Hello all, New Member.

[ejgrech]

I live in Hawthorn, Melb, & have been hunting or a 260, and reading this forum for quite a while, & now decided to take the plunge.

I'm after a car that is as original as possible. This car has been advertised for a while, & although the colour originally put me off, I'm a bit more flexible now. It seems to be in excelent condition.

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/datsun-260z-1977-11504230?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=0&eapi=2&__N=1246+1247+1252+1282+4294966615+4294966410+1216&num=15&silo=Stock&sort=default

 

Its a bit expensive, but I was considering making an offer. All questions I have put to the owner have been satisfactorly answered.

Apart from heading off to Perth, any tips on how I can be sure that the car is genuinely in original condition, & with the low Kms advertised. ?

 

Manny.

[Gordo]

Welcome to the forum Manny.the two plus two looks really good. Reminds me of my first zed I bought in 1982. I think it's a great example of an original zed. And the price is right. You would have to go a long way to find something better. And it would have been modified in some way. So yes make him an offer but don't let it get away. There are a few guys on the forum from Perth, they may be able to have alook for you . Cheers.

[SS30RR]

$18K for a 2+2.......your kidding right?

[Retro Z]

Why don't you make a offer for Sam's (Bozo) 260z? Im sure he will sell for less than 18k and his car is restored and quite original too also documented on here so not as much risk.

[boyblunda]

Welcome to the Forum

 

Just looked at this ad and immediately thought that it needs to be something pretty special to get what would be an exceptional price for a 2+2.

 

The ad mentions twin webers when I only see round topped carbs (not original with the 1977 +2). This is not a bad thing on its own as I have this same "improvement" on my own 1977 2+2. However, it is an indication that the description might be lacking in accuracy.

 

This is an extremely well presented and attractive vehicle from my just reading the advertisement. However, for this asking price you would have to pursue a degree of due diligence to verify the veracity of the description if the price was to be justified. Then you would have to consider the cost of transport etc. On the other hand Bozo has a well documented project very near completion at a comparable price and in a location where you might view the vehicle for yourself  ..................

 

I have heard of two WA cars that possibly meet this description - Ken Lyons restored a vehicle to a very high standard and Peter Harrold found a car that was an original one owner up until a few years ago when he bought it and then passed it on. Of these two possibilities it is more likely to be the latter. If this advertised car is either of the two vehicles I have just described then they would well warrant further investigation.

 

Send me a PM if I you want to discuss further.

 

FWIW

Dave

[ejgrech]

Thanks guys for your comments.

[gav240z]

It's definitely priced on the high side for a 2+2, not saying it's not worth it but it's certainly worth trying a lower offer to see what happens.

 

I would definitely get the car inspected by a professional, someone who specialises in classic cars. If possible bribe a W.A member with some beer .

 

A good look under it to see chassis condition and look for possible rust spots, in particular dog legs, chassis rails and definitely under the battery tray! Rear hatch is another common area where moisture builds up along with spare wheel well.

 

Is the dashboard good? Has a cover so hard to know if it's hiding any cracks.

 

Looks like a great car overall and something you can enjoy and keep in original condition with many years of driving fun. However if it's been sitting around for a while it may need a general major service, like new fuel lines, suspension bushes, brake fluid flush or more depending on how under used the brakes have been?

 

I'm very particular with my cars myself, so I would ask the owner for a video of the car (if you're interstate) and go over it and highlight any imperfections around the car (that normal still photos don't show up).

 

Hard to say what value is, as I'm not sure what similar cars are selling for on the open market. I've not seen too many like this lately.

 

Good luck with it all the same, they are fantastic cars and much better than similar machines of the same period selling for considerably more.

[boyblunda]

I do know of this car and it was the second car I referred to. Unfortunately I have not seen the car

 

A couple of years ago Peter Harrold purchased this car as a genuine barn find from an elderly single owner who had looked after it fastidiously, always garaged, properly serviced. The original owner was eventually unable to drive the car due to failing eyesight and contacted Peter through the WAZ Register. Peter, also a fastidious Zed nut with a focus on detail and doing the job right, tidied up a few small items mainly with regard to tuning, fluids and the like. He said the original owner was in tears as it was trailered away. Peter later went back once he had gone over the car and took the original owner for a drive in it. Peter already had a couple of Zeds and later  on reluctantly sold the car to another person in the Zed fraternity - most likely the person you are dealing with now. As I think I remember  from conversations with Pete, the interior was absolutely immaculate.

 

The round top carb switch is a common improvement and I would not count it as a negative consideration.

 

It does sound like an honest description with a mistaken reference to the carbies.

 

 

[Scoota G]

I will say the chances of finding a 2+2 in that condition again would be Zip! Roll that into any Japanese car show and take home a trophy if you're into that. Nissan HQ should buy it and display!

