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Buying a Z - What are the key things to look for?
- Thread starter BenjEtch
- Start date
uk66fastback
Club Member
Hi, the main thing to watch out for with these cars is R U S T
Are you looking to buy a UK RHD car or would a LHD one do you? Reason I ask, is because cars from the US are generally less rusty ... or ones from Down Under (which are RHD of course).
Are you looking to buy a UK RHD car or would a LHD one do you? Reason I ask, is because cars from the US are generally less rusty ... or ones from Down Under (which are RHD of course).
It's probably easier to make a list of the areas on them that you don't get rust. The metal is very thin on most of the cars and goes from the inside out.
Least obvious but most critical would probably be the front chassis rails. They can be solid looking from the top of the engine but completely rotted out underneath. Replacing them properly is a huge job that requires engine removal and unpicking a chunk of the bodyshell.
Least obvious but most critical would probably be the front chassis rails. They can be solid looking from the top of the engine but completely rotted out underneath. Replacing them properly is a huge job that requires engine removal and unpicking a chunk of the bodyshell.
AD240Z
Club Member
What kind of budget do you have in mind ?
Have a good read of some of the build threads on here and you will discover the range of mechanical - and particularly bodywork/ chassis issues encountered and how they are being dealt with.
Then you can compare your skills and/or wallet against what’s lurking out there .
Have a good read of some of the build threads on here and you will discover the range of mechanical - and particularly bodywork/ chassis issues encountered and how they are being dealt with.
Then you can compare your skills and/or wallet against what’s lurking out there .
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
I'd make sure you're careful about where you buy it from also.
its not been unknown for some well known sellers to try and pass off 'ringers' direct off the boat.
As everyone above says, rust is the major thing to look out for.
its not been unknown for some well known sellers to try and pass off 'ringers' direct off the boat.
As everyone above says, rust is the major thing to look out for.
Have a look at this - currently at £16k on ebay. Lots to do.
Robbie J
Club Member
so that will need sills and rear elbows, likely the inner sills. The rear hatch sill looked good but could have been replaced. Did not show the floors, rails, spare wheel well, under the bonnet etc. The corners under the bonnet under the battery etc each sides inner wing etc.... A lot of panels are available but look at some of the project threads to see what can go wrong.
UK cars can be bodged 20 years ago but look good, US cars from a "dry state" might not have been there all there life and comeback is hard to a seller 1000s of miles away
the safest bet is to buy a US car off Mike on here https://zclub.net/community/index.php?members/saccyclone.2589/ as at least you will know what you are getting and use as LHD or convert it. It's just paperwork with the DVLA to get it registered. A repair to a floor. sills, rails wings can be 10K for parts and welding then you have to paint it. A LHD to RHD now is about 2.5K for bits and same again to convert or more (you can save if you are sassy parts) cars are all made in the same factory
you will pay more for a original 240Z less for a 280Z basically the same shape, less again for 2+2
All depends on how much you want to spend... there are not a lot of bargains any more even from the US. I'm only half way thro to get mine on the road but I'm changing engines etc this is the second car as the first one was wreck but had a good engine, second one is good all round and only purchased on pictures but I did know mike had seen in the US anyway you need to work out your budget
Mr.G
Club Member
I agree with Robbie. I have not yet had the pleasure to speak to Mike, but have already recommended him to people looking for a Z based on the great feedback others have had and the way he conducts himself.
He will find you a straight car, convert to RHD if you want but i don't see why a LHD car would be less enjoyable to own.
He will find you a straight car, convert to RHD if you want but i don't see why a LHD car would be less enjoyable to own.
SacCyclone
Club Member
Thanks for the kind comments.......
As others have already said, rust and accident damage is still a big issue with US cars and people not representing the cars accurately due to knowledge or flat out a con job.
Figure out a budget and be patient for the right car with at least a hundred pics in my opinion.
My 75 280Z is getting close as it is now running and driving. Converting to small bumpers and rota wheels currently. Interior clean up and some small bits next up. This is a rust free car with older paint but a great starting place to build on or just drive as is.
Stay away from newer paint cars in the states unless you have lots of documentation and can have someone put eyes on the car for an inspection.
Mike
As others have already said, rust and accident damage is still a big issue with US cars and people not representing the cars accurately due to knowledge or flat out a con job.
Figure out a budget and be patient for the right car with at least a hundred pics in my opinion.
My 75 280Z is getting close as it is now running and driving. Converting to small bumpers and rota wheels currently. Interior clean up and some small bits next up. This is a rust free car with older paint but a great starting place to build on or just drive as is.
Stay away from newer paint cars in the states unless you have lots of documentation and can have someone put eyes on the car for an inspection.
Mike
Robbie J
Club Member
Any pic's Mike?
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
It'd be good to link your first thread to show what happens if you just plough in without knowing what to look for or advice, should be a 'sticky' really.
As above, Mike would be a great call for a US car.
Robbie J
Club Member
more like don't listen to workmates who don't know the difference between surface rust and holes
uk66fastback
Club Member
Another vote for Mike as a source for a US car - I've had many parts from him in the past few years. Straight and honest guy.
SacCyclone
Club Member
Just removing the stock park bench bumpers now.....rain here for the next week so after that I should have the small bumpers mocked up and will add pics to the thread I started already on that 280Z.
Hi,
Welcome to the world of Z's. Having bought a US LHD nearly 6 years ago and having spent a small fortune in bringing it up to a standard that suits me, I would add the following:
1. Be honest about what you want to do with your car. There is no right or wrong answer but knowing this will determine what is important for you. In my case, I wanted a car to take on long road trips (eg 3,000 miles around Spain and France, NC500 etc) so reliability was key. Knowing I would be on high speed main roads meant I also wanted decent brakes, good headlights etc.
2. Preventative maintenance is key. My car has broken down twice and both occasions happened because I stupidly went for a cheap repair of the alternator rather than replacing it. Lesson learnt. Don't wait for things to go wrong and look for evidence the previous owner was on top of this!
3. Don't underestimate the hideous cost of replacing seemingly small parts. Check all the detailed parts that in the overall scheme of things may not appear to matter.
4. I was initially reluctant to go down the LHD route but I now rarely wish mine was RHD. My long trips are done in Europe so the odd inconvenience in the UK isn't an issue. This goes back to knowing what you will be doing.
5. Go for a meaningful test drive.
Most importantly, drive and enjoy your car and don't be too precious about it!
Welcome to the world of Z's. Having bought a US LHD nearly 6 years ago and having spent a small fortune in bringing it up to a standard that suits me, I would add the following:
1. Be honest about what you want to do with your car. There is no right or wrong answer but knowing this will determine what is important for you. In my case, I wanted a car to take on long road trips (eg 3,000 miles around Spain and France, NC500 etc) so reliability was key. Knowing I would be on high speed main roads meant I also wanted decent brakes, good headlights etc.
2. Preventative maintenance is key. My car has broken down twice and both occasions happened because I stupidly went for a cheap repair of the alternator rather than replacing it. Lesson learnt. Don't wait for things to go wrong and look for evidence the previous owner was on top of this!
3. Don't underestimate the hideous cost of replacing seemingly small parts. Check all the detailed parts that in the overall scheme of things may not appear to matter.
4. I was initially reluctant to go down the LHD route but I now rarely wish mine was RHD. My long trips are done in Europe so the odd inconvenience in the UK isn't an issue. This goes back to knowing what you will be doing.
5. Go for a meaningful test drive.
Most importantly, drive and enjoy your car and don't be too precious about it!