Thoughts On Left Hand Vs. Right Hand Drive Z

[gav240z]

To the OP.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1975-datsun-280z-2/

 

I reckon a good 280z 2 seater can still be snapped up relatively cheaply. The 240z and 260z's have already started to soar in value but the later 280z's have lagged due to the hideous bumpers etc..

 

But they come with a 2.8ltr, have a stiffer body and are fuel injected (all positives if you ask me).

[Webby]

That 280z looks really nice Gav!

 

To anyone who has imported a vehicle from the US, any preferred shipping companies and/or brokers that you have used or know of? I've started making enquiries with a few groups I found by googling to get a better estimate on costs. Having read through some of the customs website, it does sound like there's a lot that can go wrong. While I'm learning what's required, I still have unresolved simple questions like how to best pay a private seller from the US with minimal risk to both parties.

Edited September 4, 2016 by Webby

[gav240z]

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/topic/11398-iron-lady-imports-importing-a-vehicle-into-australia/

[CBR Jeff]

Webby. Looks like you might have an interesting 9 hours. Good luck. That is a nice looking car.

Jeff

[Webby]

Thanks Jeff! The worst part is that I have a flight tomorrow morning and might need to head to the airport super early to make sure I'm not driving when it's scheduled to end!

[CBR Jeff]

Better luck next time Webby!! That ended much higher than I though it would (US$16000.00). It would have been a nice but possibly expensive left hooker by the time it was registered in Oz.

Jeff.

[gav240z]

So did you win? $16k is a good but fair price in my opinion.

[CBR Jeff]

No Webby missed out. I was just lurking. I was looking at the skyline and the Falcon Shells (very cool car, would be worth a motza if it's history could be verified. The skyline might represent very good value being a RHD in that market and I'm sure they will become more of a collectors car as time passes.

Jeff

[gav240z]

I may be able to help with sourcing a relatively rust free LHD car but it would be a project... I'll be heading to the US in October so would also be able to inspect a couple in person.

 

There might even be the possibility of a RHD Fairlady Z shell (72 mode), which could be imported.

[CBR Jeff]

Mmm  I think I better finish what im doing first but its always good to dream.

Jeff

[Webby]

Unfortunately didn't win, the winning bid was a bit over the "hard" limit I set myself last night. My not-so-lucid 4 AM brain was tempted to push it, but after taking into account all of the costs to get it home it probably would've been a bit too expensive.

 

Having said that, I think it was probably a good price for that car, it's super nice! I reckon I have to think more carefully about how much I want one of these because I don't think I'm going to get something I really like for much less!

 

Thanks a bunch for bringing it to my attention though Gav or I may not have even had the opportunity. I really appreciate your offer to help as well! As much as I'd love a project car, at this stage I wouldn't have enough time to commit to it; I'm looking for something that I can spend a bit of time maintaining but drive straight away. I'll keep looking...

[Knight240Z]

I maybe out of touch but isn’t 16kUS a bit high for a 280Z in the US? Especially this had a repaint and as nice as it looks it's not a collectors' car that was not used much so there may be some things hidden that will need some attention.

 

It made me think of a 260Z I found in the US once and didn’t pull the trigger, it was all original including the paint and not a change to any of the parts (it was a late 260Z) so it had the big ugly bumpers which was the reason I was thinking it's too expensive for 17kUS but I think I was wrong… as Jeff just said "should have" never helped anyone.  

[gav240z]

I maybe out of touch but isn’t 16kUS a bit high for a 280Z in the US?

It is a bit on the higher side for a 280z, but it just goes to show there is demand for good clean S30Z's. I can't tell you how many heaps of junk there is for sale at any given time over there. It's pretty rare to find a 280z in this condition. You would have a hard time bringing a lesser example up to the spec of this car.

 

Having said that a 71 240z failed to go higher than 16k on Bat not long ago.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-datsun-240z-9/

 

It's now on eBay with a 24k reserve.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Datsun-Z-Series-240z-/302059325933

 

Looking closely there is a couple of questionable areas that were painted over during the repaint (courtesy light switches) etc.. and the unoriginal colour seem to put folks off.

 

So BAT can be a bit of a strange place for auctions. Definitely more informed buyers but sometimes they bring the mood down in the comments. Bit of a negative echo chamber at times.

 

eBay can be equally as odd mind you!

[gav240z]

By the way that 71 is being sold by the same person who sold this Blue on Blue 240z.

 

https://goo.gl/photos/bdw8hkXhpNdhqm8a9

 

I recall it was listed around $50k USD a year or 2 ago now. I would love to own a Blue on Blue S30Z. This car was really well restored!

