lonetreesteve

In my opinion, the #1 through #5 Condition rating system seems to be too broad. I think a lot of cars fall in between. I will use the "Refresh" example since it's probably the most common and the most affordable path for most of us. Here is what I've seen (mostly on the Internet) over the past 4+ years as a typical example of a refreshed 240Z: *#2 quality paint job with all door jambs repainted, underside of the hood, sometimes the engine bay & floor pans if necessary and has all new weatherstripping. *New emblems, new or #2 condition outside mirror & door handles and #2 or #3 condition chrome trim and glass. *New tires, restored or #2 condition original "D" or "Z" wheel covers or #2 or #3 condition dealer-installed slotted mags. *Refreshed interior with rebuilt seats & new upholstery, nice original or new headliner, #2 condition door panels, original radio, perhaps an original non-cracked dash or in a lot of cases a full dash cap. *Chassis is clean and free of rust, but is pretty much untouched and is in #3 condition. *Engine & transmission run strong, but were not removed for the refresh and in most cases had previously been rebuilt years before. *Usually still has the original, matching engine, but may have a different transmission. *Engine bay is clean, mostly original, usually has not been repainted but still is the correct original color paint color. Is without all the bright yellow Cad and Zinc-plated parts and usually doesn't have all the correct clamps, stickers, etc. Based on the different rating systems that have been discussed, this example would probably not be good enough to be a #2 mainly because the chassis and engine bay aren't up to snuff, but it's also too nice to be a #3. IMHO, there really needs to be a better, more expanded grading system that would capture these "tweeners" and be more much more definitive. A 1-10 would probably make a lot more sense than the current 1-5 rating system.

Here are the links to Collector Car Market Review that Chris was talking about. Obviously, 240Z values are all over the board. Just a little over a year ago I sold my #3 condition '71 918 Orange for just under $15k. http://www.collectorcarmarket.com/menus/ccmprcs/70da240z.htm http://www.collectorcarmarket.com/menus/ccmprcs/71da240z.htm http://www.collectorcarmarket.com/menus/ccmprcs/72da240z.htm http://www.collectorcarmarket.com/menus/ccmprcs/73da240z.htm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/77-NISSAN-280Z-Parking-Brake-Cable-RAYBESTOS-BC92952_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQitemZ200237169387 Will this 280Z E-brake cable assembly fit a '72 240Z? I've been looking for one all week and new ones are impossible to find for a 240. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The last time I was at the junkyard (about a year ago), it was still there, but at a different location in the yard. It's located at Speedway Auto Wrecking in Dacono, CO. By the way, for any of you with a morbid sense of curiosity, the hole in the windshield was not from someone's head, but from a rock (there was a big rock sitting on the passenger seat when I took the picture).

Nice looking car, Ron! I've always liked the blue with white stripes look -it reminds me of the old '60s Shelby Mustangs. The dark royal blue you painted your 240Z looks particularly good. A few years ago I took a picture of a 280Z here in Colorado with a similar look (see below). Although it happened to be in a junkyard, I still liked the look even though I tend to lean more towards the purist side.

Excellent prices for Series I cars no matter what the condition. Here are the links to the 2 subject cars: http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/car/748668173.html http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/car/748666341.html Also, looks like there is a '70 on Craig's List Seattle that was just listed today. It provides a web address for the photos; here are both links: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/car/756097494.html http://www.86thandaurora.blogspot.com/

Hi Carl, Since you're keeping track of North American 240-Zs going overseas, I wasn't sure if you knew that my son's and my '71 918 Orange (HLS30-25734) that we sold on Ebay just over a year ago is now in the South West of France. The new owner (Arnuad) has e-mailed me with updates a few times and has sent some pics of the car. He was actually living & working in Manhattan then moved back to his native France last Fall. The pics show the car on my driveway shortly before we sold it, a pic Arnuad sent me during a road trip he took while still living in NY, then when it first arrived in France last Fall. The two more recent pics from this past Spring (still with the NY license plates), show the car with the new after-market wheels, there's a little mud on the car from the roads near his home. By the way, he's holding onto the stock wheels and "D" hubcaps to use for car shows, etc.

I bought one of these and it's been very helpful: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-240Z-1970-1973-Ser-II-COLOR-Wiring-Diagram-11x17_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34229QQihZ012QQitemZ220249869968QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

New upholstery kits and new carpet kits can be purchased from a number of different sources such as www.zcarparts.com , www.blackdragonauto.com or www.ebay.com

I fully understand your position, Steve. To be honest with you, I've had a desire to restore an early '80s Porsche 911SC for quite some time (it was the car I dreamed of having when they were brand new). Perhaps when I'm finished with my 2 current Z projects, I will look for one.

Steve, Is another 240Z project one of the 10 classic cars on your list?

For $2,000.00, that sure sounds like a great deal!

Cool website!

The hub caps are still worth something, so don't get rid of them. "Z" hubcaps in very good shape can go for $100.00 each or sometimes even more on Ebay.

From looking at the pictures, it looks pretty good, especially for only $1,400.00! Heck, I think my paint guy is charging me that much or more for just the paint, primer and miscellaneous supplies on my latest project.

Over 30+ Z-Cars with several 3-digit VIN cars...now that sounds intriguing!! Tony, Would it be possible for you to take some pics of some of the cars at this other place?

I was also saddened to hear of Harvey's passing. He was also the voice of "Gazoo", the alien from the planet Zetox who appeared in the final season of "The Flintstones" 1965-66.

I agree with Mike, those hubcaps are much too valuable to make a clock out of one of them. Clean them up a little bit, take pics of the fronts & backs, then list them on Ebay. Mike is also right that they were stock on '72 through '75 Zs. My son and I sold a set of 4 in similar condition for over $400.00 a couple of years ago.

Typical '60s -early '70s American muscle car - lots of power but can't handle or brake worth a damn!

I like the Series One car that is pictured next to the ZX convertible. It appears to be a good restoration candidate. From what I can tell looking at the pics, none of the cars look like they have very much rust damage (typical of So Cal Zcars). If someone is able to get in contact with the owners of the property, I'm sure they would be open to selling the cars. There certainly are enough of us interested and I'm sure the owners would like to have some extra cash in their pockets rather than just having the cars sit around. I'd hate to see the 240Zs parted-out or crushed, most of them appear to be in good enough shape to be restored.

I agree with you, Mike. It's the same car. Still has the same '72-'73 console, ID plates are identical, same engine, etc. I also agree with Bigoak, a very amateurish & hasty job with terrible bodywork & paint. I would love to have a '69 production year Z, but this one scares me and it's priced way too high for its condition.

Yeah, I sure did. My bad. Before I started the thread I looked under "Open Zcar Discussion" and didn't see anything on it..... I guess "Funnybone" is probably a more appropriate place since this car is really not a Zcar anymore and truly is a joke!

Check this out... I remember seeing magazine articles when I was a kid of some American muscle cars made into 4x4's, but I've never seen it done to a Z-Car. Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6187&viewitem=&item=220238180080&_trksid=p3907.m29

Those wheels and center caps are after-market and not stock and I'm not sure where you can find them. Can any1 (anyone) else help?

The 610 is in remarkable condition, especially considering you found it in a junkyard! I agree with Stephen and would buy it over the 280Z if I were you. The rust on the 280 in the lower front fenders is really bad and has most certainly rusted through to the front end of the rocker panels underneath. If it were a 240Z and depending on what the price was, it might be worth it, but not a 280. Again, nice find on the 610.