280Z ZZZap project

[lazer]

Let me start by saying that I was introduced to Z-Cars when I purchased my 1990 300ZX Twinturbo about 5 years ago. I just love it and the community that surrounds Z-cars. Unfortunately I haven't driven it much as I'm in grad school in Alaska and didn't want to bring it up here (-40F winters suck). I was lucky to be able to store it at my father's house. In the mean time I needed a car up here. I bought a 1989 Acura Integra with the hopes it would get me through school. Unfortunately after driving it up here it wouldn't pass emissions. I didn't feel like working on it so I sold it to someone with interest in it. Which led me to finding a new car up here. Any car in my price range was going to need some TLC so I figure I may as well get something I want. So the search for an S30 began. I originally wanted a 240Z or 260Z as anything pre-'75 was emissions exempt in my area. Anyway, yesterday I found a 280Z that runs and outside of needing some bodywork, wheels and possibly a new battery, is great.

My hope is to restore the car. For right now I'm going to focus on getting the engine up to par, cleaning it out and trying to stop any problematic rust issues. My hope is to eventually strip and repaint the car to match the ZZZap edition of the car (since it's a 77). I'm going to do my best to avoid any unnecessary performance mods since I'm really just looking to restore the car. I still consider my Z32 the 'performance' car. It is my hope to someday have a 240Z, 260Z, 280Z (ZZZap), 280ZX (Black Gold), Z31 (Shiro), my Z32, and a Spartan II. I'll post up on this project and all the problems like everyone else.

[bigoak]

Wow, Spartan II in the list...

That should get some conversation going...

Welcome to the world of S30's. Hope you manage to get her out of the tundra and back to meet your Z32 soon. Good luck with the resto.

[lazer]

Damn my luck. I was going to buy the car tomorrow but didn't have the phone number of the family that had the car. So I drove over to their place to let them know I had the money and would be by. As I drive up the car is being loaded onto trailer by some fat guy. That ruins my weekend. I'd looked forward to tearing into the car and beginning the project. Damn my luck. Anyway, hopefully I can find another one in my price range near Fairbanks. Otherwise I'll just pick up a Subaru Wagon for the winter and sell it in December when I leave.

[lazer]

Gotta love living in Alaska. The guy who bought the 280Z has listed it on Craigslist for $2300. That's only $1700 more than he paid for it. He's done nothing but put newish tires on the car. Now $600 was a fair price for the car given it's condition....but $2300 is outrageous given the condition of the 280Z.

-No radio

-3 mismatched locks

-Front end damage

-Paint in poor condition

-cracked dash

Guess I'm gonna try to talk the guy down but I'm guessing I'll just have to wait till another one comes on the market up here. (or just give up and buy one in Jan when I'm back down in lower 48)