At least I'm hoping... 
I'm looking at a 240Z in an hour, what should I look out for other than rust? Any trim pieces that are really hard to get? (like MR2 ash trays?) Anything wrong with the '73 year in particular?
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Oct. 15, 2010 2:33 p.m. mr2peak Reader
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Oct. 15, 2010 2:47 p.m. pete240z SuperDork
they are not that bad.
flat top SU carbs - easily replaced
owner replaced downdraft webers suck too.
window regulars sell well on ebay, door panels seem to be golden too.
the console, heater/radio panel, ashtray, fuse box cover, rear thin plastic panels and dash are getting to be expensive ebay parts.
rust is bad and any wierd 1970's "custom" crap is scary (same thing Corvette's and Porsche's suffered)
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Oct. 15, 2010 2:54 p.m. integraguy Dork
The '73 year of most cars for sale in the U.S. is not the best you can find, usually, the similar '72 is a better car. Why? There were stricter crash/bumper laws that went into effect in '73 as well as stricter smog laws.
As far as what to look for, rust is usually the biggest problem with these cars as the sheetmetal is, or at least seems thinner than most American cars of the period. If the front valence is not perfectly straight, you are highly recommended to have the car put on a lift to check the frame rails for damage, rust or otherwise. Carbs MAY be the biggest engine troublespot.
I used to own a 280Z and had catalogues from a few of the the bigger "Z" specialist parts suppliers. I wish I could remember what is and isn't easy to find. Basically, avoid the 2+2 model, as it has several "model specific" parts, like door panels.
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Oct. 15, 2010 3:02 p.m. pete240z SuperDork
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-240z-Interior-Door-Panels-Black-Very-Rare-NO...
At least you can buy all the body repair panels for the 240Z. Try finding a Datsun Roadster or Datsun 510 fender or rear quarter panel. Good Luck.
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Oct. 15, 2010 3:09 p.m. captainzib HalfDork
I've seen catalogs that have everything you need to do a full restoration. I dunno how much money you're willing to spend, but I figure it's nice to know the option is there should you want it.
Sorry I can't remember the name of the catalog though.
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Oct. 15, 2010 4:42 p.m. racerdave600 HalfDork
Rust rust and more rust. That's the biggest problem I can find. I have a '71 and looked for 2 years before I bought one. It still needed a resto, but so did many of the so called "nicer" cars that I looked at. Rust is THE biggest enemy. A replacement dash, if you can find a good one, is also very pricey, but you can get a cover for it that is not too bad. The biggest difference in the '73 is the carbs, easily swapped, the bumpers stick out a bit more, but not too bad. If I had choice between a rust free '73 or a somewhat rusty '72, it wouldn't be a choice. There simply isn't enough non-correctable differences to justify a more rusty car even if it is a preferred year.
There are several different parts suppliers, such as Motorsport Auto, and if you check out some of Classic Motorsports stories on their 240Z, they list a bunch as well.
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Oct. 15, 2010 4:43 p.m. jimbob_racing HalfDork
The vendors everyone is think of are Motorsports Auto and Black Dragon/Victoria British. Classic Datsun is also a good resource. All are advertisers in GRM/CM.
Great cars. I own a few.
Rust on the frame rails and inner fenders under the hood are killers. Check for heavy undercoating, hack job repairs and pounds of bondo. Everything else is fairly inexpensive and easy to find.
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Oct. 15, 2010 6:09 p.m. cwh SuperDork
I love them. That is all.
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Oct. 15, 2010 10:03 p.m. mr2peak Reader
So....
The car had rust in the frame-rails. Not a lot, It will definitely survive for a long time and was worth what he was asking, runs strong and looks great from 10 feet. But not what I need. Plus it was an auto.
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Oct. 15, 2010 10:05 p.m. JoeyM Dork
Buy it....then megasquirt it, and sell me the carbs and intake manifold.
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Oct. 15, 2010 11:00 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork
Where are you located and how close to running does the car have to be?
In other words do you want to build one up or find one that's in near perfect conditon?
BTW under the battery box is almost always rust.
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Oct. 16, 2010 4:29 a.m. wheels777 Dork
JoeyM wrote:
Buy it....then megasquirt it, and sell me the carbs and intake manifold.
JoeyM, I got stuff. 71,74,75 and 76 stuff. I've owned 5 of these cars. Still have the 74. Contact if I can help.
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Oct. 16, 2010 7:15 a.m. JoeyM Dork
wheels777 wrote:
JoeyM wrote:
Buy it....then megasquirt it, and sell me the carbs and intake manifold.
JoeyM, I got stuff. 71,74,75 and 76 stuff. I've owned 5 of these cars. Still have the 74. Contact if I can help.
You've got a PM
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Oct. 16, 2010 7:43 a.m. dmyntti New Reader
If Wheels doesn't have what you need I have a 71, 73, and a 75 which is a challenge car. I have alot of parts available for these cars, just let me know what you need.
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Oct. 16, 2010 8:31 a.m. wheels777 Dork
JoeyM wrote:
Reply sentwheels777 wrote:
You've got a PMJoeyM wrote: Buy it....then megasquirt it, and sell me the carbs and intake manifold.
JoeyM, I got stuff. 71,74,75 and 76 stuff. I've owned 5 of these cars. Still have the 74. Contact if I can help.
