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More progress, I put a lot of time in this weekend.

First major milestone - strip the Z down to a bare shell and get it on the rotisserie for media blasting. Took pictures throughout so that I could use as reference and documentation. Overall pretty solid car. Didn't uncover anything major (yet) on the body during the tear down. You might pick up the group of Klassic Fab JDM replacement panels underneath the car. I'll get to those shortly.

Close…..still my favorite color @siteunseen.

Same process I used on the Silver Z, we had the entire shell dustless blasted back to bare metal. I did have them avoid the roof to prevent potential damage. Being that the quarter panels were mainly original paint, they required very little effort to blast and a low risk for damage. Doors, hood, hatch, fenders - these only received blasting on the interior surfaces and around tight areas sanding would be difficult to complete. For these exterior panel surfaces we'll take those down to metal manually.

A quick little update on my 240z DBW gas pedal box from a 350z. I drilled the plate to match the 240z one then ground off the pedal stop. Lines up and bolts right in! I get full pedal travel and the stock stop on the floor it’s nicely. Next is buying a stock gas pedal and cutting off the pedal plate and welding it onto this one. Then powder coat it all to match the stock black. All in all very nice and easy.

I Just found this in a collection of brochures: Anyone on the Forum own one? Keith

Here's day 1 of the build before the full blown tear down began. Pretty typical Texas car that didn't spend much time outdoors, if any at all. I believe we had pulled the front bumper to replicate the mounting brackets for another build at the time, but a complete car otherwise.

Gosh this is going to be nice. laser cut plate welded then off to powder.

The signature pic is from 2021, probably with the cut-down stock springs. Here is another view: This is an earlier pic with the Eibach's, just a tad lower:

That's unfortunate considering the numbers are not accurate and basically useless. I agree with buying your own gauge and doing it yourself. I am sure you have the skills to accomplish this with a little instruction from us.

Figured I'd post up another build thread we've been working on for some time now, if anything for the entertainment of others to view. This is my personal Z I've had for some time now. Was actually in the process of tearing it down when a Series-1 came up for sale locally, temporarily putting the project on hold. If you're more interested in a completely bone stock resto you can hop over to that build thread here: Restoration of HLS30-12070 Back on the current build and some history on the car. It’s a late '72 build that had been sitting since '86 in dry storage when I bought it. 51K on the clock, few bumps and bruises but a very solid and complete car to work with. We did the typical work to get it road worthy again - brakes, suspension, fuel system, etc. Overall not a great deal of effort to get it running and driving. From there I drove it as-is for 6-7 years. Was really a great car, decently comfortable and reliable in stock form. Then I got the great idea that it was in dire need of some improvements, and the whole 'While I'm Here" mentality eventually lead me to stripping the car down to a bare shell and starting from scratch. More post to come from where the car started out to the latest progress on the project.

Great to see another "Z" getting your treatment. Can't wait to discover what you have planned for this one.

I too thought it was on the expensive side though figured I was paying for the effort someone else put into forming the bends that I would now not have to deal with. In the end I decided it was worth it for me at that time. Agree about the Continental labeling on the hoses, that was a disappointment as it was nowhere in the pix nor the description. As far as the clamps, I simply reused my old ones everywhere I could, I think I ended up using 2-3 of the new ones and they are in locations where nobody will see them fortunately.

Neither the New York Auto Show nor November 1969. Call me 'old school' but I am preferring real intelligence over the artificial stuff...so far.

Finished removing the factory EFI and added new engine and fan harnesses today. Also mounted a new FPR.

It looks good to me as is. I have what jonbill suggested done to mine. They called it "collapsing" the springs. I run 15" wheels and really like the look. Looking closer, the front may be a little higher? I'm not sure the brand name but I've read there are "front" and "rear" specific struts that have been installed wrong.

Isn't that what stock looks like on US cars?

You know you are in trouble when the shop asks "is it OBD1 or 2?"🤣

jalex should put the engine specifications in his signature. Carbs, ignition system, etc. Can't remember the details. A multi-spark ignition system might help for something like this. MSD. Cheaper than an engine rebuild. The low cylinder pressures could also be caused by an adapter on the gauge. But those are very low, as stated. I think that I used an adapter once and got 125 instead of 175. 80 psi is waaaaay low. I thought the numbers were higher, in past posts. If those numbers were found with a good gauge on anybody's factory stock engine you'd say that the engine was worn out and needed a rebuild.

I've been a first time owner of a 71 for about two years and just now getting around to doing some things I've had planned due to recent back surgery. Every time I have an idea on what to tackle next I come back to this thread and use it as a guide to how to do it right and what it should look like. Amazing work, some of the best I've seen in my few years catching up to this hobby.

Making some progress putting it back together. I didn't like the way the fender and hood fit, so I decided to paint the inside and put it together enough to get it to a frame machine. Then go after the exterior bodywork. Not the ideal, but it is the next right thing to do. Two things I have learned over the years: You cant take too many pictures and never throw anything away! One other thing, aftermarket is never as good as the original.

Does it have a trunk? Pretty rare I would think. You scored! Back in the late 80s a buddy of mine decided he wanted a targa top on his '75. Cut the roof out and the car started folding up. He had some iron welded to the underside then got stuck on a speed breaker. He was an idiot.

Shop charged me 60 bucks jajaaj