anyone who's owned an old Z, a few questions

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
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I was in a parking lot the other night when I saw a car I knew was my dad's dream car in the 70's. I decided to take a pic to send it to him, the owner saw me and came out and we had a nice conversation. Turns out he's selling it, it has some body dings and he said it needs a decent amount of electrical work. I'm not my dad but this would be a real high on my list car. I know it's not an OMG over the top classic muscle car. But there's just something about them that has always made them stick out to me. It's an old car, I'm trying to figure out exactly how much electrical stuff it could even have in it. I know it's more than I'm figuring, but it can't be anything like the monster 1995 Taurus I had (monster in a ugh fuck bad way) I had electrical problems pretty much every 60 days with that POS. I'm like real close to jumping on it and hoping I can tackle the issues myself and they won't jump up. I know it's old so maybe my expectations for it being reliable are over inflated.

ATOT what do you say? Here's a pic

IMAG0005.jpg
 

Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2012
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I had a good friend who had a mid-70s 240Z that had a lot of engine and suspension mods. My God, that car did some amazing things. He scared the absolute **** out me on a few late night canyon rides. Very cool cars.

Check out whether or not there's a Z Car club near you. Also, I'm sure there must be some Z Car forum(s) out there where you could get a much more informed answer to your questions, particularly about the electrical issues. They may not be terribly complex systems, but I've seen cars like 1960s Triumphs with electrical problems that were virtually impossible to fix. It's the type of problem that is _not_ fun for a car owner when it becomes chronic. The type of problem where your car just up and dies on a back road in the middle of nowhere and can't be restarted.

Z Car Club of Colorado
 
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nerp

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
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I like the styling of that car. Those wheels are awful for it, however.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
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I had a 260 Z in great shape. we also bought a 240 and 280 for parts.
 

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
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Those wheels certainly don't look good. Hard to say if they're as cheap as I want to think they are, though...there are a lot of high-end Japanese 'tuner' wheels that have too many holes (not even always a multi-lug pattern...sometimes just 'speed holes' or something I guess) and generally awful styling.

...but based on the rest of the car, I'm going with cheap off-brand wheels. Wrapped in low-end Hankooks or worse, I'd wager. That car just generally strikes me as one that is being 'fixed up' by someone whose work I do NOT want to follow.

It needs more than just a few dents pounded out...that body is rough. And I'm guessing rusty. It doesn't look especially rotten, but there are just hints that it is in pretty bad shape underneath.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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those wheels are awful. needs some body work. needs a lot of checking underneath for rust.

that looks like a 240z based on the skinny bumpers. if it has the original engine, it's carbureted. if you want the car to just run, you want the 280z, which has EFI. or a 240 with the engine swapped from the 280. of course, the 280 isn't as pretty because it has giant 5 mph bumpers.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
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The 240z had a temperamental 2 barrel carb that tended to be very temperamental. The 280zx is the one you want...but so does everyone else. A clean example can be in the $15000-$20000 range.
 

phucheneh

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Jun 30, 2012
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The 240z had a temperamental 2 barrel carb that tended to be very temperamental. The 280zx is the one you want...but so does everyone else. A clean example can be in the $15000-$20000 range.

Which cars had the Brit carbs on them? I know something popular used a 2xSU setup. Those things are pretty good once you figure them out.
 

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
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The 240z had a temperamental 2 barrel carb that tended to be very temperamental. The 280zx is the one you want...but so does everyone else. A clean example can be in the $15000-$20000 range.

Don't want a 280 at all, they're bad ass cars sure, but I don't like how they look. They're just too long for me.
 

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
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Always been a fan of the Datsuns. But sadly in Chicago they are almost all rust buckets.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
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Which cars had the Brit carbs on them? I know something popular used a 2xSU setup. Those things are pretty good once you figure them out.

The SU carbs? They had that same carburetor in my Triumph. I had to keep a screwdriver in the glovebox and adjust the richness every time the temperature varied more than 10 degrees :D After a while, even that wouldn't let it start. Turns out after time the float was up too high.

I seem to remember not being able to keep metering needles on the damn thing.
 

ballmode

Lifer
Aug 17, 2005
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As long as there is no rust on the floor I'd be ok with buying it. If you got friends, are a handyman and got the patience, I would tackle the electrical issues. If the car was cheap enough I might even pay somebody to finish the job
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
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I had a pair of early 80s Z cars about 10-ish years ago. Was working on combining two cars into one. One was a 2+2 with no interior or transmission, but a running engine and the other was a 2-seater with a half-way disassembled engine, 5-speed and no firewall or floorboards forward of the seats. I was looking at welding in the firewall and floorboard of the 2+2 and using the engine from it, but it turned out to be a LOT of work and more money than I would've made from selling parts I wasn't using.

