I'm at the stage of finding out every thing i can on buying a 240/260

RedDragon240

New Forum User
Generally classic cars are not for the non mechanically minded but could be a good way to learn. It will often become expensive if you have to use a garage that arnt sympathetic to classics. If you find one that actually like the cars then you will be ok.

Now onto money. £15k will not get you a car that has already been restored and needs nothing doing to it. They will all need something but at this low end of the scale it may need a lot. Even into the £20's you will have to get your hands dirty at some point and if you cant do it yourself then it may cost you dearly. Restored cars that need nothing will be well into double your budget.

My advice is always to buy the best shell you can and I dont mean shiny paint. I always look for honest old paint and good gaps. Mechanical's are way cheaper to fix than a rusty shell. Warm dry state US cars with very old or original paint (absolutely nothing shiny) are my preferred choice of cars. Prices could be favourable in the near future so keep an eye on ebay.com or bring a trailer for the modified or tatty cars.

Hello, I’m also reasonably new here too like the OP, Although I’ve been keeping an eye on the 70s z cars for a good while. You say 15k for a LHD in need of some work. What condition of RHD would you expect to get for around the 20k mark? I missed out on fairly good condition one not long ago that went for 21k and I was kicking myself tbh but do they come round fairly often?
 

TimFZ

Club Member
When I bought my Fairlady Z, I was expecting a 260Z as advertised but as it was not what they were advertising, I managed to get a little off the price. However, the fairlady z, especially in 2/2 form is rarer in the UK so could potentially be worth more than a 260 in good condition.

As a guide, mine is restored body wise, has a low mileage and good condition engine/drivetrain and most of the interior is original except seat covers replaced. IT still have a few electrical gremlins both otherwise not too much to do - this car went for £16k earlier in the year, missed out on a £22k auction and eventually I paid £18k ish. I think this was a good price for it considering its condition for a RHD. Its good enough for a few shows and drives lovely for a summer runabout and a few trips. Wont be driving it much between November and March though when the salt is about!

I think £10k to £15k expect quite a bit of work. Below £10k, you have a restoration to do basically, £20k you may find something pretty much complete with only a few minor things to do but they are not that common now. Check this forum classifieds and also the other ones to see what is about. I found more come up on "Ebay" and "Classic Car" than they do on Autotrader.
 

Mr Tenno

Digital Officer
Staff member
Site Administrator
I think it's important to differentiate between the coupe and 2+2. As nice as they are, the 4 seater cars generally sell for considerably less.

That £21k car that went recently was either an absolute steal that just needed some tidying up or hiding lots of poor 'restoration' work which kept the price low - without seeing it in the flesh you'll never know. RHD coupes that are sub £25k and just need 'tidying up' are hen's-teeth rare from what I've seen.
 

TimFZ

Club Member
I think it's important to differentiate between the coupe and 2+2. As nice as they are, the 4 seater cars generally sell for considerably less.

Whilst the 4 (2 plus or by 2) seaters cars are slightly larger, this may be one reason for the lower cost, less garages hold them comfortably. Also, for that super long bonnet look, you cant beat the 2 seater. However, rarity of the Fairlady 2/2 in the UK may eventually raise prices faster as could a more practical classic. Who knows, classic car values are always a gamble but I figured it wont lose much money if I look after it, it may even make more money that it sitting in the bank and I can have some fun with the kids as well....

However, based on a good condition car recently restored (mine) or a great condition original version (like Hedgehogs...) if you examine the prices you are still looking at around £20k for something that is pretty much "done". There is a samuri 2/2 for sale at the mo which is nearly £30k but thats a special edition. Some silly prices for 240s of £40k to £50k also on ebay at the moment but these are non standard so you are paying for the work done including up-rated engines rather than originality. It is doubtful these will hold long term value as well as an untouched original. I'm hoping rarity keeps my value up!
 

toopy

Club Member
The trouble with the 4 seater models in the UK specifically, is that they were never popular, and most that were bought have long since disintegrated!

The reason IMO they are now more popular as imports, is because they are cheaper, not more desirable and as far as i can see, always will be.

