The Z Project

"Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken" (Gimmi)
05/13/2014 at 16:53 • Filed to: Z

So my son in law has some bad news, not too bad. The engine needs to be rebuilt, we knew it needed a new head but now the engine and tranny are getting the full treatment. Its the original matching engine so its good it can be kept, only 84k on it. I will be there in two weeks and it should be out of the shop. No paint yet, both dog legs had minor rust but its being cut out and better coating and drainage is being added. So she won't be pretty like this one in the picture I found, its the same colour but needs help. It will drive perfectly so we can try her out with the triple carbs. So I will take some pictures when we get it back and I am there. Mechanical stage 1 is almost complete. The bonnet has a little ding near the tip so I may do that for him, I think I will also replace the rear hatch tail gate panel, the photo I saw shows signs of corrosion, probably just panel bond it and they can weld it later when they paint it if they feel like it. I found him the paint for the rear tail light panel, the color is no longer made but someone took a device to capture the paint code off a car in the museum and have formulated it, I ordered a can for him to paint that bit. I've never driven one of these, I can't wait to try.

DISCUSSION (8)

CPT Speedbump > Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken
05/13/2014 at 17:10

I want to test drive a older Z so bad right now.. decide if I might want to buy one to drop a VQ35 in or not, lol

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > CPT Speedbump
05/13/2014 at 17:15

This one has the original engine so it was decided to keep it all original, its an early 71' with little rust so its fairly rare. If it was a mix and match car I would put a 280Z motor with triple carbs in it. They sound so good with the older engines and carbs, have to keep them inline, no Vs! This came with triple carbs and a roll bar, only things that have been changed.

The Daily Hoon > Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken
05/13/2014 at 17:20

Your son in law should join Jalopnik and share the project build! This sounds great.

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > The Daily Hoon
05/13/2014 at 17:27

He has a very busy job, not really the type to do that. He found a Z expert in the bay area and they handle restorations so its being done there in stages over time. The goal this time was to make it mechanically sound and fix the rust that was there so it can't spread. I will try to get him to do a classic rally with me! I can take some pictures when I visit. Not sure when it will be painted, it will probably be touched up and try to buff the original paint first. He wants to paint it right so maybe later.

CPT Speedbump > Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken
05/13/2014 at 17:27

Inlines are awesome, but it'd be a track car in my case, and the VQ would weigh less and sit further back :P So obviously a Z like yours would not be one I'd want to buy, I'd have to buy one missing a engine or with a engine that no longer has any chance of being rebuilt/saved. Or just build the VQ in my Z33..or LS swap... still many decisions to decide in life, lol

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > CPT Speedbump
05/13/2014 at 17:33

enjoy

CPT Speedbump > Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken
05/13/2014 at 18:02

Hmm.. I know the Z33 is about on part with the Z34 usually, if I were to build a 240Z it'd be a S/C'd VQ, so less weight, more power, and no boost lag compared to the RB, and I'd definitely put as big of disk brakes as I could on it, so...I still have no idea how that'd compare to building my Z33, lol..maybe I'll have to build both if funds are there, lol.

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > CPT Speedbump
05/13/2014 at 18:04

The biggest Wilwood brakes are a must, thats in phase two of our plans.