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Triple Weber Conversion: 1971 Datsun 240Z

While we tend to swoon over bone-stock survivors on this page, there’s a lot to be said for driver-quality cars upgraded with some sensible enhancements that don’t distort the original spirit of the car. This 1971 Datsun 240Z is such a vehicle, looking quite sharp with new paint and some aftermarket wheels, along with several period-correct upgrades under the hood. The seller notes he has enjoyed driving it on the mountain roads around Boise, Idaho, which isn’t the first place you’d expect to find a Japanese classic like this. It does have some flaws, but nothing that can’t be sorted out with time and money. Find the 240Z here on eBay with bidding to $10,400 and no reserve.

The earlier cars are always a favorite of ours for the slimmer bumpers and more spirited performance that came standard before the buzzkills in different federal agencies thoroughly killed the Datsun’s good vibes. This example looks awesome with its lowered suspension and wider aftermarket wheels, two upgrades I wouldn’t change given the improvements in handling they likely deliver. The seller notes a long list of mechanical improvements, which includes several performance-oriented tweaks. For instance, that’s a 2.5″ exhaust with Vibrant resonator and Magnaflow muffler poking out the back.

This is one of my favorite upgrades of any carbureted, six-cylinder car, as my departed 1980 BMW 320/6 had the same modifications under the hood. The triple Weber conversion isn’t necessarily easy to fine-tune or even to live with, but the ensuing noise and performance is well worth the pain of upkeep. You’ll also notice the strut housings don’t exactly look stock, and that’s because the seller has invested in one of the better solutions out there today for converting classic cars to a coilover setup: Techno Toy Tuning Ground Control Coilovers, an up-and-coming name in race-proven suspension components for vintage Japanese motors.

The car isn’t perfect – the seller notes the paint job is a few shades off from what the factory color was, and obviously the interior needs some help. The dash has cracks, the brake booster is leaking, the heater core leaks, the fuse box needs replacing….and there’s several other repairs that range from should do soon to I can live with this for some time. I like cars like this, as they are the type of vehicle you can get in and drive without being scared of a few road scars happening over time, and it also leaves some room for improvements that can definitely make the 240Z more desirable without breaking the bank. Nice upgrades and easy to live with – a great example of a collectible Z car that doesn’t have to become a garage queen.

Comments

  1. bobhess bobhess Member

    My type of car, one you can actually use and enjoy. Love discrete mods like this one has. Makes it a safer car and it’s fun to do, which these cars were built for.

    Like 12
  2. Avatar Al_Bundy Member

    No doubt about it, this is desirable car and the owner gets kudos for being honest in the description. Selling with no reserve is fair. If the rust is minimal, better yet. My red flags are electrical as disclosed; Fuse box, signal/switches, lighting issues make we worry about shorts, fires and a compromised harness. Detonation issues/timing makes you wonder about the 2.4 build…(?) Then again, the car will be bid beyond what I can afford by someone who knows these well. This car will likely live on many years and hope it does. Market for them up through 280 seems strong regardless of condition.

    Like 6
  3. HoA Howard A Member

    Very nice cars, BUT,,,does everything have to be this “triple Weber” baloney? I mean, Webers are great for full throttle applications on exotic Italian supercars, and I know many have good luck, but every Weber I dealt with was a PITA, much less 3 OF THEM. For cryin’ out loud, nobody cares how many Weber carbs you have, leave it alone, the SU’s were simple did just fine, ugh, again, nice car, above 45 degrees. No air cleaners, another big mistake. Where I live, air filters have to be replaced often, there’s more dust in the air than you may think.
    I guess I’m just a vanishing purist that thinks the factory equipment did what the car was engineered for, not some triple Weber setup.

    Like 19
    • Avatar Dat Sun

      I had a 260 that I converted to 3 Webers. Once I set it up, wah lah, I never had a problem and it ran so, so much better than stock.

      I also put a cam in it and headers. That’s really all it needed to make it run great.

      Like 2
      • HoA Howard A Member

        Oh, it can be done, but therein lies the problem. Webers are fantastic pieces, and if you know what you’re doing, probably the most high performance induction without going to fuel injection. Trouble is, “Weber” is this catch word, and many think it’s a quick bolt on fix, and it just isn’t so. I looked at a Spitfire that had the Stromberg removed and a Weber installed, it was awful. Hard starting, stumbled, I even asked, “do you still have the Stromberg”? Same thing with CJ’s I’m looking at. Many have Webers, or headers, and they run like crap, especially in the cold,, IDK, I let the factory determine what’s best, not some mail order money pit.

        Like 0
  4. Avatar Luki

    Mikuni 45s are the way to go if you want more power without a turbo.
    I know because I run a set on my 2002 and they are basically trouble free.

    Like 11
  5. Avatar Ron

    What no air cleaners? 10,000 gallons of air to every gallon of gas burned.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Steve R

      Air filters that fit inside Webber velocity stacks have been available for decades. Just because you can’t see them in the picture doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

      Steve R

      Like 0
  6. Avatar angliagt Member

    What’s that on the upper part of the driver’s door?
    I like the original gold color of this,but don’t care for this
    lighter colored repaint.
    I also agree with Howard about the Webers.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Steve Clinton

    A little Armor-All on those seats wouldn’t hurt. ;-)

    Like 1
    • Avatar bry593

      That’d make it tough to repaint the vinyl.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Greg Millard

    SU are trouble free when left alone – don’t tighten every scew and or nut just cause it’s there.

    Like 3
  9. Avatar douglas hunt

    i dunno, i find the thought of the triple webers cool as hell ….

    Like 5
  10. Avatar JMB#7

    I like it, otherwise I would not comment, I do have concerns that it has been run without air filters (or even screens) and the valve cover breather is wide open as well without even a length of hose on it. Any brand and quantity of carburetor swap needs to be set up correctly (dyno & CO meter advised). The fact that there are three does not bother me at all, just more jets & emulsion tubes to have on hand. Actually I have had more challenges with single carburetors due to flow issues with the intake manifolds. Most of my Weber triple experience is from BMW. Any carburetor without a choke will not like cold weather, cold starts. This is a driver’s car, and probably “more fun than a barrel of monkeys”. Yes, it does have some issues that need sorted.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar 370zpp Member

    Webers/shmebers, I like the car. fix the interior, drive and enjoy.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar RoughDiamond

    I love the color of this ’71 240Z. That is the first time I recall seeing a fastened seat belt sitting in a small crater.

    Like 0

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