THSCC Forums

FYI

The weekend manager/mechanic at the Exxon on Strickland Rd has what looks like a 1973 240Z. Apparently it is a "project car" that isn't getting worked on. I did NOT take the time to check it for serious rust but from a distance it has surface rust and I think the interior is pretty tired (I looked quickly a couple of months ago.). The guy I talked with indicated the car owner may be inclined to sell.

Dick (former 260Z original owner/autocrosser who isn't interested in a project Z)

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Having done a complete nut and bolt resto on my 1972 Z, a Z with surface rust = unibody rust = money pit. Mine had no surface rust and still needed new floorpans welded in. So if there's surface rust, that brings the fender wells, frame rails, battery tray and all the other usual non-galvanized unibody water collecting rust spots into play that plague every margue of car from that era...Unless you're good with a welder, it's probably better as a parts car. I may swing by and take a look just to confirm.

Thanks for the tip!

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

But other than a previously restored model, is there such a thing as a Z *without* "surface rust"?


--Donnie

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My Blog

Many of the southwest/California Zs posted on classiczcars.com have very little surface rust. Doesn't mean the floors won't rust, but body panels seemed to do OK. Bad drainage via cowl panels contributed to rust in the floors, fenderwells and eventually fenders...Mine was a Califronia car before being brought to Georgia where it sat and sat and sat as a "project."

Ultimately it may be easier (possibly cheaper) to buy a car with rust that can be patch welded and fixed simply because interior pieces like center consoles and dashes are unobtainium--the very parts that suffer UV damage from dry climates that tend to preserve the metal.

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

My first love was a 240Z that belonged to a neighbor. It had been parked for years and was slowly rusting away. This was in the late 1970's early 1980's. The car was unlocked (complete interior) and I would just sit inside and pretend it was a real working car. I actually made an attempt at trying to talk my parents into helping my rescue it, but even then it had terminal rust.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Just got back from a little cursory exam...it's a good project for someone who wants to practice body repair. Telltale wheelarch rust, fender doglegs, hatch etc. Wasn't curious enough to check the interior closely, but I have an idea about it given the exterior's state. If it's offered at or below $500 it could make a potential LeMons car provided the suspension points are either OK or could be reinforced (engine/drivetrain issues notwithstanding). Not a great $200X GRM challenge candidate, but with some creativity and ingenuity anything's possible...?

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

Have you looked under the hood at all?

Often, especially with unfinished projects, there might be something worth the selling price under the hood, even if the body is scrapped.

Hell, a set of triple Mikunis or Webbers should still bring @ $500 right?

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Stacy King
Midlife Crisis Participant

like I said, it was a quick walk around, look-in-the-windows type exam. Nothing about the car inspired me to take a closer look. I suppose it could have something interesting about it, but I kinda doubt some pristine triple carb setup is lurking beneath the rusty hood...New triples bring $1500 ish, but old questionable condition ones (last I checked) were getting $5-600--but that was like 3 years ago.

I suspect "stalled project" means "been hanging around for 10 years waiting for some attention, and now I've lost interest in working on it." Not trying to dissuade anyone from checking it out, just have the right amount of skepticism when you do.

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86