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Hi Guy, The whole project was actually pretty enjoyable (for the most part) and educational. I think the most important thing I learned is that if you have a decent car to start with, then pay the extra money for a great paint job. That being said, I've actually started stripping and boxing the white car parts. I will sand it pretty bare, then send it off to Miguel to do the paint work, same as the orange car. For the orange car here, I will do a summary here at the end and quote costs, labor, lessons learned etc. I will probably continue the white car blog but not in as much detail. Good to hear from you again. Best regards, Rich

Well sounds like we would get along swell [emoji482] now in regards to your assessed value I couldn't agree more! Wish I could say I paid less but 16k was the final figure. The original owner teared up as she handed me the keys, her last name is O'Neil so in respect to her my plates will read Oneil78! Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Boom on my way home fellas. This car is absolutely amazing pictures did not do it justice and I was wrong it is a one owner 1978 Datsun 280Z this thing is absolutely crazy fellas. More pics to come once I get home Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Couple of comments: Porsche owners (I currently own a 981 Cayman S) share the love for 2 seat, nimble, pure sports cars with a definite GT feel. My Cayman gives me the exact same feeling I had driving my new '77 280Z back in the day. As far as value for that '77 280Z, @riverstonefly2 years ago I paid $18,000 for my 90,000 mile, extremely original, rustfree "78 280Z (no sunroof, impeccable interior) that was only missing the original radio and wheels. Depending on the mechanicals, and the actual quality of the body panels and chassis, I think that candidate is very strong and although a price of 10K would be fantastic, I don't think it's very realistic. I think a fair price would be between 16 and 20K in the current market. That would still make it a good deal since your expenses to bring it to excellent shape would be very reasonable due to the overall condition. The bonus is that despite the opinions of all the 240Z owners on the forum (no nasty comments please ), the 280Z will provide you with a much more refined drive, similar to your SC !

Probably because words fail me. Either that or because I'm on a weather-related go slow after a couple of days of 'Beast From The East' blizzard conditions here in Ye Olde Englande. From the sales blurb: "This evocative 240Z is a super replication of the Nissan works car that was driven by Rauno Altonen and navigated by Jean Todt in the 1972 Monte Carlo rally finishing in a very creditable third place." "Super replication"? It's actually nothing like it. Nothing. Not unless you count red and black paint, a kids art project idea of a carnet number plate and some '5' stickers as 'close enough'... They credited Goertz in the blurb too. That's a top-scoring double fail in Z History Bingo. House! Cars like this are built to purpose, and that purpose is modern historic 'regularity' type events rather than stage rallies. Compliance with modern safety regulations and a bias to practicality is enough to make such cars stray a long way from true period Works specifications. I'm sure it's a good car, but claiming "super replication" of a real period Works car is well wide of the mark.

Congrats on your car purchase! Very Nice. Take good care of that only original once paint. When I lived in the Seattle area, I purchased some of the still available oem parts from Yonker Nissan. Always drew a crowd when I took my 280 there. FYI, later this year, there is a big Datsun event in Canby Oregon. Take that nice car there.

This week I have finally gotten to primer the inside of all the panels, and I get on to tackle the fuel flap.

Take care of those rust spots and do a little touching up and you'll have a really nice car. Congrats! I like that color too. I have to say though, I'm surprised to hear that big bumpered 280Zs are going for so much money though, but it's nice that they're getting some love. What do you intend to do with the car? Any modifications planned, or just keep it factory original?

I see what you meant about the dealer plate frames or whatever being pretty cool. Younker Nissan in Renton still exists, but it hasn't been Younker Datsun in quite awhile. Did you drive it all the way from eastside Seattle, over the pass to Yakima?

I figured 15k as my first guess. You did ok. There are a few little areas that need attention but very clean overall. Near the battery tray, go ahead and neutralize that rust, as well as the rear deck lid area. Also there is so slight bubbling in the front fenders but still very nice! Doors and jambs are clean. Under the hood clean and original finishes still evident. Nice find...

