Barn (shed actually) find 260Z....

[yoeddynz]

A couple of weeks ago my cousin, Hannah and I spent getting an old 260z going. Owned for years by this 80+ year old lady who my cousin does gardening for. He had spotted it in the garage and asked her about it. She imported it from the UK after having owned a 240Z when they first came out which she had to sell. She loves it dearly but cant drive it anymore. Cool old lady, absolutely nuts about cars having owned in order a triumph roadster, MGA twincam, herald, xk120 and others. Had old motorbikes too, No family. She wants one last drive and then will sell it. The car is bloody amazing!!!! Its a 2 seater too- not the 2+2. Last ran in 2005.

We pumped up tyres and rolled it out today covered in dust. Gave it a wash, wow. Some fresh fuel in the carbs, jump leads and it started, cool. She had extractors fitted and boy does it sound simply glorious!. I drained out the old fuel and in with some fresh. No rust anywhere- minty fresh! Mint interior too. Man I love cars like this! I'll be going back to replace a split heater hose and fuel hose, replace brake fluid etc then will take it a spin.
I know the 260s are not as valued as 240's but what would this car be worth? I think (hope) its rego is on hold. She is still completely with it and knows it must be worth good money in this condition. I wont be able to afford it but at least I can help her find a good home/price for it. It'll be cool just driving it!
Some photos- I forgot to get a photo of the interior.
Tucked away...


What a bonnet!...





Hannah said she wants a car with a paint job as nice as this. And a car as nice as this. It was really nice to clean as it came up lovely and shiny.



EDIT; Just added video of engine running...

[yoeddynz]

Moving forwards... Today I got my first ever drive in a Z. And....Wow! Its fantastic. I have always loved sixes as I have owned several Triumph saloons. Plus I have had the use of my brothers older 1990 TVR S3 for 6 months last year with its V6. But todays drive was fantastic. Very nice engine and I'm quite impressed. And such a lovely car to be in. Smitten.





Hannah and I went out with some replacement hoses and a new battery.



I changed the split heater hose and return fuel line. Why has this return pipe got such a small orifice?...



Started it up and then tried the clutch which luckily hadn't stuck. I bled the slave but its still hard to get into first? Its quite baulky into 1st, 2nd. Feels like the clutch is still dragging. It did get better after the run. Also discovered the bottom hose has been chewed away at by rats! Little buggers. It now has a thin spot there. So it will need a bottom hose. I have wrapped the chew marks over with lots of insulation tape for now. Luckily they have not got inside the car.

Rat food...



We gave it another quick clean. Once again it was a joy to wash...



Hannah lathering it up....



I had a really good look under the car. Its completely dry and rust free. Just a bit of light dirt and cobwebs. She had it restored and she told me that when it came from England it had no rust to deal with whatsoever anyway. The underseal is in good condition and engine, box,diff all have just the usual damp areas of a old car.

Its owner was very excited about going for a drive. She loves talking about cars and is definitely a petrol head! its great. But with a bad shoulder she wont be driving it for a while. So I took her out for a drive. It stuttered a bit to begin with but once the cobwebs were blown out it got better and better. Loads of torque. Drove it for a decent trip of about 40kms to get some more petrol and see if we could find a local garage to do an on the spot wof. Not a chance today though so we'll go back next week and get it tested then. I found no problems but for a slight wheel imbalance at about 90. Oh and when we stopped to get fuel I think heat soak may have caused evaporation in the carb bowls? It would hesitate for about 20 secs after restarting and then would come right. I can remember similar problems with one of our Triumphs. I think it will run even smoother on BP ultimate as its currently drinking a mix of 91 and 95- all we could get at the time.

The steering was great, handling excellent, no bumps or thumps. Drove it along Queen Charlotte drive which has always been a favourite drive of mine in the TVR and is a great driving road. Very twisty and hilly.

Most annoying aspect of the drive was the gear knob is loose. Oh - and also that the car is not mine.

We will be sorting out the wof next week and then she wants to have one last blast in it - maybe a trip to Nelson before she starts advertising it. I told her it must be worth over $20,000 in its condition but I still cant help her pin point a price. I have advised her to search the net (81 years old and she is internet savvy) and do some research herself to get an idea of what they are worth. But I think for now she just wants to enjoy it again which is cool in my book!

What I do know and told her this is that I would snap it up myself if I ever had a chance to afford it. I have offered to swap her my 1968 HB Viva but she politely declined......with a laugh.

I didn't get any photos of it out on the road as I was having too much fun. Next time. Can't wait!

[donttellhimpike]

:)thats a honey!! barn/shed finds are much bettere in those climates! love it!

[retrolegends]

Brilliant thread,love a 260Z very under rated car,keep us all informed on the progress.

[crazymonkey]

brilliant to hear a story about a car found in a shed/barn that isnt abandoned and unloved. The fact that the owner's getting on and still wont give it up without one last go is brilliant. Its what owning a car like that should be about.

[yoeddynz]

Yep- And boy I cant wait to drive it again. I want another straight 6! But I think in the form of a mk1 trump estate (if i can find one in NZ....cheap)

[speedy88]

I have no idea why these are worth less than 240s, just as if not moar pretty

[octagonalpaul]

great story, it must feel slightly sad at that age to know you won't be able to drive anymore. It's amazing that she's kept it well looked after and wants to have a last go in it - I imagine that'll be very emotional

[Davenger]

That's brilliant.
Top find

[yoeddynz]

Yeah its cool that she has found her passion for driving it again. I have thought of a great country road just out of my hometown where she will be able to have a crack at driving it again without any stress. She still drives a small Daihatsu 4wd about- manual of course and still has her marbles! It will be the steering plus her not being able to turn her neck properly to check blind spots that will cause grief. I reckon she will be a good driver though- better than most oldies!

[craig]

I'm glad i read that again. Thought you said she had an XK120 as well. Was just about to ask why you rolled this out and not the Jag. Great story though, i bet she's quite upset.

[yoeddynz]

she seems more excited than anything. She is currently on an up right now. she has had cancer and has the all clear from that. Yesterday she was a bit worse for wear from celebrating. Ate a raw egg to try help her head. Quite a character- was telling us about how she lost her licence in the 50's for speeding near folkstone. Used to ride her motorbike in high heels. Many storys to tell.:-)

[skoda_norman]

What a great story. I hope the woman enjoys her last drive in the beauty.

[uncle silvia]

This is why I love NZ...... Many an old car can be found like this!!

Simply stunning!!

[yoeddynz]

oh we are loving it here.:-) on that afternoon in my hometown with 30k population we saw 2 mk2 triumph saloons, one mk1, a rover p4, reliant scimitar, a sprite, mustang, 2 morris minors and the usual loads of old J cars. Marlborough has the best weather in the country and they just don't really know about rust here. Almost middle of winter and this whole week has been 17/18 degree days. Yep its great. i just wish there were more classic car events to go to. Its especially quiet on the show scene here in south island i guess due to a population of not much more than 1 million. I miss that aspect of the uk. You have such a huge scene there.