gav240z

I thought about this kind of thing also, but perhaps a range of classic Japanese cars people could see. But I kind of think it's unfair to charge people to store their cars there especially if you're charging folks entry fee's?

It's Matt Drago's old car (he was / is a member here), I saw what it looked like before restoration and to be honest it was pretty rust free. So it's a good solid car, having said that it was a DIY restoration and whilst Matt did an excellent job it isn't show quality. As much as it pains me to say it, the Ex-Edward Lee's 240z (the orange car) they sold before it was the better buy at this price range. Simply because it was an earlier 240z with the early features and still had the original radio etc.. I also personally don't like Silver as much on S30Z's, but the Edward Lee's car was not nearly as good in person as it looked in photos. The paint quality wasn't as good as I expected given it's had a respray etc.. but I still think it sold for a fair price. Agree though the whole Museum thing is really just a dealership you can walk into admire the cars and then buy at an inflated price a couple of years later . Of course the guy running it has been doing this sort of thing for years (flipping cars). *Edit here is Matt's blog. http://240z.drago.com.au/?p=3 You can see what it looked like before.

Actually, all the Japanese hero cars of the 90s seem to be heading back up in value. R32-R34 GTRs (R33's are laggards as they somewhat deserve to be due to their boring styling IMHO), NSX, FD RX-7's, Supra's (clean TTs) etc.. In many cases selling for more money than their new sticker price. However that is often the limited edition versions with low km's when they go to auction. I think collectors are trying to get ahead of the curve and it's actually driving prices back up sooner than I would have expected. Also a firmer YEN vs AUD has made the prospect of importing cars a lot more expensive than finding a good local example. Just what I've observed.

Are Japanese classics finally gaining street cred? http://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/are-japanese-classics-finally-gaining-street-cred-1.3031875

Hey Champ! I looked into a lot of this, chromate plating and was told by another member that the hassle, time and money invested made it not worth it. It was better to outsource to specialists, since it's the kind of operation that works better at scale. West Sydney. (member Specialp3 did plastic chrome work here). http://www.chrometech.com.au/ South Australia. (Recommended by Ledge in South Australia) http://www.aclassmetal.com.au/ and Victoria. (Vinnies, I used them to re-chrome my rear bumper, but still haven't seen it in person yet!) http://www.vinneys.com.au/ I was reading quite a few topics on the DIY plastic chrome kits but I can't find the 1 I was reading the other day. This thread seems a bit more positive but I haven't read it in detail yet. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/diy-spray-on-chrome.674441/ My concerns are: - How good is the finish? - How durable is it? - How expensive is it? Since you mentioned the tail light trims, I considered the DIY approach but after looking at it realised that buying aftermarket reproduction ones was going to be a lot cheaper and easier. However as for the quality? Only time will tell.. I am curious if you can share details on the kit you used for the yellow chromate finish that looks as good as OEM? Can you tell me what product / kit and process you followed? A tutorial would be wonderful. I have all my bolts organised and was told by Vinnies above that I'd have to put them all in a bucket and send them in and then get them done and later re-organise them. The main reason was that they couldn't do small batches at a time as it could burn the parts. But I'm not sure if that's because of the size of vat and voltage / amperage they use? Could be different for stuff done at home?

You're missing the point though, what is driving 240z values is not how advanced it is compared to today's cars. Modern cars do almost everything better, but that's exactly why they can't replace the experience of an older car. You have to be a lot more engaged with older cars, drive them with care, look after them. Tinker with them and compromise. My FD RX-7 is almost better in every way (except fuel economy somewhat ironically). It has LSD, 4 pot calipers, rear disc brakes, 250+ HP out of the box, air-con, great chassis and handling, fuel injection, power steering, no fumes coming into the cabin, better aero etc.. But if I had to pick the car I love more, it's the S30Z. Why? Because when I take it out for a drive I feel like a celebrity rock star. It has that classic look and appeals to all generations young and old. The FD gets a few jealous stares here and there, but it probably makes me look more like a pretentious wanker than anything else. Some may say it suits me fine. . The whole ceremony around the warm up cycle, the quirky dim green lit gauges, the bonnet that flips up forward, chrome bumpers etc.. The raw driving experience that let's you know you're in control. That's why people are chasing these cars. Let's face it a lot of cars build in that period were lemon's, but the great cars are still great today. The people looking to buy an S30Z now probably had 1 back in the day or are trying to get back into 1 now and their wealth has accumulated over many years and they have the money to indulge in a classic. When compared to similar cars of a similar vintage, they are still fairly priced. But I've already gone over these things before in here. http://www.viczcar.com/forum/topic/13593-classic-car-bubble/ Like I say, enjoy your Supra, but it's an Apples vs Oranges comparison. The market will pay what it thinks they are worth, neither you or I can change that. Sadly as I've discovered with Real Estate. It is what it is.

