Superb, thank you so much, definitely an avenue of interest
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Need help on engine choice for my restoration
- Thread starter Tyree
- Start date
Superb, thank you so much, definitely an avenue of interest
I’ve always known deep down what the right thing to do with that car is, sometimes you just need other people to tell you.
Ok, so it’s not going to work out as I had planned it when I bought the car (I had no idea on its rarity at the time), but it’s all part of the responsibility. Engine stays... ...can’t guarantee it’ll be a standard colour though
Ok, so it’s not going to work out as I had planned it when I bought the car (I had no idea on its rarity at the time), but it’s all part of the responsibility. Engine stays... ...can’t guarantee it’ll be a standard colour though
Jay.
Club Member
I'm with the "do what you want camp", clearly.
If you want it as an investment, then you really need to keep the matching numbers L20. It'll probably be worth a nice penny at some point
If you want to actually enjoy driving the car around, then I'd definitely consider pumping in some money on an L28 upgrade (plus build!) or swap for something fun! I love the RB25DET in mine, it feels so much more enjoyable to drive than an L28, but many will argue that it's "ruined" the original appeal of the Zed.
If you want it as an investment, then you really need to keep the matching numbers L20. It'll probably be worth a nice penny at some point
If you want to actually enjoy driving the car around, then I'd definitely consider pumping in some money on an L28 upgrade (plus build!) or swap for something fun! I love the RB25DET in mine, it feels so much more enjoyable to drive than an L28, but many will argue that it's "ruined" the original appeal of the Zed.
Jay.
Club Member
I’ve always known deep down what the right thing to do with that car is, sometimes you just need other people to tell you.
Ok, so it’s not going to work out as I had planned it when I bought the car (I had no idea on its rarity at the time), but it’s all part of the responsibility. Engine stays... ...can’t guarantee it’ll be a standard colour though
As some have mentioned, you might actually be able to sell it and buy a more 'driver orientated' version for significantly less than you'll get for it. Might be the answer to both "what to do with the car" and "what you want to do with the car"
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
I'm slightly curious as to what exactly you mean by "matching numbers" in this car's case? Do you mean that they match the paperwork, or do you actually have an engine number stamped/engraved somewhere other than the engine block?
What year/model are we talking about anyway?
richiep
Club Member
It's been discussed before Alan - it's that 1975 Fairlady Z-L (a late S30 vin car) that SJ Classics had for sale a few years ago. Originally a white car that had gone to the US, and had a dodgy red respray (faded pink) at some time and a nasty one-piece G nose copy put on it. Still had some of the original goodies though like the rally clock, foot-rest, etc.
It's a rare beast here (I still wish I'd bought it when I had the chance!) worth, IMO, restoring "sympathetically". As Alan pointed out, there's certainly things that can be done with the L20 to pep things up significantly with a suitable cash injection!
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
I remember this car, belonged to Paul Adams.
I'll follow the movement 'do what you want with your own car' but with caveats :
not when it's rare and can be returned to a collectable condition
hesitate, consult even (as here) before major mechanical and structural modifications
I believe you have a car there you can put your soul into - I hope you merit each other.
I'll follow the movement 'do what you want with your own car' but with caveats :
not when it's rare and can be returned to a collectable condition
hesitate, consult even (as here) before major mechanical and structural modifications
I believe you have a car there you can put your soul into - I hope you merit each other.
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
Ah OK, I think I remember that one now. Thanks.
Not wishing to be rude but, whilst it is pretty unusual and rare here in the UK, as a post-'73 car it's a version that is still pretty numerous in Japan and there's less peer-pressure to keep them stock. Sympathetic - especially 'period correct' - modifications are not really seen as value reducing, so by all means fill yer boots...
My comment about "numbers matching" was because most of the Japanese market models of S30 and S31 didn't have their engine serial numbers stamped into the engine bay tag, so there's no way of confirming true original engine number unless you have the original sales paperwork for the car.
STEVE BURNS
Club Member
Come on now Rob its a bit like me I am older than the Z
Are you saying I should not have the choice to replace both knees that belong to me as they are the original and dont work to the way I want them to
They are my knees after all and it is my choice same as any thing else
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
So....the JDM dictates what is rare here in Europe ? Surely world-wide rare or not, this car could be a sympthatic ambassador of the make right here ?
There can't be many JDM S30s in Europe let alone the UK - I still vote keep it classic and don't Star-Road it.
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
Obviously not. But by the same token you'll also find people who think it doesn't count for anything at all.
The answers to these questions are not binary. It's not a matter of modify/don't modify. For me it's all about doing things with good taste, sympathy for the subject and sound engineering.
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
Agreed upon both counts and perhaps cars like this one, yours and others might serve to educate either via magazine articles and/or in the flesh.
:lol:
Steve, I don't consider your knees to be of any Historical Interest to anybody else - we've all got them.
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
Don't go there Rob - inside of HIS trousers - you're a brave man.