Should I develop an interest for Z's?

[240zchevyv8]

I feel that a lot of people on this site are very much against left hand drive cars, i can understand that a little bit but at the end of the day its still a z, just because it ended up in maybe sunny california is neither here nor there, if i could have found a very good right hand drive unmolested example i would have bought it, but they are as rare as hens teeth, so the best next option is import one, yes it would be nice to convert it to right hand drive, but isnt that cheating as well, or just a way of getting the best z car you can, hence the reason one imports one in the first place, also not everyone who repairs there cars does it with pride i know people who in the past have used body filler mixed with shotblast metal balls so that a magnet still sticks to it fooling the buyer into thinking its genuine, i know it could be done to any car but more chance of a 40 year old british z than an import, at the end of the day whether a car is imported from australia,japan or america its still a z and the people buying them have one goal in mind and that is preserving a piece of motoring history.

 

[zedhead260]

No Jon, I'm saying that a US shell (never welded, never an accident etc, etc), properly stripped, prepared, rust-proofed and painted will last longer in better condition than a UK car.

Not if the UK car has been repaired properly and treated and painted equally to the US shell you compare it to.

Have you actually seen how people properly restore rusty shit boxes ?
I could introduce you to a man that could fabricate by hand any panel you wish - you'd need to sell your house to afford it though.

It is a fact of life (science actually), that metal rusts.

My preference is to get a clean US shell and that is the advice I give after having had a UK one, restored it and it going bad on me.

Maybe this is a reflection on one or two UK restorers and shouldn't be taken as indicative of every UK restorer.

Maybe it is a reflection on restorers, but maybe more of a reflection of its owner and how he looks after it too.

I do agree that for someone starting from scratch without the skills to repair a car himself, or without the funds needed to pay someone to do it properly (still with no guarantee of workmanship long term), a good shell from better climates is certainly the way to go.

However, you also need to consider that we do not have the repair panels available these days to carry out good restorations. If inner wings, doors and rear quarters were still available we would probably see more original UK cars still in existence.

 

[SeanDezart]

Not if the UK car has been repaired properly and treated and painted equally to the US shell you compare it to.

Have you actually seen how people properly restore rusty shit boxes ?
I could introduce you to a man that could fabricate by hand any panel you wish - you'd need to sell your house to afford it though.

Another reason (aside from time gained) - it's cheaper to import !

Maybe it is a reflection on restorers, but maybe more of a reflection of its owner and how he looks after it too.

Yes - perhaps.

I do agree that for someone starting from scratch without the skills to repair a car himself, or without the funds needed to pay someone to do it properly (still with no guarantee of workmanship long term), a good shell from better climates is certainly the way to go.

However, you also need to consider that we do not have the repair panels available these days to carry out good restorations. If inner wings, doors and rear quarters were still available we would probably see more original UK cars still in existence.

Yes they are - I brought over an entire front 1/4 from the States.

Reasons to import :

quicker
cheaper
better (for those without the knowledge, tools and/or access to repair properly)

Reasons to restore a UK car :

a challenge
Genuine UK car essentiel for ownership
emotional attachment

Forgot to say 240zchevyv8 - very good post !

 

[Rob Gaskin]

..............I brought over an entire front 1/4 from the States.

I love that sort of repair, very satisfying but I wonder how long we'll be allowed to carry out jobs like this. As I've said before, if your local bodyshop repaired your modern car with a secondhand corner from another car would you be happy? Not just a Z problem but affects the entire classic market.

I have an issue with car repairs. My lad got hit up the back in his Peugeot 106 GTi (woman driver). Creased the boot and needed a whole new rear quarter panel. Bodyshop did a very good job but you can tell. That car is not the same as before but he gets no compo for decreased value - I reckon you should. Insurance should compensate you for this. Sorry very off topic!

 

[SeanDezart]

Rob, I felt the same when my Celica got hit in Penge - they did a good job repairing it but the blending wasn't perfect and...........we're educated to be emotional about cars and she wasn't the same afterwards. Didn't matter in the end because shortly afterwards, I re-discovered Zs, sold it and got my first 240.

The 1/4 came from a rear-ended Z in a scrap-yard in California - one Zs' loss is another one still on the road over here and that's what counts !

 

[zedhead260]

Yes they are - I brought over an entire front 1/4 from the States.

I was actually talking about brand new Nissan panels, but shipping in scavenged panels from elsewhere is another option I suppose.

 

[SeanDezart]

Needs must when the devil is poking a sharp stick up yer bum ! There's always a solution !

Will Galliers brought it over and delivered it to me !

 

[zedhead260]

Reasons to restore a UK car :

a challenge
Genuine UK car essential for ownership
emotional attachment

...........................and already RHD.


as the majority of imports come from the US

 

[SeanDezart]

All of the imports come from.................Japan.........or so The Count would say !

 

[JonC]

I'm not against LHD cars, or converted cars, I'm just saying that I'm the type to try and save one from the scrap heap.

I agree about accident damage, if the chassis is bent the project is a MUCH bigger challenge to get right, in view of how much it costs to fix it almost certainly does mean the car is effectively unrestorable. (It could add another 10 grand).Even Z's are not rare enough for that I reckon.