[Knight240Z]

Both look really good, and to be honest I would even pay the reserve price as it looks clean and not much modified. The non-original color does play a big factor because changing that to original will cost. But again the 240Z are gaining a lot of demand and I know there are many leaving the US now to Europe, Asia and even the UK so the prices will only go up.

 

 

But with the 280Z I don’t know… will be the next thing in a few years but I would still now pay that 6k difference to get a 240z.

[gav240z]

It depends what you want out of the car I suppose? A 280z offers F.I and a more refined ride. A 240z is the better investment, no doubt.

[Webby]

For me it's mostly about the driving experience, look and feel. Not too concerned about the future value and I think I'd be very content with a 280z. I am however not a fan of the larger bumpers, if I picked one up I'd be looking to eventually replace them with smaller ones like the owner of the red 280z on BaT did.

[gav240z]

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/56154-1971-240z-for-sale-fresh-restoration/?page=1

 

This car looks like an honest example.

[d3c0y]

It depends what you want out of the car I suppose? A 280z offers F.I and a more refined ride. A 240z is the better investment, no doubt.

 

Yeah maybe 40 years ago when it was new...

[gav240z]

Here is a great example of a 240z that looks great in photos...

Price: $13000 USD

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/5783711828.html

 

 

1971 Datsun 240Z. Canadian car, same owner for the last 20 years. Selling for my late Uncles estate.

Sold new in Toronto then spent the next 44 years in the London area. Originally Yellow, repainted Orange years ago. Very clean original interior. 72,000 miles on the numbers matching engine. Was in storage for over 10 years.

 

Recent work:

Fuel system flushed, oil and filter changed, rear differential fluid changed.

New tires (BFG TA) on polished vintage Cal 500 wheels.

New clutch slave cylinder with flex hose.

New points, condenser, cap and rotor.

New battery.

Rebuilt calipers, new pads, new master cylinder, new rear wheel cylinders and rear wheel hardware.

New heater hoses, thermostat, heater control valve, cooling system flushed and filled.

 

Lots of new parts on the vehicle were replaced when it was painted years ago. New carpets, exterior emblems, marker lights, tail lamps, parking lamps, headlight buckets, HID headlights, door seals, chrome re plated and door sill plates.

Still new parts in the vehicle to be installed like door handles, windshield seal, door switches and some suspension parts.

Everything on the vehicle works except for the power antenna. Dash is in excellent condition. There is one small crack about a quarter of an inch long. Exhaust is starting to get loud.

 

The floor and inner fenders have been patched over the years. There was a hole where the drivers right foot would be that was patched. The frame rails are solid enough to lift the vehicle but have some rust around the end where they attach to the floor pans.

 

Here is a link to the photobucket account where the pictures of the bottom of the car are:

 

http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/CTBernard/library/?sort=3&page=1

 

This is a very clean, unmolested, original car.

 

Please call or mail with any questions. No trades, no dealers or brokers.

 

Asking $13,000 USD. I can suggest a registered importer if you don't want to handle the process yourself.

So it looks great so far right? But check out the rot.

http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/CTBernard/library/?sort=3&page=1

[Webby]

Yeah, I would be uneasy going ahead with a purchase without detailed photos at the very least - I'm glad in that case he's being relatively honest but I've found plenty of examples in searching at similar asking prices with only a handful of photos. I wonder what those are hiding! I'm also pretty green and although a mechanical engineer by training, I'd need (and pay) someone to do a detailed inspection if there was at all any doubt.

 

The white one you posted earlier looks beautiful.

[gav240z]

I kind of like this 1.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-datsun-280z-2/

 

[Cozza]

$14k usd. Wow! that's a lot of car for its current bid.

What do you think it will go for.

[CBR Jeff]

That is one sexy car.

Jeff

[gav240z]

Zshop posted this on Facebook.
 

Warning - We have seen several US LHD 240Z's imported by unsuspecting
purchasers with very bad rust bogged/tarred over
One recently had it's headlight pots fitted between the front of the
fenders & the sugar scoops
Had to pull half the front off, repair broken bolts & replace tech
screws to fit RHD type headlights for rego
The air pump emission system is also a pita
These people have no re-course for any compensation with their lemon's

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I've seen quite a few HLS30's in person now when I've been in the US and they are not nearly as "rust free" as people often claim. I particularly like the "Californian Car" selling point often bandied about. Although I'm sure much better than rust belt cars, they are no guarantee you won't see stuff like in these photos.
It's a jungle out there.