Early 1972 240Z with a Cali punt in 1992

SacCyclone

Club Member
September 2019 I got a call from a friend asking if I was still looking for Datsun Z cars, he of course had many conversations with me about old Z cars and already knew the answer.

The story told was that a relative of the Z car owner was liquidating her uncle's cars and one of the last was this old Z car that had been parked for many years in the garage after an accident. The relative needed to clear the house so that it could be sold after her uncle's death. She asked if I could come and take a look.

A few days later I took a 3 hour drive and arrived in the San Jose area of Cali to view this car.


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It had been sitting in the garage since 1992, the owner had parked the car after it was involved in an accident and was never moved again. After a good once over, I felt that there was little to no rust present, 10/71 build date, matching numbers engine with 4 speed transmission, a interior color change from white interior to black but otherwise mostly original, and 110 red paint. I made a deal with the relative and loaded the car on a trailer, locked rear wheels and all.

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Due to other projects and of course Covid, the car sat until this week when I decided to give it a go and start the process of bringing her back to life.

Day 1: A battery was installed and I knew from my initial once over back in 2019 that the engine would turn over. It took about 15 minutes to go through my checklist of resurrection basics until fresh fuel was added to the mix and bada bing, she was a runner. A few lifters were a little noisy and in need of adjustment and a couple of fuel lines needed replacement but that was about it. Oil pressure was good, charging system was working, and radiator was open and flowing. The fuel tank was not involved in the initial startup as it will be dropped and replaced with a fresh unit. The brake system was torn down and the process of a complete brake rehab has begun. Clutch master and slave were replaced too. Tires and wheels replaced with fresh units. Waiting for more parts to arrive tomorrow and hope to get her moving and stopping on her own.

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Eventually, I'll take this 72 Z car to a good friend who owns a professional body shop complete with 2 frame racks and have her straightened up. I already have excellent replacement panels on hand that I had collected for her over the last 2 years so not much to do there.

Stay tuned!!!!!
 

MCBladeRun

Club Member
That interior looks in mint condition from the pics, original radio I assume?

Do you tear the emission hardware off or do you leave it on Mike?

Looks like a good example of an original car and worth more restored and kept to original spec I'd think?
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
Yes, original radio....hope to see if it works today.
Since all the emissions is present I will leave it as is.
I did struggle a bit as to how to move forward but since they are getting very hard to find unmolested, probably do my best to keep it stock.
Mike
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
Day 2: She runs and drives, just around the parking lot.
Still need to turn the rear drums and front rotors, front calipers ordered.
Refurbished fuel tank installed and sending unit working great.
Ordered a Aisin water pump off e-bay for $30 each with free shipping, seems to be the go to for a decent water pump for the Zed.
Replaced front TC rod bushes with the aluminum / ABS kit. Replaced ARB bushes and end link bushes.
Appointment made for mid-July at the body shop for frame rack pull, can't wait to be able to drive her on the road.
Mike
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
Well, got her running and driving and off to the frame shop for some straightening which happened last weekend.
I was told that she was shifted 1 1/2" to the right and 1 1/2 inches up so all straight now.
The body man took to hammering out the wrinkled bonnet hinge and the bonnet hinge to radiator support piece but I was still not happy with the results.
I ordered the bonnet hinge and rad support piece that Andy (auto panel solutions) makes and it will be shipped out later this week.
Couple of pics of what I am talking about.

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jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
Is that the straightened area in the 2nd pic Mike? looks pretty straight to me.
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
Yes Jon, the large hole at the top is a little oblong, the medium hole below it is not too bad, but the small hole with wires running through it is really bad as is the wrinkled metal to the left in the pic.

In my opinion the car is just too straight, rust free and original not to do the best I can by it.

Anyway, I did want to try some of Andy's panels to check the quality so here goes.

Sorry Sean, don't have a price yet as I still need to order and install more parts before I'm done.

Mike
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
So a little update:

I had heart surgery a few weeks ago but not before I was able to pick up the car from the body shop. Doctors say that I will have to recover for about 3 months before I can work on cars so that my chest can heal up, had a couple of bad valves that needed repair / replace but in good spirits and on the mend.

