I've had my 82' 280ZX parked for about 3 years and have been dying to restore it. Unfortunately I haven't had the time or funds to do so. I had to put it back on the road recently and found a lot of body rust (I live on Long Island (NY) so a little rust was to be expected). On a rainy day i went through a puddle and was surprised when I felt the floor rise when the water hit . The floor panel on the drivers side is partially rusted through and when I looked under the carpet on the passenger side, I saw my tire and the ground. The hole on that side is the size of a 5 gallon bucket . I also found that the frame on the passenger side in front of the firewall is rusted 3/4 of the way through. When i went in for an inspection the car tried to fold before getting completely off the ground . I'm looking for a rust free boby to transfer parts to but i'm not sure what that'll cost. Most junkyards around here will at least try to rip off anyone who doesn't know what the parts should cost. I would appreciate any advise/help I can get.

 

If your looking to replace rotted panels, you could buy a junker but what would you do with the excess. I live in California and there are plenty of bodys with little or no rust. My suggestion would to have the floor pan cut from a z car here or from Arizona, then have the source split it along the tranny tunnel and ship it. Then you can cut and fit what you need and lose the rest of it. I've done this with my 2000 roadster and it's no big trick, especially when you consider that it will be hidden by the carpetting.
Dave
68 2000
67.5 1600
71 240z
83 280zxt
97 hardbody