Long time Z owner

[Z Speed]

FWIW, here it is. Be gentle; she's old and far from perfect. As some of you may know, the car's been garaged for quite a while. I am planning a long restore. I want to get her running again first. I need to drop tank, blow lines, go over the hoses, oil the cam/cylinders, and all the other things that go with getting a car drivable.....

I pulled the floorboard carpet to inspect, but I never cleaned the interior. It's really dusty/dirty. I need to replace frame rails (pass. for sure) and floorboards. The pass. is not really rusty, but both are dented really bad. I have a few spots of surface rust. I won't know the extent in other areas until I pull her apart. The paint is thirty years old and the clear coat is trashed....

Here a few photos; if you like you can check out my gallery for more. This car has been setup like this since the late 70's. Hope you like....

[Arne]

Looks like a decent starting point. And boy would I love to find a supplier for that windshield tint!

[sblake01]

Not to mention what appears to be factory Datsun Comp headlight covers.....hang on to those! (or sell them to help finance your project) I can't get there with the hood bulge, fender mirrors, chrome wiper arms(?), and Appliance wire wheels, and the sunroof, but the rest of the car has potential.

[bigoak]

Yeah, bit of a mish-mash...

Body looks decent....frame rails / floors could be ugly...

Not crazy about the hood, bulge or wierd graphics...

Like the light covers...

Ok with the rear spoiler...like the front...

My wife would love the cup holder though...

Have fun with the resto...

[Arne]

I can't get there with the...chrome wiper arms(?)....

Don't forget that all 240Zs came with matte silver wiper arms, Stephen. They didn't change to black until '76 or so.

And yeah, I know about the sunroof and Appliance Fine Wires too. The wires are gone, and the sunroof is going soon...

[Z Speed]

Well, thanks for the comments folks. Like I stated the car is in decent shape, but needs work. I already stated it needed at least one frame rail replaced maybe more. The floors are too bad, but are dented so I will be replacing them as well. The windshield tent was purchased and applied back in the 70's. I wish I can find it again too Arne, because I would like to replace the windshield. The car in current shape was painted and built in the 70's. You are correct Stephen, the light covers are the original factory Datsun covers/rings that will not be sold. I like them a lot.

I don’t' consider the car a mish-mash. It's just a different look. It's not unlike having painted bumpers. Some like them some don't. I don't prefer them, but I think they look decent....

The wiper arms as Arne mentioned are factory originals and they’re not chrome. The mirrors were purchased in Japan in the late 70's and applied. A bit different then the Fairlady mirrors, but I like them. I know most of you don't like the hood/bonnet, but I do. I have given thought to replacing it at some point with the original, but the hood goes with the overall look. It was installed the late 70’s as well and It also completely cleared up any/all vapor lock issues.....

Like I stated, the car was painted by the OP in the 70's. He was a Fencer. I don't really like the Fencer graphics, but I do like the pin striping. I may just go with the thick pin stripes down the side and roof line and leave off the hood/light bucket/rear spoiler graphics when repainted. You have to remember, this car’s paint/setup is period original (i.e. common during that period/time). Back in the 70's the thick pin stripe and design was common. However, It's not to popular by today’s standards. Many of the younger generation isn't use to seeing or even understand it this style. It disappeared many years ago....

The wheels where produced by Dunlop. I happen to love the wires with the knockoff looking center caps. I am thinking of trying to find another set (thanks for the tip on Appliance Wheels) or go with something else. I do love the Panasports, but maybe something else entirely. The duel moon roof was a dealer install. I am not sure if I would have ordered the car with one, but I find I like it a lot. The two roof panels are removable as well; nice on a sunny day. I know many like the non-sun/moon roof look and frown on cutting the roof, but many of the Z's sunroofs were a dealer install. I have never had one leak....

