I am a long-time admirer of the old 240Z and looking to acquire a 1970 first year model, with hopes of some appreciation. Any suggestions from you experienced Z owners on what to look for and stay away from?

Thanks!

First thing is to compare the VIN # on the firewall in the engine compartment to the VIN's on the dash and other ID plates (like door jamb and engine compartment).

Makes sense. Any concerns about having a 2.8 liter engine dropped under the hood, instead of the original?

If you are looking to a Z for an investment . Find a rust free '70 with a low vin number and low miles that is all origional and complete. Then don't drive it. A car that is as described will appricate more as time goes on just because of atrition . The later 240s will also but not as great as the first year of production. When these cars , like any other collectable car , are driven the value is deminished . The later cars are not as collectable epecially the 2+2 version . Personally , I drive my 240 and enjoy the experience , plus the pride of ownership . Ownership is mearly secoundary . I don't desire to have a collection even if I could afford it and have the storage area . Thats' my 5c Gary

If you are concerned with investment value, you want it as original as possible. If - like me - you are concerned with a nice classic car that you can drive every day, the 2.8 is no big deal. But only you can decide what you really want the car for.

Got a VIN number of HLS3001399, is that low or high?

That's the 1,399th one ever made and that is very low. Just double check them. Trust me.....I thought I just bought # 3137 but just discovered I didnt because of a mismatch. Still trying to unravel what I really have now. But - I LOVE the car and the experience of driving it and working on it so it does depend on your motives.

Quite low. HLS30 indicates a left hand drive 240Z. 01399 is the sequential number indicating the 1399th left hand drive car (more or less). A car with that number should have a build date in 1969, not 1970. Very low.

The value of a car that early would be much higher with its original numbers-matching engine than with a swapped-in engine. See if the seller has the original engine on site somewhere.

Thanks, everyone!

Unfortunately, seller bought from someone who worked at Nissan and they replaced the engine about 8 yrs ago.

Hi Duffman, welcome to the group. Good luck with your car. Some folks will not mind if the engine isnt original. Happens all the time.

Chris

Quite low. HLS30 indicates a left hand drive 240Z. 01399 is the sequential number indicating the 1399th left hand drive car (more or less). A car with that number should have a build date in 1969, not 1970. Very low.

I believe only the first 500 U.S. cars were built in 1969. See this page for more information: http://zhome.com/History/69ZArticle.html