With a reported 14k original miles, a true barn find of a car is up for sale in Tacoma, Washington. According to the seller, this car has been inside for 50 years and is all original. Listed with the ubiquitous “ran when parked,” this clean and original Z could be had for $50,000. Thank you so much to T.J. for sending in this ride!
Introduced in 1969, the Datsun 240Z is widely celebrated for its blend of performance, style, and affordability, cementing its place as a classic in the car community. The 240Z entered the market as a competitor to the other “gentleman” European sports cars of the 70s and quickly became a favorite of road racers and driving enthusiasts. Priced lower than its German and British competitors, it offered a lower barrier to entry into the sports car market and allowed many people who could not afford a Porsche or MG to fulfill their heel-toe racing desires. Built with Datsun’s L24 2.4L engine, the 240Z has a well-balanced chassis with smooth performance. But what sets the Z apart is the beautiful design work of Yoshihiko Matsuo and his team. With the long hood and short haunches, the 240Z is a natural beauty.
If this Datsun’s reported mileage is actual, it is a great discovery. Many of these models were modified and driven hard, so finding one this original with so few miles is a rarity. Looking through the pictures, the condition appears to match the mileage. The paint seems in good shape and needs a wash, cut, and polish. While the white color is a little underwhelming for my tastes (the lines of this car deserve better), the red interior adds a little spice and appears in fine condition. Even the chrome and the factory slot mags look to be in excellent shape! The vintage performance stickers under the hood add a bit of intrigue. Does this car have some vintage performance goodies, or did a former owner add them to try and look cool to his friends?
I love it when cars like this are unearthed. We get a chance to experience a snapshot of motoring history. But when an important marque that is this original and low mileage comes to market, what is the appropriate thing to do with it? Do you clean it up and preserve it in a collection? Or do you drive and enjoy it? While I always advocate for drivers, this car pushes me a little towards safeguarding it. Maybe there is some middle ground to preserve and drive this example, but I know Mister K would surely want it driven! Check out this car here on Facebook Marketplace, and thank you again to TJ for submitting this tip.
For $50,000 you’d expect the seller would feel obliged to track down a factory radio rather than leaving a hole in the dash. I do like the old performance stickers under the hood.
Steve R
And for $50,000,it should be running,with all fluids changed,
& everything checked over.
I’m assuming that there will still be a good amount of money/work
put into this after the sale – assuming that it will sell at that price/condition.
And that pinstriping doesn’t help the “original – condition” of it.
At that mileage the throttle shaft bushings, jets, and metering needles wouldn’t even be worn out (weak points for high mileage British constant depression carburetors and their license-built versions SUs, Hitachis, etc.).
$50,000/11 word description = $4545 per word. Absolutely ridiculous. Selling cars is work, and you put no work into this sale, especially at that price point! Rant over. Good luck Cynthia.
That odometer has been severely molested. Look at how the numbers don’t align properly..turning them backwards does that. I call total BS on the mileage claim.
I don’t believe the mileage claim, and that is the only thing making me look at this overpriced Z. 50, 60K would be more believable. At 14K a car is still virtually brand new, especially if stored indoors. Paperwork documentation is required.
Nice find. BTW, the slotted mags were not a factory accessory. They all came with steel wheels and full wheel covers. Had to buy the mags separate after ordering my ’72.
Thanks for the info, Bob! I was wondering about that…
As a vehicle inspector in Virginia, I never passed a 240Z. They all had terrible Unibody frame rot.
Made a lot of money repairing Z rust. Absolutely clean, bare interior panels and structure.
As a vehicle inspector in Virginia, I never passed a 240Z. They all had terrible Unibody frame rot. It need’s to be checked carefully. A lot of times the rust was under the undercoating. The frame rots from the inside out.
At $50k the seller is on crack.
Bought the wife a 72 240Z. White with red interior like this one but with an automatic. I was conceding the desired manual tranny to a wife that wanted the convenience of an auto. I was very surprised how well the auto worked though. Was a 3 speed, but down shifting wasn’t really needed, lots of torque applied from the auto. Loved that car but what a ruster it became. Wheel arches were the first to go. And quickly. Even in dry West Texas. Thin and lighter metal made these cars really light and fast but sure seemed to accelerate the rust. I now have a 1980 280Zx, not as sporting but certainly not a potential rust bucket. Not yet anyway.
14k miles? not that engine.
You won’t post my comments if you guys at Barn Find want me to cancel my subscription just say so.
It helped that Japan subsidized their auto industry too.
Always loved the 240Z, it’s the only Zed I’d buy.
But, here in Aus there was an alternative, the 240K. Know in Japan as the Skyline GT-R. But it was the ugly duckling, it really was.
Many decades ago I spotted a 240K in a caryard.,
I liked it, so I enquired about it, long story short, I took it for a test drive without the dealer in the car, so I gave it an absolute flogging.
I wasn’t impressed, told the dearler it’s time from 0 to 100kmh, was too slow.
As I walked away, he called out, you do realise the Speedo is in MPH???
I ended up buying an RX2.