Shan

Hi, Had a trawl through the forums - could see anything definitive on the subject (or could not find it). Bumper bar differences? 240z and 260z two seaters - same bumpers? 260z 2+2 - will they fit earlier models? I notice slight differences - later models have those vertical rubber stoppers (over rider thingies) on the front, but are they all interchangeable? Same mounting positions? Anything to be careful of? Need to get my hands on front and rear bumper for a 2 seater. Not sure of the best way to go about it. Cheers.

Thanks for that. Have seen that post. Will definitely utilise Lurch at some point mechanical assistance. Possibly body rust repairs and welding services if they are needed. The work I have in mind was more for PAINTING though. Unless Lurch has a paint booth and oven hidden in that nice shed, suspect I will need the services of another. So yeah - still looking for suggestions! Prep and paint services being the key areas. Cheers.

Hi Guys, Can someone suggest a trustworthy, will priced panel beater in Melbourne? I have read posts here regarding owners who have left their projects with shops and let them do it "between other jobs" (so to speak) in order to keep the costs down. That is the sort of shop I am looking for. One that is experienced, happy to take their time, does solid work and has a safe place to store a vehicle between stages. Suggestions? Cheers.

Figured coilovers allowed for rubber and rim. Suspect I will upgrade, but stick to the original type of setup. Wheels shown in previous pick are aggressive enough for me. In addition, I plan to fit ZG flares anyway, so coilover suspension will not be necessary. Cheers.

Thanks again for the advice sulio.

Cheers Sulio. Yep - the pic a page or so back is exactly what I was looking to achieve. Will look into the price of coil over suspension also, but given my budget, may just stick to basic quality suspension upgrades - particularly if the rim and rubber I want can squeeze onto the car as is. Appreciate the advice re. tyre size selection also mate. Ta

pulling up an old post here... The picture of the 260z 2+2 in the post is exactly the look I want to achieve. Has inspired me to do something very similar. From my research, this car is "apparently" running 17x10 rear (with 255/40x17 tyre) and 17x9.5 front (with 235/40x17). Now - I have been reading thru posts...but still getting my head around things. If I understand - to fit this sort of rubber - it would seem that coil over suspension is the only way? I see various prices quoted for this, but nothing firm. Also there's a mention of Fulcrum Suspension who do good work, but they are in QLD. So..what I need to clarify is the following... 1. To fit 17x9.5 (or 17x10) with bigger 255/40x17 (as per 260z in the post), I must fit coil over suspension (along with the various strut modifications required)? Am I right? Or after adding some decent koni classic struts and king springs can you fit that sort of Rim and rubber with std setup? 2. Seems like coil over gives flexibility for more wheel options anyway - can someone point me in the right direction for a contact in MELBOURNE who does this work on Z's? Appreciate any advice you can offer. Shan

ooops. found a post which appears to be covering this exact topic.... Cheers.

Hi Guys, Pretty sure I have made a decision to go with a 260z 2+2. A little more practical than the 2 seater, plus a little cheaper to get a starter project. What changed my mind was the following 260z (which I am sure some of you have seen..). Putting together my shopping list and trying to work out suitable wheels. From what I can find out - rims in pic are custom. "Apparently" 17x10 rear (with 255/40x17 tyre) and 17x9.5 front (with 235/40x17). Now I have been reading thru posts - I appreciate there will offsets to consider and such (not mention chopping into the gaurd to accomodate the size rim), but does anyone run wheels this size on a 260z? Can it be done? I read something about front end clearances being different on the 260z, so wondering what has been done to squeeze 17x9.5 on the front of this car (17x9.5 normally the size of "rear" tyres on most zeds - not the front). Would love some clarification on most suitable RIM sizes. Cheers

Yeah - I know that. Customs charges, GST etc. Did not know about quarantine charges - makes sense though that they would wanna store it for a period. After some further thought I am thinking that getting a 240z from the USA is a bad idea. Forgive me for stupid post...the moment has passed ; ) Even if I can pickup something with everything I want at a great price for US, conversion will be a pain. Will continue to wait for the right Oz vehicle methinks... Recently seen some 260z 2+2 pics that are making me think twice about 240z project anyway... Cheers.

Hi Guys, Posted here on the site a couple of times...still looking to buy a zed. Value v's condition is still a big concern for me. Been some great cars available lately, but price in some cases has been higher than I would anticipate. Either that or condition and mod's (interior/engine) making the cars price unsuitable for me. This being the case, my eyes have wandered to more distant places. With Oz $dollar being as is it is, cars in the states have been looking better to me. Even with delivery (been quoted $1200 from LA), some of these cars are offering excellent value. Particularly, low-rust california cars. Converting to RHD drive? Worth it? Too hard? Been trying to think of the pitfalls... Firewall - will it allow for conversion? Are the holes there already? Brakebooster? Battery? Dash? Wiring looms? Accelerator? Clutch? There is a bit to move around/replace....just wondering if anyone has bothered before? Opinions? Stick with local purchase perhaps?

