#998? For Sale in NY

[lonetreesteve]

Advertised as a '71, but if that's the case the seller has the VIN incorrect. The valve cover is not that of an early Series I, so who knows what the deal is. Starting price is too much for the condition; however, the seller states that he is willing to take offers on individual parts. Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Datsun-240Z-For-Parts-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ220580711138QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item335ba28ae2#v4-37

[Jeff G 78]

I don't care what the VIN is, that's a $400 parts car

[Diseazd]

They just keep coming out of the woodwork.....don't they?

[JohnnyO]

I don't care what the VIN is, that's a $400 parts car

I'm not sure it's worth $400. I'd be checking the firewall number and the block before I even went to visit. Salvage title too...

[Jeff G 78]

I typed $250 first, but then figured there had to be a few good parts left.

[Terrapin Z]

There is a digit missing from the vin #. It looks to me to be a late 71. I am no expert though. But the bumper and emissions are of a later year the 00998 would have.

It's a beater either way. $250 is even high for me.

[dclamm]

Original Wheels too! Those ZX (?) wheels might be worth more than the rest of it..

[Jeff G 78]

I had no idea that 1980's Toyota Supra wheels were original equipment on 1971 Datsuns. Weird, huh?

[JohnnyO]

Jeff, you're right. Might be worth $250 just to say you owned #998 (if it really was #998)

I'd take the 2002 sitting behind it. Those were fun little cars.

[Kathy & Rick]

There is a digit missing from the vin #. It looks to me to be a late 71. I am no expert though. But the bumper and emissions are of a later year the 00998 would have.

It's a beater either way. $250 is even high for me.

No, not a late '71, definitely a Series 1 somewhere between late 69 and

early 71, with a VIN of about 22000 or less and build date of 1/71 or earlier.

The C-pillar 240Z badge shows it to be a Series 1, as do the flow-thru air

outlet grilles on the hatch.

No issue with the bumpers; the rear has the optional overrider bar (our '70

had front and rear bars installed right on the showroom floor). A relatively

popular option back in the day, but I am surprised when a car has the rear

bar but not the front, as the front bar was the more important one due to

the way the hood protruded over the bumper. The lack of it suggests to me

that the car might have gotten popped in the nose at some earlier time and

the front bar not replaced.

Color code 904 Kilimanjaro White doesn't give us any clue because that color

came with a blue interior (which this car seems to have) all the way to the

end of '71. Friends of mine with #965 have this color scheme. In one or two

of the pictures it looks like the paint in the engine bay is blue. No clue there

either because even if the car were repainted white, the Color Code 903

Universal Blue also came with a blue interior.

The air cleaners are obvious aftermarket replacements, as is the dual endpipe setup.

I agree with you and Lonetree Steve: either there is a digit or two missing in

the VIN as shown, such as 19881 (or even as a long shot #11988 or #09880),

in which case it COULD be a "71. But this is rather unlikely (see ZHome.com

for details). OR if indeed it is #00998, it would have a 1/70 production date,

in which case the stipulated 1971 model year would be inaccurate.

In any case it doesn't look to be in good shape, and even with a low VIN I

think it is overpriced at $1500. We haven't even had an opportunity to check

out either the mechanical condition nor the possibility of rust, much less how

deep the R/F damage penetrated!!!

But if indeed it is #00998, I would rather see it rehabilitated than parted out

and the hull scrapped. Just a major personal hangup of mine.

All Z Best,....................................Kathy & Rick

[Mike B]

I would say it is a late 1970 production car, titled as a 1971 model. I don't see anything to indicate it's an early car. In addition to the later Nissan OHC valve cover, it has the balance tube that connects to the master vac on the top, rather than at the back. The hood bumpers and the plastic air intakes are not the early style. The hatch glass has the vertical rear defroster, not clear glass like an early car would.

Where do you see evidence of blue engine paint or a blue interior Rick? I don't see either one and the ad indicates a grey interior, which sounds like sun faded black to me. Remember that both the 904 white and 903 blue cars also came with black interiors, not just blue.

Even it it were HLS30-00998, it would be a HUGE restoration project and not worth saving at this point, in my opinion.

[WingZr0]

Every Z is worth saving, you just have to kill your wallet in the process . ~Z~