geezer

Interesting thread, but nothing surprising or conclusive, which I would expect, because of the nature of evaporating paper trails. I'm sure each manufacturer had their own methods of making what are essentially incomplete assembly components available for sale to not only racing teams, but also other specific need enterprises. I can share with you my limited knowledge of these BIW sales to race teams. The ones I've seen come out of the Chrysler Corporation all had one thing in common, which was a data plate mounted in the engine compartment which was essentially a disclaimer, releasing the company from any liability. I had one that I have been unable to find, that I saved as a curiosity item. I hear they are valuable collectibles today. I never paid much attention at the time to who bought these bodies, which were in various stages of completion when sold, but a few have stuck in my memory. Some teams bought single cars, such as Sox & Martin, who also bought the last 4 hemi engines produced at Windsor's Plant 2. I walked past them every day and seen them collecting dust for months with a tag on the rack saying only "Hold for Sox & Martin". The Imperial Hell Drivers were a stunt driving team that put on exhibitions at various events and also headlined their own shows with their driving skills. They bought these racing only packages a dozen at a time. Every year there were many racing destined bodies plucked out of the system. Some only in primer, others with basic white paint. I never paid much attention to them, but I think they did have a VIN. I also remember a very large order of vans sent to South America, that were bare bodies, only coated in some type of protective oil and had no wiring, suspension or drive trains, that were destined for a corporate coffee plantation. Rust was developing on these before they left the yard. Through out the years I'm sure that any manufacturer that subsidized racing endeavours, also made bare shells/bodies available. I'm sure each manufacturer handles these sales a little differently, but two things seem to be a constant. Record keeping mysteriously disolves into thin air and all ties/responsibility are severed immediately. This is all '60s & '70s history with no relevence to the way things are done today.

Chris, I think John Coffey is referring to BIW packages that can still be bought from these manufacturers today as well as in the past for racing/off road purposes only. They are sold without a VIN or a Statement of Compliance. It is possible to later legally validate these cars for street use, by the manufacturer supplying a VIN along with a Statement of Origin and a Compliance Label. A Federal Safety Inspection has to be passed along with Emission Standards set by Federal and State rulings, then registration at the State Licensing Office (DMV) can take place. That is how it is legally done with the co-operation of the manufacturer, but if you are trying to reintroduce a race car that was initially issued a VIN, back to the street, it will be a great deal more difficult, if for some reason the VIN is now gone. What seems like a good idea, something that won't hurt anyone, such as transplanting a donor VIN is not the way to go about it, even if it would be easy enough to pull off. There is a reason for laws being black & white and that is to keep us honest and out of the gray areas, where people become victims. I don't think the "point" of Alan's post was missed by anyone in this thread.

Congrats! What a great long term project. You can take your time and plan this one out, just don't stick it in the barn and forget about it like you did last time.

It's no surprise that Ebay ended this auction early. The seller may not be doing anything illegal by listing with Ebay, but I'm sure he violated Ebay policy. All Ebay can do is issue a warning and end the auction, but the cat is out of the bag now and everyone in the Z community knows where to buy this "set". Laws are sure to be broken by transporting this "set" across international boundaries, but the chances of being charged are slim. It is even illegal for rosette rivets used to secure VIN plates to be sold or shipped internationally, so why should the sale of this, what I would describe as government regulated documentation be allowed to be offered for international sale? There is enough dishonesty in the vague and outright inaccurate descriptions of vehicles sold on the net sight unseen already, without allowing this practice a foothold in our hobby. Deplorable!

Nice work Fixitman! Here's the offering from the 73/12 HS30 Sports Options Catalog available to the homemarket. Part #98100-E8276 was a 3 piece version that was available. It looks like it is predrilled for attachment? Not a good scan, but another to add to the list.

Ha! That's how it starts...before you know it youve maxed out with 35 modifications. That's what's happening to me anyhow. Seriously, unless the cars sent to us in North America were originally equipt with the rear spoiler, which they weren't, what emblems you use or where you put them is just a case of what an individual thinks is the best look.

I'm not saying you guys are wrong, but your not looking at this in the same light that a true collector would. A true collector does not consider resale value or practicality. They are focused on aquiring the best example they can find and will continue buying better examples as they present themselves. Different collectors have their own way of seeing things and set precedence among their fellow collectors. With Zs, it is the quest for a low VIN and the full compliment of rare early production parts. Other marques have different criteria for collectability. Do a search for the last 1967 Corvette. What makes the last one more collectable in this case? I think it is just the hype generated by the collectors themselves. Market value is set if enough people buy into any particular line of thinking and there are only X number of cars on the market that fit the criteria.

I have a BRE style rear spoiler that does not have the raised flat spot, so I have decided to forego any emblems on the hatch lid or spoiler. No such thing as correct in this case because the spoiler is aftermarket anyhow.

I would pay that amount for this car also. Just not having to ship cross country saves a bundle, making it worth it. Find out all you can about it and have fun.

