Datsun Z car regret

Author
Discussion

uk66fastback

Original Poster:

16,451 posts

270 months

Friday 6th March 2015
quotequote all
Having only found out about an early 260Z that had been dry stored for 25 years was coming up for auction, the day before it did, I am still kicking myself for missing out on it. It went for about £3600. Pretty straight, some rust, (floors may well have been shot - no inspection possible) - but at that price who cares really? These have been getting more and more expensive over here. This was a UK reg car so RHD.

Rust is the killer on these apparently ... there is one in the US I've found that looks okay - CA car so little if any rust, looks a complete state paintwise but all there and solid plus a few dents - something you could drive in the summer as a daily - tags are up to date etc. Would cost about £5-6k to get here. What am I waiting for apart from having nowhere to put the thing - talk me into it.

UK one ... cry



US one ...





Edited by uk66fastback on Friday 6th March 14:46

benjj

6,787 posts

162 months

Friday 6th March 2015
quotequote all
Don't look at this link whatever you do...

http://www.thezfarm.co.uk/

uk66fastback

Original Poster:

16,451 posts

270 months

Friday 6th March 2015
quotequote all
Oh, you've done it now ...

richiep

50 posts

236 months

Friday 6th March 2015
quotequote all
Bear in mind that the auction 260Z is a 2+2. These command lower values and are less desirable than the 240Zs and 260Z 2-seaters (they are a foot longer and the roof-line is, IMO, compromised aesthetically compared to the 2 seat). 2+2s can also be more problematic to repair due to even more restricted availability of panels than the 2 seaters.

That US 240Z looks decent though. This is the smart way to begin a project in the UK now - acquire a "rust-free" (hardly ever truly 100% rust-free but can be close) car from California or similar dry state and rebuild to taste, either keeping it LHD or doing a RHD conversion if you have the requisite donor parts available.

I have a Japanese market '71 S30 Fairlady Z-L variant and am planning to do another one soon, most likely going the Cali car/RHD conversion route and modding to taste with a 3.1 stroker engine...

uk66fastback

Original Poster:

16,451 posts

270 months

Friday 6th March 2015
quotequote all
Cheers Richie, good info. What's a *good* price to pay for an early rustfree US 240z such as the one I've shown?

ToneyCaroney

1,032 posts

183 months

Friday 6th March 2015
quotequote all
benjj said:
Don't look at this link whatever you do...

http://www.thezfarm.co.uk/
You could go blind looking at stuff like that....

richiep

50 posts

236 months

Friday 6th March 2015
quotequote all
uk66fastback said:
Cheers Richie, good info. What's a *good* price to pay for an early rustfree US 240z such as the one I've shown?
It depends on what you are after. And there can so much variety in pricing too - some good deals, some less so. The best thing to is start actively watching eBay US, Craigslist, and Z forum classifieds like datsunclassifieds.com to get a feel for the types of vehicle and prices. Prices for good cars or promising projects are now on the up in the US too, nevermind the rapid rise we are seeing here in the UK, and the really good deals are becoming more scarce.

A decent 240Z project car (good candidate for bare metal respray and total rebuild) could be $5-10k. At the top end of that you could be looking at a car that is road ready but probably needs a respray still due to sun damage or patina. $10+ things obviously get better. In this range you might find some original condition, low owner cars, that aren't perfect but are straight and with good history. Nearer $20k and above good restorations and modded cars. You'll also still see plenty of cars under $5k but these will obviously require quite a bit more work (common issues even in CA being needing new floors due to air com leaks and related condensation, rust around the battery tray area, possible accident damage etc. So, more care needed.

CA cars are imported to the UK every so often privately and otherwise and turn up for sale. Prices are typically dollar to the pound. £5-8k maybe for a rust-free complete project car, more for something nicer. Obviously, UK RHD cars are worth a lot more now, but condition is everything there. A cheap UK project 240Z, i.e. Under 10k, could be a rusty money pit so care is needed. Good UK cars start in the mid-teens for 260Zs, 20+ for 240Zs.

260Zs are worth less although the 2 seaters will catch up to the 240Zs. Arguably what they lack in kudos from being first of the marque is offset by being improved in certain ways as the design evolved subtly. US 260Zs are often cheaper. They only made them for the US market for a short period (whereas we had them to 78) before replacing with the US-only 280Z. 280Zs are the most plentiful in the US and much cheaper. Good deals can be had on those but there is very little interest in the UK for them as they are very American - lots more accessories, FI, highly ugly 5mph Federally-mandated impact bumpers, etc.
IMO, if importing, go for a 240Z every time.

Add 1500-2000 quid for shipping and costs depending on method used and there you have it.