A genuine UK market 2+2 is rarer than a jdm 2/2 purely because we had far less here to begin with, as with many things rarer doesn't necessarily equate to desirable and therefore higher value.

I love my 2+2 and it's great to see more in the country, but values will never match early coupe prices, better than a 280z perhaps though :D
 

TimFZ

Club Member
The trouble with the 4 seater models in the UK specifically, is that they were never popular, and most that were bought have long since disintegrated!

The reason IMO they are now more popular as imports, is because they are cheaper, not more desirable and as far as i can see, always will be.

A genuine UK market 2+2 is rarer than a jdm 2/2 purely because we had far less here to begin with, as with many things rarer doesn't necessarily equate to desirable and therefore higher value.

I love my 2+2 and it's great to see more in the country, but values will never match early coupe prices, better than a 280z perhaps though :D

280Z lol ! As with most cars, the early ones are often more respected such as Mk1 golf over the Mk2, air cooled Porsches over water cooled etc. However, earlier often does not mean better even if they are more desirable. In most cases, the later years of a particular model are the best when the teething troubles have past and even when limited editions versions often with bigger engines are used. (think Campaign models of the Mk1 Golf or back to Porsches, after the IMS bearing issue was removed in the later 987 Caymans and 911s etc).

The 260Z ( and Fairladys in the mid 70s) follow this model as they are basically the same as the previous versions, very similar body shells but later on. I would guess you are basically right though re the 2/2 values vs 2 seater but long term, this may end up being slightly different. For example, nobody expected the value of an Austin Allegro to shoot up.... try and buy one now that's not rusty and look at the prices! I wish I had kept my Mk1 Escort which I sold for £150 30 years ago....
 

hedgehogdodger

Well-Known Forum User
Hello Fish your best bet is try and locate some cars maybe members of here and look at there cars and see what they value them at.You will then see what your money will get.What i have seen £15000 for a 2door 240z will get you a car that will need at least another £10.000.Good luck in your search the longer it goes on the more expensive these cars will come.
 

Robbie J

Club Member
Import from the US yourself or use SacCyclone on here to source one?

I got a workmate to look my first car (it was a mess when i saw it) the second car I got the seller to take loads of pictures of all the bad areas I learnt of the first car.... I was always going to change the engine, convert to RHD and respray but the second car is very sound only needing two spots welding and was a true Californian car. It's a 2+2 and what I paid then is half of what it would cost now a year and half later, I was lucky the first car I sold as parts car and lost £500. i always wanted a 2+2 as there is 3 of us so i never buy just 2 seaters

The import duties on a clasic are only 5% and expect £1500 to ship it.

SacCyclone exists I've been to his garage in Northern California, yes you need to pay him for his time but If I was in your boots now that would be my choice


waiting for the boat is painful....paperwork is annoying but it's worth it
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
Thanks for the kind words Robbie.

Hello Fish, I want to second what Johnymd wrote in his post. There are way too many chaps in the states that are buying and selling these cars for profit and many of them have not a clue what they are doing and their expertise is really non-existent. This means that you will probably pay too much for a car that needs way more work than what was disclosed.

As Johny said, try to find a car in a dry state that has older paint and lots of pics to document. Steer clear of cars with fresh paint unless you are spending big money and there are loads of documentation on the restoration. It sounds like you are not looking for a fully restored car anyway so I think your safe.

If you decide to look at US imports I am happy to help. Remember that you have to be patient and when a nice solid car comes up for sale you will be going up against many people who are looking for the same car. I have been saying this for years, if a nice car that is reasonably priced pops up on FB or CL, it is gone within the hour. Not to say it can't be done, just gotta be lucky and in the right place at the right time.

First, narrow down what you really want 240/260/280 RHD LHD 2seater or 2+2, and have a budget that is ready to go.

My problem has always been finding a nice solid car thats affordable. The couple of cars that I have currently are already spoken for and I need to get on with the mechanicals etc.

Good luck and feel free to reach out if you so desire.

Mike
 
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