JP Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Hi Guys, After a lot of consideration and a heavy heart I have decided I have to sell my project car. A lot of you have seen the progress of this over the years, but unfortunately lately progress has stalled due to other work, travel and home commitments. Most of you know what you are looking at so I don't need to plug the car too much here, but here is a copy and paste of the ebay spiel: For sale is a 1977 Datsun 260Z 2 seater. This has been my project car for a few years and has been a slow, no expense spared project to build my idea of the ideal Z car. Being a '77 car, it used the stiffer updated body (US 280Z) which I chose as the best base for the extra power planned. The car was bought complete and driven for a short time, it was the straightest Z car I had seen (and I have owned several). All hanging panels, lights and trim come with the vehicle (minus OEM seats). Basically this car would suit someone considering a RB powered Z project or a lightweight RWD project car. All the hard work and more importantly expense regarding fabrication is complete, however there is enough left to personalise the car to you tastes. Fabrication and repair is often the most daunting part of these projects and the area where big budget blowouts occur, in this case it has already been done. At last estimate the total spend on this project including the car purchase price, body work, fabrication and parts was between $35k-$40k. Hard to believe, but it often happens I now learnt the hard way! I realise this is a large amount and some cars are built for less in backyards, however you have to consider that no expense spared on structural and safety items as this car was built to be legitimately engineered and 100% road legal as well as confidently safe for its driver and passengers. Body The body while very straight, was stripped and sandblasted on a rotisserie. All rust spots were cut and with new metal panels fabricated and welded in. The frame rails were replaced from the rear and extended/tied into the rear subframe for extra chassis strength. The body was then seam welded for additional strength and primered. The underbody has been sound deadened while the cabin and engine bay were painted in Porsche Seal Grey. Engine Currently installed is a Series 2 RB25DET from an R33 Skyline halfcut reported to have 90,000kms. Used is professionally fabricated engine mounts and a genuine brand new Nissan 200ZR Oil Sump to fit the Z cross member configuration. Fuel Injection Bosch 040 external fuel pump Surge tank Lift pump Braided lines Drivetrain RB25DET gearbox - Much thought, planning and expense went into the professionally fabricated gearbox mount which is often a big hurdle on using this ideal strong gearbox, many opt for the weaker RB20DET gearbox to fit the standard mount. Customised tail shaft R200 3.9:1 Clutch LSD rebuilt by Stan Holmes Customised 300ZX CV shafts All fabrication was performed by Meridian Motorsport. Brakes/Suspension Front 5 stud slotted and vented Brembo rotors (Mercedes) using PBR calipers (VT Commodore) Rear 5 stud XF falcon disc brakes/handbrake Coilover suspension on shortened struts Redrilled crossmember to reduce bump steer Brakes & suspension were purchased and assembled by Speed Technology. All bushes have been replaced with a mix of Nissan genuine rubber and Noltec urethane as per expert advice. Extras All underbody components sandblasted and painted. Mitsubishi EvoVI front mount intercooler Mitsubishi EvoIII Recaro seats/Rails Rear mounted gel cell battery in battery box and heavy gauge battery wiring Reskinned Dash MSA complete rubbers kit New genuine nissan bonnet in box Whats left to finish? Wiring has been started but needs to be completed. Coolant piping needs to be connected. Exhaust and intercooler piping required. Orginal interior is all present however I have always planned to retrim the car. Exterior paint work required. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/140743280570?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_1243wt_1185 Ideally I would like to recoup approaching half of what I spent if possible ( the hours are lost forever!), however will consider all serious offers. I hope most of you can understand and respect that. Looking at $15,000. Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 More Pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 More Pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.A.R. Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Posts Removed. No more comments in this thread guys, UNLESS it's a genuine enquiry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickieB Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 I have a genuine question for JP (sorry Lurch if it's not appropriate). Would you do this again or buy a car like the one you are selling? This is the sort of project i want to do, but i'm unsure whether i want to do it for the journey or the end result. Good luck with the sale, if i win the lotto on tuesday i'll give you 60k for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 I have a genuine question for JP (sorry Lurch if it's not appropriate). Would you do this again or buy a car like the one you are selling? This is the sort of project i want to do, but i'm unsure whether i want to do it for the journey or the end result. Good luck with the sale, if i win the lotto on tuesday i'll give you 60k for it Depends on your background I would say. I am an automotive electrical engineer so for me I would 100% buy this car in the state it is in because it is exactly where my skills and enjoyment come into play and can still be tailored to the owners taste. The reengineered driveline was a huge expense to me because I wanted it done perfect and it was not something I have skill in yet. It took a huge amount of time and expense and if I had started with this base it would have been finished by now. If you were a mechanic, or fitter & turner or some other sort of mechanically minded person your enjoyment may be the opposite to mine and you prefer the bodywork/fabrication/mechanical phase more and would like to start form scratch yourself. When I bought this car I looked at dozens of cars which had the rust cut out just to use as a donor base, basically to avoid the expense and tediousness of doing it myself. This would have been perfect. There were a few around but on inspection none were great and none had the bodywork documented in any way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vramjee91 Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Where is this car located? And when can I come down and have a looksy let us know Vivek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickieB Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Cheers JP, i'm an electrician, about to do my first rust repair in my work ute so see how that goes.. Also i bought my lotto ticket today so if i win you have a good sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted December 1, 2014 Author Share Posted December 1, 2014 I just had a look in my garage on the weekend and this is still there. I've been working fly in fly out this year and with a potential move overseas coming up, I really have no time to spend on her. Open to serious offers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniperwoods Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 What a shame, If I was in a position to house this I would have snapped it up by now. Renting with no garage at the moment kinda sucky. Good luck with your sale mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dat240z Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Copy that, this is a seriously cheap way of entering an RB z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 Thanks guys. If I had some sort of permanent storage I would definitely not be selling and just wait until life slowed down a little. I've had a few people look and a few offers, but I have to say in my experience there is no way you could collect all these parts (if you could find them!) without the car for this price. Likewise you'd be hard pressed to find a 2 seater in this condition for any price, dead straight, perfect original floors not to mention the body work performed with frame rail replacement/extension, seam welding etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniperwoods Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 I really hope you can find a good buyer, such a good base to turn into something truly amazing. If I had a garage........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted January 3, 2015 Author Share Posted January 3, 2015 Sold today. A real tear jerker to see her go after so long, so many hours and so many plans. Thanks for all the support here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmates260z Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 That must have been very hard. Is the new owner a member? At least then you can watch it progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted January 3, 2015 Moderators Share Posted January 3, 2015 Must be hard to let her go. Hopefully the new owner will complete your vision. There will be another one, one day. Cheers PB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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