Didn't mean to scare you, bad choice of words. What I am trying to convey is the loss of maximum velocity of the exhaust because of an oversized system. There are so many factors and combinations of engine builds that would determine this, so it is a matter of following the lead of what has worked for someone else or blaze a new trail and hope for the best. I don't think I have ever seen dual Ansa tips mounted on both sides of a Z before and it would be interesting to hear them. Might sound pretty sweet. Problem is, routing the pipe to the right side, without any interference.

Your 2 1/4" inlets are the limiting factor. In my opinion a dual 2 1/4" system is overkill anyhow. There will not be a backpressure problem. More likely a quench deficiency because of an oversized system. I think it will be fine though, just a tricky installation.

A few modifications are in order if you are using the Ansa tips. Not to say it can't be done or that it would offend too many people here. I am not a purist by any means but do appreciate those who are and also appreciate well done modifications. I am staying a little closer to an original outward appearance, so will be using a set of NOS stacked megaphones that can be swapped out quickly for the stock twice pipe muffler. Here are those example pics and one suggestion for a 2 in 2 out muffler that I am planning on using along with my stackable megaphones.

Without going to a fuel cell and losing the spare tire well, you are limited to what you can do with the available space. Ground clearance and interference are the major issues. This is why the original twice pipe systems exited on the left side only. This would be true of all years I believe. If you route the intermediate section like this original one coming from the header into a 6 into 2 configuration, I can suggest a few mufflers to duplicate this part of the system. I am using this original as a template. What you can do after this section is up to your personal preference. I have some example pics somewhere I can look for if you want.

By the way you posed the question, I don't think you wanted to hear, "replace the floor". But that is what I would recommend also. Take a good look at the area where the floor overlaps and is welded to the cowl/firewall. There is no way to remove the rust that has formed inbetween these two stampings without cutting it right out. The same goes for the seat supports. There is no quick fix to stop the advance of rust between them and the floor either. A little more disassembly is needed to get a good look at the inner rockers & inner rocker panel. This is where a little detective work is required to find the source of water infiltration & entrapment and subsequent developing rust. After all these years it has held up better than some but needs attention now. PS - The garage is coming along nicely!

The term "spook" is trade marked and originated with the roadsters. This is from www.datsun.org & a quote from Pete Brock. A front air dam, incorporating scoops, cunningly disguised as brake ducts, which Pete Brock marketed as a SPOOKTM, (an amalgam of spoiler and scoop). The 2000 Roadster was the first production race car worldwide to feature an air dam. PB:- "Most people thought we were mad 'cause they were so ugly! But they did the job. Under the rules no such device was allowed, but "brake scoops" were permitted. My brake scoop design ran right across the front of the car and complied with the letter of the rules so it was permitted! Later everyone began to copy the idea and then they began showing up on the street. The rest is history". I have one from MSA without ducts, so technically it really shouldn't be called a "spook". It is well built, also hand laid woven construction and perfectly semetrical. Mounts the same as the ducted version.

And a camera! The more eyes going over it the better. Edit - oops, Sailor Bob already said camera.

From the routine long distance picture inspection it looks to be a solid car Rick. The front side rails seem to be in great shape. You should be ready for the road by next season easily if you stick to the plan and just replace the worn out bits and concentrate on getting her running nice. The few rust areas you found can be dealt with individually when time permits, as long as you don't allow it to get any worse. It doesn't seem to be much more than cosmetic anyhow. A little sad seeing your other Z under a tarp, almost a hint of winter being right around the corner again.

Hadn't heard what health issues you had and it's none of my business, but I certainly noticed your absence; glad to hear youre OK! Welcome back.

Randy, this car has the appearance of being set aside and forgotten. A good cleaning and systematic inspection will reveal more about her. Seems to be complete and looks to have the makings of a good spare time project.

LOLThat's funny Zak, but the exact thing I was thinking. Key blanks like that come under the catagory of "wait till they fall in your lap", because if you go looking for them specifically, it'll cost ya. Even then, I don't have the sharp eyes of Arne to make sure I got the right one.:cross-eye

Be careful, youve got those Zs right where the moose run through your yard...then you'll have more than shipping damage! I hope the good outweighs the bad, as far as your expectations go. It's too bad anything was damaged, even so, she takes a great pic!

Real nice spread! That will be a family keepsake for sure. It's funny how they got the owner's name wrong and it may become even funnier after translating all the text. You need a bigger display case now.

I don't know about pretend, but in the real world if one was sold at auction we would find out what it is worth to the winning bidder...or if you were to offer one up for a rediculously low price and I snapped it up right away, we wouldn't know anything, but I'd be happy!:classic:

Hey Dave, what are you angry about? Just kidding. I tried looking in your profile to find out where you are located. Where is Enterprise? I have extra fenders & hoods for anyone who is in need, but I won't ship them. Welcome to the club. Try putting an ad in the Classified, Parts Wanted on this site.