I usually just pay the money and cross my fingers.

 

....gulp. That's some expensive crossed fingers. I take it you have never had any issues?

 

Yep, thats about it. Exchange emails, make character judgments, jump. Or pay more

If you don't want to take any risks buy from a UK supplier that's taken the 'import' risk out of it. (You'll pay for it, and you won't have taken all of the risk out of it). Use your judgement,have a bit of fun, learn stuff, do it yourself.

 

What state is the car in????
I can call and talk with the seller / dealer and get a take on him for you.
You can message me if you want.
Mike

 

So just to update you I have found my Z. It's a 71' 240z LHD now sat in the garage waiting to be tinkered with.

I have started removing some panels to get a detailed look at the state of the body. Mostly it is rust free but like any car of this age there is some rust to sort but nothing too worrying yet.

Plan is at the moment to sort out the electrics as indicators don't work but hazards do so I want to sort these minor issues then take it to a friend's garage for a good once over.

Then it will be a full strip, glass out respray and reassembly.

Still undecided on Colour and interior as to go to the original orange and black or my preferred blue with white interior. Some subtile style tweeks like bre spoiler and a slight lowering but not 'slammed'. Basically a original style with some modest style interpretations.

It's a matching numbers car so I am going to keep it that way as it will be a country road tourer rather than a speed machine.

I'll setup a post on the restoration side soon but let the long and expensive journey begin.

 

Superb. That's good news that it hasn't been eaten by the tin worm too badly. Some pics would be nice and then we can all have a look ... I've got a white interior - which you could get with the blue paintwork in '71 (I think) ...

Are you going to go with the OEM paint code for the blue?

How was the import process then - was this the car you mentioned earlier in the thread?

 

I do want to keep it looking fairly stock with the OEM paint and interior .

Car was already imported from the US and bought of a UK seller. Decided not to take the risk and go with something I could see and inspect. I'll get some photos up on a restoration post at some point .

 

Evening all,

Started the stripping process for a full respray and no worries yet. Just wondering if an A/C unit was standard on the 240z. Mine seems to have some odd piping and a large box next to the blower unit. Is this an aftermarket unit? If so its going up for sale......Want to go original (as possible) and who need A/C in the UK. Can be seen on the lower right of the picture. I removed the mounting points to see where the pipes go to but it is an enclosed unit.

https://i.imgur.com/Xx4ixff.jpg

 

No, all the AC units were dealer fitted. You bought the bare car and then the dealer tried to flog you all kinds of add ons, from AC if you were in a hot state to bumper bars, footrests, rear window louvres etc.

Mine has AC fitted but half of it is missing - the condenser etc - the actual YORK compressor weighs a ton and is best removed in the UK (mine is). Have you got all the gubbins that is in the engine bay for the AC?

Good to hear that's it's progressing, but would like to see some pics of the whole car if you have them ... we like those.

 

Cheers Mike,

Ill get some photos up soon. Typically rubbish at that bit.

 

Looks to be a 918 orange car maybe??

 

Can anyone recommend a source in the EU for interior replacement parts? Mainly for panels that are cracked and show the test of time. I would like to give the interior a full refresh and at the moment my only real choice looks like picking up a suitcase or 2 full of parts next time I am in LA from the Z Store (any thoughts on these guys?) Luckily they are around the corner from one of the client offices.

And as promised some actual photos.