Pretty sure the original was:

It's a 73 240z chassis code HS30 XXXX3059

So is #672 still on the market?

What year is your car? My brothers g/f is looking at 2012/13 models and I don't know anything about them. Wondering if anyone here knows if they are any good as a small-mid size SUV?

Finally got around to watching this, must say I love the 924 GTR! I'm devastated my work colleague who bought a well kept N/A 944 totalled it the other week. He bought it as a mid-life crisis toy and now says he's not going to buy another sports car. Shame cause I really like the 944 and 924 variants. This is pretty cool. http://www.topgear.com/car-news/classic/you-need-porsche-924-gtr-heres-why#7

I was chatting with Chuck the owner of the 4 door C10 today. Said they are going to get together again soon. Will see if I can tag along in the RX-7.

This course. http://www.viczcar.com/forum/topic/9963-tafe-course-sydney-st-george/

1971 Datsun 510 SSS - Sedan. http://www.ebay.com/itm/222221317470 I'm pretty suspect of the ID plate and the whole matching numbers thing.. Compare the stampings on this S30Z plate.

I haven't updated this thread in a while. Here is how the rear hatch is now looking after doing some more lead wiping last night. What I like about the lead wiping is that you can't tell where the join / weld is. The whole hatch will get a skim of plastic filler to tidy up some edges and a couple of low / high spots and then it will get painted in some kind of primer to protect it. Not sure what panel will be next? I also polished a RH side tail lamp that came off HS30 00150 and was in much better shape than the other 1 I restored. Got a good pair now. (see photos). The biggest challenge with restoring these tail lamps is they tend to get hairline cracks under the surface that as far as I'm aware there is no way to repair. Not sure if the cause is age / UV or something else?

You can still get a cheap S30Z if you're willing to buy 1 from the US and import it here, but everyone's afraid of LHD. By the way the 2+2 was part of the initial design concepts, so it wasn't an after thought. http://jdm-car-parts.com/blogs/news/14811645-phantom-z-designed-by-mr-matsuo-will-be-revealed Not that it matters now, but enjoy your Supra.

Early 1980 Patrol's had L28s some with P90 heads.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Series-1-HKS-SURGE-TANK-Extrudabody-ITB-kit-suit-Datsun-240z-260z-L24-L26-L28-/182235737188 HKS Surge tank set up. Starting bid:AU $3,000.00 Item location: QLD.

Dropped back down to 15K, not sure what's going on? It does look like good value for money, even if you didn't agree with the V8 swap it doesn't look like much (apart from the bonnet) has been cut.

260z 2+2? Or find a rusty 240z/260z 2 seater and build it yourself, learn to weld etc..? Do anything, just don't buy a Triumph haha.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mazda-Cosmo-Sport-L10B-1969-Build-/272341824075 Starting Bid: AU $70,000.00 Item location: Aspley, Queensland, Australia Mazda Cosmo L10B - Longer wheel base. I'm not sure if it's the same car as pictured here.

That silver 1 has been for sale for a while now. It's a recent restoration. The thing is there is quite a few incorrect parts on it, when asking top money buyers would probably like to see. A few off the cuff.. 1. In correct number of delimiters in the Oil / Temp Gauges etc.. 2. Rear tail lights are reproduction - not NOS. 3. Valve cover shouldn't really be red. 4. Wheels are not the correct Kobe Seiko wheels. Although in some photos they are shown. 5. Gear knob is not correct. I actually think the rest looks great though!

Try finding a replacement for that price now. My moto is always over-insure because too many folks are under insured. Speaking of which I should take my own advice and up my own car(s) values. +1

Summarises why the later Z32 was nothing like the early S30Z's. http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/videos/a30401/the-nissan-300zx-was-what-america-wanted/

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b216360057 Fairlady Z432. Current Bid: 9,990,000 yen, 5 days to go.