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Arizona Dry: 1972 Datsun 240Z

Color me amazed to see the bids flowing in for this poorly-photographed 1972 Datsun 240Z, which is said to be an Arizona car with minimal rust. While it’s hard to get the full picture of its condition, the orange paint is a great period color for a Z like this and looks aged “enough” that it could be original (or at least a long time since it was last resprayed). While not the most desirable of the early Zs, the bids have reached $3K here on eBay where the reserve remains unmet.

I’ve mentioned a few times that I have several Z cars for sale, including a 240Z with a title and three excellent 260Zs for parting or building a great driver out of two vehicles. No matter which edition you choose, the earlier cars are loved for their smaller chrome bumpers, which are far more aesthetically pleasing than the cumbersome safety bumpers added to later models. This example retains its factory badges and power antenna, along with good glass in the rear hatch area.

Inside, the carpets have been removed and the dash is, not surprisingly, cracked. The removal of carpets is sometimes done because the carpets themselves are just plain gross, or because a water leak is allowing moisture to get trapped between the carpet pad and the floor. Neither scenario is good, so we’re glad to see the bare floor underneath instead of a mildew-filled carpet still sitting there. The seats are tired, as are the door panels, so a full interior refresh is likely needed.

The seller includes photos of a variety of parking stickers that indicate this has been an Arizona car for quite some time. This one, in particular, caught my attention, as it would seem that a college student (or faculty, I suppose) parked this Z on campus when it was practically brand new. While it may have been young once, the years have set in and the seller says it doesn’t run now – but he’s working on it. Would you take a chance on a 240Z like this, or wait for a true Series 1 car?

Comments

  1. Avatar TimM

    No good pictures!!!
    It reminded me of old Batman episodes on TV either the screen turned sideways!! I was waiting for the
    POW
    BAM
    WHAAAAP

    Like 9
  2. Avatar redwagon

    My first car was a used ’68 Firebird convertible I bought in 1979. Once I had it home I did a thorough cleaning and found a date book under the carpeting under the driver’s seat held closed with a red garter belt. It indicated it was owned by a male who was going to a local community college in fall ’68. The assigment due dates were written in the calendar days until late November ’68 and then it all stopped.

    I often wondered what became of the original owner of that car. Did they get it as a gift from their parents and went to school to avoid the draft? Or perhaps it was purchased by a returning vet who wanted to go back to school and get a degree or two?

    I will never know as that car is long gone and so is the calendar.

    Like 8
    • Avatar Nostromo

      All, as with many things, now lost to time. There’s an inherent poignancy to what you discovered and knowing just a bit about the vehicle’s history is tantalizing. It’s akin to trying to imagine a completed jigsaw puzzle and having only one corner piece.

      Like 3
  3. Avatar Dennis

    Had a 260. Loved it. Past that point in time now! Too much work!

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Stilbo

    Based on the quality of the photos I’m thinking that the seller is smoking Arizona’s finest medical stuff.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Old Car Guy

    Years ago I helped a friend of mine cut up 3 or 4 240z’s with a sawzall into quarters. Easy to do and not much to the bodies as one person could easily handle a quarter of the car. He was building one with a Chevrolet V8 conversion and was getting the parts he wanted and making money selling the rest. He paid $50.00 to $100.00 for them. Unfortunately he passed away before it was ever completed. Today he probably could sold these bodies as they had almost no rust, they were a lot better than a lot of the Z’s I see offered today.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar rdhull

    I would have to disagree that this year(1972) is not as desirable as a series one car(1969-70 1/2). Late 71 and 72 have a stronger unibody, they corrected the offset of the rear axles, got rid of the leaking air vents and retained the excellent round top S.U.s. Change to flat top emission S.U.s in 1973 and big bumpers were their downfall. Series 1 agreed are more rare but not necessarily more desirable.

    Like 2

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