In other respects, as I've already said, I'm happy with non-perfect panel repairs where they don't show, underneath etc... As long as the metal is properly welded and properly protected it should make absolutely no difference to how the car drives or lasts. If you want concourse then I guess it's a different (cosmetic) story

 

[SeanDezart]

Hi Jon,

.....and I'm not against UK cars (obviously over here LHD imports are an even more attractive proposition ;-)

What all Zs, whether they be original or imports, deserve are proper restorations and be driven - personally councours doesn't float my boat - I prefer to drive mine almost regardless of what happens to it - that's my choice and others prefer a concours car - like I said it takes all sorts !

 

[JonC]

Hi Jon,

.....and I'm not against UK cars (obviously over here LHD imports are an even more attractive proposition ;-)

What all Zs, whether they be original or imports, deserve are proper restorations and be driven - personally councours doesn't float my boat - I prefer to drive mine almost regardless of what happens to it - that's my choice and others prefer a concours car - like I said it takes all sorts !

True. I'm just a masochist for spending years in the garage, I almost enjoy it more than the driving. Although nothing beats the satisfaction of the first few days with a completed car.

 

[240zchevyv8]

Just like to say i agree that a properly restored z no matter how bad will drive fine, when i restored my first 240z i fitted second hand front inner wings mine were shot, half the bulk head, all the floor, inner and outer sills, the sill returns, the rear suspension turrets, the area under the inspection hatches, the rear subframe underneath, bottom 6 inch of door post, repairs to tyre well, the list of welding was endless it took 3 years to complete and was my first restoration, on hind sight i should have bought a more restorable z but i jumped in feet first as you do when your young and stupid, and by the time i realised that the only thing the car had going for it was a working cigarette lighter i was in to deep and would have lost thousands, but the great british spirit of never surrender never give up came to mind and i went out bought shares in BOC and carried on welding, after being mentally scarred with the restoration i said id never do it again, hence why i bought an import, but to be honest the 240z i restored held the road like it was on rails, the 240z i imported was virtually rust free only very minor rust but it is at the moment a horrible car to drive due to how it handles, even though it has better suspension, full superflex bushes, anti roll bar front and rear, and wider and lower tyre ratios it does not handle very well, the rear end is very loose, im getting there slowly changing things but i suspect that it is to stiff hence why the oversteer is bad, when it warms up a bit ill start playing again but i believe it has 400lb springs all round i know this is way to hard and suspect that this is causing a lot of trouble with the handling ( any one got any ideas) another thread starting here.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I did a lot of structural welding on mine too and it handles well but I'm sure it would benefit from a thorough suspension geometry check-over and adjustment (incl. checking corner weights).

400 lb springs are much too hard for road use. I use 250lb (because I primarily use it for trackdays) I would have thought 200lb ok for the road really.

Cars tend to give confidence or not, I don't know wether a lot of it is in the mind though. My 240 is very reassuring but I'm not so happy with the rear of the 350 (front is brilliant).

 

[Ian Patmore]

you tarnish UK engine builders without having tried 'em all and have gone stateside for your satisfaction - what advice do YOU give to somone who wants a performance Z engine, particularly if it's a stroker ?

You need to re-read my explanation. Just to re-iterate, I did not use your engine builder as this was my choice, and personally not up to what I wanted. No tarnish from me, your engine builder slapped you down, or have you forgotten that?. You have to learn that people are free to make their choice on the evidence before them and to look further afield..said it before, the world of S30 does not end on these shores as you seem to think.

I did try two "z specialist" engine builders for work in the UK, their shoddy work on the cylinder head can be found in the classifieds..speaks for itself....scrap only.

Now, what did I say earlier about you fighting a wet paper bag....

Sean, I really can't be arsed writting advice/ideas (stroker/performance and other topics, I have plenty) along side those who shout the loudest and try and belittle something different.....let them give one side of the coin and stay stagnant. I spend sooo much more time looking at other forums/websites for topic/parts/ideas/speaking to people, to get S30 stimulus and its hassle free. Just like to stick my oar in here now and then and show the few who are genuinely interested.

Enough said.

JonC, sorry from deviating from your thread, but look further than here to get fully immersed in S30 stuff. Good starting point here with Zclub...

 

[SeanDezart]

YOUR poor choice of 'engine builders' is no reason to tarnish everyone Ian and you could be arsed a while back - like a little terrier with his over-worked jaws around a bone.

Apparently, he doesn't choose engine heads by form, he just uses what is available, could be N42s, P90s but in the main is P79 and E88s 'cos they're easier/cheaper to get hold of.

But the proof's in the pudding - mines' been running hard for 4 years and we've yet to see yours turn a wheel so get it out this year and let's hope that it's all that you've expected.

These shores are famous for the Montgolfier brothers...............who ran on ? Give you a clue, it wasn't Marshall Aid.

Have a nice day.

 

[Stockdale]

Its up to you me-bucko! They are wonderful cars. Very much of their era (noisy and raw) but are styled in a way that nothing else really compares. The 2+2 always attracts less interest but (and from my own experience) the early 260z with 240 carbs is probably the best available. Forget the nonsense about gear ratio's and compression, the early 260 is (and I have owned them all) the best. Rot has always been a problem. Maybe that's why they are are now so desirable.

Stockdale

 

[zedhead260]

Not if the UK car has been repaired properly and treated and painted equally to the US shell you compare it to.

Have you actually seen how people properly restore rusty shit boxes ?

Sean,

Check this thread out.

 

[rallymanDP]

Nice thread, Rob.

And I bet that Victor was originally advertised for sale with the description " for easy Restoration".

I love that phrase...

Just about as easy as prolonged Childbirth... that goes on for a year or more !

 

[tel240z]

That bloke could make a Z from a couple of air tubes and a picture class workmanship