Datsun 240Z in 'Sameria' Spec

[IbanezDan51]

I don't agree : Nothing is beyond repair !

I might accept Richies' comment about economical repair (see below) but then how much is a mint stock original UK 240Z with matching numbers worth these days ?

Anyone ?



So, ALL of the register (who, still active ?) are stock cars and most if not all here are 'tuned' ?

My engine is an L-gata also not matching numbers - my bad.

Question is, how would this car ever be 'mint'? It wouldn't - not without changing too many of its parts thus no longer being original. A genuine stock un-welded UK car is a rare site... Actually doubt it exists - closes I saw was Rob's old red car but I don't know if that had been welded anywhere.

 

[SeanDezart]

Question is, how would this car ever be 'mint'? It wouldn't - not without changing too many of its parts thus no longer being original. A genuine stock un-welded UK car is a rare site... Actually doubt it exists - closes I saw was Rob's old red car but I don't know if that had been welded anywhere.

You're confusing 'mint' with 100% original. Original these days means the look as it left the factory.

How could ANY 50yr old car be mint these days if not restored - all those Pebble Beach cars.....you always thought that they were barn-finds....?

 

[DarrenM]

Question is, how would this car ever be 'mint'? It wouldn't - not without changing too many of its parts thus no longer being original.

Take a look at Strugrats rebuild, huge amount of work and looking great now!

 

[SeanDezart]

Take a look at Strugrats rebuild, huge amount of work and looking great now!

Ah c'mon give Dan a break - I'm usually on my own in a corner....

 

[IbanezDan51]

Take a look at Strugrats rebuild, huge amount of work and looking great now!

Looks great, totally agree. BUT, far from original and/or mint - not only because of the parts added but the structure of the shell would have been compromised by piecing together several other cars parts. This can be done without a problem and I am sure it has plenty of strength. Visually any S30 fan or a good judge/critic would know that the car has had a lot of new panels to make 'sound' again.

Ive no issues with a patched up car - look at my first one! But it wasn't mint. It was structurally solid as I proved when I stuck it in a lamppost although the cage helped.. Id have never dreamed of entering that shell in a competition.

What I'm trying to say is I agree with Richie, its uneconomical to repair. If you want to make a 40K 240Z RHD car this isn't the shell to do it with, I wouldn't part with my cash to buy a car that's had multiple panels replaced.

Dan

 

[SeanDezart]

What I'm trying to say is I agree with Richie, its uneconomical to repair. If you want to make a 40K 240Z RHD car this isn't the shell to do it with, I wouldn't part with my cash to buy a car that's had multiple panels replaced.

Does a 'new' shell count as multiple panels ?

So, we basically scratch this chassis number off the DVLA list.......?

 

[IbanezDan51]

Does a 'new' shell count as multiple panels ?

So, we basically scratch this chassis number off the DVLA list.......?

If it’s had a new shell it shouldn’t retain the other vehicles vin. It should be registered as a new vehicle. You can buy new mustang and Camaro shells. These would probably get a Q plate over here I’d imagine?

This is why genuine Unmolested solid RHD cars should fetch a really high premium, it’s very rare to find them and shouldn’t be as easy as swapping the shell over and swapping the VIN. Cars that have been cared for all there life and not rotted out should be worth significant value over a solid Californian import although they’re becoming hard to find too..! And fetching extremely high premiums stateside.

 

[chrisvega]

How many unmolested genuine UK rhd cars exist ?
This means a car that comprises all original factory steel that has never been welded and retains original factory paint.
Such a car would have been kept in a bubble and I can't ever recall having seen one in the metal or advertised.

Back in the day cars many cars were routinely scrapped after 7 or 8 years on the road due to rust issues that made them un-economic write offs at MOT time.
Most cars never saw 100k miles back then.
No rust proofing or zinc coating was done by car manufacturers' in the early 70's.
Consciencious and well intentioned owners had to rely on the services of an after market rust-proofing company such as Ziebart.

If such a unicorn does exist, it would be the holy grail and command the top top price if it ever came to the market.

 

[datsfun]

How many unmolested genuine UK rhd cars exist ?
This means a car that comprises all original factory steel that has never been welded and retains original factory paint.

--------


If such a unicorn does exist, it would be the holy grail and command the top top price if it ever came to the market.

I am aware of a few non s30 Nissan's of same vintage that meet the criteria

 

[uk66fastback]

There must be a member with an original car ... ie one with original paint and not having had structural repairs ... can't remember seeing their car on here though ...

 

[jonbills]

Would this original car have to have original bushes?
Original valve seats?
Original windscreen?