I do appreciate all of you giving your opinions. It’s always nice getting other perspectives. All opinions are valued. I expected the hood/bonnet to receive the welcome it did, but I had hoped the period, which this car was built would be considered. It wasn’t built/created by a teen, in the 90-00’s. Much of the look was common when this car was built and raced. Even the hood/bonnet. With that said, and taking the originality mindset into thought, I do understand were all of you are coming from. I too, struggle with the decision to take it back to original (not far off) or keep it slightly altered. Once I began the project I will have more time to decide. I do like it's current look, sans the Fencer and hood graphics and other small changes. Time will tell and I am sure changes will be made when all things are said and done. Thanks again people. I can never get enough info/opinions/comments….

P.S. Arne, I’ve been reading your blogs. Great read. Thanks for taking the time to detail most/all the steps on your Z’s continuous progress. It is very insightful. I hope to meet someday at an event or other happenings. Sorry for the long rant….

[Zs-ondabrain]

So are ya still going to Golden Gardens or is that on hold?

Dave

[Arne]

The car in current shape was painted and built in the 70's.

No, don't get me wrong. I totally appreciate the true 'period-correct' look of your car, even if there are things about it I wouldn't do to mine. It's kind of a history thing. While I'm not keeping mine totally as the original owner did it, I too want to keep it looking like a typical 240Z as driven in the '70s. Which explains my vintage 14" mags, BRE spook and Pioneer stereo. I do plan to lose my sunroof, though.

The wheels where produced by Dunlop.

No, those were actually built by Appliance Industries. Mine were the exact same. They were (in the day) the only true wire wheels that were absolutely guaranteed to be tubeless. The spokes do not go all the way into the air chamber, but fasten to a lip that is welded to the rim. From the back side you will be able to see the ends of the spokes. Unique construction, and very hot sellers in the '70s.

P.S. Arne, I’ve been reading your blogs. Great read. Thanks for taking the time to detail most/all the steps on your Z’s continuous progress. It is very insightful. I hope to meet someday at an event or other happenings. Sorry for the long rant….

Well, if you read my page regularly you know how I can get tied up and not post updates for weeks on end. As long as that's OK with my readers, I'll keep it up when I have time.

I don't get up into Washington often, but if you ever make it down to one of the NW Oregon meets you may well run into me.

[beandip]

Z speed, Are the floor pans that bad really? If they are just dented and pushed up, this can be pounded out. If rusted through this is a whole different matter. I like the looks of your Z . Not a car I would keep as it is . Not to my taste. Especially the hood . To me it takes away from the lines of the car . I would also remove the mirrors from the finders as well. If the car is meant for the track, then that is a different matter. Sun roofs , sorry. I have a Camry with a sun roof and never open it and keep the cover on. I don't know if I would go through the trouble to fill the roof in though. She looks like a great car. I think Spoke wheels look super on a Z. Arne sold his before I could raise my hand.

Dave, I am planning on making the run up to Golden Gardens, if all goes as planned. There is a group of us leaving at 7:00 am from Delta Park , by the I-5 bridge. I will be looking for you. Keep a look out for Ole Yeller. Gary

[Arne]

I don't know if I would go through the trouble to fill the roof in though.

Stay tuned, because it may be easier and more affordable than we think. I'll post a new thread on this when I get it firmed up

[a7dz]

Scott;

Don't get too excited about replacing the floors if they are only bent. They really staighten pretty easy. If they have a lot of rust then we are talking a different story. I am looking forward to stopping by one day in the near future and take a close look see. I kind of like the look. Period correct and yet a little different.

I do plan I getting my 240 up to Golden Gardens this month. Looking forward to seeing every one again.

Scott sure would be good to see you. It helps to see who you are talking with in this forum.

[Carl Beck]

No, those were actually built by Appliance Industries. Mine were the exact same. They were (in the day) the only true wire wheels that were absolutely guaranteed to be tubeless. The spokes do not go all the way into the air chamber, but fasten to a lip that is welded to the rim. From the back side you will be able to see the ends of the spokes. Unique construction, and very hot sellers in the '70s.

But how can you tell - without seeing either the back of the wheel or the material of the spokes?

Dayton, Dunlop, Tru-Spokes - all look pretty much the same in the pictures? Is there something unique about the Appliance Wire Wheels?

thanks,

Carl B.