Thanks for the advice guys. As I indicated earlier - importing from Japan was an idea only at this point and my research into it was in its early stages. Had not spent too much time on it. Posted here for comments from people who know more than me and got exactly what I wanted....and needed. Based on comments posted - will give Japan 240z's a miss. Thought I might have been getting dodgy $$$ information from the agents I had emailed. Comments made here would seem to indicate I was right. Will remain patient and wait for a decent priced 240z - bound to be one locally available sooner or later. Thanks.

ZZZ8 - if you can point me in the direction of a "240z" here in oz - concours condition - for 20-25K - would love to see it! Have also seen george's Z- lovely. V8 is prob a little much for me though. Added to that georges price is more than I want to pay for a 240z (no offence george!). Mayhem's is also an attractive vehicle and more closely priced to my budget, but I would want to return many of the original features to the car ie add bumpers, remove flares, put orig tail light assembly and f/r indicators back in, return console/dash orig features, alter interior etc. - which would only add a heap of cost. There is another on carsales - seems to have been partially restored for 22k. I have been ignoring it, simply because it does not look like it is a 22k car (not when you compare mayhems at 27K), but maybe I will be surprised?

Fair comments. All worth considering. Perhaps I should look more closely (and more openly) at what is locally available.... I have seen the same local one's you guys have as well. Some nice cars around... Suppose I have been after specific mod's, but not others. For example - I am ok with some drivetrain/engine work/brakes/wheels/suspension, some interior mods, seats etc - those mods are ok. Want the remaining internal features original and external features i,e bumpers, grills, indicators, panels etc, etc left alone though. Pretty much leaving the external panel and details as original. Might be a bit naive to think that I can get almost everything I want in one 240Z tho. Waiting for the "one" which ticks all the boxes (inc. right price, local) could be a while coming....ah well. I am a patient man.

Aaaah - I see. Am not expecting a concourse condition vehicle though. As long as it been well maintained, some minor mods and as little rust as possible - I will be happy. Did you find the Z's you investigated were not up to scratch? Did you import one? Any advice here is appreciated. I would buy local, but what I can get for the budget I have is not what I am after. Would be paying for mod's that are not to my taste. Seems silly to pay for items that I would just want to remove and replace. Like I have said previously, Jap models I have seen tend to have more std mod's done - nothing too crazy - so seems to be making more sense to me at the moment. Just want to make sure I am educated regarding pitfalls. Cheers.

Hey guys, I've posted from time to time on this forum - generally commenting on the 240z and my intended purchase (eventually) of said vehicle. Been keeping a eye on the local market, but also looking at Japan stock. There are some 240z's (aka fairladyZ's) that pop up from time to time at these auctions - some are pretty schmick. I like that Japanese owners mod their cars with a more original "z" flavor Estimates I have had for such vehicles vary - from 16K to 25K - this includes shipping and costs. Based on local prices, these sort of costs (for a restored) import seem quite acceptable. Does anyone have personal experience with importing z's? If so - what sort of prices did they encounter at these Jap auction sites? Are the estimates correct - or just sales rubbish to get you hooked?

The red z on ebay is a great looking package - particularly with the watanabe wheels. That being said - he....is....DREAMIN'. I absolutely LOVE Datto's and appreciate even more the style and lines on the 240z/260z's. As I have previously stated on these forums - I am even looking at buying one, so what I am about to say is said with respect. Now - I am probably gonna cop a bit of flack for saying this, but at the end of the day - it is still a Datsun. No matter how much money he has been spent on it - NO WAY it is worth 40+. "Maybe" one day - yes - they are an appreciating classic afterall (even more so for some specific models in japan). However I will eat my dirty undies if he gets $48K for it here. Unless he lowers it to a respectable price, will still be listed there in 12months....

I have been quietly looking at Z's (240z's in particular) for a couple of months now. Although I view the forums a lot - I have not actually posted before, but believe as an outsider (not yet owning a Z), can probably provide some further insight into this particular area. I have to agree with some of the comments made already. The market for a customised 240z is limited. Like someone mentioned, you have the old guys - who probably enjoying fixing and restoring more than they do driving (too much time on their hands!), then you have the young punks with no cash looking for the fastest way to wrap themselves around a pole. Cheapest way to do that is in rubbish like an Evo/Galant or R32/R33 - which are available everywhere and offer great bang for buck. Absolutely agree that they provide no style or class like a 240z, but never the less - cash strapped kiddies are buying them in droves (buggered if I know how they afford to insure them...that's another discussion tho). I fall into another category - middle age (34), have some cash put aside, know what I want and have a missus telling me how much I can spend (great). There are some awesome Z's out there - no doubt. Catch is - customising a car is a very personal and individual thing. Not everyone shares the same vision, so when you spend so much time, love and money on a car to reach your personal goal - not everyone appreciates the outcome in the same way. I see great customized Z's out there for sale with some mod's I love. However when I look at some of the cars as a "whole", often would be paying for mods I just do not need or in some cases, do not like. Point being - the more you mod a car, the more you reduce your market to sell it. The more you spend changing it, the more you will lose in money and market interest. You gotta find the "right" buyer now - one that likes what you have done enough to pay the price you are asking -which will take time (and luck).. PS - there was no hidden agenda in this opinion! I am looking for a Z, but a V8 240z is too crazy for me! Awesome, but crazy. ; )