In the vintage car marketplace, now and then a particular marque will punch higher in price, catching everyone by surprise. One day you were thinking of buying a particular example for $5k, and the next, the same car costs $15k. Now you cannot find even a lousy example for less than $10k. Why does this happen? Perhaps when competing makes increase in price, the tide lifts other boats. Most folks can no longer afford a halfway decent XKE. But the Datsun 240Z could be on the menu, for a lot less money. It’s mechanically simpler, too. I am not arguing that an XKE is analogous to a 240Z. One is royalty and the other is a commoner. But the rise in XKE prices probably gave someone the idea that restoring a 240 would be personally rewarding and the performance isn’t terrible and then that nearly perfect car catches a price lift when someone else wants it and then auction companies get involved and then low mileage cars come out of the woodwork and then …. you have a result like this – $310k for a 1971 240Z. Fortunately, Datsun made 168,000 copies of its 240 from 1969 to 1973, so despite some extinction, they are not rare. For the would-be 240Z owner, here on eBay is a no-reserve auction for a one-family owned 1971 Datsun 240Z, with bidding at $16,960. This car is located in York, Pennsylvania; a trailer is advised.
The jewel of an engine is a 2.4 liter, in-line six-cylinder with two Hitachi carburetors and for ’72, an 8.8:1 compression ratio. Output is around 150 hp. This one has traveled 165,000 miles, driven first by the seller’s grandfather who purchased it new, and then by the next generation. For the past ten years, it has been idle. The seller has been recommissioning the car, but its needs are outrunning both time and pocketbook. The carbs have been rebuilt and the head was resurfaced. A new radiator and fuel pump have lately arrived from Jegs and are included with the sale. A custom header and aftermarket mufflers – installed years ago – lend a rumble to the engine note. Currently, the car will start with help but won’t remain running.
The interior is respectable. The door seals are ratty and the sill plates are beat up but the upholstery, door cards, glass, and dash are clean. For some reason I have always liked the 240’s steering wheel; this one is in great condition.
The underside is straight enough but reflects the high mileage, and while the seller says rust is minimal, it pays to check very carefully – particularly underneath – for the tin worm. I don’t love what I see here. On the other hand, the cabin floors are heavily surface rusted but not holey yet. The front fender collected a dent in a storage accident, and the paint is wearing away. Still, the current price is very compelling for a fun car with a few needs but substantial collector appeal. What do you think of this former commuter?
It’s a project car – engine won’t run so TOSS it
Price is to high tho typical of emotional attachment
Should we toss every engine that doesn’t run? This one runs with a jump start.
Plus it’s an auction, so people who are serious set the price. How exactly is it over priced?
I see that a lot; someone stating that the seller is asking too much. Why they don’t understand that it’s an auction and it’s been bid to that current price, I’m not sure.
If your going to own a z than the 240 is the only choice. Proper rebuilt that inline is your best at a real sleeper. Original or restroom their best looking of all the z’s. Serious money for a serious car in my opinion
Be real.. this car only needs a fuel system clean an a tune up it will run fine..
This comment was only made to see who it would rile up. You can tell he knows absolutely nothing about cars. His wifecmost likely changes his flats if they have one.
The best Z cars had twin carbs.And this one still has the original wheel covers
When I came home from Vietnam, I placed an order for a ’72, the same color as this one.
It’s a good thing that I canceled the order, because I probably would have killed myself or somebody else. It’s a beautiful car, though.
BTW, I think the car I ordered was $2,200.
John, my memory of 1972 isn’t stellar, either, but my silver over maroon 240Z was $3865 minus $1000 for an SS396 Chevelle with 75k hard miles registering on the odo. In rural Idaho where I got mine, they weren’t putting an extra thousand on them, but a discount was unheard of at the time. I have owned so many that I cannot put a firm number on them, but my personal favorite was the ’78 280 with power steering and a five speed. The fuel injection wasn’t foolproof but I no longer needed the Uni-Syn for the twin pots. The bumpers were an easy extraction.
“For some reason I have always liked the 240’s steering wheel; this one is in great condition.”
I agree, that wooden wheel is a thing of beauty and great utility.
The steering wheel rim is NOT wood. It is a composite plastic material made to look like wood.
OK, if it was wood it’d probably have rotted already.
Next you’ll be telling me the “Mag” Wheels aren’t real Magnesium..
Frank
I been very lucky in my life. I drove a 70,71,72,77 Z’s and 81 Turbo Z. 70 and 71 240Z to me was the best. Raw power with a 4 speed. Handled like it was on rails. There is 20hrs left for this Z. If someone gets it under $20,000 it’s a bargain. Perfect Z to fix up and enjoy. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
In the 80’s I was a state vehicle inspector. I never passed a 240z, the frames were always rusted to the point that they looked like Swiss Cheese. If you are going to buy one of these you should really get it up on a lift.
And before some Einstein points out that it is a unibody, I know it is, but they still have elements of a frame
You didn’t inspect my ‘71. It was pristine. The driver seat had been recovered and had new bright red paint, a thing of beauty. Passed a cop sitting on the side of a road while doing 105. Nowadays I’d have a hard time getting in and out of it. I’m with Big Bear. Fix it up and enjoy!
We had a ‘77 280Z, first year of the EFI and bulletproof in every way. It still used cheap leaded regular gas. Easy to see that EPA killed off most Big 3 sports and muscle cars, giving imports a considerable advantage. That is the US Government working for you…
I purchase my 1971 240Z with 90K
miles for $1800. Sold it years later for $1500 with about twice the mileage. This thing served me well for years, but was completely worn out when I sold it.
Ended:
Sep 04, 2023 08:00:00 PDT
Winning bid:
US $19,100.00
[ 39 bids ]
As a teenager I was wowed by the 240Z and I still am. My dad being a Toyota dealer, I was bummed that Toyota had no comparable sports car. When I heard of the Celica’s introduction, it was joy that Toyota would finally have a sports car, until a saw it. I was double- bummed and depressed by the dumpy looking little 4-banger. I guess Celica eventually caught up in a way with the Supra, but the 240Z was never matched by Celica in my mind. The only thing Toyota had was the ultra-rare 2000GT.
This 240 looks surprisingly unmolested but the devil is in the details. I prefer the SRL311 Roadsters (2000). Buyer beware; know what you are getting into. Both are fun cars.