Bitten by the 'Z' bug

dav350z

dav350z

Club Member
Hi everyone,

Been a member of the Z club for nearly a year now and been looking in on the forum regularly.
Need a bit of advice/general info, please.

I have a 350Z which I love, but as I say, I have been bitten by the Z bug. I would love an early 'Z', a 240 or 260 - think they are fantastic classic sports cars.
I know nothing about the cars or restoration of them, but I am pretty handy and have an engineering company. What will I be letting myself in for if I take on such a project. What are the pitfalls? Any models/year to avoid? Will I see my wife again!!!

Any advice will be appreciated.

Cheers.

Dave.
 
Hi dav350z how far do you want to go ? have had lots of ZEDS over last 20 years best way to go today is to import or buy a USA LHD 240z (no rust) and buy your self
a basket RHD 240z for the parts to convert over, very simple to do as i did it last year myself have sent you a PM so you can contact me and will talk it over with you
Dave
 
How much roughly would that cost and how long would it take - might be a way for me to get a daily driver that l wouldn't be too upset driving in the wet.
 
datsun dave said:
Hi dav350z how far do you want to go ? have had lots of ZEDS over last 20 years best way to go today is to import or buy a USA LHD 240z (no rust) and buy your self
a basket RHD 240z for the parts to convert over, very simple to do as i did it last year myself have sent you a PM so you can contact me and will talk it over with you
Dave
Click to expand...
Cheers Dave for the offer of the chat.

I am happy to do quite a bit of work, but don't want top take on a project that I feel will take forever and then lose the motivation to get it finished.

Think I must come along to one of the meets and chat things over!

Dave
 
Have a look in the for sale section of the classifieds there are plenty of cars for sale including a very rare 240Z Super Samuri G, lovely motor. Adrian
 
Yeah, been having a look at the cars for sale on the site, as I would only buy one from here.

Are there any models, types, years to avoid?

Dave.
 
As a newbie to having a Z but having wanted one for as long as I can remember, I initially wanted a 240Z.

After gleaning info from many learned people on this forum it was suggested...

(as I would be using the Z as my everyday car...AND I DON'T HAVE A GARAGE :eek: :eek: :eek:

...that a later 260Z would be a better option as the metal used for the bodies changed, the earlier chassis being more prone to rust.

Things I had to look out for personally:
  • Make sure the inner chassis legs are intact
  • The strut towers should be solid and not bodge welded up with plate :rolleyes: seen a few of them
  • Make sure you can't push your fingers through the bulkhead into the cabin space from inside the engine bay :D that was a good one that!
  • It's preferable not to leave piles of rusty metal on the floor after poking/prodding about these areas ;)
 
Hi,
I have a tidy late 260z for sale if you are interested. Car is restored to standard and I want to sell it to make way for my new project. Email john@hunt23.fsnet.co.uk if you think you would like to liik it over.

John
 
...that a later 260Z would be a better option as the metal used for the bodies changed, the earlier chassis being more prone to rust.
Click to expand...
Nissan carried on using low grade steel with a high proportion of Recycled material right up to the introduction of the face lift Z31. All 240Zs,260Zs,280ZXs and early Z31 300s rusted equally well.
 
Aye what pmac said.

You just need to look for rust, the tubes that run under the wings for instance, chassis rails etc. Really go over it well, and watch the videos here

http://www.voodoo-people.com/~daz/mull/wmv/

To prove it's worth climbing all over it :)

Apparently 260s a slightly more refined from what I've read. I think you're onto a winner whichever model you buy.

It's all about how the past 30 years have taken their toll on the car, did it leave at the seaside as a daily or was it garaged for high days and holidays?
 
Sean's not wrong. Buy the best you can and then expect the unexpected!

That said, you'll love it to bits and won't care!

TL
 
Nah nothing like a 350, but more than you expect :) I reckon mine will be pucka for £6k, but I am doing everything myself and haven't counted tools :(

But that said buy the best you can, unless you love spending every night in the garage. And whatever happens you'll love it.
 
I reckon £10,000 is the minimum one should expect to spend to restore a 240 (and that doesn't include the initial purchase) !

Now, would each of us like to define the term 'restore' please ?
 
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