beg3yrs' 260Z Restoration as a Retirement Project
260Z Restoration as a Retirement Project (ZDriver)
Read the full write-up at 260Z Restoration as a Retirement Project (ZDriver) ↗
Photo: 260Z Restoration as a Retirement Project (ZDriver)A retiree's 1974 260Z restoration, finished and later put up for sale
This forum thread follows beg3yrs, a retired owner in Tucson, Arizona, through the later stages of restoring his 260Z, including a new stereo, reupholstering the interior, final show prep, and subsequent small upgrades like lowering springs and new wheels. It is a personal, long-running project log rather than a professional write-up, showing the mix of satisfaction and ongoing tweaks typical of an amateur restoration.
Specs
As stated in the original write-up.
- Suspension
- Vogtland lowering springs (installed in place of considered Tokico option)
- Wheels
- Koenig Rewind wheels, replacing earlier 1990s-style wheels
- Brakes
- Rear drum brakes retained (rear disc conversion only on the owner's wish list, not fitted)
- Electrical
- Aftermarket head unit with AM/FM, USB x2, Aux x2, Bluetooth and handsfree mic
- Interior
- Reupholstered seats with new foam and custom door/dog-leg panels featuring embroidered 260Z logo and red stitching
Parts used
Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.
Suspension & Steering 1
- Vogtland lowering springsVogtland
Installed to lower the car; chosen over Tokico springs to avoid harsh impacts on bumps
In the shops
Vogtland Lowering Springs (240Z/260Z) ↗Z-Services· €305.00 EUR
Vogtland Lowering Springs (260Z/280Z) ↗
Vogtland Lowering Springs (280ZX) ↗
Wheels & Tyres 1
- Koenig Rewind wheelsKoenig
Replaced older 1990s-style wheels on the car
Interior 2
- Seat foam and cover kit
New foam and covers fitted to seat cushions and seat backs, replacing worn original horsehair-stuffed seats
In the shops
Seat Foam Kit, Mk2 Recline (Pair) ↗James Paddock Ltd· £295.00 GBP
Seat Foam Kit LH (74-76 Headrest Models) ↗
Seat Foam Kit RH (74-76 Headrest Models) ↗ - Embroidered door and dog-leg panel material
Custom material with embroidered 260Z logo and red stitching used to recover door and dog-leg panels
In the shopsDoor Panel Clip ↗
bpnorthwest.com· $0.54 USD
Door Panel to Escutcheon Spring ↗bpnorthwest.com· $2.29 USD
Door Panel Set Black - Midget 70 to 79 ↗bpnorthwest.com· $188.95 USD
Electrical 1
- Aftermarket DIN head unit
AM/FM/USB/Aux/Bluetooth stereo with handsfree microphone, installed to replace old-style radio
Photos
49 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from 260Z Restoration as a Retirement Project (ZDriver). A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.
260Z Restoration as a Retirement Project - ZDriver.com 39this post at 260Z Restoration as a Retirement Project (ZDriver) ↗
260Z Restoration as a Retirement Project - ZDriver.com 10this post at 260Z Restoration as a Retirement Project (ZDriver) ↗
How it was done
Stereo installation
The owner fitted a modern head unit offering AM/FM, dual USB and aux inputs, and Bluetooth with a handsfree microphone. He chose a simple 4x25W setup rather than an external amp, reasoning the car's cabin noise would swallow finer audio detail, and skipped CD/cassette capability since all his music was on phone devices.
Interior reupholstery
Seat cushions and seat backs, which had worn down to old horsehair stuffing, were rebuilt with new foam and covers. Door panels and dog-leg panels were recovered in matching material with an embroidered 260Z logo and red stitching, replicating the original heat-pressed diagonal lines using black cross-stitch embroidery.
Show preparation
Ahead of its first show, the owner finished detailing, polishing wheels, applying tire black, and preparing a sign board. Remaining small issues included a passenger door lock needing adjustment, an unreliable rear hatch latch, and a few wires needing tie-wraps, with a final body shop paint polish still pending.
Later upgrades
Over a year afterward, the owner installed Vogtland lowering springs, chosen over Tokico springs due to complaints they could bang over bumps, and replaced the wheels with Koenig Rewinds. He also noted ongoing issues: a leaking A/C system, a troublesome rear hatch lock mechanism tied to a relocated latch and spring, and a leaking windshield washer reservoir, alongside a wish to eventually fit rear disc brakes.
Later outcome
Years later the owner stated he had enjoyed the car for roughly nine years before deciding to sell it, listing it on Bring a Trailer.
A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at 260Z Restoration as a Retirement Project (ZDriver) ↗
Worth knowing
- Lowering with springs designed for the car (Vogtland) avoids the harsh bump noise reported with shorter Tokico springs.
- The last small percentage of finishing details takes a disproportionate amount of time compared to the bulk of the work.