As a case study, I recently tried to buy a rust-free car from CA that was $5.5k. It was exceptionally straight although ready for full rebuild and paint. Triple Webers too. It would've been just over £5k by the time I got it home. Unfortunately the seller was a bit nervous about selling internationally and then a local buyer pipped me to it. A shame, but I will persevere.

Join up at Zclub.net, which is the UK owners club and have a mooch around the forums. Tons of info and advice to be given. The Z Farm has been mentioned; see Fourways Engineering too. And there is a guy in Shropshire called William Galliers who brings in CA Zs every so often.

A key recommendation when buying a Z. DO NOT LET YOUR HEART RULE YOUR HEAD. I've seen various cases in recent years of people getting overcome with the rush to buy and ending up in the hole massively with cars that they overpaid for which need buckets full of money pouring on them to fix horrific rust. Be measured, get it right first time. Forget all the goodies and mechanicals - bodyshell comes first. Everything else can be dealt with afterwards, whether you want purist originality, period retro-mod upgrades (tuned and bigger capacity engines, suspension mods, etc.), or balls-out hybrid engine swaps (RB26DETT, 1JZ-GTE, etc.).

Whatever you think your budget is, double it! biggrin

BTW, where did you see that burgundy car you posted and how much is it? For reference purposes of course! wink


Whatnotacos

31 posts

110 months

Friday 6th March 2015
quotequote all


Mine, bought with rust on front bonnet and next to RAD.

Whatnotacos

31 posts

110 months

Friday 6th March 2015
quotequote all
It' a 2+2, Lovely cars...

uk66fastback

Original Poster:

16,451 posts

270 months

Friday 6th March 2015
quotequote all
richiep said:
BTW, where did you see that burgundy car you posted and how much is it? For reference purposes of course! wink
Thanks Rich - great advice and knowledge there - much appreciated.

You have a PM.

vpr

3,701 posts

237 months

Saturday 7th March 2015
quotequote all
I'm on my third Z from CA now

Sunny southern CA cars can be completely rust free and these cars virtually rusted before they left the factory

A rust Z will cost an absolute fortune to sort so I would place rust free body above every other criteria

Here's my 280Z...not a pimple of rust anywhere...flat paint but no rust


Migx

791 posts

178 months

Saturday 7th March 2015
quotequote all
seen one in botley this friday. (oxfordshire). she said it was going on auction this week. dont think she knew what she had there.

iSore

4,011 posts

143 months

Sunday 8th March 2015
quotequote all
I don't think there has ever been a better looking sports car than the 2 seater Z. To think folk are still paying five figures for rubbish like MGC's when these are available.

I wouldn't go for the 2+2 myself. Not as ugly as the 2+2 E Type but nowhere hear as pert as the short one. A 2 seater 280 would be okay as a restoration from a good shell. Less desirable = more car for less money.

uk66fastback

Original Poster:

16,451 posts

270 months

Sunday 8th March 2015
quotequote all
Good comment guys - I thought Leo might show up here with his one - bladdy gorgeous ... !

Tell us more, what's the history behind that one - looks great with those wheels and with the flat paint and the arches ...

After Rich's comments I don't feel so bad missing out on the orange one and the maroon one is proceeding no further after some more pics from the guy and an appraisal by Rich - so it's kinda sit back but keep my eyes peeled time - there are some lovely ones in the US and in Holland I have to say ... I will be sorely tempted at some point I am sure.

sim16v

2,176 posts

200 months

Sunday 8th March 2015
quotequote all
A mate imported this a few months back.

Was in mint condition.












neutral 3

6,356 posts

169 months

Monday 9th March 2015
quotequote all
As the late great John Bolster stated ....." Smoother - Quicker 260Z " .....

Google [bot]

6,682 posts

180 months

Monday 9th March 2015
quotequote all
My mate's 260Z 3.0 turbo





uk66fastback

Original Poster:

16,451 posts

270 months

Monday 9th March 2015
quotequote all
That orange one looks a cracker ...!

custardtart

1,725 posts

252 months

Tuesday 10th March 2015
quotequote all
Google [bot] said:
My mate's 260Z 3.0 turbo



3.0l turbo? Tell me more?

A Z is in my ultimate 3 car garage

Google [bot]

6,682 posts

180 months

Tuesday 10th March 2015
quotequote all
custardtart said:
3.0l turbo? Tell me more?

A Z is in my ultimate 3 car garage
RB30DET IIRC, which was the motor from the mid-80s 300ZX, single turbo. Lots of hassle to get running right-ish mainly due to shortage of manual ECUs, so forced to go custom.

Lots of tssshh and stuff, not as quick as it could be I thought, due to not getting the running quite right, but it's very close. Fun car though and very cool.


Edited by Google [bot] on Tuesday 10th March 11:24