Teach me about my z car (1971 240z Series II)

[Landshark]

My girlfriend is going to be the new owner of her father's 1971 240z car before the end of the month. From what I can figure out after doing some research online is that it's a Series II of the 1971 model. Sorry I don't have pictures at this point, but it's green.

What I do know about it is that the engine was replaced with one from a wrecked 240z. The engine has roughly 30k miles on it, the car itself (odometer) shows around 107,000 miles. Her father is a machinists for the u.s. air force (he's civilian), so he's taken very good care of the car.

I'd really like to know as much as possible about this car. I'm new to the 240z car world (I drive a subaru wrx wagon and I use to own a 1979 datsun 510 4-door). While we will be getting info about the car from her father, I'd like to get some advice and info about the car in general. Are there any common problems? Things that are great about this car? Things that aren't so great about it? etc.

I've read about the specs (engine, size of the car, etc), but was hoping to learn more about day to day driving experience. I believe these take premium? I've heard it gets around 20mpg as well.

Is there any random info you'd be willing to share? I'd appreciate all chatter about it.

Thanks!

[JonnyRock]

Premium is not neccessary, although I know a number of members here use it. Gas was leaded when the Z came out, and the lead was used to raise gasoline's octane rating. I believe that is why they use premium.

I'm doing a paper right now so I can't go over much with you, but as a new Z owner there is one consideration that should be at the front of your mind always: Beware of rust!

And enjoy!

Edited October 20, 2008 by JonnyRock

[Zs-ondabrain]

Actually, when tuned properly and driven like a baby, you can pull over 25 MPG. I have a series 1 70' 240Z and have gotten as much as 28 MPG, using a 79' 280ZX 5-speed and a 3:90 Diff on 225/50ZR16's. I also have triple Weber sidedraft carbs, so I can detune it and get more power but worse mpg.

Keep up on the tune-ups (plugs, cap and rotor) and make sure you only use NGK plugs and wires (plugs are BP6ES gapped betwwen .032 and 0.35) You can upgrade the ignition system with a better coil, 79' 280ZX electronic distributor, or a Crane Fireball Infra-red upgrade.(XR3000)

Like John said, Rust is the enemy. All is true with any older vehicle. Yours is 37 years old so keep an eye on the frame rails, floor pans, dog legs (between the doors and rear wheels) and the hatch area. You'll find everything you ever wanted to know about your future Z within this site. Wether it's rust treatment, electrical, upgrading, swapping parts, or whatever, it's in here somewhere. Just use the search button and go nuts. If after searching hard, you can't find an answer to your question, Ask. Someone will chime in, but be patient as most of us are in the garage or in the car.

Don't forget to add some pictures as soon as you can. We love pictures,

Dave.

[Landshark]

Thank you for the replies and suggestions. I believe the rust is non-existant on this car, but we'll be taking a very close look once we get it in our garage which should be this coming weekend.

I noticed that you are both posting from Washington State, is there a local z club or more local website? I live in Lake Stevens (although the car is currently in Tacoma until this weekend).

I've been reading a lot on this site so far. It's always fun reading about a new car.

[Zs-ondabrain]

I live in Marysville, a whole 7 minutes from Lake Stevens. Oliver at Z-Specialties is on HWY 9 in clearview, just south of Snohomish. Gary is the Owner of Z-Sport in Everett on Smith Ave, just east of the Brown Bear car wash on Broadway.

I do upgrades for the lighting systems in 240Z's, mostly. You're welcome to stop by after you get the Z, Just write me at wolfin32z@yahoo.com

I have 2 great Z car guys coming up from Oregon on Thursday, for me to work on one of their Z's. (wiper upgrade and some other stuff).

Dave.

[Landshark]

Hey Dave, that's awesome! We've spotted the Z Specialists shops daily (we take hwy 9 to work). I really appreciate the offer and information!

My name is Scott, my girlfriend is Anna. We will need to meet sometime soon since you are so close. I think our first priority once we get the car is to have someone more knowledgeable than us take a closer look at the car/engine and let us know the condition.

It has been sitting outside, somewhat covered, but it's also been driven a couple times a week (i.e. not sitting for years and years or even weeks).

I think this is going to be a fun car to own.

[Arne]

I think this is going to be a fun car to own.

That's what most of us who own them think. And actually, you'll have plenty of company in Washington, and down here into Oregon as well. Some of the local Datsun gatherings are quite well attended.

[Carl Beck]

My girlfriend is going to be the new owner of her father's 1971 240z car before the end of the month...

...snipped...

I'd really like to know as much as possible about this car....

....snipped....

I've read about the specs (engine, size of the car, etc), but was hoping to learn more about day to day driving experience.

....snipped...

I'd appreciate all chatter about it.

Thanks!

Hi Scott:

First I have to say that I hope your girlfriend is over 30 years old. I wouldn't give my Z to my Daughter unless she was at least 30, and had worked hard for her first three or four cars. Then I'd know that she "might" have some appreciation for the Classic Sports/GT I was giving to her. Besides, I wouldn't want some dinky boyfriend messing with my Z, as well as with my daughter:finger:

OK - seriously - Over my lifetime I've had just about any/every car I've wanted. Sports Cars, Muscle Cars, Practical Cars. I've been a car nut since the mid 50's. For the most part my lust or affection for each vehicle lasted about as long as each serious girlfriend... 5 years on average. AM-X, GTO, SS396, 428Super Cobra Jet. Corvette, Porsche, Jag. Ferrari. Corvairs, VW's, Datsun 510's....it seems the list is endless..

