Nissan Factory / Commemorative 240z on ebay

[jonathanrussell]

You don't see these for sale very often. It will be interesting to see where pricing goes. Good set of photos too.

Datsun Z Series Sport Coupe | eBay

[EhlersRS]

This is a beautiful car! I'd love to own one of the Vintage Z's someday, but that's way out of my budget! I'm going to contact Jim Frederick just in case he wants to add another Vintage Z to his Z Mecca collection.

Robert S.

[26th-Z]

This is HLS30-04295. Super interesting - $35,000 - sale we have not seen in some time. Take a good look at the photographs. You will see things that were typical of the restorations however not exactly correct to model year. That's all part of the story. The seller incorrectly states that these cars (approximately 37 of them) were "factory" restored. No they weren't. The restorations were made by four private southern California Z-car specialists under contract to Nissan; the most prominent being Pierre Z.

[EhlersRS]

Carl Beck added this car (HLS30-04295) to the Vintage Z Register this month:

IZCC Vintage Z Car Register (CZCR)

Robert S.

[ollie]

As one who went through an extensive and exhaustive restoration, which will never be considered "concours" as it does not have the original block, or exhaust, I'm curious to see where this lands. At $35K I would have been very interested although the journey was pretty fun. I suppose that although the body and interiour on mine is 100% stock, the car would be consdiered a "resto mod" since it has a CLSD and the L26 block, E31 head, stahl header and 1972 carbs...anyway good luck to the seller for sure and thanks to the OP for the head's up. Any guesses on the Reserve? I'm surprised that this hasn't shown up on BAT yet.

[jfa.series1]

A noticeable absence of interior photos, except for the rear deck - which looks to be incorrect cut pile carpeting and no sign of the luggage straps. I believe all the engine bay hose clamps should be yellow zinc plated - some of the details Chris has suggested. The poster has started the auction at $35k with a higher reserve (?) to be met.

[26th-Z]

I was thinking; while we're talking about it, a couple of references to the archives would be good. Some seriously entertaining reading here:

This one discusses the appropriateness of the term "factory", the 'F' word; http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/misc-s30/14243-just-bought-factory-restored-72-240z.html

Here's the thread I started about my research into the Vintage Z / Z Store program; http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/misc-s30/15911-z-restoration-progam.html

And another early thread of interest; http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/open-s30-z-discussions/27418-factory-restored-240zs.html

Enjoy!

[jonathanrussell]

My guess is that the auction never reaches the reserve and that the seller is using ebay as an advertising mechanism to gather potential buyers.

From what I have read there are lots of detail differences between these restorations and what was original. Seems like I remember that they simply didn't have access to new luggage straps so left them off of these restorations (not sure whether that means some or all). I agree that the hose clamps originally had a yellow chromate finish. My recollection of buying clamps from nissan during the 90s is that they were white zinc, which may explain why the restored cars had white zinic clamps.

Beautiful car. Will be a nice addition to someone's collection. I would rather have #13, however.

[S30Driver]

I tend to agree with jonathan, I won't be surprised if it goes past 50k though. The program cars don't come up for sale very often.

I hope Jay Leno gets it!

[26th-Z]

I just whipped through my collection of Vintage Z photographs and none of them show luggage straps. I don't think I noticed that before. The rear deck carpeting seems to be correct depending on where the tool kit lids are on the chassis, but no luggage straps on any of them. I do have a series of photographs of a car that was claimed to be a left-over, unfinished, partially assembled Vintage Z. Luggage straps are in the collection of parts that were photographed however they are not in part bags so who knows if they were replacement parts or originals.

[motorman7]

A noticeable absence of interior photos, except for the rear deck - which looks to be incorrect cut pile carpeting and no sign of the luggage straps. I believe all the engine bay hose clamps should be yellow zinc plated - some of the details Chris has suggested. The poster has started the auction at $35k with a higher reserve (?) to be met.

Much more is ‘incorrect’ beyond just the luggage straps. Wrong fan, no radio, wrong choke knob, screws missing from door panels, Air cleaner should probably not have decals, seats are aftermarket material, hose clamps should be round head-not hex and yellow plate (as mentioned). Anyway, I hate to pick at such a beautiful car, and silver has to be my favorite early color. I’d take the car in a minute if I had the room and the cash. I hope it goes for a nice price. Boy, I love that silver paint.

[Carl Beck]

I would guess that if this car sells - it will be purchased by someone that wants one of the 37 Vintage Z's - not someone looking for a 240Z to compete in a Judged Event, entered in a Stock Class.

FWIW,

Carl B.