I've had my 280zx for sometime now. I bought it from the original owner, drove it all the way back from Stamford Connecticut to Coatesville Pennsylvania the same night, and had no troubles. There were a few very small issues, but other than that, the car was in great condition, with the exception of some light rust on the front fenders. It had been sitting in a locked city garage for several years. I slowly started replacing things and improving bits here and there.

I drive this car every day to, and from, work. Yesterday I worked late(6pm). While driving home, I came over a hill at about 40MPH(5 MPH under speedlimit), to be surprised by a deer. I quickly slammed the brakes, downshifted, slammed the rear legs of the animal, narrowly missed an oncoming vehicle, my front right wheel caught the deep shoulder which sent me into a uncontrollable fishtail, I slammed into a roadside embankment and spun around to a stop, perpendicular to the road. The car was still running, I slowly reversed into a small church parking lot about 120ft away, shouted a select word, inspected the damage, and drove it home.

Day after I bought it:


Today:


I have decided to make this the starting point of my driving project; "Without Luck" a baddass unique daily drive that will turn heads.
Unbelievably, the car seems to drive fine and stops straight.
First goal will be sourcing out parts for the repairs.
So far I know I'll need to replace:
Hood/mounts.
Bumper/mounts
Fenders/headlight buckets
Valance/Airdam
Valance Apron

Further damage assessment will be done tonight and tomorrow at the garage I rent, and I'll report back with the details.

(P.S. any parts donated/offered at a bargain towards the project will be immensely appreciated)

So it begins, Project "Without Luck"

 

That really sucks, your Z looked really nice, very clean

I hope you get everything you need put together!

 

Ouch. Too bad you don't live closer, I'd source you the parts for cheap (from my parts Z). Glad you're okay, mate. Close calls are..well..close.

On a side note, it that a Yamaha Virago in the first picture?

 

Glad that you'r OK.
I have all you need but I live in Phoenix AZ.
Wow you still have the headlight work still!!

 

Hey guys, thanks for chiming in, and the offers for help. I wish I could take up some of them, I am having a hard time sourcing any kind of half decent parts.

Well, I got the front end off to asses the damage. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking:


You can see here, the passenger side front engine bay corner is bent upwards. This lifted the coolant reservoir high enough to prevent the hood from shutting completely, I am hoping to find parts car to cut a corner out of.

Photos of the front frame damage:









I have a front end alignment scheduled for this weekend(geez just had it done a week before the accident), this is what my steering wheel looks like when I'm driving straight:


Also, the project staying true to its name, my lower radiator hose blew off the radiator as I was climbing the steep, winding, narrow, two lane wreck of a road known as "Route 10". It overheated and blew the head gasket. The coolant seems to be puddling on the intake manifold. No big deal, seams to be a 10-12 hour job max, cake compared to my old 93' Camaro. Just need to get my hands on a Haynes manual.

So, current agenda is:
Acquire replacement fenders.
Acquire replacement hood.
Acquire engine bay quarter.
Replace headgasket.
Start working on the new bumper.
Fab up some new bumper mounts for custom bumper.

Any input on the damage is appreciated, as I am still in the air as to exactly what to do about it.


It's A Honda CX500 that I rebuilt 4 or 5 years ago in an unheated shed in the dead of winter, now undergoing the second transformation into a cafe inspired custom build. Albeit in a slightly more comfortable working environment.

 

I have a passenger fender in good shape (no rust) - and a headlight bucket (slight crack but fixable) I will let go cheap .. if you want it.

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/fs-24...s-cheap-36566/

 

PM sent KC81ZX, Thanks.