This 1971 Datsun 240Z was recently pulled out of storage where it had sat since 2004. The seller is a small hot rod shop that is listing the 240Z as-is right now, and may pull the listing down if no one bites on it and restore it back to more appealing condition. Of course, it’s appealing as-is to me, and I like this one for being a true 240Z but not the earliest Series 1 car that everyone is paying way too much for at the moment. Find it here on craigslist for $9,650 or best reasonable offer, located in Oregon. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ikey H. for the find.
Now, I’m taking a guess on the non-Series 1 status, mostly because the rear hatch doesn’t have the two vents that is synonymous with the early cars. Of course, given it’s a different color, the hatch was likely replaced at some time, but the ultimate determinant is the sub-$10,000 asking price. Series 1 cars have heated up quite a bit recently, with perfectly preserved or restored examples ringing in at six figures in some cases. That’s why I like the later 240Z: it still has the same beautiful lines of the earliest cars, along with the small bumpers, but for far less money.
Now, some of that pricing could be related to the fact the interior is in tatters. The carpeting has been removed, one of the door panels is missing, and the seats clearly need to be completely redone. Like so many Z cars, the dash is cracked, and replacements cost a pretty penny. Thankfully, it’s a manual transmission example, as the onslaught of automatics arrived with the later cars. As the Z aged, performance declined and weight increased. The first-run 240Zs are considered by many to be the purest expression of the platform, another reason for the rising values.
The engine and transmission are described as numbers matching, and the seller mentions that it still runs and drives. Some desirable parts are included to begin the restoration, including a new dash cap, carpet kit, and seat upholstery kit. Honestly, that’s what I’d focus on once the basic mechanical R&R has taken place. Fix the interior, leave the exterior paint alone, and just drive the daylights out of it. The seller mentions that the original front bumper is included, and there’s very little else that would stop the 240Z from looking good, even with the patina-stained paintjob.
rotson!!! (from roadkill)
I just read the Craigslist ad, he forgot the “Don’t low-ball me, I know what I got” line.
Always wanted one, just not this one…
I always wanted one just like this, so I could do the small block swap and not feel guilty about “ruining” a pristine car. The new aluminum V8s must be bliss in these cars…
I had an early 240/Z that I drove the wheels off, the only thing I changed was the clutch after about 100,000 miles, later on I bought 2 matching 280/ZX models and they were a little more comfortable and not quite as fast. The 240 was just a fun car to own and drive. I sold the car to a friend for his daughter and she drove it till it just started to rust away we would joke that the engine would outlast the body and we were right, he ended up pulling the engine and put it into another 240 body.
One of the best looking Japanese cars ever. Strike that – one of the best looking cars of any nationality ever. Great lines and proportions put it in a class with E-types and Lussos.
Compare this to the Opel GT recently featured here, which is a car that I like. The Z car is head and shoulders above that.
This is what I called a ” ’71 – 3/4″,built in late ’71,
it had the chrome knob on the gas door,& the vents on
the sides. On the earlier cars,the “Datsun” emblems on
the lower front fenders were metal,& then later (’72 -up)
were plastic.
I have to laugh at anyone thinking this was any kind of a performance car. In 1973 a friend bought a new one. He had a 69 roadrunner and my 73 mustang Mach 1 would eat his lunch. So he got the 240 Z. I could outrun it in first gear and he in 3 gear. We would race on clover leaf on interstate and I would just leave him in the smoke. He ended up burning the car to get out of the payment. They were junk when new and for sure junk now. Only people that want them are people that do not know them. lol.
Your right it’s better to take off in first gear then third gear.
You don’t get it, but that’s OK.
If only Opel had put this much horsepower in the Opel GT. Way sexier sheet metal styling than the Z car.
I agree entirely!! What a let down the 240z was – no torque, had to really wind it up before it would move. Much like the Honda 2000 when it came out. And compared to the Brits, Germans and Italians, the styling left me flat – too angular and sharp, more origami than organic. The Opel GT looks alive!
My ex-boss had one of these that I spent a lot of time in. Wider tires and wheels, Bilstein shocks and a more open exhaust system. It was smooth, torquey, and great handling. Not a drag race car, but quick enough to be entertaining, and comfortable enough to spend all day blasting through Twisties. It lasted way over 200,000 miles with just a headgaket replacement at about150,000 miles. It still had it’s original clutch and rear brakes when sold at approx. 245,000 miles. This car was never babied!