-mod" type Z. After purchasing my car and seeing how close to original it was, I decided against that. Well, that and the amount of $$ I'd need to get mine to look like Tod's!!

As nice as that thing looked, I'd have to think somewhere it was "intentional"...maybe they picked the car because it looked good, more coincidence that the car happened to be a 240Z. I wonder if it's owned by anyone here?

Watching Speed Channel this morning, saw a commercial for Mobil 1. In the second scene, there is a minivan driving and a green 240Z passes it as it drives by. Anyone see it?

It's the same site (http://datsunzgarage.com) - I still have all the printouts I made a few years ago.

3,000 for that??? Holy cow, I must be blind! :surprised

Scary thing is that they are asking $2495.00 and it's trashed. I couldn't get $3,500.00 for mine and it's a 240 in good shape...I'd tell them good luck on that sale, it's probably a $200.00 parts car (as you noted).

NICE! I had a 2000 Maxima SE 5-speed, loved that car (pretty much same as your I30), but had to sell it after I lost my job (this was like 7-8 years ago). Recently, I picked up a cherry GS400, but I was looking at G35 6MTs and a Subaru Legacy GT as well. The I30 should serve you well as a daily driver - that VQ engine is sweet!

Not unreasonable - a show quality resto on my E-Type would run EASILY $150K, I've heard stories of over $200K!!!! I also agree with EScanlon and beandip - buying a car that's finished isn't the same as bringing one back with your own hands. I remember about 15 years ago, after I had sold a Harley I owned so my wife and I could buy a house, I took a liking to my Dad's '67 Honda CL/77 Scrambler that had been sitting in the garage unused for over 20 years. My father scoffed at the idea of making it run, and practically refused to assist me in getting it started (I was young and aggressive, he was starting the transformation into a curmudgeon). As I took the engine apart and replaced what was needed, and started the slow process of rebuilding it, my father would look over, even offer advice. Ultimately, by the time it was back together, we were working side by side. When we got it running, I could tell he was as proud of me as I was of getting that old bike running again. My father and I never had the strongest bond, but nothing compared to the feeling I had when I rode that bike (short of the birth of my children, but you get the idea:) ). FWIW

Carl, as usual, hits the nail on the head. There is no coming out ahead in classic car (or motorcycle) restoration. But as Enrique says, it's about fun and enjoyment of doing something special, and the pride of ownership that makes it worthwhile. I think most of us are in the same place. Given my job, my family, and lack of budget to spend on 2 classic cars and 1 classic motorcycle, I almost have to do most of the work myself. At least the Z is a fairly easy beast, and aside from rust a high quality runner. As Carl says, find the best example you can find (e.g., someone's restoration) and buy it.

Correct - only the 200SX Turbo has the R200 4.11. The normally aspirated 200SX has the R180 4.11 set. Unless you are dumping a V8 into the Z, an R180 4.11 is more than capable.

From what I've read, the spar varnish is even more resilient than polyurethane. I don't know how forgiving it is, but the nice thing about lacquer is the quick dry...in this type of weather (cool) it worked great, but as noted it flakes with a touch of a fingernail. I am still happy with the final product - the wheel I purchased to replace the aftermarket one in my car looked like hell when I got it. Now it looks like it's been mildly used, but not abused - just how I like it!

Thanks guys! I didn't know if it was spray or apply - the spray with lacquer worked great, but as I mentioned, it's really flimsy - I suppose it doesn't matter too much, as the wheel looks SOOO much better now than it did, but I could see how over time the lacquer won't last. Perhaps in a few years, if it needs a re-coat, I'l go buy some spar varnish and spray it on!

Yes, I'll need to reattach my vinyl to the transmission tunnel as well. Passenger side is perfect, but driver's side is loose. Let us know how the Weldwood goes...

Well, it took me awhile, but I finished the wheel restoration, and I must say I feel accomplished! It's not perfect, but light years better than the silly Personal custom wheel I had in it. All it needs is the horn pad! Some things I've noticed that I would change if I ever need to do it again: I used a stain on the sanded wood/plastic part of the wheel. I think this goes a long way towards making the wheel look "rich", but I used a mahogany color, which in retrospect is a bit too dark. In the sunlight, it looks fantastic, but my preference would have been something a little more reddish. I also used spray lacquer to finish the wood/plastic part. Anyone looking to do this themselves, I strongly recommend NOT using spray lacquer. Not only is it hard to avoid running (I did, but only with extreme patience), it's FLIMSY. I put about 2-3 weeks into doing this wheel, and it looked great. However, as I started to unmask the spokes of the wheel, I noticed some chipping of the lacquer. It doesn't take much to scratch it. Since it's a steering wheel, I'm not going to fret it. However, some people noted the use of Spar varnish - how would one apply that? Is it brushed on or applied in another fashion? I very well may sand down my wheel in time and use the Spar varnish instead, but I have no idea of how to apply it. Any thoughts on this are appreciated.

I recall that Bryan Little (Z Car Garage) knew the Z Doc and consulted with him on the building of his Z. He did a "junkyard" version of what you are suggesting (P90, shaved, L28 block). He estimated about 200HP, and with 13.9 second 1/4 mile times, I'd believe it. He did it on a crazy budget...his site is still out there - http://www.geocities.com/zgarage2001/engine.html

I helped a buddy do the V8 swap into a '77 280Z some 20 years ago. It was phenomenally quick, almost brutal. You'd likely want an R200 to support that power - R200 has the nuts to handle it. The problem was, IMHO, it lost the essence of being a Z. The sound of an inlline-6 with a less restrictive exhaust is fitting of a small, light sportscar like the 240. Not that I don't like rumbling V8s

I think the 1981 - 1983 Maximas are true sleepers. They have the L24 engine and fully independent suspensions. Why not take that '83 Max and turn it into a Beemer-type sleeper sedan? I'd love to see that with the 280ZX Turbo "swastika" rims, Recaro seats, and a 3.1L stroker in it!!!

It's epidemic! I still have the same problem as well - hard to start...I've checked everything - no dice!

Diseazd, Since you are East Coast (looks like VA) - check out Sunbelt Performance in GA. I don't have the contact info, but I recall a few of our members swear by their work.

Has to be the same car - the name "Frazier" is in both articles. On another note, I posted a new thread about the February 2002 issue of Classic & Sports Car Magazine. Anyone have that? It has an article that pits the 240Z against a 911 and a Dino 246...curious if someone can post it....