The 1972 Datsun 240Z for sale in Naples, Florida on eBay needs the works, though it doesn’t appear to be rusty enough to actually collapse. These early 240Zs are iconic, and historically really significant—proof that the Japanese could build sports cars. They keep going up in value. Hagerty puts an example in good condition at $25,300.
Despite a reported 17,821 miles, it’s likely been around the clock. It’s filthy, rusty and worn. It was once a red beauty, but Nixon was in office then. Much of the paint is gone, and in its place bondo is revealed around the wheel wells. An ugly front spoiler replaces the front bumper. Undercarriage shots would undoubtedly reveal more horrors, but they aren’t provided. My friend had one of these, and I’ve seldom seen a car rust as much.
The interior is pretty bad. The floor, what we can see of it, looks weak. The seats will have to be upholstered. Some of the rest might respond to a deep clean. The seller tells us almost nothing, except that “prices of 240Zs only goes (sic) up. Great project car with clean title.”
These cars were introduced in 1969 as 1970 models, initially as a response to Toyota’s exotic 2000 GT (only a few of which were built). The Z was the one we remember, because it sold 160,000 in the first four years. The owners got a sharp-looking coupe with a 2.4-liter six capable of 151 horsepower, coupled to a four-speed manual. It had independent suspension all around, and an affordable price of $3,526. Zero to 60 times of eight seconds aren’t impressive today, but they were then.
One big change was the introduction of a three-speed automatic option for the 1971 model year. The 240Z was on Sports Car International’s top 10 for the ’70s. And driven by Shekhar Mehta, one of these cars won the 21st East African Safari Rally in 1973. They were serious sports cars. The 260Z, which arrived in 1974, had more power but was also bulkier and started the gradual evolution of the Zs into luxury cars.
On the car in Florida, it’s perhaps a good project for someone with excellent bodywork and mechanical skills. The mechanics are a completely unknown quantity, but it definitely hasn’t run in quite a while. The engine is, at least, there. Bottom line, this is a big undertaking on a very collectible car.
Needs a lot of time & money invested to make it right,or you just
leave it “as-is” & enjoy it, & tick off the other Z owners at a local car
show.
At least the headlight buckets are rust free – they’re fiberglass.
HA HA! Enjoy those toasted front frame boxes and gawd knows all the rest of the rot. This one’s finished.
This is the 4th time it’s been cycled through eBay, the first time it ran as an auction with a high bid of $2,418, which was good enough to sell. However, the deal was never completed. The other 3 times, including this time it’s been listed at a fixed price of $6,000, with no takers. The $2,418 was probably close to all its money, hopefully the seller is open to consider lower offers.
Steve R
An old girl friend had one of these in red. To an American muscle car guy this 240Z was a strange animal. Was fun to drive and with time I began to appreciate the car for what it was. They are what the are, however I don’t think $6k is in the realm of possibilities for this one. They may be going up in value but the ship sailed on this one. Take the $2.5k and walk away.
Wait a week and it will be a pile of rust. Such a shame.
No underside pictures and with a car this rusty, that’s a tell….and it appears to be a dealer too. Sills and quarters are poor, but the shock towers look clean. That gaping hole in the right inner wheel well is instructive as well. An English wheel, planishing hammer, good MIG (and welding skills), a rotisserie, a soda blaster, a lot time and money is all this baby needs. If it was close to me, I might make a low-ball offer in cash.
If you like that kind of car styling, why not buy a Porsche 944. You can get very nice examples for – +10 K . Nice paint , running motor , excellent interior . Plus your future mother – in – law may even like you . Show up in this 240 rust rat well you have 2 strikes already against you.
Maybe if you hit the Buy It Now button, they’ll toss in the other one they have that looks to be in the same shape for free. Those 2 cars are an embarrassment to an otherwise well stocked garage.