I bought my first 240-Z in Spokane, Washington in 1970 and I've been driving them ever since. I still have the 72 240-Z that I bought new at the end of 1971. The Z is the only car I never lost interest in, and without regard to "price" it is the best Sports/GT I've ever owned. As everything else came and went from my ownership over the past 38 years - the 240-Z is the only car that always stayed.

Everything about the 240-Z is as I would have designed it myself - if I had had the talent, experience and knowledge to have done it. - - - ah with maybe 1 or 3 picky exceptions.

1. I would have done a far superior job of corrosion proofing... a car that wonderful should never have been allowed to bare it's very thin and tender sheet metal to the elements.

2. Even in 1969 I would have equipped it with larger diameter and width wheels/tires and associated brakes.

3.......ah there must be something else... but I can't think of it right now....

The bottom line is that the 240-Z changed America's perception of what a Sports Car should be, and how much a truly fine Grand Touring Car should cost. The combination of Beauty, Balance and Budget that the Datsun 240-Z offered has to this day never been equaled by any competitor.

"Budget" in the above refers to the Engineering Budgets, the trade-off's made during both the engineering and production phases, which allowed the original beautiful styling coming out of the Styling Studio to be faithfully retained into final form.

The Datsun 240-Z is the car that laid the foundation for the broad acceptance of Japanese automobiles among American consumers. It is today considered a true Classic and perhaps one of the ten most important vehicles in US Automotive History. The man most responsible for shepherding it out of the Design Studio, through Engineering and finally into full mass production, Mr. Yutaka Katayama, has been inducted into the Automobile Hall Of Fame in Dearborn.

"A fun car to own"... for sure, but also it should be seen as a treasured Classic. Today you can pay ten to fifty times as much for a Sports/GT and in the end it still won't be as completely good, as honest, nor as much fun as a Datsun 240Z.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Curtis240Z]

As Carl has stated the car will not survive sitting out in the rain. It will literally rust away if you keep it outside without some kind of carport or garage.

Rust or a substantial accident is the only death of a 240Z. On the plus side it is a timeless classic, easy to work on, relatively inexpensive to keep running. That is why each person in my family has their own 240Z.

The original engines were specified for premium leaded fuel. You can detune it if you want to use regular gas. Original engines require leaded fuel because they use bronze valve seats. Without the lead the seats will eventually deterioate. Modern day valve jobs do not use bronze anymore.

[Landshark]

Hey Carl, Thank you for the very informative post. It's good to be reminded about the classic car quality that the 240z really is. We will definitely be treating it as such.

Now for a bit more personal reading material:

Both sides of our family have been known to be attracted to more unique cars. On my side, my Mom has always been a fan of 2 door sporty cars. She's on her 2nd FIAT Spyder. She also use to own a mid 80's Pugeot 505 Turbo. This rubbed off on me and during my high school years I owned a 1978 Datsun 510 (4 door and with a moon roof!). Absolutely the most unique car anywhere near my school at the time. I ended up donating that car after having massive electrical problems. In hindsight I wish I would have kept it and fixed it up later on down the line.

On my girlfriend's side, she use to own a Baja Bug which she did all of the repair/engine/etc work on her own (her Dad has taught her a lot). She also learned to drive manual on the 240z which we are receiving this weekend. She's a girl who does all of her own engine work as long as she has the tools to do it. Definitely a keeper.

The 240z will have a place in our garage, it will sit next to our motorcycles safe and sound.

To answer the age question, I'm 27 and she's 22. We've got a few years before we both hit that 30 mark.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

It sounds like you have a good start of a life completely absorbed by cars. I am 35, and its been my passion since I was 15 years old. As you can tell Landshark, the 240Z is more than a car. I am not going to get all metaphysical on you, but have you ever seen a car generate such loyalty and such passion as you have seen on this website and on this very thread. I have been part of countless automotive forums, and I have never met such a genuinely honest bunch of people as I have on this board. Folks like Arne, Carl, jmotenson, just to name a few are always around and never seem to tire of helping people keep these great cars on the road. It took me 35 years to finally be able to afford my 240Z. Its in good shape, but its not perfect. I have loved every single minute of wrenching on it. Its the first car that I have not had to take any shortcuts on and the 240Z is worth every single penny, and every single minute. Its been on jackstands for a little over a month during my 'clunk' investigation and its been sorely missed. I long for the cruise nights and the car shows again that always accompany the cool weather in the south.

The 240Z is everything Carl mentioned above and more. Its the Japanese 911. Its has truly timeless styling. Its well engineered, and was designed and built with the correct passion that all cars should be conceived with.

You are being given a great gift. You would be wise beyond your years if you held onto it for many years to come.

Edited October 22, 2008 by Zedyone_kenobi

[Zs-ondabrain]

So basically, You've chosen the right car if you're looking for a good community of fellow Z owners that will help when they can.

You're in good hands,

Dave.