Big time problem! Might defect to the chevy muscle car croud

[Guest Anonymous]

Ok, I've been looking for a car to build

for almost 6 months and have come up empty.

 

Everything I find is either too far gone

or too expensive.

 

Anyway, I already have two 71 Chevelles.

One with a good body and one with good

running gear.

 

I've also stumbled across a 69 Nova with

NO rust, good glass, and the guy only

wants a hundred bucks.

 

What I'm thinking is, I already have everthing I'd need to build either a chevelle or a Nova. So I'm trying to decide what to do. I'm currently on the trail of an 81 280zx with little rust that I can get for 600 bucks. But I don't know what I should do.

 

I've never driven a chevy muscle car or a 280zx. The only thing I've actually ever driven for any length of time is my 85 300zx turbo.

 

I think that I could build the Nova or Chevelle for next to nothing (I have basically a chevy junkyard my Grandpop gave me) and sell it for 9 or 12 grand (Old chevy's are worth a bunch of cash when the motor is built and they are in nice condition). Then I could build a really nice Z, I think.

 

So, which would be better in performance: A 69 Nova with a 4:11 positraction rear-end or an 81 280zx with the stock r-200 and the same motor/tranny as the Nova. I looked it up and the Nova and the ZX weigh almost the same thing with the 350. Basically, I'm at a loss as to what to do. After looking at over 20 Z cars and not finding what I need, I'm about fed up with it, but I still like the Z body style. ACKK!

[Guest Anonymous]

Jack, As the owner of a Scarab for 15 years I will give you my 2 cents. "Build a V8 Zcar".

You will have something very special, there a lots of old Nova's and Chevelle's out there and none will turn the heads of car lovers like a V8Z.

Now I like to road race, racing in a straight line just does not appeal to me and I have never seen a Nova or a Chevelle that can stay with my Scarab.

I am sure that there are many issues that you are considering that will shape your decision and money is always at the top of the list. I have been fortunate in my life and could own any sports car I wanted and I have a V8Z Scarab and have for many years.

This car has never been beaten by a Nova, Chevelle, GTO, 442, Camaro,Trans Am, Corvette, Viper, Ferrari, Porche et al in 15 years. I am sure you will fall in love with your V8Z just like I did. Good Luck!!!!!

[Guest Anonymous]

Hey jack, i have a 1970 Nova and an 81 280zx also, my nova has a 4bolt main 350, powerglide, 4wheel drum brakes(non power assisted) and manual stering, i have riped out the interior and lightned the car as much as posible, it runs low 14's(it has an open 3.08 rear end) but to drive it on the backroads around my house it is a beast, it handles like crap and dosen't stop very well. My 280 however, is a joy to drive, not very powerful(it's stock) but much nicer, and feels like it is made better. my nova is just a drag car but the only way i would drive it on the road would be with an LT-1 and overdrive, oh and A/C!

[Guest Anonymous]

Hey Jack300

I have 3 extra Z cars, a 240Z,that i decide to keep, but the others 2 a 77 280 execellent shape and a 74 260Z great body, we could work out a partial trade for a chevy drivetrain or something, I'm flexible. You will love a V-8 and the attention it draws. Beside a chevy muscle car takes too much money to build. Jack

[Guest Anonymous]

How much cash would you want for the 77 280?

 

I don't have an extra drive train to trade.

 

I only have two drivetrains, I'm going to use one and the other is in very poor condition.

 

I'm in Myrtle Beach SC, btw.

 

I've got a 305 (I think it is a 305 anyway, I can't really remember) that was removed from an El Camino when it threw a rod. It has everything except the carb. The block doesn't appear to be damaged, but its been sitting for a pretty long time, it hasn't been torn down since it was removed from the truck. I've also got a 300zx parts car if you want an 84 turbo with an almost perfect body, but no motor. I have a non-turbo 85 300zx motor, I also have a wrecked 1980 El Camino with a chevy v-6 and manual tranny. I have an older mazda pickup with no drivetrain, and an old mopar with a turbo 4cyl. I also have an old small Honda dirt bike and a few old Harley parts.

 

Other than that, I can only offer cash...

 

What do you want for whichever car you think will make the best v-8 conversion candidate?

[Guest Anonymous]

Oh, M.J.,

 

I failed to mention the collection of alternators, starters, ac compressors, condencors, radiators, ect that I have.

 

I have a bunch of plain junk too. I just told you the major things is all.

[Two40MuscleZ]

Jack: For what its worth...I have had a '72 240Z since it was new. Started building up the slant6 and got to a point that was only minimumlly satisfying. The car became storage for the past 18 years. Only have 60,000 original miles on her. This past year I have decided to bring her back to life. What started out as a mild street runner has turned into a full blown Pro Street Show Car! The problem that I am now questioning is continuing on with the project, or build up a '41 Willys. So I know what you are thinking. What allowed me to rethink and reajust my mindset was this years Route 66 Rendezvous held in San Bernardino, CA. This event was spectular, in every way. Some of the sharpest and cleanest Muscle Cars ever. Here I was right in the middle of muscle car maddness. It was great. Then by the end of the day it dawned on me...not one Z much less a muscleZ8 in the bunch. How cool to have one of a kind amidst all these vintage vehicles. That was it...brought me right back into focus. Next year I'm in and as for the Willy's that too will come in time. MAC had a good point about being unique. And that is what we all are...just unique individuals with unique cars! Have fun building whatever project you decide on. Thats what its all about.

 

Compliments,

Van

[Guest Anonymous]

Jack, Michael Jackson has sent me photos of the cars he is offering to sell, and they look to be worth the price he was asking. I was just on too limited of a budget, so traveling from Michigan to South Carolina was not an option if I still wanted to afford the car! MJ and I talked on the phone for a while, and I can say that he sure as heck seems to know his stuff! Good luck.

[Sumo]

You should build up the Chevelles first then sell it so you can have more practice and more bucks to build the Z.