Is original paint worth a premium price? This 1971 Datsun 240z listed here on eBay is notable for its known history and Monte Carlo Red paint that’s said to be original, eliciting a description of the car as a “survivor” by its seller. The sheet metal gaps are nearly perfect, I couldn’t see any overspray, and the paint has that kind of well-cared-for but slightly dulled look typical of aged factory color. The engine numbers match as well. But the wheels are aftermarket items and the seats have been recovered in vinyl with velour inserts, disqualifying the car as a “survivor” in my opinion. The car is located in Apopka, Florida. So far the bidding is line with other early Zs that have been repainted or seen other changes at $22,100, reserve not met. This isn’t the first time the car has been offered at auction; it was listed at Auto Hunter in February and failed to sell at the high bid of $26,500.
The 2.4 liter in-line six cylinder, a jewel of a motor good for 150 hp, has a new timing chain and tensioner; the valves were lapped; and an electronic ignition system was installed. The brakes and clutch hydraulics were also overhauled. The paint is worn off the strut tower, and those emblems on the air cleaner housing look original. The cam cover shouldn’t be painted; later series 1 cam covers were embossed with “Nissan OHC” while versions up to spring 1970 said “Nissan 2400 OHC”. This car has a four-speed manual and a new exhaust. The driving experience is lively and nimble; it’s no wonder these cars have become popular in the last decade or so.
The interior is tidy but I don’t care for the non-original seat covers. Nice in the hot weather I’m sure, but the appearance of the crinkled black vinyl originals with metal buttons is classic. At least the quilted vinyl over the tunnel and in the cargo area is intact. The photos don’t reveal much about the top of the dash, which is prone to cracking. A few of the rubber seals are pulling away from their channels.
The series 1 Datsun 240z has a few special features worth mentioning. This car is early enough to have vertical defrost elements in the back hatch glass, but not so early that it has rear vents below the hatch, which were discontinued because they tended to pull exhaust fumes into the cabin. Instead, later series 1 cars received a vented emblem in the C pillar. Very early series 1 cars pull big prices, with some examples notching six figures a couple of years ago. But the market has faded lately for nearly every collector car, so it will be interesting to see how this 240z fares the second time around.
The series 1 cars are notable for having the rear hatch vents and the steering wheel with indents and not holes like this one in the spokes. Nice car.
Never get tired of seeing these, maybe have a soft spot in my head from the good times spent with one almost exactly like this minus the velour but same rims.
At that price point though the seller here is either behind the times in actual market value/expectations, trying to boost the overall themselves or really just doesn’t want to sell it.
Sweet. The seats don’t bother me at all. Who is going to notice? Unless you’re an aficionado of these cars.
Beautiful!!!
Original paint? Maybe, maybe not. “The paint is worn off the strut tower” doesn’t look like the paint is “worn” off. It looks like it has bubbled, cracked and lifted from poor paint preparation. Plus, there’s a streak of overspray on the right rear black rubber (just barely visible at top) in the open fastback pic and again on the left side.
Brother in law who paints cars says it could be a poor touch up but the rest of the paint does not look like a (minimum) 99000 miles.
Those wheels look like the ones I have on my Trans Am with 50 series Goodyear Gator back tires.
Very nice Z car.
Auto Hunter is still around? I loved picking that up every week or so and thumbing threw it. You know, back when people bought magazines.
I bought my Corvette and sold my Camaro using it.
Love it! I had a ’71 like this back in the 90s and used to terrify Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza with it. Good times!
I owned a 1970 1/2 a few decades ago that was an automatic. Very clean solid car at the time. When I put it up for sale 99% of those interested wanted a stick shift even though the listing had automatic spelled out. Can’t recall specific details but bottom line I would buy another one.
Taking a closer look at things the cracked paint on the strut towers were done from an impact wrench. Another thing I noticed was the data tag had been removed and put back on for some unknown reason. The top left screw shows a scratch and paint chip from a screw driver and a over tightened corner and buckle on the plate. Maybe one of our experts would know if these plates were riveted or screwed on?
My favorite car by my favorite BF writer with a cup of coffee. I’ve had two of these cars. Loved them both and regret selling them. Such is life.
What could be better than to start off my day this way.
Good job Michelle. Nice attention to detail. You really know your stuff.
Thank you.
Always interesting seeing the opinions on original and modified cars. Owned a new one for a short period of time and bought a set of alloy wheels and an upgraded suspension kit before it was delivered. These days it’s rare to see one that’s totally original, especially the wheels, which l never thought looked right except maybe on the pickups.