'72 240Z at Barrett Jackson

[zhead240]

report by b. mitchell carlson

1973 datsun 240z coupe.

s/n hls3077430. orange/black vinyl & cloth. odo: 131,463. presentable older repaint with a smattering of touch-up nicks.small paint crack forming in the middle of rear hatch below latch release. original bumper chrome weak and dinged, light remenants of overspray on under-carriage. aftermarket performance open-styule dual air cleaners and spark plug wires,70's vintage indash marantz am/fm/cassette deck, heavily worn vents in dash. correctly reupholstered seats with little wear, door panels have some light warping. cond: 3-. not sold at $7000.

rerun on sunday, a no-sale at $7500. the excitement about first-generation Z-cars of a few years age has cooled down quite a bit since, and while this was a generally decent example, it was a long way from being worth the $12k reserve. either offer was repectable if not somewhat generous.

[kinfish]

Agree with Rick Bolus on what the seller's actual net was after expenses. I could not locate what the 2008 seller's fee was on the website but think it was about 7% in the past. The seller also also has to buy a parking space on the lot which varies from $600 to $1200 depending on what day and time it goes on the auction block. I am sure he also pays an application fee.

The buyer has to add a 10% commission ($1,225) for Barrett Jackson and I think our Governor Charlie Christ wants his 6.5% sales tax ($796) on top of that. Buyers also pay a $250 application fee for being qualified to bid on any car up to his/her line of credit.

These auctions are terrific for "ego enhancement" on those with extra bucks burning holes in their pockets. It is no place to look for a bargain. However, it a great place to look at many excellent restored automobiles. Also there are many things to look at other than cars. The crew that sold a 1955 Austin-Healey powered by a Range Rover V8 also brought several shapely models from South Beach to attract attention to their cars.

[Stickerman]

The 79 VW is the last year of the VW Beetle in the USA. 77 was the last sedan, 78 and 79 were convertible only years. The 79's do good money, for that reason

[Powerglide]

I attended the auction on Sunday...I live 15 minutes from the site. I go every year. I went this year primairly to watch the Z car sell.

I looked the car over VERY thoroughly prior to bidding. My observations are as follows: I have NO IDEA how the car drives over the road. I'm also not certain if the A/C blows cold. I spoke breifly with the owner and he said it was cold. Nice Z car overall. Nice Driver quality paint---definitely NOT SHOW QUALITY. Interior gets a somewhat better than average rating. Certainly not finished to the level of a national show winner. Again VERY nice driver quality. Under hood looked clean but driven. But I'd call that aspect of the car average at best! Overall---that car is a STRONG number 3 car. With 2 being a show car and a #1 being a PERFECT, never driven trailer queen. Compared to some of the finely finished, surgically clean mid-year Corvettes in attendence---the Z car was just OK.

I also watched the driver crank the car 3 times to finally get it started/running in the staging area. Saw a bit of blue smoke on start-up as well. I think $12,225 is strong money for that car. As it would take quite a bit of sprucing up to bring it to near show level.

My opinons are...just that...opinions. And they are free. Take them for what they are worth.

[Carl Beck]

I attended the auction on Sunday...-the Z car was just OK.......

I also watched the driver crank the car 3 times to finally get it started/running in the staging area. Saw a bit of blue smoke on start-up as well. I think $12,225 is strong money for that car. As it would take quite a bit of sprucing up to bring it to near show level.

My opinons are...just that...opinions. And they are free. Take them for what they are worth.

Hi Powerglide:

Your opinions are most likely far more accurate than the "hype" of "fully restored" in the item description. Thanks for sharing..

We'll most likely see the car on a Dealers Lot in the following months - priced at $21,500.00.....

FWIW,

Carl B.