SJ Classics..

[SeanDezart]

without the bad cars we wouldn't have good cars either. As someone like yourself who's keen on increasing values, they wouldn't do that if every car "off the boat" was 'good'.

'Good' meaning clean project bases which would, in my view help prices but above all the appreciation of our cars.

Rusty (and they're not even cheap) tat doesn't so let's agree to differ.

 

[SeanDezart]

This discussion just reaffirms my position that the best cars to import to the UK are complete, running, and mostly rust free sun burned cars.

Yes they are RHD, however they are solid drivers that can be worked on at leisure and contain the parts needed during restoration. A entry level price for collector car status.

Agreed Mike but don't confuse the plebs - call 'em LHD !

 

[SacCyclone]

My mistake....LHD....corrected. Thanks Sean.

 

[Tony 260Z]

I think my brown 240 came from SJ Classics. It wasn't via ebay though. The description was very honest - LHD, minimal rust (there's always some) and some slight shipping damage. The interior was toast and much of the car was in a crate. So, there was a lot of work to do. That made it affordable and since I dont plan to sell it I can take plenty of time over it. I'd love to have a wedge of money laying around to buy a sorted RHD car but I don't so the long-term plan was the only option. It was the same with my 260 and having had that for 16 years now I'm still working on it and I still love it to bits.
I think like buying any second hand car (but especially with old and "exotic" types) it's very much a case of "buyer beware" - you have to know what to look for and appreciate that you might not make your money back if you have to sell. I missed some problem issues on the 240 that took unexpected time and money to sort out but that's life with an old Z car!
Hopefully anyone on here will know which car to buy and which to avoid - it's the lay person who likes the shape but doesn't know the foibles of these cars who's more likely to get caught out.

 

[Woody928]

Woody we use to do loads of shows back in the 80 s -90 s the Zeds did get a lot of atention then,as for the rust I can think of many cars that turned out to be rust buckets some worse than others all the Ford,Vauxhall,British leyland,all the Italian cars We're worse than the jap cars for rust and yes some of us have had our Zeds a long time,mine cost me £2600

Interesting to know, for me personally these cars have only really been on the radar for the last couple of years owing to the likes of Youtube rather than anything else given their rarity in this country. I suppose its probably more fair to say that their profile has been elevated more recently.

Everything from that era went the same way I'm sure but then again everything of that era had problems. That being said you can hardly praise Datsun's bodywork, the steel wasn't fantastic and the panels are wafer thin by comparison to other cars of the era (albeit I appreciate and am glad it keeps the weight down big time).

Bloody hell! This is when being 22 and interested in vintage cars is a bad thing. Its crazy to look at prices of the classic car market only 10 years ago I've spent a small fortune with my dad to have the 240Z we do and I consider myself very lucky. Not many younger owners around though.

This discussion just reaffirms my position that the best cars to import to the UK are complete, running, and mostly rust free sun burned cars.

Yes they are LHD, however they are solid drivers that can be worked on at leisure and contain the parts needed during restoration. A entry level price for collector car status.

Couldn't agree more, certainly the way forward imo Prices will only continue to go one way from here anyway, even those cars won't be that affordable for long.

 

[Jackeria]

Just thought I'd pop in to say I am (was at the time of purchase) one of those early to mid 20 year olds who don't have a fat wad of cash laying around to blow in one hit and indeed bought one of the "rust buckets" from SJ classics, the opinions within this thread are frankly quite bizarre and pretty elitist, to be honest really put newbies off of forums like this when there are people acting as such. I don't care that it's rusty and neither should you, you're not buying it. I have hopefully the next 50 years to enjoy fixing it. Is that your business? No. So why does this thread even exist other than for you to moan about someone making Z's available to people who don't have 20-30K plus sitting about? With the rather baffling remarks made here about "rusty cars" why would I want to post a thread with my car here so you can all rip it because it's LHD. Well sorry I wasn't born when these cars were cheaper.

For future readers who come across this thread in the way I have - via googling SJ classics, my experience with them was absolutely fantastic, I wasn't pushed into the sale or rushed, he offered me plenty of spares at reasonable prices, as well as throwing some in free. Simon answered all the questions I could think of, the paperwork was clear and easy, if you've seen the listings they're very thorough though don't let that stop you from poking around, I ended up spending 3 hours there chatting and pouring over the cars there before choosing the one I have, do I feel it was over priced? No, I got what I knew I was getting myself into. I know what I can fix and in my case I wanted a complete and running car that was a bit rough around the edges and thats what I got.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Just thought I'd pop in to say I am (was at the time of purchase) one of those early to mid 20 year olds who don't have a fat wad of cash laying around to blow in one hit and indeed bought one of the "rust buckets" from SJ classics, the opinions within this thread are frankly quite bizarre and pretty elitist, to be honest really put newbies off of forums like this when there are people acting as such. I don't care that it's rusty and neither should you, you're not buying it. I have hopefully the next 50 years to enjoy fixing it. Is that your business? No. So why does this thread even exist other than for you to moan about someone making Z's available to people who don't have 20-30K plus sitting about? With the rather baffling remarks made here about "rusty cars" why would I want to post a thread with my car here so you can all rip it because it's LHD. Well sorry I wasn't born when these cars were cheaper.

