I just recently bought a 1980 280ZX 2+2 as my mid-life crisis car. It's a $500 "Craigslist Special" that needs TLC everywhere. But that's fine, I only want the shell and the clear title. The plan is a "po' man's supercar"... too much engine, too much tire, and all the amenities inside. I'm here mainly to network with other owners so I can find some of the more obscure interior parts and to figure out what's wrong with the wiring so I can get the engine running again.


As for me... I've been a car fanatic my whole life. I did my first brake job at the age of five. That was back when cars still had carburetors, points ignition, and (often) only seat belts instead of the standard 3-point harness of today. I've owned 30-odd cars over the years from almost every manufacturer. But I've never gotten around to building "that" car... the one I really want. So here goes.

Rogue One wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 17, 2018 4:18 pm

I assume you meant the car and not my sexy self.

Southern Gorilla wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 17, 2018 5:16 pm

I assume you meant the car and not my sexy self.

Welcome to Nicoclub.

Southern Gorilla wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 17, 2018 3:09 pm

...a "po' man's supercar"... too much engine, too much tire, and all the amenities inside...

I have to ask. What kind of powerplant are you considering? Also, are we talking of 2018 retrofit amenities or 1980 Datsun amenities (very achievable goal)?

EdBwoy wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 19, 2018 2:12 pm

Welcome to Nicoclub.


I have to ask. What kind of powerplant are you considering? Also, are we talking of 2018 retrofit amenities or 1980 Datsun amenities (very achievable goal)?

I plan a V-8 swap. And modern amenities. The nice thing is that I'm not on a deadline. So if it takes seven years to gather the parts it's no big deal.

Welcome aboard, brotha! I like the build plan - a man after my own heart.

AZhitman wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 19, 2018 10:57 pm

Welcome aboard, brotha! I like the build plan - a man after my own heart.

Thanks.

I figured a V-8 swap was common enough that it wouldn't poke a hornet's nest here. A pair of junkyard heated/cooled seats and a Bluetooth head unit didn't seem too controversial either. My more outlandish thoughts will stay in my head until they've happened. It seems every time I talk too much about my plans I jinx them. Or somebody tries to convince me their plans for my car are better than my plans for my car.

My plans have already hit their first snag. My daily has crapped the bed again. The repair is covered by the warranty from the shop that just fixed the problem two months ago. But I've had nothing but problems from this car since I bought it. So I'm getting rid of it, trading it on something (hopefully) better. Unfortunately, that means a new payment. That means I'm going to have to find all the free/cheap things I can do with my ZX until the wife's car is paid of in a few months and we have some breathing room again. I foresee a lot of dismantling and inventorying of bits in my near future.

Welcome aboard!
What's your daily that keeps crapping out?

PapaSmurf2k3 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 20, 2018 11:02 am

Welcome aboard!
What's your daily that keeps crapping out?

An '05 PT Cruiser convertible. Shame too. It's a fun little car with its 235 HP and 5-speed. One of only 476 5-speed GT convertibles built in '05 according to Chrysler. But it's stupidly unreliable and very difficult to work on. Which, come to think of it, makes it like every other Mopar I've owned.