Maddie260

That's incredibly kind, thanks so much Ross. Still got a long way to go so I might have to take you up on that offer in the near future. Congrats on your nearing completion!

Hit the nail on the head with my thoughts exactly. I've been quoted around 15-20k for a full restoration but that's without a second quote. Regardless I do think I have to prepare for that worst case scenario and go for the cheaper repairs until I'm earning enough to justify anything like that. Now I'm thinking my plan of attack will be just to get that panel painted over for now, and play a bit of a whack-a-mole game if any other panels start to flake in the future. Been putting it off for a while purely out of indecision, but helpful to confirm that it's the best option available now.

Ah forgot to mention that it's a 1974. I've been following up the wires again this morning and fingers crossed it'll be able to start once this battery charges. Found the car on Gumtree - I believe I'm the fourth owner. Initially owned by someone for 20 odd years, then the second owner changed over the engine and played around with the auto electrics it appears. Somewhere along there, the radio got taken out and it got re-painted which does look beautiful. Though I've had an issue with the paint bubbling and peeling, which I'll attach a photo of (the photo's from this morning - it's turned progressively bigger for over a year now and I have nightmares that one day it will swallow the car whole). Undecided as to whether I should re-paint the panel alone or get the whole car done since there's a bit of bubbling around the side of the car and beneath the door handle too. Might have to do more of a cheaper fix for now until I can get it properly done.

Hi all Late to the party but thought it about time I introduced myself here after lurking for so long. First found you guys in 2014 when I became serious about saving for an older car; was looking around the market for a few different older cars but settled on this model with a huge passion. Very thankful for the people that helped me in the process - special thanks goes to @oldmates260z who I found through this site (and a mutual friend) and who posted on this forum on my behalf, emailed me constantly, inspected Zeds in Brisbane, and took me under his wing for the entire hunt. Truly a good man! I've attached a few photos from the day I bought it back in January 2016 - I'm now on my green P's and thankfully haven't wrapped it around a pole as most people told me I would when I was planning on getting it haha! I was driving it as a daily but it's now in the garage with auto electrical problems unfortunately - a few of the gauges hadn't been working since I bought it, but it was at driving fine otherwise. Took out the dash, and now it's not starting since we've put it back in. Itching to drive it again, so I've got plenty more reading on the forum to do, as well as a more considerable search for auto electricians in Sydney. Main goal currently is just to get it started again now. It has an L28 that was put in with the last owner and is auto, but hopefully won't be forever - once the auto electrics are in order and a bit of the paintwork is fixed up, a manual conversion is in the longer-term plan. Might be worth noting that I'm a female 19 year old uni student and this is my first car, so perhaps not fitting the stereotype there. If I had a dollar for every time I got asked if it's my Dad's car, I'd be able to fix it up properly No regrets though - bought my dream car already and I still pinch myself because of it. Currently located around the Hills area in Sydney - happy to meet some other Z owners and am all ears when it comes to any advice (unless it's to sell - strictly no chance at all ) Cheers! Maddie