New Project - no Fj content!

[Flynt]

For you z-car fans out there, I came across Datsun 240z VIN HLS3000486...  that's the 486th 240z made and it was produced in 11/69.  It is a project, but a sub-500 240z is worth the effort for sure.  I'm going to make her new again over a couple of years probably.  Check this out and wish me luck!









Frank

[movenon]

Looks like a pretty good unmolested core. 
George

[aviationfred]

Looks like a great project.

[Pat Conlon]

Very cool Frank...What's the back story on the car? Where did it live? How did you find it? (obviously the #'s match)
If you don't mind my asking, how much did it cost you? Do you have a rough idea on your budget for a frame off restoration?


I noticed..On Classic Auto Trader there is a '70 Z that they are asking $10.9k...which is surprisingly not too costly
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1970-Datsun-240Z-1362212.xhtml?conversationId=561776



I don't know what they were thinking with those huge 17" rims and tires.....those gotta go.

I love those 240's
It's amazing when you think about it... That Datsun could do a clean sheet design and produce a car which would, in one fell swoop, eclipse every sport car offering to come out of England. (and I grew up owning MGA's MGB's and Austin Healeys)
Then again, Honda did the same thing with his SOHC 750 shocker...also in 1969... hmmm I think I see a theme here...
I guess 1969 was not a good year for our GB cousins...

[Flynt]

I don't know much of the story, other than this is one of 163 of the first 500 known to still be around.  The z community tracks these things you know.  I will piece it together over time.

Other answers:

- Bought on ebay for $6,500 and picked it up from a Hayward import/export warehouse...  very cool place!
- Restoration to factory is condition is going to cost another $25K likely (I am going to hot up the engine, but keep it looking stock)
   - lots of parts out there still, but the right parts are harder for this one.
   - restored to NOS condition, this car should draw $30K+ if I wanted to sell...  but I won't

Also included in the sale was a perfect dash with all gauges that I'll sell for $2K or so (I'm going to send mine for restoration), a 5 speed trans, a set of period Enkie rims in great shape, and a few boxes of early parts.  I think I got a great deal, but I bought a project I've wanted to do for 25 years at least.  Keeps me out of the bars...

The history of the z is quite cool with a rebel VP (Mr Katayama) being sent to US in the 60's to get Nissan into the market...  9 years later he got the z built specifically for US and once introduced in NY auto show (Oct 1969), the lid blew off the demand and Nissan was caught not quite ready.  The first 500 or so cars are products of early scrambling to get product on the boat...  mine has several unique early production things (no rear window defroster, metal badges instead of the production plastic, fiberglass headlight buckets made while they got the stamping machine ready for the metal ones, etc.).  I'm an engineer gone marketeer (gone GM now, but still marketing guy at heart) and this car was the death blow to the british crap we were enduring at the time...  MG and Triumph were gone in no time.  They sold ~170,000 of these things in the first 3 years and the series remains one of the most successful sports cars in history (370z is still a great bargain).

I'm going to remove the interior this weekend and have the engine builder and painter lined up to get the major parts back to me in Apr/May, then the real fun can begin.  Searching like heck for parts until then.

I'll keep this thread going until you guys are sick of it... 

Frank

[TexasDave]

Sick of it? I think everyone will enjoy it. Saw my first one on Okinawa in 1970. Beautiful orange. My only regret was not buying one to bring back. Dave

[bcguide]

Nice I owned a 280 for a while but always wanted a 240.

[fj johnnie]

 Nice find. That is one of my all time favorites. My oldest brother had a 240 when I was a kid(72). My dad had one(70). My youngest brother still has a beautifully restored 240(71).
  Just like fixing up an old FJ it takes patience to find all the parts. I am glad you posted those pictures and hope you continue to do so as you go along.

[CanDman]

  The Z cars were always my favorite !!!! especially the Twin Turbos.............getting it started is never the problem....it's getting her finished !!


 
 


   
 

 
 

 
 


Should be finished by summer........my lack of experience was what cost the most.....doubled everything....my suggestion......prepare for a long haul....  


CanTwaitman

[andyoutandabout]

Looks like a grow operation.

[CanDman]

Looks like a grow operation.

 

[bcguide]

Looking at your ramp, your either single or you can lick your eye lids

[CanDman]

Looking at your ramp, your either single or you can lick your eye lids

........hmmmm.......how does my ramp say that I am single ? ....... the only creature I know who can lick his eye brow is a lizard........ you lost me !!!      


 


 


That ramp could have supported a 10 truck I can assure you  !!!

[bcguide]

it looks like you have that ramp right off the deck of your house. I can get away with a lot but not something like that

[CanDman]

lol....rotflmao......okay.....now I get your meaning...... ...well.....My woman doesn't object too much.....I built the deck myself....and the deck was only temp ......besides....women in general don't appreciate male hobies...so you either make them understand, or you try to live life without any....... .....Couldn't do it....lol

CanDman