I was really happy with the repair and metal repair panels I got from Auto Panel Solutions. The paint does not look like a great match but this car has been sitting for 30 plus years so I am hoping that once it is cut and polished the repaired areas will be somewhat closer to the rest of the car. Eventually this car should be blown apart and repainted in 110 red in my opinion so not too concerned about a perfect match.

I will get some better pics of the under hood repair but pretty happy with it.

Still need to replace heater hoses etc after installing new radiator, water pump, and fuel hoses. But on the plus side she starts right up and runs and drives great. The brakes are now complete as is the fuel system refurb.

Soon I will start ordering interior bits like door panels and carpet etc since I have plenty of time during recovery and I don't feel like a complete bum.

Thanks for looking and chime in if you have any recommendations for carpet, door panels, seat upholstery etc mainly from the US if possible.

Cheers, Mike

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MCBladeRun

Club Member
So a little update:

I had heart surgery a few weeks ago but not before I was able to pick up the car from the body shop. Doctors say that I will have to recover for about 3 months before I can work on cars so that my chest can heal up, had a couple of bad valves that needed repair / replace but in good spirits and on the mend.

I was really happy with the repair and metal repair panels I got from Auto Panel Solutions. The paint does not look like a great match but this car has been sitting for 30 plus years so I am hoping that once it is cut and polished the repaired areas will be somewhat closer to the rest of the car. Eventually this car should be blown apart and repainted in 110 red in my opinion so not too concerned about a perfect match.

I will get some better pics of the under hood repair but pretty happy with it.

Still need to replace heater hoses etc after installing new radiator, water pump, and fuel hoses. But on the plus side she starts right up and runs and drives great. The brakes are now complete as is the fuel system refurb.

Soon I will start ordering interior bits like door panels and carpet etc since I have plenty of time during recovery and I don't feel like a complete bum.

Thanks for looking and chime in if you have any recommendations for carpet, door panels, seat upholstery etc mainly from the US if possible.

Cheers, Mike

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Hey Mike, I hope you have a speedy recovery.

I'm pondering going with a red interior myself, as you're keeping it red exterior, would a tan interior look like a good compliment to the whole car?

Take care bud
Martin
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
Hey Mike, I hope you have a speedy recovery.

I'm pondering going with a red interior myself, as you're keeping it red exterior, would a tan interior look like a good compliment to the whole car?

Take care bud
Martin
Hi Martin, hope you are well too.

The 110 red had a standard white interior in this car which is still present on the vinyl but seats and old door cards were changed black so I'm going to a full black interior.

The full black makes more sense to me as some items are only available in black and i don't have to worry about different shades of white.

I do like the full red interior on silver cars, just be concerned that the interior red would contrast with the 110 red (ORANGE) exterior......LOL

Mike
 

MCBladeRun

Club Member
Hi Martin, hope you are well too.

The 110 red had a standard white interior in this car which is still present on the vinyl but seats and old door cards were changed black so I'm going to a full black interior.

The full black makes more sense to me as some items are only available in black and i don't have to worry about different shades of white.

I do like the full red interior on silver cars, just be concerned that the interior red would contrast with the 110 red (ORANGE) exterior......LOL

Mike
As my black vinyl interior is rubbing away, there's red behind it - makes me think my car might of had red interior in the beginning? But everything else is black in there so, perhaps not.

Good luck Mike, will be watching the progress as always :thumbs:
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Mike.

I really don't understand why you don't have this repainted now - a massive bonus with which to sell the car, more than recovering your painting costs ! Black interior, always as a seller !
 

dcrobbo

Club Member
Hi Mike, glad that your surgery went well and is behind you now, the car is looking good but to my mind is crying out for a full paint job now, and keep the interior black. At least you have plenty of time to contemplate your next move. Get well soon and I look forward to the next installment. Dave
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
White interiors are where it’s at! You don’t get many 110 cars with it! Yes, it’s more hassle to look after but that’s the price you pay for exclusivity!


Glad the surgery went well Mike.

I've got mine.....to own - fabulous....but are they popular to buy instead of the more classic black ?
 

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