guy72277
Forum User
Hi - I’ve been looking out for a project car for a while now and have just bought a 260z from www.hofman.nl. I used to fiddle around with an old Landrover Defender in my pre-kids days some 10 years ago but had to sell it for practical reasons, and since then have been caught up in the whirlwind of kids and household DIY. I didn’t really know about the existence of Zs until recently when I saw this 240z featured on the US Roadkill motorshow (yt 1, 2, 3) and instantly fell for the lines of the car (plus the two presenters really inspired me to improve my knowledge of engines).
My 260z (here and here) comes from California and hasn’t been driven since 91. I’m trying to get it started at the moment – I’m close, but have been trying to use the old ’91 “gas” which I’ve read is a big no-no (thanks Zed-the-red for your informative post from 29-03-2010 – I’ll be following instructions tonight). It’s a Feb '74 model so I think that makes it an “early one” (has a red not blue intake filter) – I don’t know whether it has the reduced compression and bhp due to smog laws (unlike UK 260z-s) or whether it takes unleaded (don’t think so) but I’ll be asking for advice on everything later on.
I’m English (originally from around Farnham in Surrey) but have lived in Luxembourg for about 15 years, so I’m adding to the ranks of your Euro members like SeanDezart, H3neY and the chap in Austria. I drive down to Northern Italy (Bolzano) and to the UK semi-regularly so can bring parts with me if you’re not too far out of my way. I’m actually over to the UK next week and will be driving up to Cumbria at some point if that can help anyone – have a VW Sharan…
I actually have my 260z in my garage since Wednesday 25 March and am looking to do a full nut and bolt restoration as a way to learn about everything and get my 3 boys interested in all things mechanical. I think the 260z is reasonably complete and am pretty confident that rust is not that much of an issue (I spent an hour and a half looking it over and under with a massive checklist before buying (I know it’s got some filler or “Bondo” on the right rear quarter panel so will have to attack that, and one of the floor panels is a little rusty round the drain hole and where someone thought floor panels were a suitable jacking point…). Btw, I read that Grolls restored his Datsun without ever having driven one – I’m in the same boat – I know it’s roomy enough for my 6’6” but skinny frame but it’s definitely going to be more fun on the road than the old Defender.
Before attacking the restoration/rejuvenation/refresh (for which I’m following this plan), I’m going round and looking what’s missing. I’m getting a list of essential parts together and hope that between Mr.F, Pmac (if you’re still active), Duncan at Zforum Geoff at Autoactive and good ol’ eBay, I’ll get it all back together. I’m not looking to do a Concours restoration as really I prefer the distressed look of the Roadkill Datsun, but I do want to get it mechanically perfect, so it’s reliable, safe and reasonably efficient.
I’ve read all of this forum’s 240z/260z archives (since 2002 so it took a while) and saved all relevant tips and advice, so I hope not to ask too many stupid/redundant questions but I’m looking forward to getting on with the restoration and participating in this community now that I’m a fully paid up member…
tl;dr: I'm English, live in Luxembourg, have a ‘74 260z (US).
My 260z (here and here) comes from California and hasn’t been driven since 91. I’m trying to get it started at the moment – I’m close, but have been trying to use the old ’91 “gas” which I’ve read is a big no-no (thanks Zed-the-red for your informative post from 29-03-2010 – I’ll be following instructions tonight). It’s a Feb '74 model so I think that makes it an “early one” (has a red not blue intake filter) – I don’t know whether it has the reduced compression and bhp due to smog laws (unlike UK 260z-s) or whether it takes unleaded (don’t think so) but I’ll be asking for advice on everything later on.
I’m English (originally from around Farnham in Surrey) but have lived in Luxembourg for about 15 years, so I’m adding to the ranks of your Euro members like SeanDezart, H3neY and the chap in Austria. I drive down to Northern Italy (Bolzano) and to the UK semi-regularly so can bring parts with me if you’re not too far out of my way. I’m actually over to the UK next week and will be driving up to Cumbria at some point if that can help anyone – have a VW Sharan…
I actually have my 260z in my garage since Wednesday 25 March and am looking to do a full nut and bolt restoration as a way to learn about everything and get my 3 boys interested in all things mechanical. I think the 260z is reasonably complete and am pretty confident that rust is not that much of an issue (I spent an hour and a half looking it over and under with a massive checklist before buying (I know it’s got some filler or “Bondo” on the right rear quarter panel so will have to attack that, and one of the floor panels is a little rusty round the drain hole and where someone thought floor panels were a suitable jacking point…). Btw, I read that Grolls restored his Datsun without ever having driven one – I’m in the same boat – I know it’s roomy enough for my 6’6” but skinny frame but it’s definitely going to be more fun on the road than the old Defender.
Before attacking the restoration/rejuvenation/refresh (for which I’m following this plan), I’m going round and looking what’s missing. I’m getting a list of essential parts together and hope that between Mr.F, Pmac (if you’re still active), Duncan at Zforum Geoff at Autoactive and good ol’ eBay, I’ll get it all back together. I’m not looking to do a Concours restoration as really I prefer the distressed look of the Roadkill Datsun, but I do want to get it mechanically perfect, so it’s reliable, safe and reasonably efficient.
I’ve read all of this forum’s 240z/260z archives (since 2002 so it took a while) and saved all relevant tips and advice, so I hope not to ask too many stupid/redundant questions but I’m looking forward to getting on with the restoration and participating in this community now that I’m a fully paid up member…
tl;dr: I'm English, live in Luxembourg, have a ‘74 260z (US).
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) and hat off for having chosen a rare Z - do it justice with your boys.