Dusty, somewhat rusty, and virtually untouched since 2003, this 1972 Datsun 240Z in Indianapolis, Indiana seeks a new owner right here at Barnfinds Classifieds. A well-crafted and detailed description reads like an honest reckoning of the car’s good and bad points. The Blue Metallic paint is true to original, and the black and white upholstery makes a handsome contrast to the dime a dozen black interiors. A host of Google Photos leave little to the imagination. The $4100 asking price certainly takes the low points into account.
If you like driving with your backside mere inches from the road with full instrumentation and a sporty cockpit, you’ll love the first-generation Datsun Z. Only the wooden steering wheel and shifter disrupt the sea of curved black vinyl and shiny trim.
Japan’s preeminent Pony Car appealed to drivers preferring a light-handed weapon over the battle axe V8s of the day. Weighing in around one ton, the front engine, rear wheel drive 240 Z did well with its smooth and torquey 2.4L (146 cid) inline six cylinder motor. Zero to sixty in 8.0 seconds put the 240 within 0.3 seconds of a 5.7 L (350 cid) Chevrolet Camaro, and the Datsun handily beats the Chevy’s Miles Per Gallon. Thanks to FastestLaps and MuscleCarFacts for some details.
Here’s where the magic happens, or at least it will after the new owner gets the engine running. The motor turns over but will not fire, according to the seller. While most sporty Japanese cars featured tuned-up four-cylinder engines, Datsun delivered a 151 HP straight six known for being nearly indestructible. Twice that horsepower and more can be yours with a liberal application of cash. Still, the stock setup provided plenty of zip and grip for carving up your favorite two-lane roads. The Datsun’s independent rear suspension delivered a level of sophistication unmatched by American cars, excepting the Chevrolet Corvette.
Credit the seller for showing pictures like this! Don’t say you didn’t know what you were buying if you make a deal on this Datsun. The fastest car I’ve ever driven was a 1972 240Z with a 1980 2.8L motor built to “3/4 race” specs by Leitzinger Motorsports, around 320 HP, but it felt more like 500 in the one-ton Z. There’s no end to the fun you could have in this 240, and we hope it goes to a good home and gets the restoration it deserves. If not, maybe we’ll write it up again 17 years from now! Have you had a close encounter with a Datsun Z car?
My best friend since we were kids playfully refers to my Z as a “Datsun”.
I’m ok with that.
My ’71 was a fun, sporty handling car and as I have mentioned on another Z car article it was fast enough to pass a LEO at 105mph and not have a conversation with him that night. (rolls eyes)
The best Z cars had carbs.But this one has some serious rust issues.
What a shame it’s a good looking Z. But, it’s a rust bucket! I bet if you pull off the covers on the rear shock tower it will be rust. This is a major undertaking to get this Z right. Good luck to the next owner with deep pockets! 🙄🐻🇺🇸
I’ve had three 240/260/280 Z’s over the years … and they were fun, tough and durable cars.
I drove my 73 about 200,000 miles when cars could barely make 50-thousand … and with fresh oil changes, it just kept running. However, the tin worm certainly affected it, causing it to rust at the frame rails and floors.
It was DOA when that happened, but it’s engine and transmission were as strong then as it was when it was 20K. I did love that car.
The 260 and 280 were more complex and a bit trickier with electrical issues that cropped up but the engines were just amazing, especially when compared to the British cars I had owned. They demanded valve jobs every 40-thousand miles or so but the Datsuns just kept running with very little demands.
That was revolutionary to me, a habitual British car owner … and still is. Probably my favorite car of all time!
I had this exactly outfitted Z in 1979. The only car I liked to drive more was my ZM coupe. I got rid of it because of vapor lock would show it’s ugly head unexpectedly.
Regardless of rust, that seems a good price, especially as restored cars now bring upwards of $30k and more. Were I starting one from scratch, a 240 body with a 280 injected engine a five speed and power steering would be my bet.
Owned a ’72 for about 20 years. Sold it to get an aircooled 911. My Z had one issue common to the model – ingress of exhaust gases through the taillight/hatch weatherstrip. Never could quite get it fixed, and it was really annoying. Something to do with the Kamm tail and low-pressure area at the back of the car.
The weirdest thing about this car is that the dashboard is not cracked. I am shocked I tell you. Shocked to my core.
Hi, this is Glenn, the owner of this Z. Should I say “former owner”. I no longer have access to delete the ad, and keep getting inquiries, but it sold a while ago. A young man from Seymour IN bought it who is knowledgeable about welding and auto body. Hoping he has a great time with the rebuild!
****Car is SOLD****. Thanks!!