1974.5 260Z ATLAS build

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I have been building my ATLAS 4.2 for a little while now, and I have an AR5 transmission from a 2WD Chevy Colorado truck for it.  I found a good deal on this Z car online.  1974.5 260Z.  The "Big Bumper" 260Z car.  Build date of 10/74.....so it's really a 280Z to me as the drivetrain is going away pronto.  I love that it has the thicker sheet metal in the subframe and all those extra bends in the floor, that is more rigidity, and it already has the R200 rear end with the 3:54 gears I wanted to offset my transmission gears and work better with my engines power band.  Yesterday I took the front panels off of it, looked the whole car over and I am amazed.  No rust in rails, no rust in doors, no rust in fenders, no rust in rear hatch panel.  5 rust locations and somehow the hatch itself on one side is completely missing from rust.  I ordered the patch panels needed from KF Vintage JDM except the under battery tray rounded piece, which I got form Z Car Depot.  Also ordered a new hatch from Resurrected Classics.  So soon, the shell will be completely done.  This is a long term project, but at least I have a home for the ATLAS, and finding this Z so rust free has made it an absolute keeper.  I am thinking about the Rocket Bunny knockoff kit.  1400 bucks delivered is a good deal.  Opinions on that?  here are a few pics:

 

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[BerkeleyTrue]

I've been considering the 4200 as well. I'm glad to see another build. I youtuber got all the way to tuning his but gave up after he couldn't get it to idle. It looked sweet though. 

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On 10/13/2025 at 4:51 PM, BerkeleyTrue said:

I've been considering the 4200 as well. I'm glad to see another build. I youtuber got all the way to tuning his but gave up after he couldn't get it to idle. It looked sweet though. 

That's Merle.  He still has it.  He got it running, and all is well.

 

In the 6 cylinder portion of this webpage is the build of my 4.2.

 

got a good start on the header wrap for the 4200 today. ran out so waiting for more.

[jhm]

On 10/12/2025 at 2:53 PM, A to Z said:

No rust in rails, no rust in doors, no rust in fenders, no rust in rear hatch panel

Nice find!  I really lucked out with my late-model 260 as well (similar vintage and condition as yours), and was super happy with the condition of the shell.

 

My current car (early-model 260)....not so much.  🤣

 

Looking forward to seeing your progress -- best of luck with the build!!  👍👍

[A to Z]

Thanks jhm.  Probably get a lot of mean looks taking such a clean shell and making a hot rod out of it.

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10-15-2025. Busy morning in the garage. My 260Z gave up its engine and trans to make way for a future ATLAS install. And yes, it fought me A LOT. My new Harbor Freight hoist gave out midway through, but I got it to limp along with 2 floor jacks and a neighbor guy to basically wrestle it out. From now on, engine only....no more transmission attached for me. Yep....I cut the firewall bracing. It was my plan to do so anyway, and to reinforce and make it removable. I measured before cutting it and sure enough it widened 1/4 inch after cut. After I have made the brackets for re-installing the piece, I will simply use a ratchet strap to pull it back to the correct distance and bolt it in with grade 8 bolts. All nice and pretty. reinforced with thick plate steel. Inside the tubing I will put a spacer for the bolt to go through so when tightened it will keep the tubing from buckling. We move forward!