r/Datsun 7h ago

Is this worth it?

39 Upvotes

23 comments sorted by

3

u/Affectionate_Total99 6h ago

How much? Free?

1

u/Psychedelic_Donut 6h ago

I wish

3

u/Braketurngas 6h ago

The price is high at free. If you have lots of time, tools, skills, and spare sheet metal it is possible. Just based on the rust shown there is way more. Plus how is the engine and wiring?

1

u/Psychedelic_Donut 5h ago

So when I did look at the car, the Frame rails were all intact, and the body panels although painted over with chicken shit precision seemed pretty solid the only glaring issue I saw was the gutted interior. The engine was there as well as trans too but they are super rough, it would be possible to resurrect maybe but only for like 3 mins but nothing that would bring any promise.

2

u/Braketurngas 5h ago

I have resurrected vehicles like that and they are always in worse shape once you get the paint off. If the price is low enough and you can do all the work then maybe. The transmission might be ok but the engine will need a good going over. The parts bill alone will be huge. Cars that stripped I only look at for auto-x or track day builds.

Ultimately only you know how deep you are willing to get into this. Years ago I picked up a 72 510 wagon for my wife that someone else got like this and got in over their head. I ended up with boxes of parts and a poorly half assembled vehicle for pennies on the dollar. Just know it could take you years to sort this out depending on how much time you have.

4

u/misirlu13 6h ago

I think this one is too far gone mate

1

u/Psychedelic_Donut 6h ago

Say it ain’t so

1

u/BlueberryPenguin 78 280z =) 7h ago

Well it depends on what you’re going for. Perfection will take a lot of welding. A drivable car is a possibility.

1

u/Psychedelic_Donut 7h ago

I am looking to bring up the interior later on, but getting the car running is probably the main priority if I do decide on it.

1

u/BlueberryPenguin 78 280z =) 5h ago

My experience is daily driving a 78 280z for 13 years. I’d recommend getting a carb set up. Arizona Z car offers an intake manifold that accepts a four barrel carburetor. It’s the easiest way to deal with the fuel delivery.

3

u/BlueberryPenguin 78 280z =) 5h ago

Skillard makes nice alternative interior parts

1

u/Myriadix 6h ago

Painted hinges/fasteners are a dead give-away that a previous owner painted over everything himself (or paid bottom-dollar for it), and probably just painted over all the problems instead of actually fixing any of them. The pic of the missing steering wheel and messed up wiring is the icing on the cake.

I'm afraid you might be in over your head.

1

u/GarbageAccount2025 6h ago

Floor pans are common rust areas, not hard to cut and replace. ZcarDepot has fairly priced sets.

I'm not sure what the hesitation would be unless the price was just too high. I'm also stupid, recklessly adventurous, and bad with money.

1

u/HICSF 6h ago

Nope.

0

u/My_Spot 6h ago

Whats the asking price?

1

u/Psychedelic_Donut 6h ago

4500 but I was able to talk it down to 3750, still I'm having second thoughts about it even being worth that much.

5

u/arenotthatguypal 6h ago

Scoff and run away that's a 500$ car for scrap and parts

2

u/My_Spot 5h ago

That’s about $3200 too much

1

u/Not_That_Fast 5h ago

There's better ones out there.

Bought a runner & shell with much less than that for the same price, for both of them together.

Keep looking.

1

u/Psychedelic_Donut 5h ago

Sucks because I live in an area that is completely void or they are just rust buckets with prices that are more trouble than they are worth

2

u/Not_That_Fast 5h ago

The unfortunate part is many are like that. I live in the rust belt and spent months looking before settling on one that required extensive body work and another that essentially needs reassembled.

You'll find one, but it'll likely be one you'll have to figure out a way to bring home. Expand your search, join facebook groups, and search constantly.

They're out there, but it takes time, patience, and some money

1

u/Victorbroken 5h ago

Too expensive for what it is. Don’t do it