OK..So all the Z's are tucked away for winter and we all need something to keep us going...so a BACKYARD FIND! Noticed this Z Thanksgiving Day, lurking in this guy's backyard about one mile from my house. Can you find it? It's like a "find Waldo" thing. This is the only shot I could get without trespassing. Never noticed it before but there it is. This guy has some interesting stuff from what I can see. I'll see if I can put a note in his mailbox (if I can find one, house is kinda overgrown and a little mysterious) and see if he/she wants to send it down the road.
Colin's thought on this: "Interesting...although without seeing the taillights, I'm not sure if it's a 240, 260, or a 280? I would think it's probably toast, and the floors are gone...who knows, might make for a decent parts car and the guy may have some goodies...who knows."
OK...So I'll keep you all posted. I hope I don't make any one nuts on this.
Colin, "The older one"

HOLY COW! IT'S CAR #12!!!

Colin The Elder, you've got good eyes. I can zee it's not a '70, by the B-pillar vent. The rear bumper appears missing. Certainly worth a try, even as a partz car.

Find out his address and mail him a note.

Now I won't sleep well until you learn more about the car

I see a CTZCC partZ Z #3 in the not so distant future!!

Phil

Frank, I’m always looking down driveways, wondering what’s behind the doors of some old garage, it’s a sickness. If you like that kind of thing two great books by Tom Cotter should be high on your Christmas list: The Cobra in the Barn and The Hemi in the Barn, lots of great stories of automotive archaeology.
I tracked down the name and address, letter has been sent. Now get some sleep!

Naw, it ain't no #12, unless maybe it was the guy's 12th Z. If
so, he still has a ways to go to catch up to TomWas!

Somewhere beyond VIN #21000, based on (as you say) the flow-
thru air outlet on the C pillar, but not beyond the end of the '73
run which was the last of the Code 918 orange. 260s and later
didn't have that color~ now I get thinking repaint, but I doubt it...

Colin Sr., I get nutsy every time I see a Z, and the earlier the Z
is, the nutsier I get...........now you know why I am like I am........
~Rick~

Maybe it's just a rear quarter cut off a Z and just laying back there. I'll say 73, for one the paint like Rck mentioned. I don't see bumper struts to be a later 260 or 280. And finally, didn't the 73 have some indentations in the back end under the taillight which it looks like. Wild guess on that one.

'Twas the night before Christmas"... and I finally received an answer from the owner of the hidden Z. On Frank's suggestion I had mailed the owner a letter regarding the Z, below his response. I'll contact him and go take a look and see if I can get some photo's.

"Hi,
The Z is a 73 that ran very well when last used about 15 years ago. Everything mechanical was good except the differential was a little noisy, partly because it is bolted to the body. The body is rusty. It was the most pleasant car to drive that I ever had. Too bad they weren't rustproof. If you are interested, make me an offer. I kept a lot of projects for retirement and it is clear I won't get to them. I sold four cars and a motorcycle this year and have a few to go. When I want to use my wrenches, I try to get my ancient Gravely tractors to run.
Charles"

HLS30 123339 is unfortunately toast. Finally got to see this Z up close…it’s a 1973.
“Ran when parked” 15-20 years ago, I was able to get some photos, serious rust problems, interior shot, probably a mouse condo! The owner has to find the key so unable to get any shots of the motor, although he said it was complete. Parts car? It will take some work to get it out of there. The elderly gentleman that owns it said make him an offer. If I was him I would be just happy to get it of the property! Sad ending for the “Hidden Z” story.

What a shame to let fine cars waste away like that, looks like a sprite/midget sitting next to it... He's got some collection in his yard, sounds like a nice gent though....... Good eye Colin..

_________________
Now on my 15th/update/16th Zcar, Z's4vr....

atleast the parts we can save will help prevent other Z's from dying.

O M G Thats a Sad,Sad, Sight.... Z ABUSE ...

_________________
Bob Sharp Racing History Memorabillia Chairman / VP of Marketing
RDZ MOTORSPORTS / CONSULTANT
RDZ MOTORSPORTS PROTOTYPE
Black 2007 350-Z
67 Camaro Custom
Orange Late 71 240-Z Sold and sitting in a Doctors Collection

Colin Foote Never Forgotten!!

WOW. Biodegrading before our eyes!

Last weekend I checked out a 260Z nearby that was remarkably similar in that it had been sitting outdoors for at least 15 years and had sunk into the ground about 6 inches. When the owner attempted to tow it out, the car literally BROKE IN HALF at the firewall! The front struts stayed glued to the ground, separating from the body. I had never seen a Z so sad!

Too bad, seems like we were about 10 years too late.....

_________________
John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

We are a Land of Plenty and a Nation of Waste. Enthusiasts in many other countries (such as Australia or Germany) have such a shortage of Zs and Z partz, they have to send all the way to the USA (not Japan) to get them. We have so many, we park 'em in the Back 40 and let them dissolve.

There should be no such thing as a "throw-away-Z". We should be ashamed.

I do wonder how much of this car can be re-cycled into other Zs, awaiting organ donors? If this one broke in half when we tried to pull it out, that might make it easier to access the good partz!

Sad, sad, sad.

*(And by the way ~ NICE CALL, RICK. The production date and VIN fell directly into your estimate. )

any update on this car? maybe driver side fender is salvageable?