Ok Im getting a new Z here soon, a 1970 240Z and IVe noticed a few little problems but the one that scares me the most is I think I see a crack above the Q panel window. No I dont have teh car yet, but should I be worried? is it hard to fix?

 

Well... a pic would help.

Usually a large crack indicates body filler, which indicates possible crappy body work (as body filler should be kept to a minimum... thick filler = future cracks).

But... without a pic, I dunno what to tell ya.

EDIT... I should clarify: cracks with no or little rust usually means body filler.

 

I cant get a better pic till The owner sends me more detailed ones.

Ive heard of that the 240Z can twist itself with its stock engine and one of the signs of twisting is that crack above the Q panel window. thats why Im a little worried I may be getting ripped off

 

Is that car still in WA? Did the owner say anything about body work or it being restored? I can't imagine a WA 240z being original & no major rust on the lower parts.

 

Yes that car is in WA and there is some rust on the underside but from what I can tell its not too bad. Lemme get more pics.


Hes asking $3500 for this Z and Im just waiting on him to send more photos of the Z my way so I can make an offer. Ive always wanted a early 240Z and this seems like a good find so far.

 

Man... my clean as hell all orig 70 240z only sold for $3k (I actually bought it for $500).

Has it been restored?

 

Idk if its been restored, I think its the factory paint still, so no. heres what I found neat, the dash in that as NO cracks at all. that blew me away.

So even with what looks like a crack about the Q panel window, think the car is worth $3500?

 

That crack is where the roof panel and q panel meet. It is a lead filled seam that opens up with time. You need to grind it out and re-solder it. The rust on the doors and rockers are from the inside out and need to be replaced with new metal. Ask for pictures of the pass side, the battery area and inner fender, hatch area, the first places to go bad. If your not willing to fix it right you can patch it up and have a decent driver. To me the car is worth about $1500 tops if it has a low vin #. The hatch is from a later car so check the rear for damage.
jmo

 

Ok, that doesnt make much sense to fill a seam with lead... As for the pictures I'll ask him about them, I'm really hoping that the damages isnt as bad as it seems.
Hmm, well thank you very much on the info! should be helpful to figure out how much it worth.

 

no more then $3k i would say offer him $2500, as that car is going to have alot of hidden rust.

 

Doesn't make much sense to paint walls with lead paint either... but they did that all the time before people realized in the 70's / 80's that lead is no bueno.

Well, we can try for a reality check now, or after you've bought the car.

Reality: if you can see rust (especially rust bubbles), IT'S BAD. I know from personal experience...

 

Hmm Well I'm definitely not paying $3500. And ya I know Nismo lol. I know rust bubbles are bad too.

If he drops the price and its worth buying then, how hard is it to replace those panels? I take it its a cut & weld job? I actually plan to take to totally apart and stick it on a Rotisserie eventually so I can work on it better. Or w/e Z I get

 

if all it needs is the dog legs and bottoms of the doors, then it should be easy, but it looks like that car has sat a LONG time.

 

Well, when I emailed him he sad it hasn't be driven sense last fall. That makes me worry.

 

Looking at the first pic again I see a ding/rust on the top of the front fender. rust stains around the door handle, edge of the hatch, side badge, and q panel behind the wheel. Not good signs of structual integrity at all. The old "ran when parked" bs?

 

mmhmm, and it has l28 engine with dual weber carbs.

Well Idk really anymore. I know these Z are famous for rust, but its a bad thing all together.