My first Z, where to start

[foz]

Found this 240 in my father in laws garage. Has been there for 6 years and couldn't believe my luck when mother in law wanted to park the caravan in there and get rid of this beauty. So now it's mine :twisted: . So now I need to know where to start. It's running, sounds great!, and as a first restore project I don't want to get to get in too far over my head.

Body needs work, was green, now white. Is the best bet to start taking everything out/off, fix rust that I find (buy a mig), respray, then put everything back in? or just work on bits at a time. Do you spray engine bay separately, then do the body when all mechanics etc are sorted. I'm after a method that will allow me to get it on the road sooner rather than later, but still knowing that it's been done right and not hanging together with bog etc. I've ordered the Z car restoration book, but some experienced advise would be great.

[nat0_240_chevZ]

nice find, one of those happily ever afters early models.

 

look if your keen to do the work yourself id recommend it highly, with a lil bit of know how with ALOT of determination you can get heaps done.

 

not sure of your time constraints etc, but be prepared, you will wish there are 2 of u.

 

not really sure also on your existing capabilities and experience, start with the workshop manual etc, then forums for other pics and tips etc, but beware as not all info on forums is correct nor even close sometimes.

 

start with the body, and stay with the body. (make sure the car is safe 1st and foremost) start small and then work big.

angl grinder with a flap disc will do wonders for removing bubbles and paint to reaveal a section usually deemed for repair.

 

give us a more educated question and we'll try give a more educated answer, again excellent find

 

nato

[warrenz]

I agree nice find.

 

Just curious since it is a Series 1 what is the chassis number ie S30 ......, should be on the firewall. It might be a real big find.

 

Cheers

Warren

[Toecutter]

Given time you could do pretty much anything yourself on these cars. Just takes a bit of reading, willingness to get your hands diry and time, heaps of time, did I mention time!? Nice find. Body work is the only toughy. Get a good look at your chassis rails under the car, look for rust, poke around with a srew driver. Also check the battery tray area. The rear hatch hinges. These are common areas of rust and the more time consuming fixes but given time can be fixed at home.

 

Good luck. You'll soon find these cars get addictive. Love em!

 

Sulio

[Bruce]

great find!!!!

I look forward to hearing the progress of the restoration.

cheers

Bruce

[gav240z]

Found this 240 in my father in laws garage. Has been there for 6 years and couldn't believe my luck when mother in law wanted to park the caravan in there and get rid of this beauty. So now it's mine :twisted: . So now I need to know where to start. It's running' date=' sounds great!, and as a first restore project I don't want to get to get in too far over my head.

Body needs work, was green, now white. Is the best bet to start taking everything out/off, fix rust that I find (buy a mig), respray, then put everything back in? or just work on bits at a time. Do you spray engine bay separately, then do the body when all mechanics etc are sorted. I'm after a method that will allow me to get it on the road sooner rather than later, but still knowing that it's been done right and not hanging together with bog etc. I've ordered the Z car restoration book, but some experienced advise would be great.[/quote']

 

My best piece of advice is:

Never Throw Anything Out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Seriously even if it looks like junk, don't toss it. Those centre consoles are very hard to get and I'm willing to bet the rear hatch has a different interior panel also, another hard to find item.

 

The fender mirrors are interesting I've never seen an early Z with them still on (except for one in a classified). I'm willing to bet she's a low number, let's see maybe #146. If she still has the original engine numbers matching you have done really well.

 

Best of luck.[/b]

[Toecutter]

hey gav be careful, you could turn into a serious horder... I am just picturing you in 20 years time with a house full of old used Z parts. In this future i see you on the couch with bumper bars, old tail lights and grills hanging from the ceilings. The house lights are dim and you clench a shot gun whilst in the background that Deliverence movie tune can be heard! :wink:

[gav240z]

Sulio I told you that $10 crystal ball from Kmart doesn't work.

 

Besides a Zcar sofa isn't such a bad idea. :wink:

[Toecutter]

hehe-yer. On a serious note yer some the Z gear is getting hard to find and sometimes it's easier restoring bits like door trims and other trim.

[foz]

thanks for the tips, it's going to be a great project!

The Car # HS30 00317, engine # L24 21408

The chassis looks reasonable, need to clean it though to have a good look, and the rear hatch hinges look fine, fingers crossed. The inside of bonnet at the very front tip is bit rusty, looks like a tricky job, might need some advice when i get to that. cheers

[dalee]

DON'T THROW ANYTING OUT

 

can't agree more, I have/had a bag of bolts, rubbers etc etc somewhere that I can't find (and need) but I have a sickening feeling that they got thrown out in a clean up i had 12 months ago

[ZD44TT]

white is nice!!.

[wedgey]

i would suggest for around $1000.00

get the body sand or bead blasting

or go right back to bare metal and remove all parts

and inspect thoughly

dollars spent now will save pain and suffering later

as every body else has said it looks like you stuck gold

the more original the more the zed lovers will appreciate it

that is from someone that modified his zed

 

look forward to see the end result

go to the nationals at Philip Island and do some brain picking

from the owners of the cars you like

i have found that they are all helpfull

 

like Gavan said something that you think might be chunk

could cost an arm or a leg seeing it is an early model

 

 

Robert

[mayhem]

thats better than mine look IVE GOT NO DAM FLOOR, to me restoring a car is easy it really comes down to what you want and how much $$$ you got.

Me im lucky im an auto elec and have done up way to many cars my best mate is a panel beater and i know an engineer who looks after me cause i look after his cars, ive been in the game for about 7 years it seems harder than it is just get the right advise which is the hard part