 

[curtis 240z]

I must admit when I first seen this ad I thought he has to be kidding, it is on the high side for a 2+2 especially when you go onto the shannons auction sight and see what 240z/260z have been selling for, of memory a tidy SERIES 1 240z in good condition went for 17k and when I tried to sell my 71 240z in original condition I kept getting offers between 15 - 17k. I would definately say this car is one for a collector as they are extremely hard to find in this condition and only getting harder to find with all the books and matching numbers, but not at 17k. just my 2 cents worth.

[peter t]

I must admit when I first seen this ad I thought he has to be kidding, it is on the high side for a 2+2 especially when you go onto the shannons auction sight and see what 240z/260z have been selling for, of memory a tidy SERIES 1 240z in good condition went for 17k and when I tried to sell my 71 240z in original condition I kept getting offers between 15 - 17k. I would definately say this car is one for a collector as they are extremely hard to find in this condition and only getting harder to find with all the books and matching numbers, but not at 17k. just my 2 cents worth.

You can have my bus for $40k. Cost me at least that or more. You can take 3 friends for a drive at once instead of one at a time. 8)

[chris240]

Im with Scoota on this one...try finding a cleaner one with such low kms..

16 ,17 or $18k ...its not a lot in todays dollars and its priced accordingly in my opinion for what it really is. The point is if it ticks most of the boxes, buy it.

Its a great colour combination also.

[Lynton]

I think you all under estimate the value of a 2+2. A clean and original example is worth that money and more, the cost element and any restoration process doesn't much differ from vehicle to vehicle I looked for years to find a clean 260Z and that was near impossible 25 years ago until I got lucky right out of the blue.

Value is a matter of opinion and it is cheap if there is no restoration other than nit picking things like pin head rust or rust beginning to spider web or even clear coat on duco crazing.

Owning a classic is ongoing tinkering to get perfection it's just the way it is.

Ejgrech I work in Auburn rd Hawthorn if you buy it bring it around so I can have a look, my 2+2 is stuck in the garage in Queensland due to work re location I am thinking of returning it here to Melbourne soon I will have to do something with it.............. :-\ Lynton

[Zedman240®]

I think for a clean zed like that, the asking price is pretty good. How much will it cost to find a semi decent zed in close to that condition? about $9-10? Then get some more work done to it etc and then you would have to spend more. The best thing about that car is its all original and best of all..complete! how many zeds are bought with many small detail parts missing.... even restored examples. If you're in the market for a +2, I'd seriously be making an offer on that one.

One give away to make sure it's original; check bolt/screw heads to see if they have been removed or touched.

[RB26DETT]

Personally I am not big on 2+2 but if you are in the market for one you will be waiting for a long time to find something in the same condition and original. Make an offer and snap it up!

[Riceburner]

18K for a 2+2 but NO roadworthy  .... Maybe I'm the odd one out. If it's been sitting for so long without any use then there's bound to be many mechanical issues, sure it's been taken care of and had a refresh by recent owners. Still no roadworthy, why? In my book no roadworthy= more $ than you think

[boyblunda]

Fair comment but in WA there is no regulatory requirement for a "roadworthy" or RWC as exists in some other States.

 

Earlier recommendations such as a personal inspection or a local "expert" inspection are well warranted in this case given the price being asked.

[Riceburner]

Original poster is a new member in Melbourne looking to buy, so roadworthy WILL apply. Interstate 'expert' opinions won't count for much come registration time.

[boyblunda]

So Gareth, As I have previously said "fair comment" but as a Western Australian I am unaware of the specific requirements for a RWC when selling interstate. I can only presume that the responsibility then befalls the interstate purchaser to transport the vehicle and then have it inspected for RWC before it can be registered in other States requiring same.

I would think that there seems to be little a WA based seller can do about this situation but is is fair warning for anybody based in your State to consider when buying from outside their State of residence?

Am I reading your comment correctly here?

 

Regards

Dave

[ejgrech]

Ejgrech I work in Auburn rd Hawthorn if you buy it bring it around so I can have a look, my 2+2 is stuck in the garage in Queensland due to work re location I am thinking of returning it here to Melbourne soon I will have to do something with it..............  Lynton

 

Lynton, If I buy it I'll take you up on the offer.

 

 

[Riceburner]

Sorry Dave, I may have come across wrong, I'm just trying to look at it from the buyers perspective. He's already said it's almost out of his price range, not an ideal color but is growing on him and it's on the otherside of aus. Add costs for the initial inspection, transport and the unknown of a roadworthy in Melb when buying close to your budget limit. It'll add up very quickly.

 

Seems a nice 2+2 but the OP would want to get for a fair bit cheaper than asking price.

[curtis 240z]

Peter T

 

For 40k will I get a full tank of fuel and can you deliver??