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Clean Example: 1972 Datsun 240Z

Today it can be a real challenge to find a nice Datsun 240Z that looks like it is going to sell at a reasonable price, as their values have continued to climb for more than a decade. Barn Finder Patrick S seems to have struck gold by spotting this 1972 model for us, so thank you for that Patrick. This is a clean car that appears to have avoided the majority of rust and trim issues that can plague unloved examples, and bidding on the 240Z is sitting at a pretty affordable level. Located in Largo, Florida, you will find the Datsun listed for sale here on eBay. At the time of writing, bidding is sitting at $15,000. The good news is that with the reserve having been met, this 240Z is about to head to a new home.

The owner states that the Datsun underwent a repaint in its original Kilimanjaro White approximately 15-years-ago, and it seems to have held up well in that time. There is a shot of the floors provided by the owner, and they look clean and solid. Rust prone areas like the rockers, lower quarters, and around the inside of the hatch look to also be nice and clean. The fact that the car has spent its life garage kept has certainly paid dividends today. All of the external trim and chrome is present and looks to be in good condition, although the hubcaps appear to be mismatched. The glass also looks like it is in good condition. One thing that I did notice is that some of the door rubbers are looking pretty dry and cracked. I would be inclined to check them and replace those that need replacing pretty quickly because any moisture inside the car can be a true enemy of the 240Z.

With a relatively low curb weight of 2,300 lbs, the 2,393cc OHC six-cylinder engine was capable of providing the 240Z with quite spirited performance. That engine fed its 151hp to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. Couple this with 4-wheel independent suspension and a 240Z can be a very enjoyable vehicle to drive on a ribbon of twisting bitumen. The car is a full numbers-matching vehicle and is said to run and drive well. Life is made a bit more comfortable with the inclusion of air conditioning.

If you ordered your 240Z new in 1970 or 1971 finished in Kilimanjaro White as this car is, you could choose to have the interior trim finished in either blue or black. By 1972, that choice had been removed. For the 1972 and 1973 model years, there was no choice available, and if you didn’t like the idea of a red interior, you were pretty stuck. The interior of this particular 240Z is largely complete, but it is hardly surprising to find that some aspects of it are looking pretty tired. The carpet, especially in the rear cargo area, is showing its age. The seat covers are also torn and will need to be replaced. The steering wheel is missing its center, but there are some really positive aspects in there. The dash looks like it is crack-free, while that quilted look vinyl on either side of the transmission tunnel also appears to be in good condition.

By the mid-1970s, a lot of the sparkle has worn off the Datsun 240Z, and it was easy to buy pretty reasonable examples at some ridiculously low prices. They started to regain some of their lost ground during the 1990s, but this process was pretty slow. Since the year 2000, values have soared, and this trend doesn’t look like ending any time soon. Finding a clean one like this at an affordable price is becoming more difficult, so it will be interesting to see what it finally sells for.

Comments

  1. Avatar On and On Member

    Check the body gaps on the hatchback and doors. Accident 15 years ago?

    Like 4
  2. Avatar Chuck

    I had one just like it back in the day (and a 73, a 74 and a 77). Loved all of them.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar Mountainwoodie

    Brings back memories of an epic cross country run back in 1972 in an almost new ’72 but yellow with a black interior. I can see the dashboard in front of me and feel what looking at it from the cockpit felt like.
    They are hard to find in relatively solid condition and this one seems to be. As I remember, the ’73 had a severe vapor lock problem with the carbs.Maybe someone with more current knowledge can address the Mikuni vs Solex issues.
    On a related issue , when 15 K is ‘relatvely affordable’ as Adam Clarke says, you know inflation has taken a bite out of the dollar’s value :)

    Like 3
    • Avatar Robert W Mitchell

      Bought new by my Father in late 1969, serial # 367. Been sitting in the corner of the garage for 35 years. Rust free. Can’t get my brother to get to it.

      Like 4
  4. Avatar Nevadahalfrack Member

    This car new in 1972 cost $3626, if you could find one after they hit their high water mark in popularity that year; in 2018 money that’s $21783. Factor in the restoration vs 94k miles and it’s a fairly decent buy considering it’s like-new condition.

    Factor in the “what a hoot these were to drive (especially with neoprene bushings on semi smooth roadways)” and its a great deal..!

    Like 2
  5. Avatar OhU8one2

    Pretty much bone stock. Get the interior freshened up, adjust the rear hatch and both doors and you would have a very nice driver Z. I myself would have to jazz it up a little bit. Sunshade on rear glass and lower Datsun side stripes in red. And Minilite style wheels, but save the stockers for the show’s,and for when it’s time to sell.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Wayne

    Wow! Stock wheels and mostly stock wheel covers on a 240Z! That in it’s self is very rare! Nevada halfback, that is urathane bushings. Also toss in an aftermarket steering coupler (factory ones were flexey wobblers) and a set of Bilstein shocks and the package just screams drive me hard! That smooth torquey six just wants to be used.
    Great driving car!

    Like 0
  7. Avatar rdhull

    73 flat top S.U.s were the worst for vapor locking. This one is a 72 , they were equipped with round top S.U.s, not as bad. The recent repaint makes me nervous. As a side note, 1972 Z’s only had P.O.E. air conditioning, no such thing as “factory” air.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Mountainwoodie

      S.U’s not Mikunis or Solex’s. Well at least some of my memory works ;)

      Thanks

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Tom Justice

    Still at 15K

    Like 0

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