Rushingphil
Club Member
I'll join the chorus - don't do a bare shell, bare metal restoration. Targeted, high quality metalwork repairs, glass out external respray (and engine bay, etc.) but try not to mess with stuff that doesn't need it. Where the original paint is still decent outside might give a reasonable base for repaint (i.e. you may not need a total bare-metal strip on the external panels, just flattening, sealing, etc. of areas not requiring repair). The major advantage you have with that car is what you see is what you get - there's no litany of previous hack job repairs and overdose of filler. So not a lot of stuff that needs removing through blasting/dipping etc. As for bolt-on parts and trim, that can be a running restoration. Whip the engine and trans out during the bodywork phase and give them a cosmetic and service parts do over.
This could be a superb standard-spec UK car when done. You've done great buying it. Despite me liking my Zs "spiced up" a bit, I'd love a car like that just to restore as close to standard/period correct as possible and enjoy it precisely as that.
Hi Richie (I'm guessing that's your real name!),
Many Thanks - The more I hear that plan of attack, the happier I am - seems to make it a lot more manageable for me - I can work on it bit by bit, plus I think you're right about stripping the engine and transmission out - will make working on it a lot easier - especially as I intend to replace all the fuel and brakes lines - also easier to refresh the engine etc. I think I'll get the engine up to temp and do a compression test first though - see how healthy it is! It's certainly not very tight at the moment. Both rocker box and sump gaskets are leaking, but I guess that's to be expected. I imagine all the seals and gaskets will need replacing - as well as the timing chain etc etc etc !
I'm certainly intending to keep it as original as possible, although I don't think it's got the original suspension - they are height adjustable Japanese things that Fourways Engineering fitted, or so I was told.
Can't wait to get stuck in! I enjoy participating in the forums so will be putting plenty of posts up!