280Zx - Back On Track

[260DET]

Rust and body damage sound like the big problems, see if you can find a mobile body repairer to give you a quote, I'd do that before anything else because the body is everything. At this stage you do have alternatives including moving it on and starting again, once you start spending money then you are committed financially and emotionally, we don't want this to turn into a bad experience for you.

[Dbeat16]

Yeah the body work is going to be the biggest hurdle, as I knew from the beginning. I'll look around for a body shop to take a look, I think that will determine where I go with it.

[Dbeat16]

Well this just came up, reckon it would be more worth my while to sell the current one and buy this? https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ironbank/cars-vans-utes/manual-s130-datsun-280zx-group-sc-engine-rare-parts-/1150299612

[Agno]

Sounds like a great car but frankly if you are prepared to fix your current car yourself you would probably have it ready for RWC for under $1500, even including new frame rails.

[Dbeat16]

I'm starting to think I've gotten in over my head here, is there anyone in Brisbane who would be able to help me look at the car and my options with it, and costing etc? I can probably do the welding on top myself but there is rust underneath it as well, around the fuel cap, on top of the windscreen. Don't know if an amateur job will do the trick.

[dat2kman]

Well this just came up, reckon it would be more worth my while to sell the current one and buy this? https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ironbank/cars-vans-utes/manual-s130-datsun-280zx-group-sc-engine-rare-parts-/1150299612

Advert says sold?

Heres one up at Redcliffe.

I have looked at this, it seems to have been fish-oiled in the usual places to stop rust, couple of minor rust blisters on the dor tops, and guard tops, its a manual, but clutch is pretty buggered.

Newish dashpad, electrics all work.

Its a $5k car, he's getting some interest too!

 

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/woody-point/cars-vans-utes/1979-datsun-280zx/1149372202

[dat2kman]

Where do you think I should take it to have the rust appraised? Or who? If they are a mobile unit that would also be fantastic, cos I'd prefer not to drive it for really apparent reasons. Alternatively, anyone here in the know want to do so for a slab or something? And finally, how high would I need to raise the car to work on all that myself? I'm quite confident in my ability to swap parts around, I've been doing do as a job on kitchen appliances.

What suburb in Brisbane are you?

Theres a couple of guys that may be able to do the rust removal/replacement work, it wont be cheap.

Mal Gay ( GayBilt), Rob Vines at Burpengary, Craig Cambell ( CC Customs -Caloundra)

Senko in Kenworth pl Brendale, are a bigger shop, but can do this as well.

[Dbeat16]

I'm in manly, by the water. Ill be looking around for a few different quotes i think, thank you for the suggestions.

[Cliff]

If you want to sell let me know as a mate of mine would look at it for sure.

[260DET]

That gumtree one Jason listed is gone, I think that you are more likely to get a mobile body repairer to give a quote, the established businesses are more likely to think that the car is not worth the cost of repair and their time quoting. Fixing frame rails won't be cheap, they are more complicated than S30 ones.

[dat2kman]

The yellow one in Redcliffe, yes, i watched it get loaded yesterday, off to Bundaberg, to be restored.

[Dbeat16]

I'll be sure to let you know cliff if I decide to sell, but I think I've gotten over the "oh shit" moment now haha. I'll be getting a bunch of quotes this week, and been reading through the service manual in my spare time, actually can't wait to start on the mechanicals. Just need to find some good quality jacks and stands, then the fun begins!!!

[Dbeat16]

Small things really, was ready to take it to some body shops for quotes, had a flat tire. No biggie, I'll just change that aaaand there is a security bolt on it. Managed to get it off and have replaced it with a normal bolt, have two of them if anyone wants them for one reason or another. Cleaned the battery terminals and then applied what I can only call goop on, had it tested and in perfect condition, so calling that a victory. Happy little accident, changing the wheel fixed the pulling to the left problem, now drives absolutely perfectly, and start up is much better with the cleaned terminals. Should be hearing back in regards to quotes soon, and am picking up new tires tomorrow.