My 10K Original Mile 240z for Sale Discussion

[pwd]

The issue of "salvage title" on a collector car is an interesting discussion by itself. How much would it matter to a collector who made a "barn find" of a 1971 HemiCuda convertible with a salvage title? After a certified professional rotisserie restoration, would it really matter on the auction block? I also wonder if you can't appeal to the State under those circumstances and get the salvage title scrubbed and a new one re-issued.

[ajmcforester]

The issue of "salvage title" on a collector car is an interesting discussion by itself. How much would it matter to a collector who made a "barn find" of a 1971 HemiCuda convertible with a salvage title? After a certified professional rotisserie restoration, would it really matter on the auction block? I also wonder if you can't appeal to the State under those circumstances and get the salvage title scrubbed and a new one re-issued.

The matter is how well it was repaired and documented the Cuda would have all the repair documented to the T. Damage can be forgiven for the most part with proper repair and documentation of the repair. I like the car from what I can see I'd conciser if it was in my area to take a look at it. If the price was on the higher end I'd want to take it to a shop and measure the whole car and see if it was true and the underside damage. The shop would be of my choice, and depending the location hit I might even request the removal of a panel to check; leave no guess on the damage a bad repair can cost your life, or a bad investment. If the price was low enough I might buy it then check to see how true it was with the idea that if it was to bad I could part it out.

[oemz]

All very good points. I'm not trying to get rich off of the car and in my opinion, it's just a good Z for someone to buy who doesn't care for title status and or possible resale value. It's unfortunate it has a salvage title and it was involved in a major accident, but overall it's a very nice looking Z and it runs very well. Like all of the older Z's in needs attention.

I would change out the suspension bushings with newer ones and possibly new struts and put a set of new tires all around.

I had the brakes redone and fluids flushed and refilled. Changed the distributor rotor, spark plugs & wires, mechanical fuel pump to get it running.

[lonetreesteve]

Steve, I would have sworn that 904 white always had black interiors as an option, with blue interiors also available on the 1970 and 1971 and red available on the 1972 and 1973 model years. Here is a page from TS71-47, which introduced the 1972 model year. Notice that it only lists one color interior for each exterior color, but it has asterisks for the new colors, so maybe they are just listing the new color combinations for those new colors?

The zhome site lists the following references for the information listed:

Documentation Of Exterior and Interior Colors

Note 1: Factory Service Bulletin, May 1970 Vol. 125 - "Introduction of Datsun 240Z Sports Model S30 Series".

Note 2: Factory Service Bulletin, February 1971, Vol. 137 -"Introduction Of Datsun 240Z Sports Model S30 Series (1971 Late Models)

Note 3: Factory Service Bulletin, Volume 171 -"Introduction Of Datsun 240Z Model S30 Series (1973 Models)

Volume 171 states the following: Please note: The Foreword states that " This Service Bulletin has incorporated only the descriptions and specifications for the modification parts and newly designed mechanism and others, but has not introduced the items continued from the present model vehicle."

There is no source listed for the 1972 model year information and the "Note 3" regarding the 1973 information says it "has not introduced the items continued from the present model vehicle." I wonder if that is the same for the 1972 model introduction?

-Mike

Hi Mike,

I have found that the exterior/interior combos on Zhome to be 100% accurate after seeing hundreds of 240Zs either in person or on the Internet, etc. The subject car is either a '71 or it's a '72 and its original red interior was changed to black, whether it was spray-painted with SEM or completely changed out. Whether it was changed out due to a fire, water damage or for some other reason, if it's indeed a '72, then it was definitely changed.

If it turns out to be a '71 with incorrect hub caps, than the black would be right. Oemz still hasn't provided any of the car's VIN data, so it just a guessing game at this point.

[roy-73-240z]

I noticed on this car that the gas lid on the car is a locking one and the rear hatch glass has vertical defrost lines on it. Wasn't that only available in 1970 and 1971 Z's? I could be wrong.

I had a white 1972 with the red interior and it had no locking gas lid and the hatch glass defrost lines were horizontal.

[Gary in NJ]

Roy,

I also think if it was a correct '70 or '71 hatch it would also have the vents in the lower hatch. This car just might be a collection of parts.

[lonetreesteve]

I noticed on this car that the gas lid on the car is a locking one and the rear hatch glass has vertical defrost lines on it. Wasn't that only available in 1970 and 1971 Z's? I could be wrong.

I had a white 1972 with the red interior and it had no locking gas lid and the hatch glass defrost lines were horizontal.

The pics that Omez attached in his original post, showed the vertical defrost lines, which were common on the early '72s; however, the pic showing the passenger side with the locking gas door was not shown. The locking gas doors as far as I know, were only on the '70 and '71 240Zs.

[lonetreesteve]

Roy,

I also think if it was a correct '70 or '71 hatch it would also have the vents in the lower hatch. This car just might be a collection of parts.

Only the '70 and early '71 cars (Series I) had the rear hatch vents, later '71s (Series II) had the same rear hatches as '72s and '73s.

[roy-73-240z]

Thanks Gary and Steve for the clarification.

OEMZ do you have a Vin Number you can post?

[oemz]

I will be with the car in a few hours and will post it up

[Diseazd]

I would change out the suspension bushings with newer ones and possibly new struts and put a set of new tires all around.

Why?..........WIth only 10,000 miles,it should be fine.No one has asked how it drives. How does it drive? Does it shimmy or vibrate or drive and track good? That should go a long way to telling if it was a good repair. My guess is it must have been a pretty good lick if it was a salvaged title. If repaired properly, it could be worth $10,000 to $12,000.The car looks absolutely beautiful in the pictures.

Edited January 16, 2011 by Diseazd

[ajmcforester]

This is a series II 71. I owned a early 72 and now have a 71. Locking gas door, metal fan (who would convert from plastic), and fuel hose running to that funny fuel thing on the left firewall, are things you don't find on 72s. Now it might be titled a 72 I have seen that before.

I see several things that hint the drives side was damaged. The hood bends up in the center left side, the left door sits higher in rear in relation to the rear fender, these are two things that are rare to see from factory ushaly the door will sit at or a little below, and gravety would work the door down. The exhaust looks new and is aftermarket with headers. The rear bumper side peice don't line up with the center (factory was pretty good with this from what I've seen). The rear hatch seems to be ever so slightly off to the right and looks like the hatch was pushed into the right fender. It also has a 73 or later brake master the caps hint at that.

A 3 panel hit on just about any car will total it out. If I was to get this car I'd check how true the body is it might not drive straight at higher speeds or even become unstable. I think you can have a fun car that can last a long time, or it might make a great parts car if it is crooked or to transfer over to a good shell.