Should I develop an interest for Z's?

[SeanDezart]

If someone does that for a Victor.....why aren't there more UK Zs being snapped up for a worthy restoration - do Zs still have the 'tag' of being a cheapie ? Does the reputation of being so reliable rebound against them as people without the means get them ?

 

[zedhead260]

If someone does that for a Victor.....why aren't there more UK Zs being snapped up for a worthy restoration ?

Because you (and a few others) keep telling them that they should buy a "rust free" shell from the states

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Wonderful insight into what goes on in the 'old car' market (note I didn't say classic). I used to buy Practical Classics and was amazed it what some people will (and can) do.

In my opinion (again) this work is of excellent quality but misguided, they were horrible cars when new! That man should be working on 240s or similar (E Type etc).

Some people just can't resist a challenge and an opportunity to use their skills. If it gives him pleasure then I suppose that's ok. I've done it a few times but not again. If you applied a cost to the work it would never be worth it. If you are creating something special that you can't buy (eg Datsun Dave's hybrid) then fair enough but just doing all this to re-create crap is madness (in my mind).

 

[Mr.G]

what is crap is very subjective. Same goes for women.

 

[JonC]

If there's another way to do it, I don't know what it is. Here's one of mine from last weekend. Not complete yet.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/__f7-rkzEkSQ/S12SJmVCjkI/AAAAAAAAB7A/W3FcH1bRCyQ/s800/P1000402.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/__f7-rkzEkSQ/S12SaguXNjI/AAAAAAAAB7c/MPA-TbbX7kI/s800/P1000420.JPG

Slightly more complex:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/__f7-rkzEkSQ/SeLlyuz_T7I/AAAAAAAAAmM/d_d4sIQguM4/s800/IMG_0144.JPG

Edit: Just looked down the Victor thread at the sills are really excellent. If he made those himself then he has a lot of skill. He's definitely using a folding machine, whenever I try to get a long straight edge with my humble hammer and vice/dollys, it stretches the outer metal and you end up with a curve on the flat side. He's got more patience than me with an old turd too.

Edit again: I've decided he must have bought the outer sills. He'd never get the curve right without an english wheel and I recognise the primer. Still, nice job on the other bits.

 

[Zed-the-red]

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

Sounds like me... are you my clone?

 

[Zed-the-red]

I'm delighted that my initial newbie question has elicited such great responses. It's revealed to me a couple of contentious areas, 2+2 vs 2only, import vs UK.

For me, I would rather spend a year with the mig, some hammers and dollys, restoring an otherwise scrapped Z, than import and convert just to be on the road sooner. That's just me.

That said I have become extremely wary now that so many have mentioned poorly aligned body(structural)/chassis. I think buying a car that was bent out of all use would be the biggest fear. Do these cars get out of shape from 40 years of collisions, or does the rust turn them into jelly? Is it the uni-body, the chassis rails, or both?

well beggar me YOU ARE my clone. Are we related. We need to have pint and put the world to rights. Should we compare techniques.. with the welder?

 

[Zed-the-red]

Just another comment or two. I have defrosted a little after being in the garage for three hours trial fitting a sill. Door on door off. sill on sill off, check the gaps etc etc..
Heres a comment from a UK Z owner {not me}. If you continue to bring in Z's from the continent. Will that not erode the value of our UK Z's? Or will it drive the value up?

Heres my comment. The Z Ah bless them. 240 260 260 2+2 whichever. If farmer Giles had one that had been languishing in a field for 10 years and I found it.. Even I {yes me} would be the first to poke the thing in very orofice known, and them some I don't know. I would take one of those scope things they put up your jaxi and look at all the interior air spaces I could get at.
I would sit it on a level base and measure all the corners all the dimensions. If its sagged in the middle, or has had a serious accident at some point. It would still be repairable. But how much ££ and how long.

I bought the ebay Z the bue one.. Sold as solid was it hell more rot than a well hung phesant.. But the car is salvagable. It is straight thats the main thing. I thought I would have it welded and repaired ready for the mechanicals in 6 months.. Painted in 12 months forget it. I have only now just about finished the welding.
Its takes time and this blasted cold weather means I miss many nights as its just to cold to work for long periods.
As for body panels and spares. I have brought dozens of things in from the US. Its a fantastic source of spares. You can get hit with the import duty but it still is a lot quicker to find the parts you need and the prices are not that much out of whack.

Dont be afraid of tackling one of these cars. Despite to issues we have over imports or not. we have a common aim. that is to keep the cars running.

 

[SeanDezart]

Heres a comment from a UK Z owner {not me}. If you continue to bring in Z's from the continent. Will that not erode the value of our UK Z's? Or will it drive the value up?

Good question. A car has to be desirable to be valued - rarity isn't the factor - rarity just pushes values even higher but first of all - desirability.

If people don't see these cars out and about and also in competition use, no-one will desire them.

Therefore the more cars that are about, that are talked about, new projects etc, etc the greater the increase in value. Never think that there will be a flood of thousands of cars over here.

 

[240zchevyv8]

To zed the red HERE HERE well said you hit the nail on the head big style with that one, i could not agree more with what you said.

 

[Mr Ex]

To zed the red HERE HERE well said you hit the nail on the head big style with that one, i could not agree more with what you said.

Take a look at this Aus car it's far from rust free & imacculate.


For Sale 1972 240z - SOLD.

 

[JonC]

Just when I thought I'd killed this thread off with examples of my shoddy welding on a shoddy Herald. Ha!

Don't think we're related Zed, but I'll buy you a pint next time I'm in Sheffield, last time was about 18 years ago so you may have to wait.

 

[Zed-the-red]

Just when I thought I'd killed this thread off with examples of my shoddy welding on a shoddy Herald. Ha!

Don't think we're related Zed, but I'll buy you a pint next time I'm in Sheffield, last time was about 18 years ago so you may have to wait.

My mates dont buy rounds either and thats been 35 years.. so I can wait. If all else fails I will send a tinny down..

 

[mattbibbey]

JonC, I live in abingdon and you are more than welcome to swing by for a cuppa and a look at my 240Z project. Also i can fill you in on the issues with parts availability etc. Just reply to this post and i'll PM you with my details.

Matt