The builder of this modified Z car has gone to great lengths to make sure this one stands out like no other, and this 1971 Datsun 240Z seems to have been put together well on the outside. The exterior has a look that screams this car means business, and it does, but there is one snafu in the performance department that will need to be addressed by the future owner. This cool custom can be seen here on Facebook Marketplace in Vancouver, Washington, with the seller hoping his efforts will bring in $14,999. Yargbull, thanks a lot for your fun tip here!
The end result of customizing a body often varies, with some hitting the mark while others seem to lack what the visionary was striving for. From an outside presentation, I’d say this one turned out well and is quite eye-catching. The panels are large but well-rounded and blend together nicely here, with the fit and gaps also seeming to be of decent tolerances. The bumpers have been eliminated and the trim turned black, with the choice of wheels and tires looking right at home here. Those rear skins fill up the oversized quarters perfectly! Another interesting feature is the placement of the gauges outside, which are somewhat hidden from spectators under the hood scoop yet very visible to the driver.
Gone is the original Japanese powerplant, and now a 327 small-block Chevrolet engine is in its place. The seller doesn’t provide any specific details regarding the SBC but does include a video with it running, including a good rev towards the end, and this one sounds healthy and plenty powerful. A new clutch assists the 4-speed manual to handle shifting duties, with new brakes ready to slow things down in a hurry should the need arise. The owner says the Z is currently running and driving, but one problem that needs to be ironed out involves the 9-inch Ford rear end. Apparently, some rear drive axle issues are present, and an adjustable unit will need to be installed.
One sole photo is provided of the interior, which appears to be in decent shape overall with those seats looking comfortable and sturdy. I might feel a little better about this one if the rear axle mystery was already taken care of, but on the other hand with everything else seeming to be so far along and functioning well, maybe this is a really good deal for fifteen grand. What do you think?
Someone just went and ruined a perfectly good Z.
There were a lot of 240Z’s with small block Chevy conversions in the late-70’s through mid-80’s. Nobody did the swap on a pristine example, most either had a bad engine or had been wrecked. Replacements original engines were thin on the ground and expensive, Chevy V8’s were plentiful and cheap, it made sense.
This car is awful, mainly in its execution, where someone kept adding whatever parts were trendy at the time, parts and styles range from late-80’s through 2,000-teens, there is no overriding theme. It’s like it passed through several sets of hands, each adding something that suited their taste with no regards to the work that had been done previously. What’s clear is someone loved it, at some point, the initial work was probably pretty good. Unfortunately the modifications did not age well, but it still has the potential to be a lot of fun for the money. The good thing is, if your in the drivers seat, you can’t see the rest of it.
Steve R
“It may be strange,but it sure is weird”
Someone spent a lot of time & money to ruin a good car.
Chevy, Datsun, and Ford combo.
Yahhhr matey, tis’ more monster than machine. 1st, it’s really cool, and 2nd about as far from the original as one could get. Rear drive issues? Ya’ think? Probably twisting axle shafts. Someone did a lot of work here.
This. hurts. my. eyes. Maybe it looks better in person. I sure hope so.
Sad
I rather be disappointed with a 4×4 unit underneath 🤕
News to me that Datsun made a dually or maybe a dudly. A dudly with Gene Simmons’ or the Rolling Stone’s tongue logo for a front clip. Where’s the 5th wheel? Yuck!
The best use of a Datsun Z car, I’ve seen in a while.
And now we know what the C stands for.
Do tell.
“See” you next Tuesday, lol!
The thing wouldn’t look so bad if you ignored for its oversized “snout”. And it’s needing an adjustable rear end? Sounds like the owner can’t get the rear end to fit. Probably needs expert fabrication which the owner can’t provide. I’ll pass on this non-driving, big-nosed “custom”..
This car has the perfect front profile to paint a big shark’s mouth and teeth like one of those WWII war planes had.
From the Island of Dr. Moreau…
Prior owner: Jimmy Durante.
(You’re old if you get this).
It’s the “Jimmy Durante Special Edition”.
You will never talk your way out of speeding ticket in this.
There was once a car called a Scarab – a Datsun Z car with a 350
Just plain fugly.
Looks as bad as that ‘Vette that somebody ruined that was on here a week or so ago.
Very nicely executed car. For sure not to everyone’s taste of course but there are some pretty nice aspects of this car.
For those who are familiar with, this looks like it had a G-nose conversion and it looks a bit awkward because the bumper is molded into the nose which gives a bigger “nose” appearance, as some have references to Jimmy Durante. I think the car looks better from further away. Maybe some headlight covers would breakup all the red near the nose? The G-nose conversions were popular in Japan but imo look better with the bumper not molded to the rest of the nose or painted body color. Black would’ve been better imo.
Yes, you are correct, the G nose looks great so long as the bumper isn’t integrated and it really needs the covered headlights. If they had done it right and not tried to improve it, it would have looked a lot better. Still the flares are excessive, and the conversion to a 9 inch is ill advised, better to put in a uprated Nissan diff and a bit narrower wheels and tires and kept the IRS. Sad to say, but if it was done right it would be worth twice what he’s asking.
I think it’s beautiful and excellent, as long as the body work is solid.
Nice car , not exactly my taste because I would prefer one that is stock however I would want to get behind the wheel of this and drift it.
Just No.
Why the long face… that only a mother could love?
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
Looks like a wiener dog.
Poor Zetto!
Why would someone turn a beautiful sports car into an abomination?
Crazy & sad!