For future readers who come across this thread in the way I have - via googling SJ classics, my experience with them was absolutely fantastic, I wasn't pushed into the sale or rushed, he offered me plenty of spares at reasonable prices, as well as throwing some in free. Simon answered all the questions I could think of, the paperwork was clear and easy, if you've seen the listings they're very thorough though don't let that stop you from poking around, I ended up spending 3 hours there chatting and pouring over the cars there before choosing the one I have, do I feel it was over priced? No, I got what I knew I was getting myself into. I know what I can fix and in my case I wanted a complete and running car that was a bit rough around the edges and thats what I got.

I've just read over the thread again and it seems pretty balanced to me. Lots of good words about SJ and also folks supporting your position and approach.

It's just the internet I'm afraid where anything gets said and there are strong opinions expressed - like yours to be honest.

 

[chris frizzell]

the main thing to think about is the fact that all S30 are becoming hard to fine in any contition even in th US . i got my 280z of simon it was a rust free car apart from a 50p hole not many UK cars can say that . ok lhd but i dont have a cash for a good rhd s30 and only the well helled will be able to buy one the way things are going . apart fron sj classic and chris vegas where can you get a rust free project from ? if you look a MZR look how many US body shell he has in stock and he must be on a constant quest to keep a good stock until there all go and you have to buy a running car the day will come soon . keep going sj classic and other doing the same

 

[SeanDezart]

the main thing to think about is the fact that all S30 are becoming hard to fine in any contition even in th US . apart fron sj classic and chris vegas where can you get a rust free project from ?

Plenty of importers this side of the Channel at all conditions and prices.

Jackeria. My apologies if any comments appeared elitist and no need to apologise for being younger and still wanting a Z. However, you haven't bee batlling for +30years to have our cars fully recognised for their true value (and I don't only mean £sss). When the public constantly sees the majority of Zs for sale as projects, their opinion of them is swayed to believe that the cars are terrible rust-traps. I recognise that there is a market for all prices (if the cars' conditions merit them so please understand that the more these cars are valued, the more care people will take of them.
You've missed the repairs inside chassis rails with roll-up newspaper, papier-maché and en concrete and bodge-ups and Heath-Robinson wiring to keep them going on the minimum of anything ressembling a 'budget'.

We merely like to see cars looked after and appreciated and perhaps come across as elitist - I beleive that's a black and white text on screen effect and if you met us at a club meet, your opinion would change.

Welcome, congrats on your purchase - looking forward to seeing and hearing about your plans and progress.

 

[jonbills]

which "we" do you speak for Sean?
What would you have done with all the rusty ones, if they're not allowed to be sold in public? do they have to be broken or scrapped?

 

[SeanDezart]

which "we" do you speak for Sean?
What would you have done with all the rusty ones, if they're not allowed to be sold in public? do they have to be broken or scrapped?

From which parts of my post do you wish to be disassociated Jon and why has it taken you 3x years to reply ?

California Connection fell into the trap of bringing in cheaper and cheaper cars which were in worse and worse condition - a project car should just be that and Mike said it right : "This discussion just reaffirms my position that the best cars to import to the UK are complete, running, and mostly rust free sun burned cars."

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

From which parts of my post do you wish to be disassociated Jon and why has it taken you 3x years to reply ?

California Connection fell into the trap of bringing in cheaper and cheaper cars which were in worse and worse condition - a project car should just be that and Mike said it right : "This discussion just reaffirms my position that the best cars to import to the UK are complete, running, and mostly rust free sun burned cars."

SJ has bought in some great cars. The one thing you can say is that all his cars are honest. Thats the complete opposite of what a few well known specialists are.

 

[richiep]

The thing with complete, running, driving cars is that they are increasingly five figures, which is exclusionary in terms of encouraging younger and cost-conscious owners into the scene. Once you get into five figures for a car that will still potentially need completely stripping and rebuilding, it starts to become questionable as a project IMO.

 

[SeanDezart]

The thing with complete, running, driving cars is that they are increasingly five figures, which is exclusionary in terms of encouraging younger and cost-conscious owners into the scene. Once you get into five figures for a car that will still potentially need completely stripping and rebuilding, it starts to become questionable as a project IMO.

With respect, the advice always given is buy the best you can afford. If 5-figures means it's a complete car and there's little bodywork to do but strip and paint, it's still a bargain. And besides, I've know plenty of younger (30 and under) who've bought £20k cars.

The best advice to give to younger owners is to come on here first, register and ask questions - there's always athe opportunity to buy (almost) direct from the States.

 

[status]

Think the money now days is in wot we call future or modern day classics like some of the evos and scoobies and they don’t rot as bad as some of the 70 s junk that’s out there I’ve got a Z 4 m coupe which is a future classic and bit of a weapon,just think of the Z 3 M coupe with the S54 motor and compare wot they go for now compared to 15 years ago
I’ve had my Zed since year dot and love it and it doesn’t feel old but if people want to buy buckets then it’s their choice and it doesn’t effect the value of our Zeds and who gives a Shyte Wot other people think