zedhead260
Well-Known Forum User
Thought it was about time I posted something regarding my 260Z freshen up.
I purchased this vehicle on the 14/07/95 from Len Welch, so it's been in my sweaty palms for just over 9 years now. I'm not quite the longest standing owner of this car, as Len had previously owned it for just over 10 years (had to check the log book on that one, I actually thought it was my 10th year with the car.....not so).
The car was in very good condition when I bought it, but bear in mind this was still a 10 year old restoration. First MoT it had with me meant some welding to the floors and it had a few bits and bobs welded in over the years, but it's always been a good car.
Roll forward to January 2003 and the fuel tank rotted and leaked. The engine had started to smoke and the body was looking scruffy round the edges. I decided it time to give it the make-over it deserved.
I stripped it down over the summer and delivered a rolling shell to Gary Bellamy's in Lincolnshire around September time.
The brief was -
New chassis rails
Minor repairs to floors
Minor repair to bulkhead
Minor repair to one inner wing
Minor repair to front rad' support panel
One new wing
Both new outer sills
Both rear arches and rear corners
Outer lower skin on tailgate
Repairs to box section at rear of car above fuel tank
Minor repairs to doors
and about 3 dents removed
The paint was still looking good, but due to all the work being done I decided on a new coat (and colour) of paint. The only panels that wouldn't have needed paint was the roof, front scuttle and front spoiler (the bonnet was stone chipped).
As the engine was out, it also meant I could get the bay painted the same colour as the rest of the car - the first time it's all matched since it left the factory.
I got it back February this year and it looked the nuts. There were a couple of bits on it I wasn't happy with, but another trip up to Gary had them sorted within an hour. A bit of a nuisance as I had to trailer it back, but it is fair to say I am one happy bunny
It's sat in the garage since as lack of funds put any work on hold. Also I decided to do a bit of decorating in my house before I got stuck back into the car. Probably the first time in my life I have made the Zed a second priority !
However, I have made a start on the front suspension, steering rack and cross-memeber. It's all stripped into component parts ready for cleaning and painting. I have a week off work later this month to try and do some of the cheaper jobs. Modified cross-member and progressive rate springs on order.
I was going to keep the new colour secret until its debut, but what the hell - quite a few have seen it already so I'll post some pic's soon. It's Candy Apple Red btw.
I purchased this vehicle on the 14/07/95 from Len Welch, so it's been in my sweaty palms for just over 9 years now. I'm not quite the longest standing owner of this car, as Len had previously owned it for just over 10 years (had to check the log book on that one, I actually thought it was my 10th year with the car.....not so).
The car was in very good condition when I bought it, but bear in mind this was still a 10 year old restoration. First MoT it had with me meant some welding to the floors and it had a few bits and bobs welded in over the years, but it's always been a good car.
Roll forward to January 2003 and the fuel tank rotted and leaked. The engine had started to smoke and the body was looking scruffy round the edges. I decided it time to give it the make-over it deserved.
I stripped it down over the summer and delivered a rolling shell to Gary Bellamy's in Lincolnshire around September time.
The brief was -
New chassis rails
Minor repairs to floors
Minor repair to bulkhead
Minor repair to one inner wing
Minor repair to front rad' support panel
One new wing
Both new outer sills
Both rear arches and rear corners
Outer lower skin on tailgate
Repairs to box section at rear of car above fuel tank
Minor repairs to doors
and about 3 dents removed
The paint was still looking good, but due to all the work being done I decided on a new coat (and colour) of paint. The only panels that wouldn't have needed paint was the roof, front scuttle and front spoiler (the bonnet was stone chipped).
As the engine was out, it also meant I could get the bay painted the same colour as the rest of the car - the first time it's all matched since it left the factory.
I got it back February this year and it looked the nuts. There were a couple of bits on it I wasn't happy with, but another trip up to Gary had them sorted within an hour. A bit of a nuisance as I had to trailer it back, but it is fair to say I am one happy bunny
It's sat in the garage since as lack of funds put any work on hold. Also I decided to do a bit of decorating in my house before I got stuck back into the car. Probably the first time in my life I have made the Zed a second priority !
However, I have made a start on the front suspension, steering rack and cross-memeber. It's all stripped into component parts ready for cleaning and painting. I have a week off work later this month to try and do some of the cheaper jobs. Modified cross-member and progressive rate springs on order.
I was going to keep the new colour secret until its debut, but what the hell - quite a few have seen it already so I'll post some pic's soon. It's Candy Apple Red btw.
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