Is this 240Z worth buying?

[Hybrid240z]

I was in San Diego this weekend visiting my sister-in-law. I was driving down the freeway when I saw a white 240Z a 1/4 mile ahead of me. I hauled ass and caught up to it and then i noticed that it had a for sale sign on it. I flagged him down and we pulled over. The car is a white 1972 240Z with the stock engine. The guy said that it was his son's car so he gave me his number. The dad owns a garage that specializes in nissans and datsuns. They have been in business for over 20 years. I called his son and we went to meet him and check out the car.

 

Here is the car's story. It is a theft recovery that has been sitting in his shop for over 12 years. They took the engine and the interior. His father replaced the interior and installed a stock engine, that he rebuilt, when he acquired the car 12 years ago. The engine has less than 1000 miles on it. He recently gave the car to his son and he has had the whole interior done over seats and all. The dash has a few cracks, not too bad, but the interior looks perfect. His uncle did the work but glued the carpet to the floor so it wouldn't move. The car has a white repaint, not a good one, but looks ok. Never been in an accident, body is straight no dents, the rear bumper has rust on it, it is missing the front bumper, and the rims are the style that the A-Team van had(lol). There is no rust on the panels except for a couple of rust spots that are starting up. I wasn't able to raise the car because his dad wasn't at the shop and it was closed so we couldn't jack the car up. I took a look under and couldn't see any rust but haven't fully inspected it. He said they didn't see any rust under the seats when they put the carpet in but you never know. He also told me that he has a front air dam and a spoiler, still in the box, that he will throw in too. I think he bought them from Motorsports in Orange. He wanted $4500 for it but I talked him down to $3500. I told him that I would give him a call this week with a decision.

 

Thanks for any suggestions,

Marcos

[Guest Anonymous]

Being on the West coast, I would expect a lot in a 1972 Z car for $3500.00. How much will it cost to bring the car up to your standards??? I would figure in all the costs for improvements and deduct from the price? A clean interior and good mechanical condition is a plus but $3500. for a car that you are going to heavily modify is a little too much. There are rust free cars in sad mechanical shape around the west coast that can be had cheap....There are v8 Datsun's going for $3500.

[Guest jwelch]

Seems very high to me. I would say if it was all original #s, low miles and many dealer add ons that worked, like A/C then maybe 3500 at the most. I would be patient and look around especially if you are going to modify the car. I had 3 Zs with the inline 6 before I got my V8. Although I still like the 6, after you drive a V8 you will be hooked.

 

Good Luck,

 

John

77 280V8Z

66 383 Charger

[Hybrid240z]

Thanks for the response. I thought the same too but I just wanted to make sure. I already called the guy and told him that I am not going to buy it.

 

Marcos

[Guest bang847]

do you think he will sell the front air dam seperate?? got his number? where is he at?

[Hybrid240z]

He lives way down there in San Diego area. His dad's shop is like 10 miles from the border. I don't know if he would sell it without the car. I can call him if you want. Let me know. E-mail me at lt1240zmech@hotmail.com

 

Marcos

[Owen]

Seems like a lot to me. If you think about what you want to do now or later on, bigger exhaust with more ground clearance, subframe connectors, rollcage, etc. you're gonna end up chopping the floors. Then coilovers, new diff, fuel cell...it's never ending

 

Owen