During the 1970s and 1980s, the Datsun 240Z became a prime candidate for modifications. Owners often added aftermarket wheels, stereos, and swapped the standard carburetors for Webers or Dellortos. However, this 1973 example has avoided those hazards and hasn’t succumbed to rust. It is a clean, solid survivor-grade classic with a known history and a genuine 42,000-mile odometer reading. The seller has listed the Datsun here on eBay in Greenwood, Indiana. Bidding has surged past the reserve to $7,873, meaning that a new home for this 240Z is mere days away.
The 240Z caused a sensation when it hit the market, proving that Datsun could produce more than small and efficient cars with high build quality. This 1973 example isn’t perfect, but its overall condition is impressive for a vehicle wearing a claimed 90% of its original Code 904 Kilimanjaro White paint. It features a warm glow that is consistent with the car’s age. Close inspection reveals minor panel and paint imperfections, but I don’t believe the issues warrant a cosmetic restoration. The welcome news is this classic’s lack of significant rust. Lower rear quarter panels, floors, and the rear hatch opening are all prone areas. However, there is no evidence of problems beyond what appears to be a couple of minute bubbles in front of one rear wheel arch, suggesting that this Datsun’s owners have protected it from salt and adverse weather conditions. The trim and glass are in good order, and this 240Z retains its factory wheel covers.
As the model designation suggests, this 240Z features a 2.4-liters engine. It is the six-cylinder version of the company’s L-Series OHC motor, which saw service in a wide range of vehicles in multiple capacities. Inhaling through dual Hitachi carburetors, it sends 151hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The secret to the car’s success wasn’t outright performance, but the driving experience. Datsun engineered the 240Z with excellent four-wheel independent suspension, making it a joy to point at a twisting ribbon of road. The seller states that this two-owner survivor has been meticulously maintained throughout its life, and that it has a genuine 42,000 miles on its odometer. It is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well.
The seller describes this Datsun’s interior as “desirable Maroon,” although the factory called it Red in its marketing literature. One fact that they fail to mention is that this was the sole interior trim available to buyers ordering a ’73 Datsun 240Z in White. I will forgive that, because the overall condition is well above average. There is a small tear on the lower outer edge of the driver’s seat that might be repairable. Otherwise, this interior is remarkably clean. Dashpads are prone to cracking, particularly above the center gauge cluster. This one has avoided that fate, while the quilted vinyl on the transmission tunnel is wear-free. This car retains its factory AM/FM radio, avoiding the curse of aftermarket stereos. The original wood-rimmed wheel is intact, and the gauges look crisp and clean.
This 1973 Datsun 240Z is a wonderful survivor that the buyer can enjoy immediately. It is refreshing to find one of these classics unmolested and rust-free, characteristics that have generated strong listing statistics and seventeen bids. With the reserve met, this Datsun is guaranteed to find a new home. Are you tempted to make it yours?
My heart goes pitter-pat for this one!
My ‘71 was red with black interior and a joy to own. I once passed a cop doing 105mph when he was sitting in a gas station parking lot. He tried to catch me to talk about it. I wonder if he remembers that night.
This looks like a very solid 240z which is hard to find with so many that rotted away. Have a feeling the bidding is just getting started someone wanting one of these should keep a close eye on the bidding a very solid and nice 240z.
I think you are right. It looks like someone made the seller an offer and he sold it off eBay. These highest bid at the time the auction was cancelled was $8,573.
Steve R
Nice Z!
I looked up his website from its license plate and on site its 53,500.
Nice car but we will see what the market will bear 🐻 and I am sure a reserve is close to asking.
Good luck with sale..,
One might expect me to be a Z fan. I am. And while the yellow 300 twin turbo also featured today is a nice one, it’s not for me. This one however, is exactly what I would want. If I was car shopping.
This one’s a beauty! A ’73 (or a ’74 260Z) with original flat-top carbs is truly a rare beast these days. Many owners upgraded at some point to the earlier style carbs, though they generally did so for good reasons.
My 260Z was exactly like this with the early (for a 260) small bumpers except they stuck out on the front due to 5mph brackets which I replaced with some from a 240Z. Only thing that took away from both under the hood was the foil fuel line insulation to mitigate vapor lock that was done at the dealer. Mine never did it so I guess it worked but didn’t look real sporty.
Ebay listing ended.
Worth 4 – 5 times $ what that rust bucket that was listed last week was.
If you look at the original ad, it lists the Buy It Now price at $53,500. I don’t understand how a $7500 bid is over the reserve. This is a mostly pristine survivor with low miles. The buy it now price sounds much more likely to me.
The bid wasn’t over reserve. When the auction was ended, all prior bids are cancelled, you can see them if you hit the 0 bids link just below the $500. Cancelling the auction wipes out the reference to a reserve.
Steve R
“This listing was ended by the seller on Tue, Dec 2 at 2:42 PM because the item is no longer available.”
Had one just like this one back in the day. The wife and I were a two “Z-car” family for a long time, four in total.
Nice car,but I have a problem with the ’73’s,compared to
’70 – ’72 models.The bumpers look better on the earlier cars,
& these were problems with the smog system on the ’73’s.
I remember seeing these in the local Datsun dealer’s shop.
Datsun’s fix was to use asbestos to cover the fuel lines under
the hood.Ah – the “good old days”.