This 1972 Datsun 240Z has spent more than 25 years stored in a barn until it was unearthed recently. It is in need of a full restoration, but given the fact that these cars have grown in popularity over recent years, it is a job that seems to be worth taking on. You will find the 240Z listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Greenwood, Delaware, it comes with a clear title. Bidding on the 240Z has reached $2,550 at the time of writing.
Rust is the great enemy of the 240Z, and this one has some that will need to be dealt with. The outside of the car has a fair coating of surface corrosion, as does the underside of the car. The worst of the actual rust appears to be this spot in the passenger side floor, and a similar sized hole in the right-rear quarter panel where the bumper attaches. The rockers, doors, lower quarter panels, and around the hatch look solid, and the owner also says that the frame is solid.
The interior of the 240Z is also going to require a complete restoration. The positive in this is the fact that it does appear to be complete, and what I initially thought were some small cracks in the dash pad actually look to be spider webs. In the past, one of the areas that has proven difficult with interior trim restoration on a 240Z is obtaining the quilted-look vinyl that you can see in this shot. There are now a number of reputable upholstery firms who have the correct grained vinyl in an un-quilted state and actually run it through a heat press to emboss the quilting onto it.
The 2.4l straight-6 engine in the 240Z is a relatively bullet-proof engine that was designed with longevity in mind. I have had a bit to do with these engines, and their only real weaknesses are leaking valve-stem seals, and they can blow the head gasket if they are allowed to run hot. This 240Z is fitted with its original engine and 4-speed manual transmission. It all appears to be complete, but we have no indication as to whether the engine turns freely. If it does turn and requires a rebuild, then this is a pretty straightforward job that most mechanics can handle with ease.
Over the past few months, we’ve seen a number of 240Z project cars come across the desks here at Barn Finds. All have had predominantly the same issue, rust. This one is no exception, but the rust is nowhere near as bad as some cars that we’ve seen. They remain a firm favorite among classic car enthusiasts because they provide impressive performance, coupled with amazing handling. You can find some pretty average examples out in the market for around $14,000, but if you want a really good one, then $24,000 plus is the sort of price region that you’ll be looking at. This one looks rough, but it seems a solid enough car to justify a full restoration. If these keep increasing in value over coming years, then this one could be a good investment.
I need to get educated, how do leaky valve seals blow head gaskets?
It’s two different issues, not one leading to the other.
Apparently it was “stored’ in a car wash.
I think he wrote if the engine gets hot it can blow the head gasket. My question is is this something few knew? I thought all knew an overheating issue could blow the head gasket on any engine. At least that was my understanding.
This is the kind of car that a desperate person might buy once the train has left the station, which has pretty much happened with these Z cars. A very good/not concours ’72 will cost you about $23K to $28K now, maybe more….I haven’t looked at what these are selling at for at least a week.
The problem is, you can’t make this car into a $23K / $28K car for that money unless you do all the work yourself and pay yourself peanuts—something like 15 cents / hour.
The plastic & vinyl are all cooked, so you would need to replace all that stuff at high prices for repro parts, or pay the sky high prices that sellers are asking / getting for good original parts for these Z cars on Ebay.
How do I know? I’m restoring a January 1970 car right now…and with what I’m paying myself, I’m not getting rich. All I can say is that I’m glad I bought the car and most of the scarce parts I need for it years ago.
Good luck on this car, folks.
And don’t forget to sign up for welding class ASAP.
I would love to see the front core support/crossmember. I had a ’76 model I purchased for $100.00 as a beater back in the winter of 1984.(I live in NE Ohio) The locating holes for the front suspension thrust rods were rotted so badly the rods were completely loose. In addition to the rotted floorpan, this car was a prime example of the incompatability of Japanese steel and Cleveland road salts. I drove it for a week then dumped it. I do know that that wonderful drivetrain lived on in another ZCar.
It’d be great to keep any 240Z alive but you nailed it regarding invisible rust issues.
In the early ‘80’s we took in a fairy clean ‘72 Z for a complete exterior refinishing at our Northern Indiana body shop. It was drop dead gorgeous when it left the shop.
The owner called us about a year later asking if we could repair the “frame”.
He had the misfortune of having the engine fall out at speed on I-65.
The boxed “frame” ‘tubes’ from the firewall to the bumper supports were Swiss Cheese.
And all of the front suspension mounting points were history.
I think that he parted it out after we told him what it would cost.
Looks like the “barn” had a leaky roof – if it even had a roof.
Put this one back in the barn and let it finish it’s recycling into the earth.
The manuals got wet, possibly inside the vehicle?, that’s not a good sign.Manuals are usually kept in the glove box, so water may have entered the glove box, while the car was in the barn, interesting.
Already over 5 g’s! I don’t see anyone making any money on this one!
I don’t get why amybody would spend that kind of money
on a rusty car like this.I hope whoever buys it has their shots.
Here’s a picture of a ’72 that’s for sale here in Roanoke,
VA,for $5000.
You are spot on, I have a 74 260 Z that I’ve owned for 40 years. Rust is the most expensive part of restoring a car like this