Serial Nissan owner thinking on 260Z 2+2

Robbie J

Club Member
I've had a few Nissans over the years and I fancy a 260Z 2+2 as I have 6year old who likes cars so having him in the back is perfect

They seem to be either basket cases or expensive resto's. I enjoy making my own car but not sure on who would do the welding and cost/quality of getting it done. I have good mechanic but does not want to weld a whole car up. Yes the old import a US car or repair a UK/jap one. I'm lucky I get to go to the US 2 to 3 times a year for work., making the US option easier for me.

A couple of my old Nissan's with the wife driving one, had a 200sx and 350X as well

ChissR33-low.jpg
 

Robbie J

Club Member
nissan-gt-r-c226904042017225346_7.jpg


Last Le Man's drive in the R35, first Grey one in the UK, sold it in Jan
 
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datsfun

Club Member
I've had a few Nissans over the years and I fancy a 260Z 2+2 as I have 6year old who likes cars so having him in the back is perfect


A couple of my old Nissan's with the wife driving one, had a 200sx and 350X as well

ChissR33-low.jpg

Welcome !

Firstly congrats on the lovely collection; best colour on the R33 for sure.

Given that you want a car that will accommodate your son as well, have a think outside the box.;) Look up an early skyline C10 or C110 instead :).Or some other early 70's Datsun coupes that will accommodate 4 adults. (Much better than a s30 2+2)

I am sure the current fleet can take care if you need speed occasionally .....
 

Robbie J

Club Member
I sold all the Nissan's and have a Porsche turbo instead... much to the concern of my mates... We have a Legacy GT as well (sti engine in) but I miss the Nissans... as its a 3rd car I have limited funds to buy (well my wife has limited the funds) I can spend to repair and improve...

thanks for the welcome
 

datsfun

Club Member
I sold all the Nissan's and have a Porsche turbo instead... much to the concern of my mates... We have a Legacy GT as well (sti engine in) but I miss the Nissans... as its a 3rd car I have limited funds to buy (well my wife has limited the funds) I can spend to repair and improve...

Oh dear. Sold those for a Porka ?

Just winding you up...

If you are a frequent traveller to US and don't mind a LHD car with rear passenger space and on a budget, then look up a Datsun 510 two door....

With relatively minor tweaks and upgrades, they can be made to handle very well and plenty of engine choices out there.

And much better looking than a s30 2+2

All IMHO :p:D
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Oh wow, midnight purple was my favourite on 90's GTR's!

Interesting angle, unusual to find too many people who would go for a +2 out of preference. US would be your best bet for finding a good shell at a reasonable price if you look in the right places.

A Datsun 510 2 door would get my vote any day, I love those little cars. Only problem is your talking 240z prices for one these days EXTRA:(
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Well Rob, welcome to the forum and the right phone booth for Datsun talk!!!!!

I beg to differ with the conventional views on the 2+2 Z - I actually think it is a very handsome 2+2 and will provide 90% of the joys of a 2 seater. OK so it's a little heavier, a little longer and has a slightly higher roof-line but so what if you can enjoy it with your son!? Drop a tweaked L28 into it or liven up the L26 with a few easy mods and the extra weight becomes insignificant.

You're right about basket case or too expensive. The expensive ones haven't sold - wonder why!? There was one in metallic orange which a forum member did a hotly debated and unconventional "resto/rescue" on - it may resurface at some point so worth being familiar with it (longest thread in the history of the club - worth a quick browse especially as it's a good example of key rust areas to look out for).

https://zclub.net/community/index.p...olt-restoration-a-how-to-guide.20134/page-102

They tend to sell for less than a 2 seater 260, a decent one could be had for around £14-16k - below that imho is project territory.

The Samuri "spec" is another much debated topic but this one below appears to be in good nick - the Z farm owner went bust and set up another similarly named company - you're buying the car, not him; so look at the car on it's merits ...

https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C985437

It's not far from me, so if you want to see it together, I'm sure I can get a pass from the Chief Of Staff + take you out in my 2 seater 260z and damage your hearing with its lack of sound proofing [emoji14]

My advice is, take your time, ask questions, see member's cars and get to know what to look for etc. Parts from dashboard backwards are much harder to source (but not impossible) for a 2+2; and for goodness sake what ever you do, do NOT mention the "S" word!!! They never came out of the factory with a hole in the roof and there are many strongly held views on why they shouldn't have one!

Having said that - if you are happy with doing a roof transplant, a chap who goes by the handle Carper has one for sale with not one, but two holes in the roof - I don't think it's sold yet and it does need some remedial work to suspension, exhaust and rear deck to make it less 70's / 80's "cool". It does look like a "rust free" car and worth speaking with him to see if it's a project that interests you at the right price.

Good luck and ask lots of questions!!! Most of us don't bite; some do bark though [emoji14]

Ps. Is it a 911 turbo s?
 
