Restore rusted 240z ('72) or rust-free late model 260z?
 

Hey everyone, new guy here. I have acquired a '72 240z which has some rust in the typical areas, i.e. floor board, wheel wells, rocker, batter tray, etc. and a late model 260z with almost no rust, both US spec. The idea originally was to take the parts off the 240 and use them where needed on the 260. It seems there are a few parts that won't line up? Would it make more sense to just restore the 240 with new metal bits? or use what I can and restore the 260?
Thanks

Congrats on the acquisition of the two Z cars.

It's kind of hard for us to answer your question directly as we don't have any photos.

It would also be good to know what you want as an end result. A daily driver, a show car (resto-mod or concours correct or something in-between), a hot rod with a small block chevy, a track car or something to sell - what?

However, here are some of my personal thoughts...

I have recently finished restoration of a late model 260Z and I used an early model 260Z as a parts car. Even between those two cars there were plenty of subtle differences to bite you in the rear. Check out this thread: https://www.zdriver.com/forums/240z-...project-37922/

The 260Z late model's body is pretty much an early 280Z body while the early 260Z is pretty much a late 240Z body. You've got an early 240Z.

Frame rails on the late 260Z are beefier and the struts and their towers are different / bigger. Not much of the interior will be interchangeable without work. I think the door cards switch OK but even the door pulls are different.

That said, the round-top carbs from the 240Z installed on the 260Z are a big plus, replacing the finicky flat-top carbs. You'll get better performance too.

Without knowing much else, I lean towards your original plan. It might be that if you don't cannibalize too much off the 240Z, you can restore that one after you've done the 260Z.

Thanks beg3yrs, your post is a great resource and I have gone through it a lot! Awesome work.
The idea would be a sort of resto-mod/daily driver/cruiser so for now get it rolling with stock engine maybe tuned up and maybe in the future give it a little more power.
I just can't decide which would be the better car to do this as it seems the 240 would be more valuable then the 260 when complete. But the 240 will need some new metal in those aforementioned areas. It's not a swiss cheese project by any means, but the 260 is spotless when it comes to rust.
Hope to get some pics of them both posted soon.

The 260
https://flic.kr/p/BFyMo1
https://flic.kr/p/Ctw9sd
The 240(only photo of it at the moment)
https://flic.kr/p/CAM8uy

From what I can see, you're right the 260Z is in better shape than the 240Z.

Trying to make some money from these cars is no sure thing. While they are getting a little more attention in the media, values haven't yet taken off. If they do, yes, a pristine 240Z will likely command more than a 260Z for a while. If they ever get collectible, the 260Z might eventually command a premium as not as many were built as the 240 or the 280 (I think). Regardless, my opinion is building for an investment isn't likely to work out any time soon.

That said and with you wanting to have a daily cruiser, I'd go with the 260. I can't see from the photos what other bits you have (doors, hatches, seats, consoles, glass, suspension, drive train, etc.) although there's a peek at a motor in the 260 photos. You'll have your hands full just getting the 260 up to snuff. You can pull the carbs off the 240 and put them on the 260. Add some headers and the motor should perform well for some fun times on the road.

BTW, if I go silent soon, it's not me ignoring you, I'm leaving town for a couple of months and will limited access to internet. Should be back in mid-March.