Every so often a true barn find surfaces—one that hasn’t been passed from owner to owner but comes straight from the person who bought it new. That’s the story behind this 1973 Datsun 240Z, now listed on craigslist and described as a mostly original, low-mile survivor with a clean title. It’s rare enough to find an early Z-car that hasn’t been modified, parted out, or heavily modernized, but finding a one-owner example that’s been tucked away for years is becoming almost unheard of. For someone wanting a straightforward project with mechanical work already underway, this could be a standout opportunity. Thanks for the tip, T.J.!

According to the seller, the car spent years off the road before emerging as a barn find. Once pulled from storage, it went to a local mechanic who handled much of the basic recommissioning—replacing the brakes, rebuilding or replacing the carburetors, refreshing the fuel tank, and completing a tune-up. Those items are some of the biggest hurdles in reviving a parked Z, so having them handled up front removes a lot of unknowns for the next owner.

The seller calls the car “mostly all original,” and with 128,000 miles on the odometer, it appears to have led a fairly straightforward life. This 240Z is equipped with an automatic transmission, a setup that is less common than the manual but still very desirable among collectors who appreciate period correctness or simply prefer an easier-going classic. However, pictures show a shifter that looks like a manual, but it could be a shifter boot, so we’ll leave it up to the buyer to check that detail out. It remains a rear-wheel-drive, six-cylinder sports car with all the inherent charm that made the early Z-cars such strong performers in their day.

While the ad is kept simple, the overall tone suggests a car that hasn’t been altered, hasn’t been heavily worn out, and hasn’t been left to deteriorate beyond reasonable revival. Z-cars of this era have skyrocketed in collectibility, especially those that avoid the typical rust and modification issues. A one-owner example that’s already been given mechanical attention—and priced at $9,800 firm—will appeal to buyers looking for an investment-level driver that can be improved gradually.

As with any barn find, the next step is seeing it in person, understanding the remaining needs, and deciding whether this is the kind of preserved-but-used classic that fits your vision. With prices rising and original cars getting harder to uncover, this might be the moment for someone who’s been waiting for the right 240Z project.

Would you take on a one-owner Z like this—restore it, preserve it, or simply enjoy it as-is?