No Reserve: 1972 Datsun 240Z Project

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If you’re in the market for a 240Z, this might be your chance at a bargain. I say “might” because there are a few maybes here, but overall this looks like a good place to start if you’re wanting to restore a Z-car. This project is located in California City, California, and is listed here on eBay with no reserve!

The 240Z could compete with much more expensive sports cars in the looks and power departments. Unfortunately, Datsun had to cut a few corners to get the price down so things like rust-proofing were not given much thought. That means the biggest concern with any 240Z is corrosion. This car isn’t perfect but those floors and sills look pretty solid.

The interior was all pulled out in anticipation of a restoration. The seller mentions that they pulled the dash to have it restored, but they don’t mention if the job was actually completed. Unfortunately, they didn’t get much further than pulling everything out. Luckily, all of the main components appear to be there. The rear louvers are a nice bonus to0!

Supposedly, the engine was rebuilt at some point. It hasn’t run for about two years though so plan on going through everything before going anywhere. Just make sure it isn’t seized before bidding. The original 4-speed transmission has been swapped out with a later 5-speed so that’s a welcome surprise. These cars originally had about 150 horsepower and could hit 0-60 mph in 8 seconds!

This 240 looks like a solid start so the biggest concern here is the lack of a title. A previous owner dropped it off at an autobody shop in 2011 for restoration but never came back to pay for it. So the shop auctioned it off as a mechanic lien sale. It does include the paperwork to get a title so it might be worth the gamble. Take a look and let us know what you think.

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Comments

  1. angliagt angliagtMember

    Looks like a ’73 to me.

    Like 0
  2. Poppapork

    History lesson! If you look at the engine compartment and mercedes inline 6 comes to mind that is because this family of inline 4 and inline 6 cylinder engines is based on a Mercedes engine.
    Prince Motor Co. Had a license and was making them in Japan. Nissan bought Prince and change a bunch
    Of details so they wouldn’t have to pay licensing anymore… and the L-series engine was born used in anything from old maximas to 300zx turbos (first gen)

    Like 2
    • Don Sicura

      The 1st gen 300ZX was a V6 configuration, I owned an 84 Anniversary model, it was the turbo 3.0 litre engine, not an inline 6.

      Like 2
      • Poppapork

        Ok so how about 280ZX turbo? Thats an L28

        Like 0
  3. bobk

    First thought. As someone has previously stated on Barn Finds, putting together a puzzle (dismantled car) without knowing if all the parts are there is possibly the scariest endeavor out there.

    Like 2
  4. brianashe

    I had this car’s younger brother (a ’76 280Z) in the ’90s — same color as the back half of this one, same slot mags, same black louvers. I largely rebuilt it over the course of 2 years. (Not entirely by choice — what I thought would be a simple fix turned into much, much more, and I sold it for less than half what I had in it, but it was a fun experience overall and I learned a lot from it.)

    These are pretty simple by modern standards (as are most things from the ’70s), easy to work on, and there are plenty of good parts available. It wasn’t very fast but it handled well. Fun enough in a “slow car fast” kind of way, though I liked my first-gen MR2 more. Good seats, good driving position, good ergonomics, comfortable for long drives. I wouldn’t mind having another, rebuilt with modern running gear and about 200-250 hp.

    Like 1
    • Poppapork

      I bought a 79 280zx 2seater/short wheelbase last year to join my c3 vette It had just under 200hp in Euro/Japan trim (i think 180hp in the states) with a 5 speed its fast enough for a vintage rally car (lifted an inch too)
      The 70ties bosch fuel injection tho is a whole nother animal

      Like 0
  5. Tony C.

    Down here in Australia it was approved to fit a GM 253 or 308 Holden V8 engine in these as the cost of repairs to the original 6 was over the top. Judging by the pics of the engine bay it looks like there’s plenty of room. Apparently no upgrade of the brakes, etc. was required as the output was similar. We can also legally fit a small block Chev into Jaguar XJS’s without approval.

    Like 2
  6. Claudio

    LS time again
    A friend of mine had put a 350 with 350 th trans in one of these
    It was dangerous and revved too high with the 3 speed auto
    But
    If done right with a lighter LS …

    Like 0
  7. TimM

    Really cool jigsaw puzzle in my opinion and if bought right I’m sure it would be a blast to drive!! Again in my opinion the best looking body style to date with the exception of the brand new Z car which has that fat ass and hugs the road like it’s on rails!!!

    Like 0

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