LiamR
Club Member
I went through STS for shipping as I always do with my purchases from the USA.
Not sure what to do with the old shell. Not sure on its value. Might make someone a nice racecar shell if they tube the front etc.
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LiamR's 280z Restomod - SR20DET to RB25DET
- Thread starter LiamR
- Start date
I went through STS for shipping as I always do with my purchases from the USA.
Not sure what to do with the old shell. Not sure on its value. Might make someone a nice racecar shell if they tube the front etc.
richiep
Club Member
That shell does look good tbh, especially for the price (apart from the all-too-common bent floor and rail - idiot's jacking them on the floor pans...). TBH, you could make it work, given how much aftermarket kit you've bought, the engine swap, etc. It's just certain items wouldn't work, e.g. doors due to the latches, etc. Late 280Z fuel tank wouldn't fit so you'd have to get an early one or go custom (both can be had new). It might require some experimentation as you go along, but nothing insurmountable. Not compared to what you were facing with the fixing the grey car! Most of the important "big" stuff will just bolt in. Given you are planning a RHD conversion too, and will probably end up redoing the wiring extensively to integrate the RB, etc., the electrical side of things could again be made to work in that shell.
If its still available, have a crack at it if that standard 280Z you've been offered doesn't work out.
Old shell: I'd give it the angle grinder treatment personally. A handful of sections could have some spares value. The downside of selling it complete is that it raises the spectre of some arse building it into a complete car without genuinely fixing it, creating a "rinse and repeat" situation to what you've just had.
If its still available, have a crack at it if that standard 280Z you've been offered doesn't work out.
Old shell: I'd give it the angle grinder treatment personally. A handful of sections could have some spares value. The downside of selling it complete is that it raises the spectre of some arse building it into a complete car without genuinely fixing it, creating a "rinse and repeat" situation to what you've just had.
LiamR
Club Member
So after speaking to Ohm at Apex. He says my front end will work on that 260z. All I need to change is the tension bars to the early style. So that saves the front end conversion. I'm guessing the BC coilovers I have should fit? Need to research into those.
I've asked the guy if he has the original doors from that shell. If he does then that's a winner as they should bolt right in.
As I'm going most things custom, it should be bolt in as long as the coilovers fit.
I've spoken to Andy at APS and sent him the images. He says I should go for the 260z shell if I can make everything work and he is happy to help me with the RHD conversion and floor rails.
Does anyone know how to go about importing the shell from the USA? Specifically California
Yikes.. Help!
Robbie J
Club Member
Ask Mike on here. I would think you need to get it in a container. I shipped 2 cars so I know that process form Cali
LiamR
Club Member
Awesome mate.
I've contacted Ron at STS to see what the costs are. The car is 49 mins drive from STS so it's literally one freeway away. Just hope to god he has the doors.
Can I contact you about the process Robbie?
When you say Mike, are you talking about @SacCyclone ?
Thanks for all the help. Appreciate it.
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
Don't forget that you'll be needing a Title for it, same as you would a complete car that you intend to register and use in the UK.
LiamR
Club Member
Yeah Ron has asked me about that.
If it doesn't have a title then walk away or are there other options?
Thanks bud.
LiamR
Club Member
Just got this message from him..
'No title, I still have to figure that out with my state since it's no longer in the system the last time I call the dmv which is many years ago. That's why I was asking for estimate on fb just to see where the rough market value is. I didn't think I will get so many pms wanting to buy the shell. It's suck to see the car that you got been piece together like that but my main concern is that you live overseas and I have never dealt with overseas buyer and don't want to be scammed. There's about 3buyers from overseas.'
Also the 280z that I was offered in the UK doesnt have a title... the seller said I need a dating letter or something instead.
uk66fastback
Club Member
If it has no title then forget the US one. The UK shell would be easier to get registered ... presumably there is no V5 for it. Of course there are ways around that especially if you are cutting up the shell you have, but I never said that ...
Robbie J
Club Member
Talk to Mike first (https://zclub.net/community/index.php?members/2589/) he will know what you can do about shipping and title. I can talk thro the process with you
Ian
Club Member
Good luck finding a shell. I see 280Z shells come up for sale often enough, so for sure a suitable one will turn up.
I'd fancy a cut off of the whole side of your car to mount on my garage wall. Although this is probably an expense I can do without at the moment.
Like this:
I'd fancy a cut off of the whole side of your car to mount on my garage wall. Although this is probably an expense I can do without at the moment.
Like this:
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SacCyclone
Club Member
Hi Liam.
sent a reply to your PM. just looking at the 260 pics i see a few issues.
first issue is that if there is no title i would walk. The owner can get a title as i have done many times in the past but the process involves getting a vin verification person to come out to the car and completing the paperwork, then paperwork goes to Cali DMV which with Covid may take months to complete before the title is mailed to the owner. Process will cost $200 to $300 from my past experience. Owner will probably not want to go through the hassle if he has several buyers on the hook.
Second is the car really needs to be a roller and have suspension. I have had several shells that I had to throw suspension under and by the time you add in labor and suspension parts to the shell, people will not want to pay the money for it all......it is a losing proposition that i will not do again starting from a bare shell. The transport and shipper will not want to deal with a car that does not roll......heck they gave me grief because the brakes did not operate and were going to drive away without the car until I told them I would help them load.
Mike
LiamR
Club Member
Hi Mike,
That all makes perfect sense now.
I think it may be at a dead end as he is now saying that he has had so many messages that he was only looking for a guide price and is not sure he wants to sell.
I think I'm probably better off sticking with the 280z that I've been offered and getting a dating letter from Ali. Just going to be a question of trusting someone who knows what they are looking at to view it for me as I'm stuck in Saudi Arabia until February. Just a lot to ask of someone and a lot of pressure to make sure its solid given what's happened with my current shell.
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SacCyclone
Club Member
I think that makes sense, at this point since your out of country anyway, take your time and if you can't see it in person, then you have to get 100+ pics to back up what someone is telling you about the condition about the shell and or body.
I will keep a look out for you here in Cali for a non-running 280z with little rust and no accident damage.
Mike
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
why so fixed on a 280? That looks great for the cash.
SacCyclone
Club Member
I think he is trying to transfer over all his 280Z parts to another shell.
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LiamR
Club Member
It's only because as Mike says I already have everything from my 280z.
I was willing to adapt my Apex front end to put into that 260z. The problem now is that it doesn't have a title and can't be registered so pretty stuck.
I'll keep my options open.
uk66fastback
Club Member
Where is this one in the UK that you might be able to get? Given that you're in Saudi, if it's local to someone on here, maybe they could go and have a look for you and take lots of pics - unless the seller is very cooperative on that front.
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LiamR
Club Member
The seller is more than happy to let anyone take a look at it. He seems very honest and open.
It's in Trowbridge/Melksham.