YACT: What to do with old cars?

[Ikonomi]

Well, I've got this 1976 Datsun 280Z sitting under the carport out there, covered with a tarp. My dad bought it very cheap from some guys who were in the process of restoring it, and it's in a bad way. The shifter is disconnected from the transmission, all the fuses and wiring are hanging out of the dash, the engine that's in the car is a turbo Nissan engine with the manifold cracked, the body has a few rust spots (I don't know about the frame), and on the interior, the dashboard is split.

Basically, it's dead. The original plan was to restore the car from the point these other guys left it, but we just don't have the time or money to undertake a project of this magnitude. I'd love to work on it if I could.

The good news is that we also have the original engine, which is in fairly good condition. The car would run if the stock engine was dropped in and everything was reconnected. Alas, like I said, time and money.

So, what can one do with a car like this? My mom wants it gone for obvious reasons, and if I have to get rid of it, I don't want to see it scrapped, regardless of its current condition. I'm a big fan of the Z cars. She wants me to sell it to help finance a trip, but I don't know how to start advertising a car in such horrific condition. To compound matters, it was a gift from my dad, so I especially don't want it to just be thrown away.

Any ideas are helpful.

 

[isekii]

can't you just buy one that's running ?
I dont think the 1976 Datsuns are even rare.

 

[Heisenberg]

I'd restore it if it were me. But if you don't want to for time/financial reasons, then sell it. People buy cars to restore all the time.

 

[shimsham]

destruction derby

 

[Ikonomi]

Originally posted by: isekii
can't you just buy one that's running ?
I dont think the 1976 Datsuns are even rare.

Well, the problem is I want to get rid of it. There are currently five cars in our driveway, so there's not much room for one that doesn't work at all, especially when it's got prime sheltered real estate under it for the ones that do run.

I'd restore it if it were me. But if you don't want to for time/financial reasons, then sell it. People buy cars to restore all the time.

I'd love to restore it, if I could. It's got so much potential. But there's just no way... my money is very tight this semester. My mother has been bringing up the dead Z a lot lately, which means it's definitely time to get rid of it. One day, when I have a lot of leisure time and money, I'm going to buy another project and do it right.

How would you recommend advertising it? I guess I just feel weird saying "project car -- absolutely does not run under any circumstances, body rust!" On the bright side, I can throw in a bonus engine for free.

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: Ikonomi

I'd restore it if it were me. But if you don't want to for time/financial reasons, then sell it. People buy cars to restore all the time.

I'd love to restore it, if I could. It's got so much potential. But there's just no way... my money is very tight this semester. My mother has been bringing up the dead Z a lot lately, which means it's definitely time to get rid of it. One day, when I have a lot of leisure time and money, I'm going to buy another project and do it right.

How would you recommend advertising it? I guess I just feel weird saying "project car -- absolutely does not run under any circumstances, body rust!" On the bright side, I can throw in a bonus engine for free.

People advertise project cars all the time. Just make it clear it's in need of restoration.

 

[Eli]

:Q:Q:Q:Q

What kind of shape is it in? Is it a rust bucket, or ?

Where do you live?

<---- in the market for a Z

 

[bockchow]

go to autotrader.com and see what the going rate is for something like that and then put it iup for sale on the cheap side so it moves quickly.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Ebay

 

[TechnoKid]

Drop a small block 350 chevy in there. I think that was one of the datsuns you could.

Or donate it to your local high school's metal/auto shop and let 'em do a monster garage type thing on it.

 

[Ikonomi]

Originally posted by: Eli
:Q:Q:Q:Q

What kind of shape is it in? Is it a rust bucket, or ?

Where do you live?

<---- in the market for a Z

Well, as far as rust goes, I don't think the damage is too bad. It does have body rust, but to the best of my knowledge there's no structural damage -- I haven't found anything rusted out. Of course, that's the kind of thing you can't know for sure until you take the car completely down. I live in Houston, a long drive from Portland.

