MontanaDatsun

I am the owner of a 1977 280z. It has been sitting out for a few years and developed some rust spots (they may have existed before and just gotten worse.) Can I get some experienced thought on the problem areas and what to do with them. Thanks.

beg3yrs

Welcome to the forum. While sometimes it's a little slow, you'll find good advice from some highly experienced folk here.

That said, I'm not highly experienced with this but from the experience I do have and looking at those photos, I'd say you need to get a handle on this as soon as you can.

Get that Z out of the elements, especially winter in Montana!

The rust on the rocker looks the worst and is typical of a Z car. Water drains through the cowling down through that area. If you've got any kind of blockage from debris, you get rust. Pull the fender off and take a look underneath. You'll most likely have to cut it all out and patch that area. Not to worry though, if it is more extensive than the photo shows, you can get whole replacement panels if necessary.

The other photos (quarter window and hatch) are probably addressable with grinding off the rust spots, filling and repainting. That hatch area is another place where water can collect. Pull off the interior panel and take a look inside.

After all that though, I suspect you've got more rust hiding in that vehicle. Check the spare tire well, your floors under your carpets, wheel arches and so on. Check your other fender too. Put the thing up on a lift and poke around. They don't compare rust to cancer for nothing. It can be cured but you need to get on it before the patient is terminal.