help, 240 parked 15 years non-op

[mikegh]

edit - that should be non non-op...
When I moved to So Cal from Martinez I parked the Z in my dad's garage and it's been there ever since, non-op.
My dad passed away last year and I'm getting ready to sell the house and need to decide what to do with the car, problem being that I don't want to pay 15 years of DMV fees for the non-op.
The car looked and ran fair, but at this point I'm about ready to give it to an auto wrecker just to be rid of it.

any suggestions?
thanks
Mike

[FastWoman]

Are you suggesting it's free to a good home?

Good grief, I live on the wrong side of the country to be interested in Z cars.

Seriously, please don't give it to a junk yard! Someone there will take pity on it and turn it back into a nice sportscar. They'll probably even pay you something for it.

[mikegh]

Problem is legally selling it so I'm free of liability. I guess I need to find out if the fees and fines will be more than the car is worth.

[5thhorsemann]

A backdated bill of sale could take care of all that, especially if it goes out of state, hint hint Sarah.

[30 Ounce]

If you sell it to an out of state buyer would California fees still apply? I use to live in Concord and would be willing to go pick it up if it didn't cost too much.

[Blue]

My good buddy and I buy Z's and ship to Canada. Put some pictures up and lets see what you have

[mikegh]

Well, I wasn't trolling for buyers. Not yet anyway :-)
I'm looking again at dmv.ca.gov and, if I'm reading it right, it looks like the
fine is only $100.00 and registration fee would be 160% for that year. If
that's true, then I could get away cheap. Maybe it's time to dig up the pink
and take a trip down town.

[FastWoman]

^^^ That's what I'd do. It wouldn't make sense for you to have to pay reg fees for all those years the car was sitting. It's true it's CA, but I'd still be surprised.

[LeonV]

Check with the DMV. Only way to know is to ask, you wouldn't be required to pay on the spot or anything.

If you have the title, everything can be done legally. It will be up to the buyer to pay off fees if they want to register the car.

[mikegh]

Mmmmm.. actually, I don't think you can sell a car in CA unless it's registered.

[robftw]

i wish i was in CA,

OP will you ship to NY?

[Zforce]

15 years without paying reg fee's, I let the reg on my honda civic lapse for 9 months and the dmv garnished my wages. Believe me they are going to get thier money, be prepared.

[mikegh]

. It would be nice to find it a good home. My dad used to tease me when we talked on the phone, that he could hear it crying out in the garage late at night. He knew how much I loved it back in the day.

[Arne]

If you hold good title to it, I'm pretty certain that there are no fees for an out-of-state buyer. They give you money, you give them the signed-off title and a bill of sale and they take it to their own DMV, where no one cares about California's back regs. BTDT.

[shiznit19]

hey mike, sorry to hear about the loss of your father. if at all possible i will be honored to come pick up the z from you. 760-4909258 my name is shawn. hope to hera from you.

[chaztg]

Can you apply for a lost title thru the AZ DMV, so in the meantime if someone from the forum does buy the car (or "relieve" you of it) then they would have at least something to present to the CA DMV? You have the VIN and you know you're the owner of record right? I heard Arizona's DMV is a lot more user-friendly than the golden state's.

[beandip]

Not long ago I helped a guy with his Z that sat for 12 years. Pulled the plugs and shot some ATF in the holes and let it set for over night. Changed the oil and filter , put it in gear and rocked it back and forth to turn the engine over. disconnected the fuel line at the filter up front and with fresh gas and good battery started it right up. If you do this hold the RPM to around 1200 or so and
watch the temp and oil pressure. Keep it running untill it is warmed up. Let it cool down and start it again. Now when we were
rocking the car to be sure it was not locked up and prior to start up, I removed the valve cover and watched for a any stuck valves. Do this also prior to installing the plugs and do turn the engine over with the starter.

[mikegh]

Good info. Thanks. What's ATF?

[Arne]

Automatic Transmission Fluid.

I also like to pour fresh oil over the cam before starting a long-dry engine.

[jwtaylor]

My last registration on the '71 was $68, including $11 in county (Contra Costa) fees. So even if dmv charges you 160% it should not be that bad. For those that don't know Martinez is also in Contra Costa county. Now if you did not keep the non op paid up the fines may be more serious.

[bobc]

Mike, I think it's going to depend on how picky the person is at DMV. I looked into this once for a car that hadn't been registered in California since 1996. The person I spoke with said as long as it wasn't touching the ground then past reg fees didn't apply. So, I said if I brought a picture of the car up on 4 blocks would that be proof and he said, yep, that would do it. You did say it hasn't touched the ground in 15 years, right????

[Threehz]

Bobc I like your thinking!

I have heard of many many Z's starting right up with just the basic drain, change and tlc, and it sounds like it's not gonna cost too much.

If you still want to just get rid of it, you can add me to the list of people who would be interested in taking it off your hands. I'm right over here in AZ.

[mikegh]

I'm driving up there on the 16th do do some work on the house. Perhaps I'll apply your
suggestions and try to get it running. Wonder if the old gas in the tank is a problem?
Maybe I should get my girl to film it all and post to youtube, for a laugh if nothing else...

[chaztg]

Can you apply for a lost title thru the AZ DMV, so in the meantime if someone from the forum does buy the car (or "relieve" you of it) then they would have at least something to present to the CA DMV? You have the VIN and you know you're the owner of record right? I heard Arizona's DMV is a lot more user-friendly than the golden state's.

I'm a dummy...I thought Martinez was in Arizona.

[oskidunker1]

Would be 112# Lime Green by any chance?

Mike in San Bruno( 1 hour away)

[mikegh]

918 orange.

[blue240]

If you do decide to let it go or sell it, I would be interested especially because my birthday is on the 20th.