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RHD 240z wanted
- Thread starter Callisto
- Start date
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- Tags
- 240z 240z wanted rhd
uk66fastback
Club Member
There’s one on Ebay with an interesting history but no paperwork for £12k ... I think your budget is unrealistic, unfortunately.
Why not get a LHD and convert?
Why not get a LHD and convert?
richiep
Club Member
As has been noted, 10k is not realistic for a RHD 240Z anymore. And even if you could find one for that, you would be looking at a considerable investment in time, skill, and money to address the inevitable rust issues.
As Chris says, an alternative is to look at LHD import project cars sub-10k and RHD convert if that is an absolute necessity. Conversion panels are available although you still need to track down used parts like dash, pedal box, heater/blower, steering rack, etc.
You need to do a lot of research and get a clearer understanding of what’s out there, what things are worth, and how that sits with what you want - and whether it’s viable.
As Chris says, an alternative is to look at LHD import project cars sub-10k and RHD convert if that is an absolute necessity. Conversion panels are available although you still need to track down used parts like dash, pedal box, heater/blower, steering rack, etc.
You need to do a lot of research and get a clearer understanding of what’s out there, what things are worth, and how that sits with what you want - and whether it’s viable.
bigh
Club Member
Have a look further afield if you really want a RHD drive car. I purchased a car from Australia (rhd) earlier in the year, its not perfect by any means, but has considerably less rust than a UK rhd car. I was looking for a UK rhd car, and all of the ones I looked at were circa 15k + and needed a considerable amount of money in body work/ rust repairs. I was quoted a further 5-7k for the work.
Converting a LHD as others have mentioned is another route, but unless you are doing the work yourself, it will be expensive. I was quoted well over 10k by a reputable firm to carry out the conversion, and the additional RHD parts, dashboard/steering column/rack/pedal box come with a hefty price tag.
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
who quoted that?
uk66fastback
Club Member
Was that 10k including the parts or labour only? It would be beneficial for owners consiering it to get a thorough list of parts required and the likely cost (there may even be one somewhere) with and without labour. 10k is daft though either way! Didn't want the job obviously!
Jay.
Club Member
I was quoted the same, excluding parts, by Fourways.
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
I don't agree. It's a hell of a lot of work to give to any legitimate, VAT registered business. Charged at an hourly rate, it will soon add up.
STEVE BURNS
Club Member
As Albrecht says It depends on who you go to whether its a person who does work on cars in their spare time when not doing their full time job and don't pay tax on the price, someone who is doing it to add to their main income, A one man concern who does not employ others to help them or a full time business that employs numerous people and has to have full health and safety measures in place as well as PL insurance and all the expense of being a business employing various people
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richiep
Club Member
Speaking from personal experience, there's a lot of hours in a properly executed RHD conversion. And its not just about what happens with the bulkhead; think about the alterations to the scuttle area, etc. Plus, there are inevitable knock-ons; you remove the LHD battery tray on a car and discover the inner wing is perforated. Boom - another XX number of hours needed.
Obviously, as per Steve's point, it'd be less having someone like me do it on the side versus Fourways, but it still wouldn't be particularly cheap!
Obviously, as per Steve's point, it'd be less having someone like me do it on the side versus Fourways, but it still wouldn't be particularly cheap!
tyroguru
Club Member
Yes, I'm just surprised that these enterprises actually make any money at all in the UK. In 2019 the median male salary (yes, I know I'm taking a risk there assuming they're male workers) in Sevenoaks was ~37k GBP. Obviously it depends upon what, if any benefits, such an employee would get but the true cost to the business could be estimated to be between 55k - 80k. Add on what must be a huge cost for premises and all the other mass of costs that go into running a registered, certified business in the UK and they must have to have a considerable turnover to keep going. I think ~10k is actually very good if the work is of a high standard.
richiep
Club Member
It's why many restoration shops have left the sector, and other bodyshops have stopped taking on restoration work. The income can be difficult to secure reliably. Too many people simply don't want to pay what it costs to have a proper job done. Or try to haggle unreasonably. There are common issues with customers running out of money or pulling the plug part way through. It makes it difficult for businesses to secure consistent income and plan effectively. Real life example - the bodyshop that did my red Z bodywork and paint, and Datsun Dave's car back in the 00s has got out of full paint jobs, never mind bodywork restoration to concentrate on accident repair only. After years and years of doing that work (I saw everything from Renault Williams Clio to Ferrari F40s in there), the owner just decided it was too much hassle and went over to accident repair and little jobs full-time.
Places like MZR, Fourways, or non-Z specialists like Retropower have client bases that are prepared to pay for what they offer.
Places like MZR, Fourways, or non-Z specialists like Retropower have client bases that are prepared to pay for what they offer.
uk66fastback
Club Member
Okay, I might have been a touch hasty with my comments, but 10k to me still seems a LOT of money for the work (without parts). Granted I have not done it myself so am 'making a guess' at the hours needed ...
How many hours then at a rough guessimate? Assuming no other horrors are found. For a company who are well versed in it.
My 944 wants the clutch bearing doing which is a royal PITA to do. I will have a go at it myself I think - but that's not down to cost, it's more of the challenge. Prices from specialists range from £550 to £1500! (Without parts). That's a big variation for the same job.
How many hours then at a rough guessimate? Assuming no other horrors are found. For a company who are well versed in it.
My 944 wants the clutch bearing doing which is a royal PITA to do. I will have a go at it myself I think - but that's not down to cost, it's more of the challenge. Prices from specialists range from £550 to £1500! (Without parts). That's a big variation for the same job.
atomman
Club Member
What price does an a decent classic car resto shop charge per hour these days ? £80 - £120 BMW dealers are £140 + VAT these days
2- 3 weeks plus @40 hours a week to do a proper job of the conversion ? = around 10k ish
engine out , most interior out , welding , fabrication, wiring , paint etc etc
its a lot of work when you start braking it all down,
2- 3 weeks plus @40 hours a week to do a proper job of the conversion ? = around 10k ish
engine out , most interior out , welding , fabrication, wiring , paint etc etc
its a lot of work when you start braking it all down,
uk66fastback
Club Member
Local BM dealer here, £90 + VAT. I still think 10k is a lot of money for that job.
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
If you took them a bare shell, 3 days work? 4 days?