Classic Motorsports (Nov. 2008)

[Vintage Racer]

A 1970 Datsun 240Z is featured in the recent (Nov. 2008) issue of Classic Motorsports.

It is part of a long article about classic cars and their "descendants" (i.g., they test a 1970 Porsche 914-6 and a 2004 Porsche Boxster).

The 1970 Datsun 240Z happens to be owned by the owner of the magazine (Tim Suddard). The yellow Z is basically stock but has a 280ZX 5-speed. They compare it to a 2007 Nissan 350Z.

They corner-weighed the 240Z:

LF 579 lbs.

RF 598

LR 548

RR 581

---

Total weight: 2312 lbs.

They suggest that the value of the car today is $6,000-$22,000. They also think that the 5-year projection value is $12,000-$30,000.

http://www.classicmotorsports.net

On p.145 of this issue, I noticed a nice looking 1971 Datsun 240Z race car (red). It has logbooks, a Slover engine, a 5-speed, fire system, coilovers, and $2000 worth of spare parts. Asking $13,500. (614)-527-4743 (OH).

[Arne]

The 1970 Datsun 240Z happens to be owned by the owner of the magazine (Tim Suddard). The yellow Z is basically stock but has a 280ZX 5-speed.

It's not really stock anymore. That car has had pretty regular coverage in the magazine. The original L24 is still in it, but it has been mildly massaged.

http://classicmotorsports.net/project-cars/1970-datsun-240z/

[rdefabri]

Any other points raised about the 240Z? Curious what they liked/disliked, especially compared to the new model.

[Arne]

I don't recall anything in particular. Definitely no new revelations. As most people have noted, it's very difficult to compare a 240Z to a modern 350Z. Different times...

[hls30.com]

..., it's very difficult to compare a 240Z to a modern 350Z. Different times...

And here I thought it was just too difficult to compare a vintage Z and a Genetic mutation of a Frog!

Will

[gogriz91]

Isn't that the car John Williams helped to build, he has a shop in Sugar Hill?

[Fun_in_my_z]

I read the article, pretty good stuff!

[Danglybanger]

...It would have been interesting to see them compare to a 260/280...

Actually, can anyone recall ANY magazine that's given the 260/280 any space? (other than to just give a passing mention to it being the "diluted successor to the 240" or something?)

[DougN]

Isn't that the car John Williams helped to build, he has a shop in Sugar Hill?

IIRC, I beleive John did do the engine for that car.

Cheers,

Doug

[xray]

What a great read! I liked the then and now comparison. I didn't realize it then but now can't get away from the Miata=MGB Z3=TR6 comparison! Nice to have the "spiritual successor" to the TR6 in my garage, but the original is equally fun to drive...I was disappointed about the 914, specifically in re: transmission as I had been eyeing a 914/6 for my next garage project...

[soundmasterg]

The 914 can be made to shift just fine.....it takes a side shifter or some aftermarket shifting arrangements. Grassroots Motorsports had a project 914 a couple years ago and they went all through the conversion in the magazine. if you look on their site you can probably find out info about the project car.

Greg