1973 Datsun 240z (L28) US import restoration

Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Finally, after 3 years of hard graft, I thought it time I posted all the pictures of my restoration from start to finish. Special thanks to Stuart Barrie who is also a member, for all his help and advice over the past 12 months - couldn’t of got this far without your input. Additional thanks to California, for keeping this car rust free.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
So this is how she looked, not long after having arrived in the UK.
 

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
At this point I was overseas, so as much as starting with the paint job was not the best way to start, it was my only option. This process took the best part of 9 months...a little scary at times too, seeing the car down to bare metal.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
No idea how the leather seats got done at this stage, but they did...

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
This was the inspiration for my build...

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Now time for wheels. Oh my goodness, that took so much research. I'd already decided i did not want to flare the arches.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
The guy doing all the prep finally got the hammer down, after months of persuasion.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Undercoat layers...this was a big day. Had only taken 6 months of prep to get to this point.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
15273A67-C55D-4435-B8EE-ABC6C8E14F50.JPG Was now finally living back in the UK. I got some time with the car between stages in the painting process. Time to start tackling the interior...stripped it out first.
 

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Cleaned, rust treated and sound deadened the interior cabin.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
With some vinyl paint, managed to use some of the original cream panels and drove 100 miles to go pick up a second hand centre console.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
COLOUR CHOICE. Argghhh...what a nightmare that was. I was just like, go with the original colour - if only it was that easy, as I had nothing to colour match as my paint was faded and the original mix was no longer an option due to lead content etc. So after some tests and flicking through colour charts, settled on Nissan BS7.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Whilst yet more prep, sanding and getting the lines on the car just right, I managed to sneak a moment to stone chip protect the underside of the car.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
When is this endless prep ever going to be over!!

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Finally the paint I had been waiting for started...

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
She is finally blue again and after 9 long months with the painter, I have her back.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Now for the interior - carpets first.

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
New headlining and repair to the cracked dash - California heat - cracks the dash, but no rust.

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