Guest MadCow Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 Hey, I just have a quick question for you quys. There is someone in my area selling a 74 260Z. I have been looking so I can get my project started. Anyways I wanted the lighter 260 thats like the 240's and not like the 280's. I heard that if the turn signals are under the bumper then its the lighter one and if they are in the grill then its the heavier one. Is this true? Anyways can the early 260's be made as light as the 240? Any other tips on what to look for when buying an old Z. Thats all guys and all replies are greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nic-Rebel450CA Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 If that's the case then I better move my turn signals to the bumper to shave some weight Kidding. I havent heard this as an identifier before, but if you check the VIN you will be able to get an idea of when it was made. Yes, you can get the car as light as you want, it just depends on how much you want to take off. Before you worry too much about weight, what are your plans for the car? Some of the extra weight from the structure may be a benefit if you are going for high torque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 You're correct, MC. (what's your name, anyway?) The 240's and early 260's had the turn signals under the bumpers, and the late 260's and 280's had them in the grilles. Another way to tell is to look at the bumpers themselves. If they're big thick bumpers, it's a late 260. If it's a thin bumper, it's an early one. And like Nic, I believe some of the weight penalty on the later cars was caused by structural stiffening. It might not be a bad idea to have that. You can always duplicate the cosmetics of an early Z on a later car. Whichever 260 it is, it has its advantages. They're less desireable than either the 240 or the 280 in stock form, so don't let them tell you it's a "rare car" and worth more money. For tips on buying an early Z, do a little searching and you'll find bushel baskets of info. Generally it all says the same thing - look for rust, especially in the floorboards, on the frame rails, on the shock towers, and under the battery tray. Poke the areas with a screwdriver to make sure there isn't hidden rust. They're great cars - I hope this one works out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z-rific Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 Some of the weight cannot be removed. The doors have more reinforcement and are heavier. Also, some thicker sheet metal and some heavier reinforcement are on late 260's and 280's and is there for good. However, you can remove the huge crash bumpers and bumper shocks, which I believe is somewhere in the 70 lb. region. Also, if you're doing a V8 conversion, many extras come off, lightening the car further. After taking as much wieght off as is practical, you will still be heavier than a 240, but again, the car would be more structurally sound. Not a bad thing at all, especially if a V8 is in your future. I wouldn't turn down a quality Z with little or no rust for the right price, despite which model. And if you are dropping in a V8, it's much easier to build the engine for more power than it is to try to make gains reducing weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MadCow Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 Hey, thanks for all of the replies people. All very informative. My name is Charles and I am in West Texas. Anyways, big power is in the plans but it seems as though little money is in the pockets. I am just trying to get a car for now with the money that I have saved. Since it was so hard earned I wanna get the car that I want which is the 240, but I will take one that can be just as light withoout going to extremes. As was mentioned I am worried about the unremovable weight. I am sure it is good to have a stiffer structure but I think that a 240 260 or 280 will need further stiffening so it seems the one that starts out the lightest is best. As far as my plans they were mentioned in an earlier post but I will keep em a secret till I get some money and something actually going on. I don't wanna seem all talk so once things materialize I will fill you guys in. Thanks and any other replies would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MadCow Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 Oops, forgot. Seems there is another one nearby with a salvage title. Is this a no no? And if you'll know of any for sale in the West Texas region let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nic-Rebel450CA Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 Salvage title is going to cost more on insurance. Not sure if you can get them cleared like you can here in CA. Find out why it is salvaged and consider using that to you advantage for price. A Z that was involved in any minor accident could have been written off as a total loss and deemed a salvage if it was priced by blue-book instead of as a classic. My Z is worth about $1,200 by blue-book, but about $16,000 when calculated as a classic. It's a lot easier to end up with a salvage title $1,200 car than a $16,000 one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 I think (in Texas, at least) that it's possible to 'un-salvage" a title. I'm not sure what it takes to do so, but you might look into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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