I love beautifully restored vintage cars as much as the next car geek, but there’s something about a bona fide classic still being used as a daily transportation beater that makes me smile.
Such was my reaction upon stumbling across this well-worn early Z in the “Back 40” section of the Culver City / Marina Del Rey Home Depot parking lot in the early evening, a few days before Christmas. On that particular day, my buddy Don and I were picking up 2,000 lbs. worth of construction gravel for his backyard landscaping project. While my truck was being loaded up, I spotted this sitting off in the distance and immediately grabbed my phone. At the time I only got the chance to take one picture, as it was getting late and we were meeting friends for dinner soon after. I took one cursory pic and then skedaddled, thinking that was the first and last time I’d see this car.
Imagine my pleasant surprise when I encountered this very same Z once again, just this past weekend. I can only assume that it belongs to one of the store’s employees here. This time Don and I were picking up a few little odds and ends, and while Don was paying at the register, I dashed outside and snapped a few more pics. As you can see, this Z is either a work in progress, or a stalled ( but driveable ) project. Hard to tell which. As you can see, it needs a little work.
The thin bumpers, body-color taillight panel, and small protruding taillight lenses with their integrated reverse lights denote this as being a 1970-1973 model Z. Later examples sported slightly larger, recessed rear lamps with inboard reverse lights, set into a matte gray panel.
The generous patina, missing door mirror, mangled trim, and practically destroyed interior indicate that this car has not had an easy life. Even so, I give kudos to the owner for keeping it running. Hopefully one day it will receive some much-needed cosmetic and interior work. Just a few rattle cans of Dupli-Color enamel and some cheap fake sheepskin seat covers would work wonders for this tired old Z. In any case, I’m happy just to see one of these that’s still around.
I love patinated cars, but I’m not feeling it here.
one of my most favorite cars. i liked them all the way to 83 – the 2+2 a bit less. too bad the early ones never had a convertible option.
I must say I like a gentle patina and prefer it to an overdone restoration but this has way too much west and tear for me. Looks like a candidate for work!
Also, worn out and decrepit interiors actually depress me for some reason – just can’t stand them! Again, some wear is good, tear is not!
Beautiful! Nice shots under duress.
This is the stage where patina becomes untenable and a few cans of grey primer need to cover it up. Still, refreshing to see a 240Z without minilites and gaudy fender flares
Nice, relatively straight (except for the interior) original Z. What’s not to like?
Yeah, it could use a paint job. The hood actually has a nice patina to it, but the rest of the car is too much “indifferent rattle can primer”.
I am a big fan of patina. It looks interesting and adds a unique feel to a car.
But around here, actually driving a car this deteriorated would attract the attention of the police, simply because it looks so odd. They don’t understand the artistic merits of dilapidation. They’ll think something is wrong, either with the car, the paperwork or the drivers state of mind. They’ll go through the car until they find something, and then give you a ticket.
May be different in Ontario but patina isn’t considered probable cause for a search. Never agree to let the police search your car.
The cops in Ontario (or the Ministry of Transportation inspectors) do not need permission to inspect any vehicle for mechanical fitness. They can and will do it and if you make a fuss they’ll put the cuffs on you.
Really junky looking cars and loud exhausts get their attention, especially nights and weekends. Its happened to me, and to friends many times.
They can also search your car without permission if they have probable cause.
In reality its pretty easy to avoid attention. Don’t speed, have quiet pipes, have all your car lights working and stay off the phone.
“Artistic Merits of Dilapidation” would be a great name for a band…
I remember a friend coining the term ‘the aesthetics of duration’.
Rust never sleeps. Neil Young
Just have to say one word about this car, no detailed write up needed.
That one word to describe this car is “Legendary”.
have a nice day…..
I love it, and accept it with all my heart. Thats my kinda ride.
I been machine-gunned, hand-gunned, hijacked, left for dead
Divebombed, napalmed, nuclear warheaded
Dropped from a jet plane with no parachute
Shot by a firing squad and raped by a business suit
I’m dancing on a landmine, one leg left
But I can still crawl and I’m not dead yet
The Bad Examples – Excert from ‘Not Dead Yet’
I like patina as much as the next guy but this is too much. Nest steps for this ride is a CL ad with “NO LOWBALLERS” at an outrageous price and then off to the U-Pull yard for it’s final rest.
? Are the rear window defroster wires _vertical_ ? .
.
If so it’s a really early one .
.
This is clearly a can that had the old paint job(s) sanded off then ignored ~ a bad thing to do and no kind of ‘ patina ‘ at all .
.
I hope it gets saved and put back to hard road work .
.
-Nate
(who really shoulda bought that ’71 with new clutch and decent original yellow paint for $600)
Late to the post (former 280Z owner here). IMHO the 1978 280Z was the last good Z. All that followed were like once fit athletes who let themselves go.
But I just wanted to say bravo for backing it in. Both times. Probably always.
People in parking lots behind me occasionally honk at when I pass a parking spot and then back in. Like hey – OMG – what on earth are you doing ????
I wonder if the dash on this 240 is in one piece.