Well I've done all I can do (to the body), just awaiting the car to be picked up for spraying. Since last time I have:
• Stripped and recoated the underside, which is not much fun if you can't tip the car.
• In the process, found more rust around the rear chassis members where the handbrake assembly fits, so that all got cut off and new sections fabricated.
• Stripped and refurbished the rear suspension. Had the lot powder-coated before replacing all the rubber mounts with urethane.
• Replaced the springs, shocks, disks and bearings.
• Overhauled the diff (nothing really needed replacing after all)
• Finally sourced some replacement rear brake calipers, not that easy for a 1979 car.
• Replaced the passenger side door skin, I had patched the door originally but I have never been happy with it. While I was at it I did the drivers side also, not as difficult as I imagined.
• Cut out the rear lower valance panel and replaced it with a new panel. The exhaust now exits on the nearside as per later 280ZX’s. This will make exhaust replacement a lot cheaper, especially in stainless.
Once the car has gone for painting I can get at the engine, which has been languishing on a stand in a dark corner of the garage for far too long. I was originally just going to do a top end rebuild, but following some of the engine threads, I think I will be better off stripping it completely.
That’s all for now here’s just a couple of pixs,