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1 tuff z: 1972 Fairlady Z-L project!


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After many years of searching and Fairlady [4 total] deals slipping through my fingers one has finally come into my possession.  Ironically it's white, same as my LS1 powered 1973 240z.

 

Delivered after 3+ months awaiting Washington state DMV to issue the title she arrived via carrier on Sunday morning June 8th, 2014.  She's a bit rough and needs much love [after sitting for unknown years outside] but will make a nice daily driver once completed.

 

Today I connected the new battery, sprayed a bit of ether in the triple carbs and fired her up [last week spent ~30 min freeing the sticking butterflies on the carbs, putting her in gear and rocking to see if the engine was siezed-not!].  Sputtering and choking she finally came to life.  Brief backfire then subsequent fire [in all 3 carbs] but was extinguished then started again.

 

The list of needs [to just safely drive her] is growing.  Plan is to get her roadworthy, drive and save $ for the restoration.  Not decided on color or any other details at this time, just want to cruise.

 

Floors are solid [when I had it on the lift] and chassis appears to be pretty solid. somebody jumped on the roof and collapsed it, person i purchased it from popped it up but will either need to be replaced or 'massaged'.  Believe it's a Fairlady Z-L model, built late 1971 [likely December] but won't know for sure till i can spy the wire harness tag.  From what i gather the Z-L was equipped with; 5 speed, rubber strips on the bumpers, passenger foot rest & rallye clock.  This car also has [which initially I thought was for a flashlight] the roadside flare bracket [left kick panel].  Thanks to Tony D for 'enlightening' me, as always!

 

So far I know it needs [due to rust]: hatch, possibly left door, maybe front fenders, wiper cowl and dog leg panels and perhaps rockers. I have the fenders, dog legs & rockers. Also have a hatch but not as rust free as I'd like. So I'm looking for [rust free]: hatch, left door and JDM wiper cowl...

 

Some pics

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Edited by 1 tuff z
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L20 is gone which someone replaced with an L24 with E31 head and the somewhat rare 2400 OHC valvecover.  Triple Mikunis, 6-3-2 header and unknown [rusty] exhaust.  Does have the rallye clock, which works!

 

Note the forklift which hoisted the Fairlady onto the upper level of the transporter - thankfully it did zero damage to the chassis.  Forklift operator was either very skilled, very lucky or both.  Either way I'm grateful.

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David, I just sent you the link to the Deregistration for Export Copy Service.

If you would, Post up what you get so others can see if you decide to get the copy.

After that is up, I will likely make the link public with your photos for reference.

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Congrats on finally getting one! Looks like she needs a lot of work, but I know she's in good hands after seeing what you did with the green Z.

 

I'm sure you can find something closer, but if not, I have a roof off a '72 that I need to get rid of at some point.

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Tony, as always thanks for your willingness to help and the deep resources you possess!

David, I just sent you the link to the Deregistration for Export Copy Service.

If you would, Post up what you get so others can see if you decide to get the copy.

After that is up, I will likely make the link public with your photos for reference.

 

Joe, one day while "stripping" one of my many parts cars I pulled out the body grinder and began cutting.  Ann Marie [my beloved wife since 1990] asks, what the heck are you doing?  Well, I was removing the roof skin and told her "cutting off the roof, because someday someone will need it!"  Maybe me now...

And for those who don't know about the green Z [officially named "Jade" by my daughter Emma] here is the thread.

Congrats on finally getting one! Looks like she needs a lot of work, but I know she's in good hands after seeing what you did with the green Z.

 

I'm sure you can find something closer, but if not, I have a roof off a '72 that I need to get rid of at some point.

 

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Me on top of the car carrier giving some 'direction' to the transport driver as he cautiously rolls the Fairlady off its perch [Look at the 2nd pic in post 1 as a reference where it was carried].  sHeeze, I look like I'm experiencing some kind of pain...

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I haven't cut roof skins in years. A circular saw with abrasive cutting wheel, BELOW the solder joint on the "C" Pillar about 2-3" and anywhere on the front "A" Pillar to make it sit level when on the floor and allow multiples to be stacked on top of it!

 

I take the whole roof, headliner and rear light and all when possible. Makes drilling the spot welds out for a correct panel transfer easier later on...

 

And yes...my 71 had....

 

 

A SUNROOF INSTALLED ONTO IT!

 

This is why you keep six roofs in the shed. Yes, honey, I may need one, and I think someone else needs one...so there are really only four stored. And we may have them sold if I put the word out...

Edited by Tony D
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Funny thing, everything always takes longer than it does.  Anyway, went to Jimmy Z's shop today; 2 goals, nut & bolt his track car and do some work on the Fairlady.  Track car took most of the time but my son Alan was along to help which proved a good decision to ask him along.

 

Fairlady update for today:  this week I had to replace pop rivets on all 3 bottom mounting brackets on the mesh grill.  Pretty simple except, the old rivets had nearly pulled themselves though so straighten grill, source backing washers then pop rivet.  Alan installed the reworked grill, reinstalled the mirrors and loosen the lug nuts [luckily found the lug lock under the ashtray!] as well as helping me to replace the hatch [temporary one from a donor 78 280z with significantly less rust & holes than what she came wearing-see pics below].  Had planned to attempt bleeding the brakes & clutch but ran out of time.

 

Hatch: sooooo rusty that the hatch lock fell into the hatch cavity.  I've seen bad rust before but this the worst hatch my eyes have spied [last 2 images]. 

 

Got her on the lift to more closely check the chassis, appears pretty solid.  Upgraded front & rear sway bars. Measured the Panasports, 7.5x14".  I like the deep dish so think they're keepers, nice offset to boot.  Discovered the front turn signal units are the dual bulb, pretty excited about that.

 

Pictures; chassis stuff [laid on my back and snapped from rear to front as well as a panoramic, more later as she progresses.

 

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Any pics of the actual "flare pack" that is supposed to go in it?

 

 

The bracket is for the factory-fitted road safety warning (red) flashlight that was a legal requirement for the Japanese domestic market in the period.

 

No S30-series Z was fitted with an emergency safety warning pyrotechnic flare. Pyrotechnic flares were a much later introduction.

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