I did make about $350 selling the 100% intact T-tops from the 2+2, and another couple hundred or so from parts.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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Don't want a 280 at all, they're bad ass cars sure, but I don't like how they look. They're just too long for me.

the s30 280z is what i meant. it's the same car, with a slightly beefier suspension and floorpan, and a much less finicky motor. and some big ugly bumpers that you'll want to do away with. you're probably thinking of the 280zx

edit: and not the 2+2 either.
 
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deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
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While I've never owned one, I my brothers close friend did and I own several older cars. So, I'll chime in. Basically what I tell anyone who asks me about an older car is that you need to have the body checked out. Those Datsun / Nissans would rust rather quickly compared to cars that were from the US or Europe. My brothers friend LOVED the powertrain in his, but hated the body. In the old car world, there is a saying that white hides all sin. IOW: Painting a car in gloss black would show most every defect while white helps to not highlight imperfections. If you are serious about wanting the car, bring it to a body shop and have someone look at it. Hopefully you know someone a body shop but even if you don't, be sure to make it clear that you will be paying 1/2 - 1 hour of labor rate for someone to inspect this car. A hundred bucks now could save you MUCH more later. Think of it this way: Whatever defects are found will tell you to walk away or SERIOUSLY improve your chances at negotiating the car to its proper value. It is entirely possible to look at a $5k car and buy it for $2k or $3k once you know what you are getting into.

When I bought my '72 1800ES, I asked the seller where was the closest repair shop he would bring the car to. I went over there and set up with the manager / owner 1/2 hour of lift time for (IIRC) $30 or $40. I knew that getting into a uni-body car that had underlying issues would have been a nightmare. The guys in the shop were great and after they raised the car loaned me a droplight and were eager to take a peek underneath the car also. I was able to look for fuel leaks, oil leaks, trans leaks, rot, rust, evidence of previous accidents / repairs, recent repairs (obviously new / newer parts), etc...

Now here is the interesting part: from what I understand Nissan didn't produce any 2000 Z cars. They were retooling, so 1999 was the last car until 2001 or 2002. IIRC, they restored a slew of Nissan Z's and sold those until the new cars came out in order to ressurect interest in the car and fill in the gap in their lineup. I remember hearing about it because for $20k you were getting a factory restored car. I remember hearing how it affected the pricing on other Z's that were already restored.


EDIT: Does anyone remember hearing that Nissan restored a bunch of first gen Z's (240's?) and sold them in showrooms to cover the gap for the 2000 model year when there was no Z?

Edit #2: The Datsuns didn't use a real 'Skinners Union' SU. But a Japanese equivalant made by Hitachi (the needles are the only part that would interchange). And for what it is worth, a SU is one of the simplest carbs for an automotive application on the planet. Most people blame the carbs rather than the real engine or ignition culprit.
 
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ThaBaldYeti

Junior Member
Dec 26, 2013
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I own a 1980 280zx and have been immersed in the world of Zs for many years now. There are a few prominent z car forums. Just Google it and the main two will pop up. There are sticky posts that describe what to look for when buying one.

These cars require a working tinkering driver. They are not expensive to own but can be time consuming with 40 year old rubber and electronics. They well probably never be worth all of the money you will eventually put into them. These are not financial investments but investments in fun.

Simple to drive, almost bulletproof drive trains, with fairly extensive aftermarket supporters.

To put some rumors to rest. The cars made from 1970 to 1978, the 240z, 260z, and 280z are the most desirable. Not the 79 to 83 280zx, which was heavier and had less of a racing platform. The OP picture is of the more desirable body style. The later years did produce a turbo engine that bolted right into the older chassis.

They are also not worth that much money. Maybe an early production all original 240z might be worth 20k but no normal drivers car is worth more than 10k. They usually sell around 5k.

To the OP if you can read the free factory service manuals, follow directions and use a multimeter you can solve the electrical issues. The factory service manuals have specific values that should be obtained while testing circuits. Parts are readily available from multiple places and local parts stores. You can also check out the local z car clubs which can help you as well. Us z guys are usually very nice and are willing to help anyone and everyone join the z world.
 

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
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the s30 280z is what i meant. it's the same car, with a slightly beefier suspension and floorpan, and a much less finicky motor. and some big ugly bumpers that you'll want to do away with. you're probably thinking of the 280zx

edit: and not the 2+2 either.

Maybe I'm confused but every 280 I've seen was way longer and a lot heavier. Bumpers aside the front end is just too long for my tastes. Though I can't say I specifically know what an s30 looks like by name. I Googled imaged it and what I saw looks about as long as the SX.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
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I would love a rust-free early 70s 240Z in decent shape. Been a dream to get one for a RB26/VQ35 project ;)
 

monkeydelmagico

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2011
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77 280z was my highschool car. Good memories for a great car. I'd love to someday own another as a toy.

What do they want for that Z?
 
Sep 7, 2009
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Looking at the way the body panels line up, the cancer (rust) that was painted over on the bottom of the door and hood, and the ripples in the fender......... I would personally pass, unless it's an $800 'drive it till it dies' beater.

One thing I've learned, is it's well worth the extra $$ to start on a solid foundation with a project car.