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SacCyclone

Club Member
Hi Rob, if your thinking of buying a Zed from the states I may be able to help or at least steer you clear of places you should not be looking. As I have said many times here, Zeds are very much sought after here in the states, lots of chaps looking to make a fast buck now that the prices are skyward. Good news for you is that a 2+2 is very much frowned upon and you could make a good deal on one if you very quick on the draw. Also, 260 2+2 are very rare but still cheap. I would go for a 280 2+2 which are still much less expensive and were made for several years in the states 75-78. 1979 made the switch to Zx which is still a nice car but heavy and farther away from the S30 model.
PM me if you have any questions.
Mike
 

datsfun

Club Member
As the OP wants a car that will accommodate his 6 year old son, question I have is for those who have owned and sat in the rear seats of a 2+2....

1) What's the space like ?
2) compared to other conventional 2 door cars like say an escort , capri or even a 280zx.

For the record, I haven't had the pleasure of being in a s30 2+2 hence the question before you all start flaming me:rolleyes:
 

datsfun

Club Member
510 has 4 cylinder engine and 240k has 6, am I right? Seems an easy decision!

Pointless having a 6 cylinder and handling like a boat :EXTRArolleyes:

As an entry point, bear in mind a C110 coupe' will be double if not triple 510 two door sedan as well.
 

Robbie J

Club Member
So I have too many choices, first off I'm going to the USA in 2 weeks for work
Hi Rob, if your thinking of buying a Zed from the states I may be able to help or at least steer you clear of places you should not be looking. As I have said many times here, Zeds are very much sought after here in the states, lots of chaps looking to make a fast buck now that the prices are skyward. Good news for you is that a 2+2 is very much frowned upon and you could make a good deal on one if you very quick on the draw. Also, 260 2+2 are very rare but still cheap. I would go for a 280 2+2 which are still much less expensive and were made for several years in the states 75-78. 1979 made the switch to Zx which is still a nice car but heavy and farther away from the S30 model.
PM me if you have any questions.
Mike

I've seen an auto with a sunroof at $11K so if I can get that at 10K I can take to the docks myself, not 100% sure on the paperwork to do this
 

Robbie J

Club Member
Well Rob, welcome to the forum and the right phone booth for Datsun talk!!!!!

I beg to differ with the conventional views on the 2+2 Z - I actually think it is a very handsome 2+2 and will provide 90% of the joys of a 2 seater. OK so it's a little heavier, a little longer and has a slightly higher roof-line but so what if you can enjoy it with your son!? Drop a tweaked L28 into it or liven up the L26 with a few easy mods and the extra weight becomes insignificant.

You're right about basket case or too expensive. The expensive ones haven't sold - wonder why!? There was one in metallic orange which a forum member did a hotly debated and unconventional "resto/rescue" on - it may resurface at some point so worth being familiar with it (longest thread in the history of the club - worth a quick browse especially as it's a good example of key rust areas to look out for).

https://zclub.net/community/index.p...olt-restoration-a-how-to-guide.20134/page-102

They tend to sell for less than a 2 seater 260, a decent one could be had for around £14-16k - below that imho is project territory.

The Samuri "spec" is another much debated topic but this one below appears to be in good nick - the Z farm owner went bust and set up another similarly named company - you're buying the car, not him; so look at the car on it's merits ...

https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C985437

It's not far from me, so if you want to see it together, I'm sure I can get a pass from the Chief Of Staff + take you out in my 2 seater 260z and damage your hearing with its lack of sound proofing [emoji14]

My advice is, take your time, ask questions, see member's cars and get to know what to look for etc. Parts from dashboard backwards are much harder to source (but not impossible) for a 2+2; and for goodness sake what ever you do, do NOT mention the "S" word!!! They never came out of the factory with a hole in the roof and there are many strongly held views on why they shouldn't have one!

Having said that - if you are happy with doing a roof transplant, a chap who goes by the handle Carper has one for sale with not one, but two holes in the roof - I don't think it's sold yet and it does need some remedial work to suspension, exhaust and rear deck to make it less 70's / 80's "cool". It does look like a "rust free" car and worth speaking with him to see if it's a project that interests you at the right price.

Good luck and ask lots of questions!!! Most of us don't bite; some do bark though [emoji14]

Ps. Is it a 911 turbo s?
I saw that car, as its the 2+2 you would need to make a roof panel from scratch, mechanically looks good the owner is a paint sprayer but the paintwork really needed doing to a better level, arches cut off, new suspension, wheels etc etc. He was sticking to his 18K asking price.

there is a rust bucket on ebay as well. I ideally want to spend some money and improve over time, trying to judge how much rust remotely is hard... this puts me off

I noticed some barking already... I was a mod on another forum, I don't know too much about these Zed cars but I know my Skyline stuff well, have mates in Japan and was very heavily into the scene, something the Porsche ownership is more at residuals yawn... its a 997 gen 2 Turbo if you know your Porsche stuff
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Wow! £18k is a little salty for what it is / needs doing to it. Let's get some pop-corn and watch the price tumble with time.

In my books minimal rust and the most complete car possible for your budget is the the way forward, otherwise it will cost ya'! Bigger than you imagine. For example last spring I watched a 260z dash without cracks sell for over £800ish. Certain things are becoming way expensive.

Very nice! I really like the 997 - front end is much easier on the eyes than the 996. Do you have the chrono pack with the over boost feature? (Or have I got my models mixed up!?) I've always wondered how well that works.

Ok back to Zs! ;)
 
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