I FINALLY got some new pics of my car!! I know its rough but I love it! Let me know what you think...

http://photobucket.com/albums/v11/ch...rs/My%20280ZX/

 

ooooh wooow!

Well, I'm sure you're glad to have a Z-car but man, that thing would be considered totaled around here.
You need new everything. Every panel that unbolts should be replaced, including your bumpers. Then you just have the rear left quarter panel to patch up. Keep those wheels! Clean them up.

I hope it runs good for you. It can only get better from here.

 

I think I speak for everyone when I say "DANG, IT LOOKS COLD THERE"! Good Z, though, even with the work that needs done...

 

Floor Pans need replacing too!
There's no way in hell I'm letting those wheels go! I love them, a bit of cleanup and they'll be good as new.
Other than the body, the drivetrain is awesome! Runs great!

and YES it was VERY cold yesterday!! Didn't get much work done, but it was fun anyways!

 

Hey will a lot of TLC, and hard work and dedication. You can have a beautiful showroom looking Z. Keep us up on your project, and good luck!!

 

Okay, here's a thought...
Option A: Go all out, spend every cent I have and make this a top notch show car.
Option B: Do the engine, driveline, and other essentials ...Sleeeeeper....
Which do you think I should do? Or maybe I should do a sleeper and drive it for a while then slowly transform it into a show car. Choices choices, I'd appreciate some comments, ideas, etc...
Thanks

 

I'd do rust repair/bodywork and paint first. A super engine is no good if the car is going to fall apart or twist in half everytime you get down on it.

 

Option B sounds good, however; don't let the z community down... make the whole thing nice! Looks like a fun project car. Good luck!

 

Good point. That's most likely what I'll do, dont want to twist it in half. then there's no way I'll be making it into a show car.

 

I'm actually going thru the same thing right now, my Z has a little floor rust in the pass. floor, some in the subframe and quite a bit in both rockers. Hopefully I can tackle that and my engine/trans swap at the same time this summer.

 

looks like a HUGE undertaking.. steer clear of the zxR tho

 

I think you should name it Rusty!

 

What do you mean?

 

Well, what does the R stand for? I'm mentioning it because there is an import fad our there that if you put an "R" on your car, that means that it's fast... Like the integra type R. Now, if yout R stood for "Rustbucket" (which mine was too ) then I can see that. But remember, you own a 280zx.. no sense in changing the name.

 

The ZX-R is a real thing. It was a special edition 280ZX that Nissan made in 1979. Here is one I found on car domain.

http://www.cardomain.com/id/showinoffnmyz

 

wow..you learn something every day about these cars

 

You got that right!!

 

hey man way to go! dont be discouraged. I bought a Z back in december that makes that one look like a show car. Its horrible. Rust everywhere. its a 83 280zx non turbo 5 speed with t roofs. It should be in the boneyard but something about it plucked my heart strings and i took it home. Noone in my family or friends familys knows anything about bodywork but so far ive been making great progress and its all from things ive learned here and www.hyrbidz.org . Anyways im drunk right now so i wont boree you but keep us informed! 280zx is the pinnacle of automotive achievment and some day when its done and your pickin up dumb chicks who think its a porche or something youll know life is good

 

Wow that ZXr is tight!! Verry sweet!! ANd chewie I didn't actually say you had to make it showroom. I certainly am not doing my '81 or '82 original in all ways. The '82 I am going to make a Turbo clone, and the '81 will look Fast and the Furious type!! Do whatever makes you happier. But I would consentrate on the drivetrain then the frame and suspension. The body and then the cosmetic. THat is what I am going to do. It can look pretty, but if it doesn't run, it is just a piece of art on wheels. LOL!! I made that mistake before on my Firebird and my '81 280zx. Great project car though. Keep us up on the updates. Good luck!

 

Brakes first! Brakes first!

Then make sure it runs good and reliable. Don't do any "upgrades" that you can't afford right now. Do your bodywork and start primering the whole car. Top each section off with a primer sealer.

 

Absolutely make sure it's safe first. Brakes and steering. Get a Haynes and/or Chilton's manual. They're cheap and the have all the basic information you'll need. If you want a Factory Service Manual, it'll run about $75 and you can get one from:

Dyment Distribution
20770 Westwood Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44136
Phone: 1-800-247-5321

Bleach is right. Do everything that you can that doesn't require very much money.

You can start with the hammer and dolly to start taking out as much of those dents as you can and spend some money on primer and sealer.

Take your time. Patience is your friend. It will take a lot less time to do it slowly and right then to do it quick and wrong over and over again.

This is where your sweat equity will pay off. All the money you planned to spend on upgrades should sit in a savings account and you can add to it while you're working on the body.

Find a friend or make a friend with a MIG welder. You'll need one to fix those floor pans and you don't want to be the one to do it yourself the first time. It won't be pretty.

Sand, straighten, prime and seal. This should be your mantra. There's a lot of supportive people on this site with a lot of experience and knowledge earned the hard way. Most of the mistakes have already been made, this is your opportunity to avoid those so you don't have to waste the time and money correcting them.

Good luck!

Oh, and here's a link to the history of the zx-R:

http://zhome.com/History/ZXR.htm

 

hahah..that SO reminds me of MY rustbucket...I SHOULDA TAKEN PICS!!! wow...thats gonna be nice project...my rails are bad still, but i close my eyes when i work underneath :P!!!!

 

Dam Thats Alot Of Work............ Rusty...................have Fun :d