Just noticed its a 260Z, should've put my glasses on earlier, I'll tell my friend because he had a 260Z 2 seater and always has a project on the go 
240Z video
- Thread starter inkey$
- Start date
Darren Slone said:inkey$ said:
Let's have some details
I bought it a couple years ago from a guy called Geoff Gale who used to run this company: http://www.auto-active.co.uk/ when he decided to shut up shop. He'd bought it some time prior from a chap who'd bought it many years ago, done some welding to the floors, then left it in a barn for a decade. Geoff recommissioned (some welding, some brake and fuel lines, head gasket, bodged the exhaust up etc etc) and MOT'd it, and stuck 6-months tax on, so it was roadworthy, but tatty to say the very least.
I did a few miles (as in about 40) then took it off the road to tidy it up over that winter. I did many, many small areas of welding including complete new lower rear quarters, lots of bodywork, and a cheapo paintjob (http://www.rickwrench.com/index79master.htm?http://www.rickwrench.com/50dollarpaint.html) the general reaction to which being "YOU DID WHAT!?!?... Oh wow that really doesn't look bad actually..." bought a complete new rubber seal kit (some still not yet fitted), Mk1 MX5 seats (only rested in at present and needing some minor modification to fit), American style front indicators (rare and way, way better than the nasty UK ones), did a 280ZX alternator upgrade as the old external voltage regulator was playing up, replaced some coolant hoses, rebuilt the door hinges with new pins, and numerous other bits of cleaning / refurbishing / tidying etc. Then I lost interest and patience and had a change of heart and it's basically just sat there in my garage ever since.
It's running 240Z carbs (common upgrade as much better than the 260 ones), Janspeed manifold, Hilux front calipers (common bolt-on upgrade), polished rocker cover, Appliance Industries slot mags, but is otherwise pretty much original. Having only been started a few times in the last couple years it's running crap. Bodywork I can do (couple years as a panel beater when I was 18/19), but mechanically I'm a novice and wouldn't know where to start really. The choke linkage needs playing with as currently it's only really operating one carb (causing obvious cold running problems). There's a fuel leak from one of the hose connections to the carb (all the soft hoses could do with replacing really). The rev counter stopped working - I bought a spare on eBay but haven't fitted or confirmed if it's the right one yet, as I understand there are two types but they both look the same. The fuel gauge doesn't work but I think it's just a dodgy connection at the tank. I suspect the tank to be full of crap and badly needing a clean out and refurb. I frankly think all the hard fuel and brake lines need replacing. The engine bay is a bomb site - I was going to pull the engine out, take it all back to bare metal and POR15 it. The interior is tatty and missing three quarters of its screws / clips, and the rear panel cover is missing completely, although the dash is nice and crack-free (common problem). I'm sure more would come out of the woodwork on MOT and after a few hundred miles of driving of course.
It wasn't registered until Jan 1975 but is in fact one of the first 100 made, meaning late 1973 manufacture, so should be tax exempt with a letter from the club.
I always liked that it was a bit tatty and inexpensive. I saw it as something I could drive, not worry too much about or have to treat with kid gloves, and just keep on the road very cheaply with a bit of easy tinkering. I still see it as that, but ultimately decided I wanted a nice DD (my Z4C) and a bike instead, and haven't the funds, space or time for all three sadly.
Darren Slone said:Just noticed its a 260Z, should've put my glasses on earlier, I'll tell my friend because he had a 260Z 2 seater and always has a project on the go
Yep, although being an early 2-seater uses the same shell as the 240Z and is for all intents and purposes pretty much the same - only those who know what to look for can tell the difference, other than by looking at the badges. Not to be confused with the 260Z 2+2 which quickly replaced it and wasn't nearly as pretty.
TDJ said:Darren Slone said:Let's have some details
It wasn't registered until Jan 1975 but is in fact one of the first 100 made, meaning late 1973 manufacture, so should be tax exempt with a letter from the club.
.
My old 240Z was registered Jan 1st 1975 but actually manufactured in 1970, obviously stood around for a while
Darren Slone said:TDJ said:Darren Slone said:Let's have some details
It wasn't registered until Jan 1975 but is in fact one of the first 100 made, meaning late 1973 manufacture, so should be tax exempt with a letter from the club.
.
My old 240Z was registered Jan 1st 1975 but actually manufactured in 1970, obviously stood around for a while
Wow, a '75 240z, bet that confused a few people! Dealer demonstrator perhaps. Even so, never heard of one registered that late before - very rare!
My mate had a Siver 240Z too VWX 22N mine was GPX 13N so both unusually late registered 
ChrisC85 said:
Snap. I'm struggling to find the time to finish the current project (expected to be back on the road this summer but looks unlikely now). I already have another project car sitting waiting to be started after this one. However, I rather fancy this. I'm just thankful it's at the other end of the country so logistics make it too much hassle.
