260 found, what's it worth?

[72ZDave]

While my friend was pulling my motor out of my 240, a guy stopped by and told him where a 240 was for sale that didn't have any rust and ran when parked years ago. He went to look at it and turns out it's a 260Z 2+2 auto. He still may be interested in it, it appears to be original, needs work and has very little rust. I know the 240's from looking for one and from seeing the discussions on this web page, but is this 260 worth anything more than just an old 70's car?

[yor5150]

I can't really answer your question. One man's trash is another man's treasure, so to speak. I'm sure there will be others who can better speak to it's worth.

You might find an idea of what it's value in a general sense though at http://www.nada.com/.

I have an early 260Z that I really like. I've been driving it almost daily since I bought it several months ago. I'll switch over to driving my '73 as soon as she's on the road again because the 260 is all stock and the 240 now has a ZX L28, a 5 speed, new struts/springs and bushings so it should be more fun. I'm not so much concerned about the 260's value or collectibility. I just like it.

FWIW, I saw a 260 2+2 the other day and personally thought that the longer body made it ugly but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[gogriz91]

Not worth much unless you have kids and want to share the experience.

[EScanlon]

Ahh, the poor 260 and worse yet the 2+2.....

Someday, somewhere, people will realize that the ONE year US market 260, and additionally in it's 2+2 version may turn out to be the rarest of the US market Z's.

Now, this is based strictly on production numbers as reported on Z Home.

(See: http://zhome.com/History/Zproduction.html )

I'm not including it against other limited edition packages/variations that were done as marketing programs or as homologation productions.

(See: http://www.zhome.com/Buying/BeckBuyerG.html )

But, then again, it's only important if you're selling one, or want bragging rights.

FWIW

E

[barth4567]

Ahh, the poor 260 and worse yet the 2+2.....

Someday, somewhere, people will realize that the ONE year US market 260, and additionally in it's 2+2 version may turn out to be the rarest of the US market Z's.

Now, this is based strictly on production numbers as reported on Z Home.

(See: http://zhome.com/History/Zproduction.html )

I'm not including it against other limited edition packages/variations that were done as marketing programs or as homologation productions.

(See: http://www.zhome.com/Buying/BeckBuyerG.html )

But, then again, it's only important if you're selling one, or want bragging rights.

FWIW

E

You said it perfectly.

[mars23z]

Now now nothing wrong with a 260z

[Z train]

$1000 Max.

[WingZr0]

Now now nothing wrong with a 260z

But 2+2, whewwww, I only seen two of those done right.

One Modded to the max and the other simply nicely done in white with

white rims and black fender flares on low profile tires.

[BRE-240Z]

The 2+2 models were very desirable when they launched, and a lot of people like them today as drivers. You're talking about a different market entirely....it's a sport coupe with four seats.

In terms of styling, my own feeling is that the S30 2+2's looked all right, while the S130 2+2's looked sort of hunchbacked, like the front and rear of two different cars were welded together.

[SteveJ]

Ahh, the poor 260 and worse yet the 2+2.....

Someday, somewhere, people will realize that the ONE year US market 260, and additionally in it's 2+2 version may turn out to be the rarest of the US market Z's.

(extra material snipped out for brevity)

FWIW

E

E, I have to go on my typical rant. Rarity does not equal desirablity. I don't think you could pay me to own a mint condition unmolested all-original Pinto or Vega (Okay, maybe a Cosworth Vega...). How about a pristine Yugo? Fuggetaboutit.

On the other hand, look at the first generation Mustangs. They are considered desirable. They were produced in numbers that overwhelm the production of Z cars. After all from 64 1/2 to 68, there were somewhere near 2,000,000 Mustangs that rolled off the assembly line. There are still a lot of survivors, and they are still on the market. Compare the number and prices of first generation Mustangs for sale compared to S30 Datsuns.

Having said that, I do think the 2+2 prices will start to creep north as the supply of coupes dwindles, but the 2+2 prices will typically lag behind the coupe prices. I wouldn't be surprised if on average they continue to lag far behind coupe prices.

[sblake01]

Rarity does not equal desirablity

....it's a sport coupe with four seats

Taking both of those quotes into consideration, Datsun actually built a 'sport coupe with four seats' for the US and nobody cared, so to speak, then or now. It's in the middle picture of my sig. line. Only about 4800 of those were ever built and people have a hard time giving them away when it comes time to sell them. NADA only values the 810 2dr at about $1275 average retail and $1900 high retail, which, I guess would mean pristine condition. (which mine isn't). So much for rarity. For the 74 2+2 the give an average retail of $6,325 and a high retail of $11,850. I always take NADA's valuation with a grain of salt but, to me, the 810 values seem low and the 260 2+2 values seem high.

[EScanlon]

E, I have to go on my typical rant. Rarity does not equal desirablity. I don't think you could pay me to own a mint condition unmolested all-original Pinto or Vega (Okay, maybe a Cosworth Vega...). How about a pristine Yugo? Fuggetaboutit.

...snip...

Having said that, I do think the 2+2 prices will start to creep north as the supply of coupes dwindles, but the 2+2 prices will typically lag behind the coupe prices. I wouldn't be surprised if on average they continue to lag far behind coupe prices.

Steve you're right regarding Rarity and Desireability.

But don't confuse Desireability NOW with FUTURE Value.

The Stanley, better known as the "Stanley Steamer", was MUCH higher priced new than the Model T, and towards the end of it's heyday, was not considered as desireable as other similar vehicles. Forget that people referred to it as the "coffin nose" and that they were basically put out of business by the assembly line innovations of Henry Ford; while they were popular for a while, they weren't popular enough to survive against other vehicles. Today, a Model T may set you back $10k to $70k (this is a WAG), go ahead and compare it to a Stanley's price NOW at $30k to $95k.

While the discussion regarding ownership of a Pinto, Vega, Yugo, Pacer, Fiesta, Matador, 90's Capri, or other infamous model/marque may vary depending on individual characteristics, it is the test of time that will determine the value or "worth" of any one of them. The Edsel comes to mind as a "non-desireable" then, that is now worth much more than anyone thought they'd be worth...EVER.

So since the original question was:

...but is this 260 worth anything more than just an old 70's car?

And the initial replies were:

One man's trash is another man's treasure...snip...

I saw a 260 2+2 the other day and personally thought that the longer body made it ugly but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Not worth much unless you have kids and want to share the experience.

I pointed out how, by the production figures cited, it was one of the rarest of all the US market models. Which I still think is a valid point.

The issue of "desireability" is your input into the discussion.

While "desireability" IS a big factor in establishing value (see the DeBeers Diamond advertising), value CAN be established by rarity alone. While you can buy a flawless diamond a comparably equal but RARE diamond would be worth more.

In discussing cars, rarity alone can cause prices and desireability to peak (Vintage Z program cars).

So, while the majority of Z car hobbyists do not have the time, money and space to collect one of each Z model/variaion...at this time...down the road it may be that the 260Z 2+2 model becomes the rarest and potentially the most valuable.

My 2¢

E