Mostly Original: 1972 Datsun 240Z

A few years ago, finding an unrestored Datsun 240Z might have enthralled the market and brought a bidding frenzy to the listing. Prices surged for 240Zs across the condition spectrum, propelled by the record-setting sale of a very original ’71 for $310,000. The post-Covid era has brought a downshift, leaving today’s example, found by Curvette here on craigslist, looking expensive. The seller wants $24,000, and the car is located just outside Eugene, Oregon, in Veneta (no hotels, but you can stay in a yurt!) This 240Z is described as factory stock other than re-upholstered seats. But the wheels, steering wheel, and air cleaner housings are aftermarket items, though the original air cleaner assembly is with the car. The odometer reads 140k miles, and it’s an automatic! Let’s zero in on the right price for this mostly unrestored 240Z.

There’s a reason more than 168,000 240Zs were sold over five years of production: the car delivered genuinely sporting performance in a reasonably-priced package. The powerplant is Nissan’s 2.4-liter in-line SOHC six cylinder, fed by twin Hitachi carburetors – a combination that generates 150 hp. A four-speed manual was available, but as noted, this example is equipped with an automatic; braking is provided by front discs and rear drums. No mention is made of specific work performed – only that the car has been garaged, well maintained, and “still runs and drives great”.

The interior is a mix of old, new, original, and aftermarket. The dash is cracked, and as mentioned, that steering wheel is an aftermarket item. Wear is evident everywhere – to be expected given the mileage reading. The recovered seats are marvelous, though. Outside, corrosion is evident in the sills, and the trim is hazed.

Long hood/short deck styling makes the world turn when you’re talking sports cars. Jaguar’s XKE, Chevrolet’s Corvette, Ferrari’s Lusso, and in the modern era, the Dodge Viper and TVR’s Griffith – these are just a few of the heart-stoppers we covet. The 240Z was designed by Yoshihiko Matsuo near the beginning of his career, and its arrival was uniquely responsible for changing minds about Japanese cars in the US. No longer relegated solely to the “economy” segment, Japanese cars began to permeate every corner of our automotive landscape. But though the 240Z was a wonderful car for so many reasons, the market has settled down: very early cars can still pull six figures if they’re perfect, but four-speed driver-quality examples can be had for mid-teens, and this snazzy ’71 – also a four-speed – with some restoration work already performed, sold for $23,750. I can understand the emotion around setting a price on a long-owned car, but if this seller is serious, a discount is in the offing.