Datsun Memorabilia from early in the 240Z days

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Love the wording in this.

Hints at just how hard it was to get a Z back in the day.

[psdenno]

It was hard. When I bought mine in 1971, there was a nine month waiting list...and no color choice. You took what rolled off the boat or it went to the next guy on the list and you waited for the next delivery.

It was possible to "buy" your way up the list by paying about 20% over sticker price - which is what I did because I had just returned from overseas and needed a car.

Fast forward 42 years and that same Z is parked in my driveway making me feel as good as when it was new and in the showroom.

Dennis

[bartsscooterservice]

I've printed that one, and put in the garage on the wall

IMO the text is even relevant today, mine does get attention everytime, everywhere... it's not like a 240Z is a common sight here.. mostly the European and American classics..

[Fred Sigarto]

I was lucky, after getting discharged, went to the 3 dealers in the Cleveland area, and getting the same $1K down and wait 6-9 months and no color or tranny choice. I went to Stang Motors, North Ridgeville, Oh. $100 down, week later, 3 to choose from. white w/auto, brown 4speed, and white, bought a white w/4speed. I'll post a pic, if I can ever figure out how to.

[Dr. 240Z]

Hi,

I've got that print mounted and hanging proudly on my garage wall.

In the fall of 1970 I had my name added to a first come, first serve list of eager 240Z buyers in Dartmouth (Halifax) Nova Scotia. Fast forward to the following April/May and I was still somewhere on that list. In May of '71 I went west to Kitimat, British Columbia for a summer job. As luck would have it, I no sooner landed there but what I spotted two shinny red Z's at a small dealership. Immediately I went in to find they had just been unloaded and one was already sold. So, without any '****ering', on the same day I could have been in Halifax to receive my first degree, I bought my first car. Forty two years later I still have it.

[jmorrison146]

I bought the second 240z to hit Las Cruces, NM and was able to buy it for $3,600 without any dealer add-ons. 903 blue with black interior. The dealer added A/C for me a few months later at a cost of $800.

About 18 months later, you could see 240Zs on the street and all the advertising had hit BUT there was a dock strike on the west coast. High demand, low supply. I was offered $5,000 for the car and, like an idiot, I took it.

I've since owned a silver 280Z and a red Series One 240. The red Series One was being prepped as a track car--280 motor, mild cam, well-tuned triple Dellorto carbs, header, 5-speed, lowered, Motegi alloy wheels, but only a racing seat in the interior. I put B-Quiet, sound deadener throughout and installed new carpet and stock seats. Loved everything about it except for the ride harshness and fuel mileage. Paid $5000 for it, put maybe $2,000 into it and, like an idiot, sold it for $10,000.

I will soon pay top dollar for a nice, one-owner, bone stock, silver 1972 in excellent condition. I'm older and wiser now -- I'll make a few tasteful, period-correct mods and hang on to it.

[Burl]

In 1971 in San Antonio, I could either buy a MGB w/hardtop for $3400 with immediate delivery or a 240z with no guaranteed delivery. Bought the MGB, had a great time...now the 240z!

[jfa.series1]

In early 1971 I wanted a Z just like so many others - but they were unobtanium. I was just about to pull the trigger on a Porsche 914 when a close friend staged an intervention. He said "Quick, go right now to Jack Crew Trophy Datsun in Dallas - they have 2 Z's for sale and one can be test driven". Sure enough, a red one was out front for a test drive, and yes I did - and yes I took it to 7,000 RPM redline on the city street out front. The salesman just about pissed himself! Inside on the showroom floor was my baby-to-be: Safari Gold and loaded to the hilt, including outrageous and illegal 10" wide race tires. The price was equally outrageous and no one wanted to pay it. I reminded the salesman that the rubber was illegal on the street and had to come off, so did many $. They also pulled out the horrendous 8 track unit and stuck in a Datsun AM/FM head. The deal was done and a long-term marriage was underway!

[Mikes Z car]

I spotted a 71 Z for sale in 1977 at a used car lot. I bought it and liked it so much I would drive out to a parking lot next to the main drag and watch cars go by because I just liked sitting in it. It seemed like a magical place being in that car. Never felt that way about any other car except for the Z I have now.