Wow. I'm impressed. I think that might be the cleanest all original 280 I've ever seen. With good pictures, I can usually find fault or untruths in sellers statements, but on that car, at least from the pics, I can't find any. I can't find any evidence to contradict the claim of original paint, and it has been kept in wonderful condition. Based on the cleanliness, I assume that it was rarely driven in crappy weather, and was always stored in a garage. Original paint, radiator and cap, master cylinder, windshield washer tubing, vacuum hoses, EGR is intact, original exhaust system, original frame rails, and the list goes on... Just look at that original yellow chromate! Only things "wrong" are the sunroof, it doesn't have A/C, and it's a four speed instead of the five. I'd trade you for mine in a heartbeat. Even with all the improvements I've done on mine. In a heartbeat! Congrats. My only regret is that you didn't pay more. I like to believe my car is worth more than that, and now I'm not so sure! Now change all the fluids, put in new fusible links, and install relays for the headlights and starter solenoid. Also check that the radiator mounting wings on the upper sides of the rad are still attached. I've seen them come off before, and yours look a little flakey.

1st thing that had to go....that awful front license plate[emoji23] and now I need to make some extra room in the garage Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

The previous owner must have been something special!

Yahoo, you got it and it's as good as you hoped.

Jason, I feel the same way about these parts being something to behold. It is not just the rarity of the parts themselves, but the mystique of the parts as it takes some serious information digging to merely identify the parts. These few interior items we have discussed here are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of neat parts and information that came from the Omori factory(Datsun Comp headquarters that is now NISMO)during the time of our beloved cars. I want to know where the Works race cars where made, see photos of people putting them together, visualize schematic drawings of bucket seats, exhaust systems and other parts. The development that went into the Z is immense and it seems the information of that time and the people that are still around have not been utilized to share this rich history. Have fun with Alan and say 'hello' for me. I'll make it across the pond one day. Sincerely, Ben

Congratulations. Looks like a nice open road to test it out and see how fast you can get a ticket in it haha. Sent from my [device_name] using http://Classic Zcar Club mobile

And...off she goes, back to the owner. Will post overall summary and lessons learned once I get a little time.

That's a hard area to photograph with the engine in place. Here are a couple of overheads of mine. The brackets do not mount to the booster, they mount to the fender well below and above the master cylinder.

Welcome to CZZC @riverstonefly! Beautiful SC! Yep---your new prospective mistress will be a less costly lady to keep. There are quite a few Porche owners, some from this forum, that started out with Z cars. You are going the other way! It's a fact---- I've had more Porche owners come over to me at the gas pumps and start a pleasant conversation than any other car owners---another this past weekend----never had a Vette owner do that!

I just pulled the trigger with a Rebello kit. Dave is prepping me a block and I bought his kit to assemble myself!

Or is it? Seems like I've been seeing a lot of vintage cars up for auction lately with the "20 yrs of dust" look on them, I wonder if this isn't a new pre-auction treatment someone has come up with. I can just see the part timer kid with a flour sieve and the contents of a vacuum cleaner Did no one think to throw a cheap cover over these cars?

Received the bracket today. Bent, no rust, easily straightened, but the first thing I did was drop it off at a custom rubber stamp vendor to have a stamp made to replicate the part number on the bottom of the bracket. Once that is complete I will straighten, sand blast, powder coat, and stamp the part number back on it. It will then be ready for the NOS pump. Will post more once project moves along.

No Prob....it's always good to have a little diversion. Got the luggage straps in and rear panel installed. The interior is pretty much done except for those two little hatch plugs (should be on their way here from Banzai Motorworks). Took one more pic of the car in my garage. It is starting to hit me that the car will be leaving soon. It actually makes me a bit sad. I often walk out into the garage just to look at it. At this point I just have a few parts that I am waiting on but those should be in soon and quick to install. Then a few little adjustments; the brakes squeak and the carbs need some minor tuning and then she is ready to go. Hard to believe that it is just about complete. It has been quite a journey.