rturbo 930

Congrats!!!

Well, actually it's not, since it's a unibody, although I get your point. Sounds like pretty standard rust, so I'm surprised your frame rails are that bad. Sounds like my car has more rust, but the frame rails just have a little bit. Not like yours (I don't think).

If you have the ability, save it. I've seen several people do full tube frames (74 5.0L Z, tube80z), modified frame rails(mark g? the VH45 240z), replaced frame rails due to rust (240hoke), accidents (Myron, wheelman, 74 5.0L Z again). Provided nothing's really bent, you should be able to save it, I think. And yes, I could not agree more. I'm pretty surprised by the amount of people totally willing to part out and cut up good, solid shells for what seems like pretty stupid reasons. It is my biggest pet peeve in the Z world. I'm sure everyone thinks "it's just one car, it won't matter!", but the reality is when you have 200 people thinking the same thing, it kinda adds up. Oh, um, exactly how much rust does your car have? It certainly looks like it has more than mine... if it's solid other than that frame rail spot and your now torn frame rail, then you might consider fixing it. If it's a rust bucket, I suggest you move on, unless you've got a lot of money burning a hole in your pocket. It seems to me, you just think of these as just another car, which is fine, but you should realize not everyone does. While I totally agree it would be easier to just get another shell (something I have considered doing myself), some people see these cars a little different, ie, NOT just another car, but rather something special. Some also may have an attachment to their car for whatever reason, and some may just want to fix it for the experience. Personally, I'm probably going to fix mine and use it in some way, even though it would be MUCH MUCH cheaper to just get a straight CA car... which I'm still considering.

Is your mechanic friend an actual mechanic or just someone who aspires to be one? I'm not one either, but cutting off the roof at the A pillar and welding it back on seems like a great way to compromise the structural integrity of the car to me. I kind of doubt it's much faster or simpler either, but what do I know?

OT, but is this your '76 shell? I was under the impression you sold it. I believe what you just described is how Arne did his, and in that case, I really couldn't agree more. That's the ONLY way I would ever consider doing it.

Arne had a shop do this to his '71, and posted the thread here and at classiczcars. ZsOnDaBrain on CZC reskinned his own roof. Searching either of those member's posts should give you a good idea of what to do.

940Z Flares - http://www.reactionresearch.com/940z.html YZ Flares - http://www.reactionresearch.com/280yzgallery.html

This thread makes me feel bad about not wanting to fix my 240z which has no where near as much rust. Good job on the rust repair.

I don't suppose you took pics of the 944 seat mounts?

You might try Danny's Datsuns. I saw a thread on classiczcars where a member used him for a dog leg replacement. I looked up some reviews on him, and they seem decent, a little mixed. http://www.zcar.com/forums/read/4/1467839 http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php?/topic/3197-dannys-datsuns-good-or-bad/

You can get them from Tabco. I got some for a 280z from Tabco. However, the panels I got I thought were a poor fit to say the least, I realize that they are not going to just fit right in, and will need some work, but the corner at the back was COMPLETELY off. It was too sharp in every way. I don't know about you, but on top of not finding that at all acceptable, I certainly don't have the skill to make that work, nor would I even know where to begin. I don't know if I'm the only one to have the problem, but that's my experience. I'm planning on getting some from a car being parted out.

It looks good, but it needs another spoke if you want it to look like a Watanabe. Right now it just looks like an appealing 7 spoke wheel.

http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php?/topic/90352-rb26-240z-stolen-in-lakewood-ca/page__pid__856839__st__0entry856839

Wow dude that bites. I've been following your build since you got here, sucks to see this happen to you after all your hard work. Hope you get it back.

Funny, I was honestly just thinking the other day about a custom Wat replica, but I guess I've been beaten... Also, if I'm not mistaken, you're missing a spoke. Looks good otherwise.

Front turn signal conversion is fairly simple. You need to get a 240z style airdam, the turn signals (duh), 240z grill, and you'll need to drill out the spot welds holding on the bracket for the 280z turn signals. I don't think the grill bolts in, and you'll need to find a solution to that before hand. I also don't know if the 240z turn signals just plug into the harness where the 280z turn signals did. That should be all there is to it. 240z bumper conversions have been covered here. Search for it.

Looks like a really clean installation. Is that a 72/73 console you're using? Looks like it.

How about a paint matched red plug that will sit just about flush with the surface?

I just saw a '71 bare shell on ebay, it's definitely not perfect but it's usable, not much rust, if you're interested. It's located in Oxford, MS.

Are you bringing the Z? I might be there, not sure. I didn't see you there last year so I'm just wondering.

What color is your car painted?

Edit: double post. Sorry. Internet is lagging like crazy right now...

Sorry to say, but the hatch is definitely too busy. Something's gotta go.

My Condolences. Personally I'd go. School is important, but most of it you can do over if absolutely necessary. I would also think most professors would be understanding, and pardon you. Your grandfather however, will only have one funeral, and that's it. And personally, I think family in situations like this is more important. My $.02. Also, who's scheduling the funeral? When my grandma died, my parents scheduled it to be on a Saturday so I wouldn't have to miss school. Don't know if that's a possibility for your family.

I don't have an answer to your problem but your car looks really nice .