Datberger's 240Z - another zed travels west

[datberger]

Hi everyone,

 

My name is Stephen and I hail from Perth.  I have been a zed driver in the past - I had an RB25DET powered 260Z a number of years ago - and recently decided that I needed to have another one in my life.  Something a bit more stock this time.  Here it is.

 

 

 

 

 

I actually found this car through the VicZCar forum.  I posted a wanted ad back in July and I was contacted in October by a member indicating he had the perfect car for me.  It was one of his collection of 4 240Zs and was stock apart from some aftermarket wheels.  The best part was that it had been through a very recent and quite thorough body restoration.  The only catch was that the car was in Coffs Harbour, NSW and I'm in Perth, WA.  As my work was very busy and I couldn't get any time off, I took the bold (foolhardy?) decision to purchase the car sight unseen.  Naturally I did as much research as I could and poured over the photos I was being sent.  I even managed to track down the restorer that worked on the car.  After a good 30 minute chat with him I was fairly happy that the restoration had been performed to the standard I required.  And as I was getting a good vibe from the seller, who seemed very genuine and had a genuine reason for selling, I decided to buy the car.

 

Next came the agonising 2 week wait for the car to be transported to Perth via Brisbane, and Melbourne.  I can't tell you how happy I was to see the transporter driving up my street with a very dusty 240Z on the back.  Happy because the car actually did exist and the whole process hadn't been some elaborate con. 

 

 

However my happiness turned to concern when the driver reversed the car off the truck and it seemed to be running on 3 cylinders.  Turns out one of the carby chokes had stuck on and that combined with the dozen or so short trips on and off trucks and trains meant that the plugs had fouled up badly.  So once the choke was sorted and the car had new plugs (and fuel) it miraculously ran on all 6 cylinders again.  Phew!

 

It has been a month since I took possession of the car and I'd like to tell you how great it is to drive, but I have been so busy I haven't had a chance to get it inspected and registered in WA yet.  Hopefully that will be rectified in January.

 

[PB260Z]

Hi Stephen

 

Really glad you found what you were looking for, and that car certainly looks really good.

Just proves that if you are reasonable with what you a willing to pay good cars are available 

 

Enjoy.

 

Cheers

 

PB

[Grandad]

Hi datberger

 

Great to see another coupe head West, from the pics and your comments that appears to be a very good example of a stock 240, please keep it that way, I look forward to seeing it at the next Zed day.

 

From experience I understand the attraction of turbo power but if you possibly can, please resist going that way with this car.

 

I don't see these old (drive by cable) cars going down in value from here so I suspect whatever you paid will turn out to be good value.

 

Cheers

 

TT (twin turbos)

[Zedman240®]

Congrats on the purchase Stephen!

Looks like you bought a great example of a 240Z. Worst thing to do is look at it in the driveway without being able to drive it...

[datberger]

Thanks guys.  Yes the zed will remain stock, there will be no Skyline motor this time around.  As the car will be purely kept for weekend drives there won't be a need for much in the way of modifications.  Maybe just some light tuning work - extractors, exhaust, MSD.  Oh, and some new wheels when I decide what style and size I want.  I kind of like the Rota RBs on the car but I think 16" wheels look just slightly too big.  Maybe some Enkei Compes in 15" might do the trick.

 

And yes, it is most frustrating seeing the car and not being able to drive it.  I hope to rectify that soon.

[Agno]

Great car Stephen, will you be keeping your GTS-R now you have this?

[datberger]

Great car Stephen, will you be keeping your GTS-R now you have this?

Haha, yes the GTS-R stays put.  Somehow I convinced myself I also need a 240Z in my life.  I didn't take much convincing

[gav240z]

Wow what a truly lovely looking Z. Well done, looks like 1 of the better buys I've seen in a long time. Shame it's no longer in NSW though .

[Grandad]

I've bought a lot of bits and pieces from interstate without issue but for expensive items I have arranged friends or family to inspect it first but not everyone can do that, recently I found this site, looks like a good idea.

https://gotoguy.com.au/

 

[datberger]

I've bought a lot of bits and pieces from interstate without issue but for expensive items I have arranged friends or family to inspect it first but not everyone can do that, recently I found this site, looks like a good idea.

https://gotoguy.com.au/

Yes that is a good idea.  I wonder if they have coverage for regional areas (like Coffs Harbour).  Ordinarily I would have just jumped on a plane to go look at it, but just couldn't get the time off.  Thankfully my wife has a relative in Coffs who could at least do the handover of money and rego papers - the bit I was most worried about.  I suspect if I was more well known on the forum I could have got a fellow forum member to have a look at it for me.  Anyway, it worked out well this time, and my stress levels have now returned to normal... 

[PB260Z]

I suspect if I was more well known on the forum I could have got a fellow forum member to have a look at it for me.  Anyway, it worked out well this time, and my stress levels have now returned to normal... 

 

Yep, Forum members do indeed help each other with Inspections, Pick Ups, and sometimes transport there is sticky on the transport under General Topics.

Like everything it is a two way street.

 

I have been known to drag the odd old pushbike down the east coast for one particular forum member.

 

If you need anything picked up in Sydney just shoot me a PM.

 

Cheers

 

PB

[RB26DETT]

Congratulations Stephen, the car looks really nice and original, can't wait to see it in person

[datberger]

Thanks Cuong.  I hope to have it on the road by mid January.

[datberger]

Some shots of the car in the fog this morning...

 

 

 

 

[gav240z]

I love your car. Looks really tidy.

[datberger]

Haha, I almost forgot I had a thread about this car it has been so long since my last post.  Although not a huge amount has happened, I've been gradually chipping away at the little jobs that needed attention.  I've had a mild cam, MSD and electronic ignition fitted to the car, as well a new 2.25" exhaust system and extractors.  The car now has a little bit more performance which is appreciated and I really like the awesome metallic idle and exhaust rasp on overrun.  Life's too short to drive a boring sounding car 

 

I have also detailed the car a little bit.  I bought a set of second hand luggage straps - I haven't actually used them in anger yet - truth be know I just think they look cool.  I've also been replacing any broken or worn interior bits.  I've been cleaning up the stalks with a tip I got from this forum.  Using hot crayon wax to re-whiten the markings on them.  Works a treat!  I would like to get the correct radio for the car at some stage but after seeing how much they go for, I think I will stick with my awesome auto reverse cassette player currently in it.

 

Over the spring I've been getting out and about with car, mainly just weekend drives in the Perth hills.  I took the car to a couple of Custom Cars and Coffee meets and someone approached me wanting to do a photo shoot of it.  The shoot went well.  These are a couple of my favourites:

 

 

 

 

The full photo shoot is here: http://www.thegaragejournal.com.au/datsun-240z/

 

I also managed to pick up People's Choice at this years Datsun 240Z & 260Z Register of WA Z DAY which I was stoked about.

 

 

[gav240z]

Super clean mate, not surprised someone wanted to photograph it. When did you see an S30z like that on the road?

[oldmates260z]

Dam nice Zed and the photo shoot looks great, interesting BLOG.

[peter t]

Dam nice Zed and the photo shoot looks great, interesting BLOG.

 

Ditto.