In December of 2022 I bought my dream car; a 1975 Datsun 280z. Stock running L28, 5 speed manual, and alot of rust. While I knew I was biting off more than I could chew, I decided to save the car from rotting away (like most of these do). With a uhaul trailer and some borrowed cash me and my dad dragged her to our home shop.
I then proceeded to start a racing team with KSU called Night Owl Racing to compete in the $2000 Challenge.
While I piddled around building a Ford Festiva, my dream car sat. Time to time I managed to make my way to the shop to work on it, but ultimately, nothing meaningful ever got done.
Two years later I am ready to commit some time to this vehicle.
I'm no stranger to rust repair, as I work doing restos, but it needs alot. First order of business is to repair the core of the rust. This means:
- New Floor Pans
- New Frame Rails
- Firewall Patches
- Battery Tray
- Spare Tire Well
and whatever else I find while in there. The doors and hood have a decent amount of rust, but I plan to wait on those. The driver quarter panel has also been damaged at some point and holds several containers worth of bondo. For now, the quarter panel isnt my biggest concern, but bondo is the devil.
My main goal is to get the rust in the chassis sorted then pivot to getting the car back on the road (suspension, brakes, motorwork, etc).
If you wanna see more, let me know, hopefully the grassroots community can bully me into staying accountable to getting this thing done. I've already started the teardown process and will start posting updates, I hope you all enjoy tuning in to this chaos.
In for more.
Wow! That car is quite hole-y...
Check out BLOK on YouTube. He just finished rust repair on his.
Those Z cars are so cool, I'm rooting for you.
I'd note your comment that you committed to fix it up - schedule time each week to make forward progress.
You said a college budget (college student) then you restore cars (mechanic) so I feel you know what your doing so I have little to add.
I decided not to tear too far into the bodywork instead getting it running first since my Z sat for 25+ years. I got bogged down with the gas tank restoration for over a month (buy the three step kit). That sometimes frustrates me.
Good luck - excited to see another Z car on GRM.
In to follow, looking forward to seeing what direction you take this!
Little motivation of one of my favorite Z cars
In reply to amg_rx7 (Forum Supporter) :gr
preciate it, seen some of his stuff before. great resource
Cool car! In to follow.
Beautiful cars! Carry on!
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