It's not something I could get excited about.

 

[chrisvega]

Would this original car have to have original bushes?
Original valve seats?
Original windscreen?

It's not something I could get excited about.

Not essential, but that would be nice as in that case the mileage would be tiny
We are not talking about a new car here, but one that has been well maintained over the years with consumables replaced when necessary.
Most importantly, it must retain the structural integrity of a factory original shell and paint.
These type of cars are universally accepted in the classic car world as the most desirable in terms of collector cars.
Originality and patina is where it is at, the same with antiques.

Anyone rich enough can throw an open cheque book at a restoration and have a shiny car looking better than new on the surface, but as the cliche goes, a car is only original once.

I suppose people are into the old car hobby for different reasons.
Running up and down a drag strip as fast as possible in a straight line does not excite me like it does some people.
Horses for courses

 

[jonbills]

Sometimes I go round the block too [emoji4]

 

[SeanDezart]

Ihis is why genuine Unmolested solid RHD cars should fetch a really high premium, it’s very rare to find them and shouldn’t be as easy as swapping the shell over and swapping the VIN. Cars that have been cared for all there life and not rotted out should be worth significant value over a solid Californian import although they’re becoming hard to find too..! And fetching extremely high premiums stateside.

I don't see the difference in 'perceived' value between an 'unmolested' (whatever that means) original UK market 240Z and a high-quality restored one however good or bad the car was before it's restoration.

In my view, all the original-looking, what is called stock UK market 240Zs still in the UK have all been restored at least once in their lives and at least 1x has been completely reshelled.
So, to hark on in therory about an 'original' UK car is just that theoretical with no pertinence to the real world of real values.

 

[uk66fastback]

If anyone could find an original car - ie with the paint it left the factory with, having had no welding from new and what's more contained no rust ... ie in the same condition as a fully restored car - but unrestored it would be a unicorn moment and that owner could name their price in my view.

Fully restored cars are great, but having owned one (not a Z), they can be a lot of stress and worry! I think this is partly the reason why so many recently restored cars are for sale. Also there's the idea that for many classic buffs, the joy is in the creation and not the driving, of the restored car.

 

[SeanDezart]

If anyone could find an original car............it would be a unicorn moment and that owner could name their price in my view.
Also there's the idea that for many classic buffs, the joy is in the creation and not the driving, of the restored car.

a) the price of a 240Z is still limited (for various reasons) in the UK, the first of which is the eagerness to 'restore' a UK car with a clean imported chassis.

b) a Z is and always was for driving - sad buffs should eff off and restore a Morris Minor or whatnot.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Question is, how would this car ever be 'mint'? It wouldn't - not without changing too many of its parts thus no longer being original. A genuine stock un-welded UK car is a rare site... Actually doubt it exists - closes I saw was Rob's old red car but I don't know if that had been welded anywhere.

I agree Dan, your car would always be better than a patched car. My old car was never ever welded Dan, rare indeed one owner from new to 2006.

There must be a member with an original car ... ie one with original paint and not having had structural repairs ... can't remember seeing their car on here though ...

I think there is and it's silver.

 

[chrisvega]

Sometimes I go round the block too [emoji4]

I've been round there as well

 

[chrisvega]

a) the price of a 240Z is still limited (for various reasons) in the UK, the first of which is the eagerness to 'restore' a UK car with a clean imported chassis.

b) a Z is and always was for driving - sad buffs should eff off and restore a Morris Minor or whatnot.

Price of 240Z limited in UK ? Compared to where ? Still more expensive here than in States otherwise imports would not happen (although from recent sale prices seen on BAT the gap is shrinking). Without going into semantics of whether they are 'restored cars' or 'recreations' MZR seem to be doing OK, selling such cars for anywhere around £ 60/80k+ and they are using 'clean imported chassis' to build them.

Using an imported shell to restore a rusted out UK car is a question of economics and common sense as others have tried to point out earlier in the thread.
Unless someone has a particular emotional attachment to a car ie in family from new or it has significant historical interest, there is no point unless you are a masochist or have more money than sense in going to the hassle and expense of trying to restore a rusty wreck using whatever new/used/fabricated panels you can find.

Back to the advertised car in question on this thread ......... beyond economical repair, too expensive at anything over £5k, restore as outlined above.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Chris, my car very very nearly fitted your description. Remarkable - original owner from 1973 until his death in 2006. NO rust, 28k miles.

I didn't try to sell it, I was 'persuaded' by a young guy who wanted a standard car. He contacted me and asked if I knew where he could buy an original UK car and I said no, but I have one. I also had my blue car by then.