Robotsan
Club Member
I've started watching auctions on BAT now to try and get an idea of the value of importing a dry state car.
This one seems very cheap compared to the others: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-datsun-240z-160/
I'm guessing because it's got an L28 engine swap, and is potentially not in the original colour as it was repainted in 1982? Any other reasons?
Seems like a bargain if it comes in under $15k by the end?
I'm starting to think that importing a dry state car is definitely the best value for money option.
Although I'm aware that a 240z is hard to convert to RHD due to the lack of RHD dashes? E.g. the dashes sell for 1.5 - 2k on their own?
But maybe I go for a LHD 260 or 280 and get that converted at a later date.
There's also this auto LHD 260z: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-datsun-260z-42/
I'm expecting this to fetch what, $5 to $8k as its auto and looks to need a full back to the metal respray? Doesn't seem to have spent it's like in Cali or Arizona though so I'm guessing it's rustier than it looks! One of the doors looks particularly bad at the bottom corner.
But if it were a dry state auto car, perhaps a "bit by bit" route could work - e.g. spending £8k on a car, then what £1.5k - £2.5k to get it imported and registered, then what, £4k on a full respray, £2k on a manual swap (200sx boxes work well I hear?), and eventually £3k - £4k on a RHD conversion? That's presuming the engine & other mechanicals are fine obviously! That would appear to add up to about £20k over time, to have a RHD, mint looking 260 or 280.
Thoughts?
This one seems very cheap compared to the others: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-datsun-240z-160/
I'm guessing because it's got an L28 engine swap, and is potentially not in the original colour as it was repainted in 1982? Any other reasons?
Seems like a bargain if it comes in under $15k by the end?
I'm starting to think that importing a dry state car is definitely the best value for money option.
Although I'm aware that a 240z is hard to convert to RHD due to the lack of RHD dashes? E.g. the dashes sell for 1.5 - 2k on their own?
But maybe I go for a LHD 260 or 280 and get that converted at a later date.
There's also this auto LHD 260z: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-datsun-260z-42/
I'm expecting this to fetch what, $5 to $8k as its auto and looks to need a full back to the metal respray? Doesn't seem to have spent it's like in Cali or Arizona though so I'm guessing it's rustier than it looks! One of the doors looks particularly bad at the bottom corner.
But if it were a dry state auto car, perhaps a "bit by bit" route could work - e.g. spending £8k on a car, then what £1.5k - £2.5k to get it imported and registered, then what, £4k on a full respray, £2k on a manual swap (200sx boxes work well I hear?), and eventually £3k - £4k on a RHD conversion? That's presuming the engine & other mechanicals are fine obviously! That would appear to add up to about £20k over time, to have a RHD, mint looking 260 or 280.
Thoughts?