[Route66]

Looks like you would be in for some substantial structural rust repair from the get-go. Maybe both inner and outer rockers and the frame rails look pretty badly crushed. Once you hurdle that expense in new metal, you've still got to consider the front fender pockets, battery tray, floor pans and the real killer, what's lurking inside the front wiper cowl. I wouldn't touch a Z today without having the owner remove the cowl vent panel and letting me snoop inside. Bad enough rot in that area can total the car.

If a fella couldn't find another candidate, then maybe $1500.

 

[Route66]

This is a shot with the cover off, which removes quite easily. This is where the wiper motors are and also usually lots of debris. Pine needles, leaves, dirt, etc. On each side is a drain that dumps out right inside the front fenders, a very poor design which are prone to clogging up and leaving water sitting in the cowl. Enough rust in this area could blow through a resto budget in a hurry. I'd suggest being open to 280z's and obviously 260's. Prices on good examples of these have not quite yet gone off the rails like they have for the 240's. But the market is changing quickly. Some nicer 260z's have started closing in on the $50k mark on auction sites. If you really want one, I wouldn't wait very long.