First Z

[ajmcforester]

Keep your eyes open is all you can do. Have you ruled out shipping a Z to yourself? You could always take a nice trip here to California and take a look at a few Zs and have a nice vacation as well

Smart move, but I would not plan driving it back that far you need to know the car so plan on shipping it back. That isn't as bad as most will make it out last I checked CA to NJ was 1,200 to ship a car, about 250-350 in air fair and 200-300 in a rental car, and if your clever enough you can get rooms next to nothing.

[ajmcforester]

One more thing I had looked for a long time over 10 years at many different cars I wanted the first Z I looked at to buy I bought. That was my blue Z I wish she was around still. I was very skeptical of everything I was told about the car, and the only thing he was truthful about was when it was repainted, and the lac of rust (rust would have broken the deal) the guy was moving and wanted to sell before the move so I hammered the price till it met the condition of the car and took it home. I had to stop on the highway 4 time in 60 miles to fix different things I almost lost a wheel going home, only one lug and five threads away.

I loved fixing that car up, but I expected a rough car and lots of problems. The reason your second guessing your self is you might be noticing that their are some contentions you may need to deal with. I hope this is the one of your dreams, but pick-a-part all the clues to make sure you get what you want!

[Gary in NJ]

You guys have me second guessing myself.

Good. Go into this as a skeptic and it will payoff. To protect yourself you have to assume the worst of people. If something doesn't feel/sound right, it probably isn't. If you hear something that doesn't ring true, ask some leading questions to see what else is revealed.

You may have found a great car, but don't go on the sellers word or by an untrained eye. Have the car inspected by someone (a body guy would be best) you trust.

I hope this car turns out to be as good as you hope. They are rare on the east coast. Post pictures. We love photos.

BTW, that uncracked dash could be a cover. Take a second look.

[ajmcforester]

Keep a positive attitude with the person while being skeptical otherwise it will be hard to negotiate a price.

The other thing is what do you plan to do when you get this car?

For getting a daily driver you want to find a car with some miles little driving causes as much if not more damage than no driving so very low mile old cars need to be taken apart to make them reliable, and the amount of work needed is dependent on how it was stored.

Their are exceptions to low milage and it deals with storage and I can figure out how to get the 32 Ford with 2,000 miles I would the car is in a special nitrogen filled vault suspended on special axle straps, and all the joints are moved and oiled once a year since 1933, it sill has the original never been touched battery in working order. I was lucky enough to go into the vault and this is the jewel with no owner.

[azucca33]

Thanks for all of the input and advice. I have decided that the best thing to do is take a second look. I really want the car and negotiated the price I wanted so now I want to make sure I am not making a mistake. If I get it, pics will follow.

[ajmcforester]

Now you have a start price write down everything you find wrong that was after the fact of the negotiated price. A bunch of small things adds up to $$$, and if you go over each one at a time they will write it off and not budge but if you have a list it is harder to write off because you gave them all at once.

I don't know how much room you will have, but I found a car that might make a good parts car. I'll make a post when I have more about that car.

[azucca33]

Ok. So today, I went back to take a second look at the car. I jacked the thing up and got a good look at the under side of the car. I have to say now that I have officially decided that I want to buy it. I don't think I will find one in this condition so close to home any time soon. Yeah, it has an oil leak and a few issues but nothing out of the ordinary for a 39 year old car. It really has aged well and has very little rust. Just surface stuff. Just need to transfer the title and get it to my house. I can't wait.

[ajmcforester]

Great, I hope you tapped the surface rust areas to make sure they were surface rust. Other than that congratulations!! Picture are needed. have you found transportation for it yet?

[azucca33]

Yup. Thanks. The seller and I both work a lot this time of year so we are going to try and make it final this week. I called a towing company and they said a flatbed can be there within 2 hours of my call anytime.