My $100 Craigslist Series I Earliest Automatic

[kurtwwalters]

I was checking out Craigslist looking for a parts car and came across an ad I thought must be a typo. It was a 70 240Z in not too bad of shape for $100. I live in Phoenix and this car was in Gonzales - near Monterey - California. I figured I'd give him a call just to see if it was real.

It turns out it was the real deal. The car is complete, original, and very well documented. It is number HLS30 07969, build date 8/70. It is an automatic car, as is verified by the warranty card. It has the series I NISSAN 2400 OHC valve cover. I think it is the only automatic car in the registry that came with this valve cover. The guy I bought it from's dad was the original owner. The warranty book with 2 warranty cards, original tool kit still in the plastic bag, owner's manual and original jack and spare tire are all there!

I checked and the VIN matches all around and the engine number matches the ID plate on the shock tower. There are a few small rust problems. The battery area is remarkably clean. A small spot under the hatch, on the drivers' fenderwell and on the roof, no spots more than a finger size. The floor pans are in great shape.

I was looking for a parts car, but with all the documentation and the rarity of such an early automatic - this one will be restored.

I put some pics in the gallery. Check it out!

[Carl Beck]

Amazing... sometimes you just luck out.. Great Deal..

I'll never understand how people can sell something like that for a hundred bucks...

Looks like it might have been orange or red originally... but certainly worth restoring..

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Zak's Z]

What a score!

[geezer]

Wow Kurt! Guess it pays not to assume something is a typo. Nice score. It looks like it is all intact and it is rather unique. She is an excellent candidate for restoration. I would have been giggling all the way home.

[Jackhammer]

Nice find. It looks like with this addition you have a small fortune in restoration projects.

[Sailor Bob]

Man, it bugs me that I am so far away from these deals. Excellent find. Congrats

[moonpup]

My service manual for the 240Z's auto tranny has an issue date of July 25, 1970. I wonder if these were put out before or after the auto equipped Z's began life.

[kurtwwalters]

Jackhammer, you are right. I will have some choices to make. I have 4 Zs that all would be good restoration projects. I hate to turn a viable candidate into a parts car. Fortunately, I don't need to decide that right now.

Sailor Bob - I was far away from this deal. I drove over 600 miles one way to get this car - leaving Friday night and getting back like 5am Sunday morning. When a deal comes up, you have to jump on it right away and be willing to travel a bit. Having a tow dolly helps a lot.

The car was originally 918 orange. You can see it inside the hatch and a little in the engine compartment and on the underside of the hood. If is under cover now while I get my 73 going.

[Fun_in_my_z]

Hope you got a title.

[evilpete]

Congrats!

[lonetreesteve]

Kurt,

Wow, that's remarkable! When you get around to restoring it, the original 918 Orange will look great!

[rtaylor]

You are one lucky man. Talk about a barn find.