Leaderboard

TD - I've also got a '73. If I were you I'd do the following: - $158 - Relay upgrades for headlights http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic10d06/12-4651; - $62 - Parking Light Relay Harness from MSA - which one depends on date of manufacture of your '73; - $199 - MSA fuse box (I installed mine 10+ yrs ago and have had no issues since) http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic10a03/50-5010; - $130 - Upgrade to internally regulated alternator - http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/12-4068 - ~$100 - if you're still running points, do as suggested by Siteunseen, upgrade to the ZX E12-80 electronic distributor, I did this in 1998 and have had no issues since; - ~$160 - inspect & replace ball joints, tie rod ends if required - ~$100 - high performance brake pads, I've been running Hawk HP+ pads on my 240z for ten years, dusty, noisy if you don't brake hard occasionally, work good when cold but OMG do they work when warmed up! IMHO the stock brakes with upgraded pads work very well; - ~$20 - speed bleeders for front and rear brakes, can't believe it took me 24yrs to install SB's, makes bleeding brakes a simple one man job! - ~$20 - quality brake fluid to flush and bleed your brakes; - $35 - MSA Tension rod kit, http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic20j/23-4190, just installed it this winter, wish I'd done it years ago - $14 - 2x Tension Rod Rubber bushings for the back side ot the MSA Tension rod kit (IMHO you don't want urethane bushings on the T/C rod mount); - $600 - replacement strut cartridges, I just installed Tokico Blues - $45 - don't forget to change the front strut bearings and rear strut spacers when you change the inserts - $45 - strut bellows to protect your shiny new strut inserts - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1209170&parttype=7592 - $240 - lowering stiffer springs, I installed Suspension Techniques Sport Springs 15yrs ago and love the way the car handles - $230 - sway bar kit, I installed Suspension Techniques kit 15yrs ago with above springs, love my Z's handling - $720 - front and rear JDM style clean bumpers, http://www.futofab.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=131&Itemid=118 - $70 - early 240z front bumper mounts, required to install smaller front bumper on '73 240z, '73 rear bumper mounts will work with early rear bumper Total - $2,938 + shipping, tax, etc may be close to $3,000. If you do the above, I think you'd be very pleased with the results. Let us know what you chose to do and how it turns out.

1. Fix everything that is broken or not functioning on the car. That should burn up most of the $3,500 right there.

You do such a beautiful job! The welding is amazing, so fortunate to see a pro doing it as an inspiration and thanks for sharing. I now will look into learn how to tig weld one day...

Looks good. Like the mods on the rails

Thanks for the advice everyone! I ended up passing on the 260Z and, after almost buying serval times, ended up finding a 1973 240z (Orange!) that is restorable (and runs!!) for less than the 260 would have cost me and in better condition (!!!). I'm officially part of the club, an will start posting my process as soon as she arrives.