1973 Datsun 240 Z Restoration Project

There is a lot of time left for this 1973 Datsun 240 to go up in price. At the time of writing, the bid price is only at $305. It is located in Preemption, Illinois and has the VIN listed and a clear title. No mileage is listed. With the popularity of these cars right now, and one recently showing up on the site, this is a good chance to purchase one. You can find more on eBay.

The engine is a straight 6 connected to a manual transmission. By the looks of it in the photos, it could use some work. According to the listing, the engine does turn freely, but it does not start. The car has been sitting for over 18 years and it shows it. There is rust in patches all over the car. Luckily, the car has extra parts included. One photo shows a windshield on top of the windshield.

Inside, the car is rough. Dust, dirt, and missing pieces are what greets you. In the one photo, the driver side door sill has lots of rust. However, a magnetic light is tossing light into the interior, showing that farther up the door jam, the metal is more solid and well, actual metal. While there is a lot of work to do on the car, it has a lot of potential for restoration.

I worked at a small mechanic shop as a service writer. During my time there a local doctor brought in his fully original 240 Z for a quick look over before winter. It was exactly the same orange and black 240 Z. While I was well aware of these cars before that point, this particular paint and interior combo will always stick out to me. Whoever purchases this car will hopefully enjoy it!

Comments

  1. Avatar photo BillS

    Man, this one looks even rougher than the one in Delaware that Adam posted yesterday.

    Like 2
  2. Avatar photo Miguel

    can we please get out of the habit of mentioning mileage on a 46 year old car?

    How could it possibly matter what the numbers are on the dash especially when the car is in this condition?

    Like 7
    • Avatar photo Jeff

      Good point about mileage. Unless the car looks pristine and there’s paperwork to back it up, mileage claims are both irrelevant and suspect.

      Like 2
      • Avatar photo canadainmarkseh

        Milage is relevant. Example If looking at used engines and one has 10k on it another has 150k on it, I can tell you that the 150k engine will have way more wear then the 10k engine tear them down and you’d see the differance, measure the parts and what you will find will be quite different between the 2 engines, the difference between new and worn out can be measured in thousandths of a inch, about 6 thousandths is all it takes. Very often I’ve herd on this site that a low milage car that sat around fo 30 years need a rebuild. WHY. If the motors not turning than nothing is wearing, it my need seal and gaskets but that should be about it. Yes milage matters.

        Like 5
      • Avatar photo Miguel

        canadainmarkseh, do you think somebody that buys an abused car like this would not rebuild the engine?

        Of course they will.

        Also the pistons and rings can rust to the cylinder walls from sitting for 30 years, as well as many other things that can happen to an engine that has been static for so long.

        I don’t even think the miles matter on a car of this vintage in good condition. That should never affect the price.

        Like 2

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