In other news, I'm checking on prices, and I'm only seeing a few requiring as much work as mine would. The prices for those seem higher than I expected.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Ikonomi

Originally posted by: Eli
:Q:Q:Q:Q

What kind of shape is it in? Is it a rust bucket, or ?

Where do you live?

<---- in the market for a Z

Well, as far as rust goes, I don't think the damage is too bad. It does have body rust, but to the best of my knowledge there's no structural damage -- I haven't found anything rusted out. Of course, that's the kind of thing you can't know for sure until you take the car completely down. I live in Houston, a long drive from Portland.

In other news, I'm checking on prices, and I'm only seeing a few requiring as much work as mine would. The prices for those seem higher than I expected.

Damn, yeah.

As tempting as it is for me to want a "mechanic's special", another part of me also wants to spend 3-4k on something that's going to be in decent shape from the start, and not require a whole lot of money-sinking and time.

 

[olds]

You said cars
If you have a Chevelle that you want to give away, I'll take it.

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
You said cars
If you have a Chevelle that you want to give away, I'll take it.

O hell yeah! Chalk me up for one too.

 

[fredtam]

<---- Z freak

I'm trying to finish my 85 300zx now. I wish the timing was right cause I'd love to find one like that to put a Velo Rossa body on for my wife but then I would have 2 Z projects at the same time. Just to little time. See if you have a local career education center you can donate it to. I'm sure they would gladly take it for their mechanic and bodywork classes and you get a tax break.

Edit: If it was a 240 Iwould buy it right now.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: fredtam
<---- Z freak

I'm trying to finish my 85 300zx now. I wish the timing was right cause I'd love to find one like that to put a Velo Rossa body on for my wife but then I would have 2 Z projects at the same time. Just to little time. See if you have a local career education center you can donate it to. I'm sure they would gladly take it for their mechanic and bodywork classes and you get a tax break.

:Q i dunno about that kit... Text... i would keep the stock 280 front...

do you have any pics of your 300zx? pretty cool... how much did you spend on it already?

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: boyRacer

Originally posted by: fredtam
<---- Z freak

I'm trying to finish my 85 300zx now. I wish the timing was right cause I'd love to find one like that to put a Velo Rossa body on for my wife but then I would have 2 Z projects at the same time. Just to little time. See if you have a local career education center you can donate it to. I'm sure they would gladly take it for their mechanic and bodywork classes and you get a tax break.

:Q i dunno about that kit... Text... i would keep the stock 280 front...

do you have any pics of your 300zx? pretty cool... how much did you spend on it already?

It would be for the wife so and she wouldn't like the GTO. Just got this one about two months ago so I haven't spent a lot of money on it yet. It only has 80K on it. The only thing i've replaced so far is the power unit to the digital dash and a tune up. Next month I plan on pulling the nose, cleaning the engine up, replacing the timing belt etc. Took a couple pics of the interior. Crappy picks but hey its dark outside. Got it from a guy for $1500. His wife had it since new but she is sick now. He thought he was asking to much cause the engine skipped and the digital dash didn't work. Replaced the EGR valve and the power supply to the dash and everything is great now. Kinda feel bad for him. Paint is a little faded but oh well.

I keep telling myself I'll quit messing with the Zs and build my dream car but I need the instant gratification.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: boyRacer

Originally posted by: fredtam
<---- Z freak

I'm trying to finish my 85 300zx now. I wish the timing was right cause I'd love to find one like that to put a Velo Rossa body on for my wife but then I would have 2 Z projects at the same time. Just to little time. See if you have a local career education center you can donate it to. I'm sure they would gladly take it for their mechanic and bodywork classes and you get a tax break.

:Q i dunno about that kit... Text... i would keep the stock 280 front...

do you have any pics of your 300zx? pretty cool... how much did you spend on it already?

I saw a 300ZX for 995 cash sitting in a car lot today. Was tempted to go check it out.

I think I want an older Z though. The more I look into it, the more tempting a 240Z is... but they're also harder to find in good condition.