looking for a datsun 240z

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Oh, you mean a series 1/2 - the one with the hand throttle, even rare than the series 1 ?

Hardly going to be RHD though is it unless a conversion and that isn't what the mean wants - read the fine print.
 
Oh, you mean a series 1/2 - the one with the hand throttle, even rare than the series 1 ?

Hardly going to be RHD though is it unless a conversion and that isn't what the mean wants - read the fine print.

you mean the fast idle control, I do have that, have to remember not to use it as cruise control though :)

some of the Australian ones were early ones, so RHD....
 

tel240z

Club Member
you mean the fast idle control, I do have that, have to remember not to use it as cruise control though :)

some of the Australian ones were early ones, so RHD....

I used to have the hand throttle but couldn't find the bracket on the ECU to fit it on ;)
 

R32singh

Active Forum User
Hi guys so me and my brother went to view a Datsun the other day and lord was it in a poor state! There was good bits here and there but the front inner fender/flitch was completely poor as well as the front radiator panel :( the shell was not rolling and only had a few bits and bobs... Looks like th search continues :( unless there's someone here that specialises in body repair please do get into contact with me :)

Kind regards
 

R32singh

Active Forum User
I agree with you Johnny :( I did fall in love with th car! I mean who wouldn't!! Lol the passenger side inner wing was no good and finding a replacement panel is extremely hard to find... On the other hand the floor pan was recently done along side with the chassis rail and the boot was clean so basically the cabin was actually straight and clean... However the sills rear quarter and the front inner fender was a no no... I mean the car can be put back in its glory but been body shops charge an arm and a leg! Me and my brother know basic stuff but this would be out of our league... What me and my brother was looking to do is get someone to just basically tack the new panels in and we will weld her up and spend the time doing it to save the cost and labour charges... Sorry I know it sounds cheaply for me saying this but that's where the cost will be reduce by us finishing off the welds..

Anyone who has w body shop who can help us put the car straight by changing the panels with minor tack welds so me and my brother can do the welding ourself please get in contact... If not looks like our search continues :( we may consider taking on a LHD... Just really want one now! Lol
 

moggy240

Insurance Valuations Officer
Staff member
Club Member
If you are serious about getting a 240Z I would just have a look at what Johnymd has .even if it is just to compare what get for your money.should you ever find 240Z rhd project.
 

R32singh

Active Forum User
Johnny has kindly offered me to go view his collection before but again I didn't want to waste his time as I want an original right hand drive car... They seem to be very hard and rare to find... The ones I've seen need mahout surgery! But once restored in its glory it will be worth more than a fortune! I feel most body shops don't want to take on projects like these anymore as they like quick and easy jobs... Something I feel is a right shame! And the ones who don't mind taking on project ask way too much! This is why I respect the Americans... They love and will fabricate any time of vehicle Yh again it's expensive but not as much as what they quote here.... I can do minor fabrication work and if I put my mind to it I can do serious project but I wouldn't dare to attempt on w 240z!

Looks like i will have to wait till the right one turns up :)

Does anyone know if the chassis number determines that a car is an original 240? as the 240 and 260 are pretty similar

Thanks guys and merry Xmas to all who are celebrating and a happy new year! :D
 
Johnny has kindly offered me to go view his collection before but again I didn't want to waste his time as I want an original right hand drive car... They seem to be very hard and rare to find... The ones I've seen need mahout surgery! But once restored in its glory it will be worth more than a fortune! I feel most body shops don't want to take on projects like these anymore as they like quick and easy jobs... Something I feel is a right shame! And the ones who don't mind taking on project ask way too much! This is why I respect the Americans... They love and will fabricate any time of vehicle Yh again it's expensive but not as much as what they quote here.... I can do minor fabrication work and if I put my mind to it I can do serious project but I wouldn't dare to attempt on w 240z!

Looks like i will have to wait till the right one turns up :)

Does anyone know if the chassis number determines that a car is an original 240? as the 240 and 260 are pretty similar

Thanks guys and merry Xmas to all who are celebrating and a happy new year! :D

you've zero chance of finding a RHD project 240z that a decent body shop would restore for a couple of K. If you want an 'Original' RHD 240z you'll have to have very deep pockets, a project will likely cost you more than sourcing one thats in decent condition.

Have you also seen what the Americans(95%) call a restoration or bodywork!?

What do you call original?
 

Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
What me and my brother was looking to do is get someone to just basically tack the new panels in and we will weld her up and spend the time doing it to save the cost and labour charges... Sorry I know it sounds cheaply for me saying this but that's where the cost will be reduce by us finishing off the welds..

It sounds to me as though you are already out of your depth here. These cars were not built in a way that would make what you describe possible. One of the most vulnerable areas, and an area that will almost certainly need extensive and complex repairs - on any car that needs the kind of surgery you are describing - is the sill/floor interface and rear 'dogleg' area.

This is a major structural area of the bodyshell, extending under the front door pillar, linking the front inner arches and chassis rails, the footwells, the seat rail crossmembers, lower seatbelt mounts, rear compression rod mounts, rear inner arches, two drains per side and rear door pillar/rear arch. If the outer sill panels need replacement then it's pretty much a certainty that what's below and behind them will also need major surgery.

It's a complex job, usually requiring a lot of fabrication and a specific order of assembly, so one layer needs to be completed before the next layer can sit on top. There's three (or four, depending how far you want to section it...) layers under the outer sills so it's not just a case of tack-welding stuff into position and moving onto the next layer. It has to be done properly, welded fully to factory specs with both structural integrity AND fit and finish considered. Get any of that wrong and the doors, front wings, inspection flaps and bonnet will probably not fit properly.

I think you'd be well advised to look into all this in a lot more detail.
 

R32singh

Active Forum User
Thanks for the feedback guys I'm fully aware on what to look out for... Been messing around with cars for a long while... But like I always say each cars have their own characters... And I've never worked on a 240z so after doing months of research I'm fully aware on the major issues I will be going through... But hey that's what a project is all about! ;) but thanks for the heads up mate! Will Deffo look into those areas!

Rob thanks for all your help buddy just want to be sure I buy the right car! Cheers mate
 

Matt Long

Well-Known Forum User
If your fabrication skills are limited and your expecting to only spend a couple of K your probably in the wrong place. Take the advice and buy a California car or maybe try the MGOC.
 

R32singh

Active Forum User
Of course my fabrication skills are limited my friend as is many others.... If any of us did fabrication work everyday of our lives then taking on big projects wouldn't have been an issue! Regardless if you buy a Californian one or a uk one either way they all will need restoring.. I'm sure you will find even th Datsun you drive will need restoring one day ;)

Thanks guy but again I'm aware the challenges and the issues I will be facing... Thanks to th guys with h possitve feedback :)
 
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