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Touchdown!

Very interesting car. No doubt, the color code on the radiator support is puzzling. I find myself wanting to see 30-40 high resolution photos of lots of key areas. Personally, I don't see what another poster is seeing with the tunnel under the ash tray. Looks right for the blue paint to me but again more resolution would be better. If we were playing a no risk game and I had to decide whether it is a 350 mile car based only on the photos provided, I would have to vote that it is a 350 mile car. To me, the zinc and metal under the hood, while dirty, doesn't look like a 100,350 mile car. I don't think you have showed us the "dent" in the fender but I would try like heck to not disturb the original paint. If it means leaving the dent, fine. If it means finding the best paintless dent person on the planet and fixing without painting then ideal. No matter what though you have a great car to own and enjoy. No doubt you could flip it...but you could also enjoy it some and flip later. Welcome to the site! More photos please! Edit: One other thing I would do if it were my car...I would remove the original seats and save them and find another set on ebay to restore. If you show the car install the original seats. When you drive some...use the restored seats.

btw why are parts missing? (Bumper, radio, centre console)

I purchased this 1973 240z CA/AZ (one owner car) that's been hibernating for 25 years in a AZ. garage. I am working on waking it up. (See NEW MEMBER - NEW CAR Topic). Work started - Pulled the head, there was a bent push rod and a bad lifter. Sent head off for a rebuild (forgot to take a picture before installing). The timing chain was installed incorrectly in the past (180 degrees off) this would make the car run poorly (as you can imagine). Maybe that's why the PO parked the car in a garage for the last 25 years. The exhaust manifold was cracked all the way through, it couldn't be repaired so I ordered a coated header. Exhaust system from MSA TBC Coated 6-1 Header and MSA Premium Exhaust System. New parts installed - new timing chain, water pump, fuel pump, MSA 60 Amp alternator, and motor mounts. Exhaust came in last week, finishing up the engine and then starting up the engine / car for the first time in 25 years.

I thought this was pretty good money. Looks like a nice clean car https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-datsun-280z-20/

Numbers like that are rewarding on many levels and also a good reason to keep a car as original as possible.

My Dad used to "fix" his work (logger) pocket watch by soaking it in clean diesel oil and letting it drain. He kept cheap ones going for years that way. Would it be worthwhile to lightly lube the works of these old clocks with a super light weight oil like turbine oil?

Just took at look at the paint samples my painter laid down yesterday. They look GREAT! That orange is browner than I thought, but it matches the photos and samples I have. I forgot to take pictures, but I’ll see if I can get him to send me some.

I really like the looks of the green on brown Z in the middle of those pics. Anyone know the owner? Need more pics of it.. ?

"If something looks too good to be true...." No offense, but I see something else again in the available fotos. Between the re-paint (look at the ash tray pocket on the tunnel, always the exterior color), the road rash on the leading face of the suspension, and the discoloration of the exhaust (and where is its heat shielding), my dough's on 100,350mi. Another $.02 from the peanut gallery.

Probably doesn't want to have Mrs Jeff out DRIVING a super fun car while he WAITS for expensive Porsche parts. ?

I had flashbacks, Jeff! Flocking is a lot harder than all the other YouTube videos make it look (three tries for me until the results were "good enough"). Sorry to hear that you'll need to sell the Z to fund the other projects.

Was very amusing to watch Matsuo-San. He was opening doors and hatches, turning on engine lights, touching paint and engine at will. He is the only person that could get away with that. ? Actually, I think it's considered an honor to have him touch your Z

Yeah, I can't figure out what to make of this car. Strange mix of what looks completely new and other stuff that just doesn't look quite right. That's why I'm looking forward to a copious number of high quality pics.

Is there caked dirt on the clutch pedal? If not, that looks pretty worn for a low mileage car.

Guys pay thousands to get that look on their pick ups and here the expensive part of the rat rodding has already been done for you.

Always set a clock by turning the hands past the current time and then back to the correct time. ie if the clock is 15 minutes late and reads 6:35 when the actual time is 6:50, advance the clock to about 7:15 and then back to 6:50.

Another problem I have seen lately is that the bearings, and there are about 5, can become worn and cause problems. What happens is the shafts attached to these bearings will start to wobble and the associated gears bind and lock up. Again the wear is associated with the oil that attracts the dust and dirt and reacts like sandpaper on the bearings / rotating surfaces. Replacing the bearing(s) is the only solution. These are very small and difficult to work on. I do have refurbished 240 mechanisms 4 -sale on my web site, zclocks.com/sale-items.html Hope this helps....Ron

Just get rid of the shielding, you sissy.